Buying train tickets in Zurich airport
Jul 22nd, 2008, 02:15 PM
#1
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Buying train tickets in Zurich airport
We arrive in Zurich and want to leave immediately for our destination, which is Soglio near the Italian border. Can we buy our train/post bus tickets in the airport or must we first get to the main train station in Zurich to buy our tickets all the way through to Soglio? Thanks!
Jul 22nd, 2008, 02:21 PM
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Hi Cimbrone,
There is a train station in the basement of the airport. It has a loooong line of desks for agents to sell you tickets, passes, send your luggage, etc. No problem! This is a full-service train station.
Have fun!
s
There is a train station in the basement of the airport. It has a loooong line of desks for agents to sell you tickets, passes, send your luggage, etc. No problem! This is a full-service train station.
Have fun!
s
Jul 22nd, 2008, 05:36 PM
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As swandav said, it is complete station. You will also find shopping opportunities on the same level of the airport.
There are both elevators and escalators to take you down to the appropriate level of the building where you buy tickets and down to a lower level where you board the trains.
Because so many trains shuttle in and out of there, it is important to know which track (Gleis) and the exact time of departure.
The Swiss train system is very efficient and the equipment is usually in very good condition.
Some of the cars are double decked. If you can find a seat on the upper lever you will have a better view of the passing scenery.
You can find out the necessary information about schedules, tracks, and connections to your final destination at www.sbb.ch
There English captions; click on the en and you will see English.
There of course is also French, German, and Italian.
I suggest you know your exact schedule because you will be making four changes and finish the trip with two bus rides.
There are both elevators and escalators to take you down to the appropriate level of the building where you buy tickets and down to a lower level where you board the trains.
Because so many trains shuttle in and out of there, it is important to know which track (Gleis) and the exact time of departure.
The Swiss train system is very efficient and the equipment is usually in very good condition.
Some of the cars are double decked. If you can find a seat on the upper lever you will have a better view of the passing scenery.
You can find out the necessary information about schedules, tracks, and connections to your final destination at www.sbb.ch
There English captions; click on the en and you will see English.
There of course is also French, German, and Italian.
I suggest you know your exact schedule because you will be making four changes and finish the trip with two bus rides.
Jul 23rd, 2008, 04:57 AM
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S', Maybe you could take a minute to tell us exactly where your favorite flughafen grocery store is located? I always watch for it, but I don't think I've found your particular favorite yet. Cimbrone, this is sort of related to your question, because it's great to stock up on all sorts of Swiss goodies for the trainride. J.
Jul 26th, 2008, 03:33 AM
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Hi all,
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply -- my summer classes just released me, so now I have the time to dawdle and catch up on things I've left undone!
Ah, but unfortunately, I won't be any help!! My memories of the layout of the Zürich airport's shopping area have been completely undone by the remodel. I can't find a thing in there anymore and end up wandering around, up and down escalators like an aimless American . . . .!!
But just to give some kind of help, let me say that the shopping area is on the levels between the terminals and the train tracks. If you wander around that level, you're sure to find some gourmet grocers as well as one or two major grocery stores. I always get these things for my first Swiss meal: fresh bread (of course!), Swiss Brie, Grissons smoked ham, Swiss yogurt, Swiss chocolate (naturally!), and a small bottle of local wine. I always make sure there's room in my carry-on for these items so that I won't be wrestling with them as I head to the train tracks.
I top this off with a cup of the ultra-strong coffee from the rolling snack cart on the train.
Here is a link to a pdf map of the airport, so you'll know where to head:
http://www.zurich-airport.com/dokume..._plaene_en.pdf
Have fun!
s
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply -- my summer classes just released me, so now I have the time to dawdle and catch up on things I've left undone!
Ah, but unfortunately, I won't be any help!! My memories of the layout of the Zürich airport's shopping area have been completely undone by the remodel. I can't find a thing in there anymore and end up wandering around, up and down escalators like an aimless American . . . .!!
But just to give some kind of help, let me say that the shopping area is on the levels between the terminals and the train tracks. If you wander around that level, you're sure to find some gourmet grocers as well as one or two major grocery stores. I always get these things for my first Swiss meal: fresh bread (of course!), Swiss Brie, Grissons smoked ham, Swiss yogurt, Swiss chocolate (naturally!), and a small bottle of local wine. I always make sure there's room in my carry-on for these items so that I won't be wrestling with them as I head to the train tracks.
I top this off with a cup of the ultra-strong coffee from the rolling snack cart on the train.
Here is a link to a pdf map of the airport, so you'll know where to head:
http://www.zurich-airport.com/dokume..._plaene_en.pdf
Have fun!
s
Jul 26th, 2008, 05:58 AM
#10
Hi JMW and Cimbrone,
I'm not normally a big Migros fan, but the one at the airport is actually quite good with fresh produce and sandwiches and salads, cheese of course, and I often stock up there if meeting people or on my way in from elsewhere. I believe it is open all the time.
You will also find a bakery right next store for great rolls and breads. I believe there is also a deli and a confiserie for sweets in the same area. There is a book store across the floor with some English books and mags too.
The food shopping section of the airport is not all that big so just ask for directions to the Migros and you'll be all set. It is across from American Airlines terminal by the parking deck building as I remember.
gruezi
I'm not normally a big Migros fan, but the one at the airport is actually quite good with fresh produce and sandwiches and salads, cheese of course, and I often stock up there if meeting people or on my way in from elsewhere. I believe it is open all the time.
You will also find a bakery right next store for great rolls and breads. I believe there is also a deli and a confiserie for sweets in the same area. There is a book store across the floor with some English books and mags too.
The food shopping section of the airport is not all that big so just ask for directions to the Migros and you'll be all set. It is across from American Airlines terminal by the parking deck building as I remember.
gruezi
Jul 26th, 2008, 07:40 PM
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I don't know if American Express is accepted or not. Visa and Master Card are readily accepted for train tickets on the SBB and on private lines such as the BOB in the Berner Oberland.
I am sure that you can use debit cards with the Visa or Master Card inscription as well.
If you try to buy gas with a credit card, your card must have a pin number. Mine does not, so I ended up buying gas with a debit card at unmanned stations.
I could have fed in Swiss money, too.
I am sure that you can use debit cards with the Visa or Master Card inscription as well.
If you try to buy gas with a credit card, your card must have a pin number. Mine does not, so I ended up buying gas with a debit card at unmanned stations.
I could have fed in Swiss money, too.
Jul 27th, 2008, 04:11 AM
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Thanks for that CC info. I "assume" that the same is true for tickets for the bus. I see on the wonderful website given above that they show changes from the train to the bus for some of the very detailed schedules.
We are going from Zurich airport to Meggan on the lake to attend a party given by some friends-- at the beginning of a trip to SE Asia--so we'll only be traveling from the airport to Meggan and return several days later.
We are going from Zurich airport to Meggan on the lake to attend a party given by some friends-- at the beginning of a trip to SE Asia--so we'll only be traveling from the airport to Meggan and return several days later.
Jul 27th, 2008, 08:45 AM
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The bus is a little different situation when it comes to tickets.
In my somewhat limited bus riding experience, I either paid in Swiss francs or had my ticket before I boarded.
The bus drivers do have a ticket machine and change, but I don't think they took credit cards because it is time consuming.
Example: One day we took the train and bus from Lauterbrunnen to Ballenberg West for our tour of the Museum of Swiss Life. I bought one ticket in Lauterbrunnen that was marked for there and back. It was all inclusive so I simply showed it to the bus driver when we boarded the bus in Brienz.
In Lauterbrunnen, the Post Bus regularly runs from the train station along the valley road. I always got on at a stop along the street and just handed over money.
In my somewhat limited bus riding experience, I either paid in Swiss francs or had my ticket before I boarded.
The bus drivers do have a ticket machine and change, but I don't think they took credit cards because it is time consuming.
Example: One day we took the train and bus from Lauterbrunnen to Ballenberg West for our tour of the Museum of Swiss Life. I bought one ticket in Lauterbrunnen that was marked for there and back. It was all inclusive so I simply showed it to the bus driver when we boarded the bus in Brienz.
In Lauterbrunnen, the Post Bus regularly runs from the train station along the valley road. I always got on at a stop along the street and just handed over money.
