Switzerland - Zurich airport - transportation question
 

Hello, I'm trying to figure out how to get to the hotel... taxi is expensive, train - ?
As I will be staying at Sofitel Zurich, Stampfenbachstrasse 60, according to the hotel's directions I'll need the train to Zurich HB, then a tram. I don't think I'll be up to this after a long flight, with luggage, dragging it up and down stairs of trains and trams.

The train station is close to the hotel, but somebody posted that the hotel is slightly up a hill, I don't think I'll have enough strength for that. After a good night sleep, without the luggage it's a different story.

So, looking for some shuttle option. I read there are "shuttles" and "hotel buses", but I can't figure out what's the difference, or is it the same? Do they have same type of shuttles we have in San Francisco? And what is a "hotel bus" if it's a different thing?

Sofitel does not have an airport shuttle. I will need something commercial.

Mappy.com says it is 610 meters to walk - that's roughly 4 blocks. You can take a taxi, if they'll travel that short a distance.

I doubt that the kind of shuttle you have in mind is available, simply because of the superb rail service. There is a station in the airport. Just take the train to the main Zurich station (Hauptbahnhof). Then either get a cab or hike, depending on how you feel.

The Zurich Airport has an escalator down to the train station right inside the airport. No lugging up or down stairs, except of course the step or two to get onto and off of the train. It's a short trip into Zurich. You should be ready to stretch your legs for the short walk to your hotel by that time.

One thing about the airport: the luggage carts are designed to go on the escalators!

I found this on Fodor's:

"Author: André
Date: 01/17/2003, 04:51 pm
Message: There are shuttle buses available to most hotels and downtown Zurich. You will find them outside near the arrivals. Just locate (or ask for) one that goes your way. I paid approx. 25 CHF as I remember (flat rate)from the airport to the Technopark area. For two persons together, it is only an additional 5 CHF which makes it a much better deal. The vehicles are small vans which hold 6 - 8 persons max."

As I don't know what is "technopark area" I thought maybe those shuttles are running to my hotel too?

And what are "hotel buses"?

Faina,

This is another Andre posting :-)

I actually live in Zurich and in your situation I would probably spring for a cab (about CHF 50). A compromise would be to take the train to HB and a cab from there (about CHF 15). There are escalators if you arrive on the lower level, but it can be quite a long walk to the cabstand.

Am not aware of any door-to-door shuttle service that isn't linked to specific hotels, unfortunately.

Hope this helps,
Andre

Something similar happened to me when I was getting ready to go to Boston (from San Francisco) - nobody knew about shuttles. I used them both ways with absolutely no problems. The price and convenience was in between a taxi or public transport.

I hope the same will happen in Zurich... the least I can do is ask at the information booth (you have those at least, huh?) and if not, then train and either taxi or walk.

You could always ask your hotel for advice.

E-mail : [email protected]

Thank you, TravelNut, I will send them an e-mail. Hopefully the answer will be in English :)

TravelNut, thank you SO MUCH!!

This is the answer from hotel's reception (in English!!):

The shuttle bus is BEN BUS, about 25 minutes to the hotel, runs from terminals 1 and 2 every 30 minutes, cost for 1 person CHF 19, for 2 persons CHF 25.

I'm glad I actually suggested something <i>useful</i>... :)