zelmo

arriving with 5 kids to Zurich airport. We will be going to the Titkis Resort in Engelberg. Trying to decide if we should rent a car or what train would take us there. Thanks

ellenem

According to Googlemaps (which often underestimates time), it is 2 hours by car and 2.5 hours by train (with one connection).

Not sure where you are traveling from, but which sounds worse: a two-hour drive after your flight when you might be sleep-deprived or at least 2.5 hours of travel with five kids dragging luggage through train connections?

A quick google search found private van airport transfers for CHF 300-400 for a group of your size.

PalenQ

Well there are direct trains from Lucerne to Engelberg, base town for Mt Titlis cable cars and - and once there you probably have little need for a car as there is no place to drive except back to Lucerne - well trains anywhere go everywhere in this area and lake boats can be easily done on Lake Lucerne from Engelberg by train- for lots on Swiss trains check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

You can send your luggage (but not kids) ahead by Swiss trains for about 15 CHF per bag so send large bags to have them waiting for you at Engelberg or any train station - can do this right from the airport train station.

PalenQ

2 h 9 mins by train Zurich Airport to Engelberg with two changes of train - in Bern and another small station - easily done - if worries go first class where there will be a ton of room with many empty seats IME. Just buy thru tickets at airport train station.

suze

I'd go by train. I think it's a lot less stressful that way.

PalenQ

and you just cannot use a car in the Engelberg area - a deadend valley crowned by Mt Titlis and trains go everywhere - if thinking a car just to get there the train is easy and as fast as a car probably. It is easy to do a boat ride on Lake Lucerne from Engelberg sans car - just take the train down to Lake Lucerne and from a dock there do the classic tour around the lake - stopping off at some nice town for lunch, etc. Can do Mt Rigi, a celebrated viewpoint for all of the area - boat to Vitznau and train up to Rigi-Kulm, the summit station.

kja

Train! Swiss trains are VERY easy and convenient -- schedules here:
www.sbb.ch/en/home.html

As for renting a car, remember that driving with jet lag is like driving drunk -- the risk of an accident that harms you or others is markedly elevated. Why take the risk when trains are so easy?

greg

What are the factors specific to you contributing to looking at these choices?

For rental,

Driving time does not equal travel time with a rental unless it takes you 0 minute to rent, gas up, and return a car.

You know you are traveling during the snow season? If they don't include snow tire in their rental quote, it would be additional daily charge for you.

In unlikely event that you also need chains, you not only have to pay for the rental, you also have to put them on an unfamiliar car. You need to add time to put on and take off chains as well as accounting for slower travel time.

You have at least three children (1,7,8) requiring child restraints. http://www.avis.co.uk/drive-avis/dri...es/switzerland. They are about 40CHF per child for Avis https://www.avis.com/car-rental/cont....rateweight#eu

For train, there are various discounts https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-an.../children.html.