ZRH vs. CPH
 

I've never flown to CPH before, but I have flown several times to ZRH.
Just wondering what your experiences are when comparing the two airports?

The factors:
- ontime departure/arrival
- passport control speed
- baggage check experience (lost luggage here before?)
- easy of navigation
- information service and if they are helpful
- ATM / bankomat availability
- cost of buying a meal (I realize this may vary)
- ease of connection to metro/subway
- safety
- availability of direct flights to IAD, BOS, SFO, LAX (and maybe throw JFK in there for kicks)
- cost of flights connecting to other hubs such as CDG, AMS, FRA, LHR, MUC as well as smaller airports such as PRG

Both are good airports. They both have food, good transport, goo meals and are safe. For atmosphere, I find CPH much better.

I would personally only look at two things:

- flight times
- cost

Because you do not mention your departing airport or ultimate arriving airport, it's hard to help you.

Hi schuler, thanks for your reply. I haven't booked my plane tickets yet, but I have a trip coming up in December, and I need to go to Dresden. It looks like SAS is having a sale, but they don't have non-stop flights from LAX-CPH.

I'm looking at ZRH again as a possible arriving airport, as the Swiss Airline prices are looking quite ok coming from the west coast, but ZRH it's a bit far from Dresden, so I'd have to probably stay overnight near ZRH (expensive cost of the hotels; it defeats the purpose of an inexpensive flight)...

I'll probably book my flight soon, though.

But overall I'd like a comparison between the two airports, as I will have some upcoming flights to book starting next spring.

btw, my departing airport is LAX for December.

I've already looked at FRA and MUC, both of them have Lufthansa nonstop flights but prices are not looking very good.

Thanks. :-)

Have you looked at Frankfurt?

Yes, you have.

I like Copenhagen's food hall und shopping area. The hard wood floors are great.

However, I like Zürich's location in Europe better.

I'm looking at the prices as of right now,

12/1 - 12/15
$738
LAX-ORD (United) ORD-CPH (SAS)
same on the return

or

$738
LAX-ZRH (Swiss)
nonstop, roundtrip


Food hall is important. :-)

I remember my last lunch at ZRH, I bought a plate of fried noodles and 4 fried shrimps from a chinese fast food place there and it costed approximately 30 USD. And the food was not even good.

Just checked FRA.

12/1 - 12/15
LAX-FRA
nonstop roundtrip
$1011

or return a day earlier on 12/14, the price would be $994.

But I'd rather depart 12/15 or later to give me more time there.

What about KLM to AMS?
I see flights from LAX on the date you want for $848.

Or even for $735.

Checking now...

I checked LAX to TXL roundtrip and it was $522 with Northwest or KLM with a change in AMS. TXL is a very easy to navigate airport, quite nice, and the bus + train ride to Dresden is easy, inexpensive and fast (done that).

Otherwise, there are flights ZRH - DRS and also overnight trains.

Ok, the flight back is a nightmare for that airfare. But for $569 roundtrip it is ok.

copenhagen airport is one of the nicest most relaxed i've seen and also manageably small compared to many. Great train transport into the heart of town though a bit farther out than Zurich airport.

CPH is a much better airport than ZRH, IMO. The main advantages to CPH over ZRH:

- The security setup is (much) better.
- The airport is brighter and more airy, particularly near the gates.
- Better food (neither is anything special, though)
- Better shopping
- Faster passport control

Both are safe, both have ATMs, both are well-connected by subway and/or train, both are expensive, both have good on-time records. ZRH wins on luggage handling. ZRH is also in a better position for train connections.

For ready access to budget flights, neither is great, though CPH is probably (much) better than ZRH. Neither are close to what you would get in London, for example.

ZRH is probably the clear winner with regards to US destinations, being served from all of the cities you mention, plus some. CPH sees limited coverage, with flights only to ORD, IAD, EWR, and ATL.

Hi Ingo, where are you seeing fare LAX-TXL for $550-range roundtrip?

I've been checking Kayak fiercely for the past three days and the only fares for LAX-TXL I've been able to see are $800+...

Dates of travel:

11/30/09 (+-2 days) - 12/15/09 (+-3 days)


travelgourmet - thanks for your info on CPH.

I have just booked my ticket...

LAX-CPH (via IAD) United + SAS
CPH-LAX (via ORD)
$738 all in

I guess I'll use my star alliance miles to upgrade.

I didn't realize that United is now charging $20 per checked bag (haven't flown them in awhile). Ridiculous.

Nancicita, I didn't take a really close look, but maybe the first bag is free on United?
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,52482,00.html

WillTravel,

Wow, looks like United just revised their policy?

The link you posted is as of Sept. 30, 2009.
So I guess this change is recent.
Maybe too many customers have complained about the fee.

I thought they charged for the first checked bag because I booked on Orbitz.com and they sent me this:

https://faq.orbitz.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7041

But I'd rather go with the United website's info.
Thanks, I appreciate the update.