Zurich Questions
 

Hi Folks-

I'm traveling to Zurich and need a little help getting to my hotel from the airport. The hotel I'm staying at is Hotel Wellenberg, Niederdorfstrasse 10, 8001 Zürich. I'm happy to take the train from the airport but I can't seem to find much about the metro unless I'm seriously missing something.

I'll be staying about 36 hours in Zurich before taking the train to Lugano (I'm hoping someone from the hotel will be able to sort me out in getting to the train station.) As I'm a solo female traveler, if anyone could provide recommendations as to where there might be a couple of good spots to eat/drink where I would feel comfortable by myself eating at a bar or table, that would be great. I'm not overly picky on food, just not a big seafood person.

Finally, if there are any clothing suggestions that would also be helpful-not because I don't know how to dress myself, but because the weather seems to be all over the place!

Thanks in advance!

Directions from the airport are on your hotel's website. It appears you can take the train to the main station and walk the rest of the way or take a tram.
http://www.hotel-wellenberg.ch/en/im...eschreib_e.pdf

You might want the Zurich card.
http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/...rich_card.html

What time of year are you traveling?

Wow, I must be going blind - I couldn't find that anywhere on the website, thanks! I'm leaving tomorrow night :)

If you have a roller bag, you can easily walk to your hotel in the Old Town from the Bahnhof. It shouldn't take more than 15 minutes

When you come out the FRONT ENTRANCE of the Bahnhof (you will see the Angel of Zurich above you in the main hall) the famed Bahnhofstrasse will be in front of you. Cross the street and turn to your left left walking down the Bahnhofplatz toward the LIMMAT RIVER (you will pass a McDonald's). You will see the COOP SUPERMARKET--walk on crossing the bridge. You will see the Central Square Tram Stop and then you will see the STARBUCK'S on the corner of the Limmatquai. TURN right at the Starbuck's and WALK DOWN THE Limmatquai.

The Niederdorfstrasse is one street over on your left. This is a pedestrian zone. No cars.

If you live in Manhattan, this should be no problem for you.

One of the most famous restaurants in Zurich is HILTL. This is a vegetarian restaurant and it is VERY popular.

If you want snooty, go to the Baur au Lac. The women here dress to kill and carry their Chanel and Cartier shopping bags like body armour.

Of course, you MUST go into Sprungli on the Bahnhofstrasse for some chocolate torte. EVERYONE in Zurich goes to Sprungli.

There is a very nice coffee bar/cafe in an arcade (reminds me of Rue Rivoli in Paris) near the Borsenstrasse-walking towards along Limmat from the Fraumunster. I think it is called Cafe Europa. Lots of well-dressed businessmen in Brioni suits here.

The Hotel zum Storchen (on the Limmat near the Fraumunster) also has outdoor tables for coffee/snacks/Champagne, but I don't know if the weather will favour sitting outside.

Welcome to Zurich!

Welcome to Zurich prices! I hope you are on business junket!

Tschuss,
Pepper

Hi Pepper,

Thanks so very much for the tips, I appreciate it. The directions say to leave out of the back of the train station but you're saying out of the front, is that correct?

I am unfortunately not on business this week but I'll do my best not to go into visible sticker shock whilst out and about :) It looks like I can walk the entire city in about an hour, do you agree?

ciao!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXxudYPRFWk


This is the FRONT of Zurich HBH.

Coming out the front ARCHWAY, you would turn LEFT, walking in the direction that the BLUE/WHITE tram is coming from. That is the Bahnhoftplatz. The tram line runs right to Central Square.

Pepper aka Thin

Haha, my kinda guy. Thanks!

Sorry, one more question. I'm only passing through Zurich for about a day and a half as I'm heading to Lugano to visit a friend from there. I want to take the time in Zurich to relax and just stroll around since we'll be picking up the pace when I get to Lugano. I heard something from a friend about a boat ride I must take around the lake. Can anyone fill me in details?

What time of year will you be there?
There are several boat cruises (all covered by the Zurich Card) on Lake Zurich of varying durations--most popular is the 90 minute circular cruise. Check out www.zuerichsee.ch and click on the english option to see schedules/prices and seasonal timetables.
Board boats at the Burkiplatz end of town. Exit the train station and keep walking straight, along the river to the boats.
I visited Zuerich twice on my own in 2010--click on my name and scroll down for the trip reports for some detail about Zuerich!

Thanks, Mokka4. I leave tonight!! Work has been out of control busy and I've not done much research at all because I knew I was going to just be there for a little while. The boat ride sounded lovely so I figured I'd investigate.

www.zsg.ch

If you are walking from you hotel, head right down the Limmatqui to the Quai Bridge at the top of the Zurichsee. Cross the street there at the light and walk the other side of the bridge. You will see the boats there by the Gazebo.

Wave to all my beautiful swans!

Pepper

Thanks Pepper, I will :)

I enjoyed the boat from Zurich to Rapperswil. Took the train back to Zurich.

You might also want to do one of the walking tours. I had a fantastic day in one-half in Zurich a few years ago, also staying in the old town. I got the Zurich card as mentioned, did the boat tour, and the walking tour.

You buy the tickets at the tourist office in the train station and it is also where the walks begin. It was a really great way to start as then I was already oriented for my continuing walks.

The walk I took also took us inside the police station (which you could not do on your own) to see some really vibrant red/yellow murals. We were served water from one of the fountains, flavored with syrups from a restaurant nearby. I saw many things I would not have seen on my own.

I think I have a short trip report (I got great tips from other posters here) and even though it was several years ago I think some of it may be helpful to you as it is the same kind of time period:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-and-home.cfm

You'll have to scroll down a bit to get to my day in Zurich part. I hope you find it helpful.

You can do the police station on your own, you just need to provide them with your passport or a copy of it. The wall and ceiling painting is by Augusto Giacometti.

Really? At the time I could swear they said you could not go in on your own. But as I said, that was several years ago. And I could be remembering incorrectly.

Yep, I was there in September 2011. I carry a photocopy of my passport and showed that to gain entry.

Hi All,

As usual, many thanks for your helpful responses. I can always count on the members here to assist. I managed lunch at an "authentic-enough" tapas spot in Old Town as I was waiting for my room to be prepared and dinner at a lovely restaurant in the business district called Antinori later that night. What unfortunately happened is that I was feeling under the weather and missed a good chunk of daytime exploring both days, although I did get a walk down to see the lake before I left for Lugano. I will surely refer to them again though, as I do hope to return to Zurich one day.