After I wrote the earlier reply, I kept thinking "I have something for this in my files." Sure enough, this article...which I obviously carefully put in the date for but failed to put in the source!
Layover in Zürich
Dateline: 08/23/99
Zürich Airport is a major European gateway, and many travelers change planes in Zürich on multi-segment intercontintal flights. I often receive e-mails from readers who ask, "What can I do in Zürich during a four- or five-hour layover?" Here's my answer, which you can print out and carry along the next time a change of planes leaves you with time to kill in Zürich.
See how much time you have.
***If you have four hours between flights, you should have plenty of time for a trip into the city.*** The train trip takes only 10 minutes, but you might have to wait 10 or 15 minutes for a train in each direction. For safety's sake, allow 1-1/4 hours for the roundtrip, plus enough time for security and boarding (and for check-in, if you don't already have a boarding pass for your next flight).
TIP: If you're short on time, skip a city excursion and catch a local train to nearby Oerlikon (see map), a Zürich suburb where you can have a snack, visit the shops, or walk around and see how the Swiss live before returning to the airport.
Take a train.
In Zürich Airport, take the escalators downstairs to the underground railway station. There, you can buy a roundtrip ticket to Zürich Hauptbahnhof (the main railway station) and catch a train into town.
Walk up the Bahnhofstrasse.
The Bahnhofstrasse is Zürich's answer to Fifth Avenue and Wall Street combined. It's lined with upscale stores, banks, tearooms, and investment firms. You'll find many other shops, restaurants, and department stores in the streets on either side. (The twisty streets to the left of the Bahnhofstrasse are fun to explore when you aren't in a hurry.)
To reach the Bahhofstrasse, take the escalator to the railroad station's underground shopping mall (ShopVille) and come up the Bahnhofstrasse escalator on the other side of the Bahnhofplatz. The Bahnhofstrasse lies straight ahead. Walk all the way to Bürkliplatz at the far end for a view of Lake Zürich. During the warmer months, you can rent a paddleboat or go for an excursion on a lake steamer.
When you're ready to return...
Catch a tram back to the railroad station via the Bahnhofstrasse.
Or, if you have a little more time, cross the bridge across the River Limmat to Bellevueplatz. Turn left and follow the left bank of the Limmat on foot or by tram until you reach the Bahnhofbrücke ("Railway Station Bridge"), stopping at the Grossmünster church along the way. Then turn left and walk across the bridge to the main railway station, where you can catch the next train to the airport.
Another option is to cut inland at Bellevueplatz and take the Rämistrasse uphill to Oberdorfstrasses, then turn left and wowork your way through the Old Town until find yourself back at the river next to the Bahnhofbrücke.
SALLY WATKINS, Certified Travel Counselor
sally@century-tvl.com
www.sallywatkins.comItaly Specialist
Certified Swiss Specialist
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My business depends on referrals - please tell someone today!
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[This message was edited by Colleen on 24 August 2003 at 10:11 PM.]
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