3.5 hours in Zurich for the first time -- go to city? enjoy the lounge?
Aug 16, 2019, 1:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2019
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Posts: 3
3.5 hours in Zurich for the first time -- go to city? enjoy the lounge?
I'm transiting through Zurich for the first time on my way to London, arriving from Newark at 11am and debating for LHR at 3:25pm. Is it worth it to go into the city? I know there is a quick, reliable train but I'm concerned about the lack of time, especially after grabbing a quick shower. I (deliberately) had 9 hours in Vienna last month and had an amazing time going around the city (I couldn't believe how much I packed into that trip), but this is a much shorter layover and, despite traveling frequently, I do get slightly anxious about being at the airport/gates with time to spare.
Or should I just enjoy the awesome looking lounge in E with its deck (and perhaps a quick stroll through the airport)? Any tips for getting to/from the lounge in E, based on my flights? From what I can tell, I'm likely to arrive into E so it should be right there. I'll probably fly out of B, though, and some people have mentioned doing a "double passport control" as the quickest, easiest way to get from the E lounge to the B gates. How's that work?
Or should I just enjoy the awesome looking lounge in E with its deck (and perhaps a quick stroll through the airport)? Any tips for getting to/from the lounge in E, based on my flights? From what I can tell, I'm likely to arrive into E so it should be right there. I'll probably fly out of B, though, and some people have mentioned doing a "double passport control" as the quickest, easiest way to get from the E lounge to the B gates. How's that work?
Aug 16, 2019, 1:11 pm
#2
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You could do it, but I wouldn't... it's just a shade tight. 5 hours or more would give you enough time for a quick visit to Zurich to get the feel of the place. Terminal E lounge is good, the one in the main terminal is pretty mediocre. But you won't be departing from Terminal E for London, so leave enough time to get back to A.
Aug 16, 2019, 1:47 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA
Posts: 444
Most of my LX flights to London have departed from D gates —B gates are Schengen.
I would not be too comfortable with that little time — but I always seem to chose the slowest line for the immigration formalities.
I would not be too comfortable with that little time — but I always seem to chose the slowest line for the immigration formalities.
Aug 16, 2019, 3:30 pm
#4
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You could do it, but I wouldn't... it's just a shade tight. 5 hours or more would give you enough time for a quick visit to Zurich to get the feel of the place. Terminal E lounge is good, the one in the main terminal is pretty mediocre. But you won't be departing from Terminal E for London, so leave enough time to get back to A.
I bet the whole time youd be worried if something will occur that will cause you to end up getting back late and missing the flight = you wont enjoy what youd be seeing.
btw its hit or miss if the Dragons will let you into the E lounge. Ive been let in and also denied and told to us ethe lounge where my next gate will be as The E lounge is for those departing from the E concourse
Aug 17, 2019, 2:51 am
#5
Moderator: SAS
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The E lounge is *not* limited to passengers on flights departing E. This rule does not exist.
Aug 17, 2019, 3:33 am
#6
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Though the lounge angels will usually give the warning that you are in the "wrong" part of the airport: I suppose the more sensitive passenger might take this as discouragement.
Aug 17, 2019, 3:35 am
#7
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I find that experience surprising. Even for my schengen flights leaving from A using the E lounge is no problem at all & I've never had any problems in the dozens of times I did that. Furthermore, I've heard of nobody so far who had a similar experience like you.
The E lounge is *not* limited to passengers on flights departing E. This rule does not exist.
The E lounge is *not* limited to passengers on flights departing E. This rule does not exist.
Is the "E" lounge also allowed for arriving pax (Senator en LX/LH ticket) and finishing their trip in ZRH? As far as I know, the arriving pax (ending the trip in ZRH) can use the A lounge, but "E" too?
Aug 17, 2019, 8:30 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: United
Posts: 3
Staying in the airport it is! Good to know that I will indeed most likely be able to access the E lounge, as I was worried by that initial reply suggesting I might not be able to. It looks awesome and the other ones look lackluster.
Thanks for the feedback, all.
Thanks for the feedback, all.
Aug 17, 2019, 9:16 am
#11
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Last 2 questions - when you go back from E lounge to A terminal (airside), is there a security checkpoint or just ID control? For the ID control I suppose the EU ID is sufficient instead of passport?
Aug 17, 2019, 9:38 am
#12
Moderator: SAS
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Just ID control, EU ID should be sufficient, but expect to have to explain that you’re going to the Lounge and not actually traveling outside of schengen.
Aug 17, 2019, 11:05 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Los Angeles
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I did it a few years ago. You can catch the train to the central station downstairs in the terminal. They run pretty frequently, about every five to ten minutes, and the trip only takes 10-12 minutes. Once at the station, you can walk along the river to the lake and back in about an hour, then catch the train back to the airport. It will at least give you the flavor of the city, albeit brief. It shouldn't take you very long to get through security once back at the airport.
Aug 18, 2019, 2:43 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2018
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1) Back when I was a SEN I used the E lounge despite my flight departing from D, mostly to see off friends departing from E. We were not connecting so couldn't claim to be using E as an arrivals lounge. This was in July.
2) If you have priority, which I'm guessing you do because you're talking about lounges, I think a quick visit to the city and walking up/down Bahnhoffstrasse are very doable. Of course, what you do on that walk might not fit in. But I've frequently done it for watch hunts on connections.
2) If you have priority, which I'm guessing you do because you're talking about lounges, I think a quick visit to the city and walking up/down Bahnhoffstrasse are very doable. Of course, what you do on that walk might not fit in. But I've frequently done it for watch hunts on connections.
Aug 18, 2019, 3:34 am
#15
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As far as I know (and was told here), E lounge can be used as an arrivals lounge even if you land at A-terminal (in my case from FRA).