Cheap is not a word normally associated with Zurich, was there any particular reason you thought of going there? If you wanted to see Switzerland there are better and less expensive places.

Easyjet have recently restarted flights to Zurich and also do Basel (which is only about an hour away), Ryanair do Friedrichshafen in Germany which is usable for destinations north and east of Zurich. SWISS also do Basel at prices to match easyjet from some UK airports but their Zurich prices aren't much of a bargain.

Sorry Steve, I hadn't realised someone had posted a reply to my query I was just wondering if there was any info out there with other HTers as we were considering visiting a friend who lives in Zurich. Met up with him in Goa last month and we have an open invitation any time so we shall consider it again down the line. I have done a bit more research since my original post and realise it isn't the cheapest of places to visit but accommodation wise we are sorted as we can stay with our friend so that's one problem sorted. Thanks for the info though as I was totally clueless about flights.

Well, having a friend there makes a difference. Where exactly he lives might decide where you fly to, especially if he drives to pick you up. If he has a "GA" he might suggest using public transport, basic prices are high but there are ways (legally!) of reducing the costs, leave a note and I'll go through some, especially if you have kids.

What's a GA?

It's officially called "General-Abo" but is always refered to as GA. It's the national travel card valid across the whole country on all trains, postbuses and most city trams and buses. Only useful if you live there because it's for a whole year and the standard adult version is ChF3100 (around £1500). But if you live there it's an alternative to having a car, especially if you were going to pay for a season ticket for commuting to work as you can use it for that. Tourists can get the same facilities on a Swiss Pass but an 8 day version will cost CHF376 which is not quite as good value.

So, getting back to the original thread, if the friend has a GA he may not have a car to do airport collections.

PS - I suspect the moderators would prefer it if we didn't start a "why can't we have GAs in Britain" thread!

PS - I suspect the moderators would prefer it if we didn't start a "why can't we have GAs in Britain" thread!

I'm sure they would but wouldn't a UK wide GA be a wonderful thing? My season ticket for the train to work costs me £76 a month on its own! And it cost me £70 return to experience the chaos on Virgin over this holiday to visit my parents in Liverpool. The equivalent of £125 a month for all travel on trains, trams and buses seems a bargain - especially as in Switzerland it is all so reliable compared to the train chaos here. But then again I seem to remember that nearly all their public transport is in public ownership too and we all know that that is supposed to be so inefficient and that private, competing companies are SOOO much better for us the travelling public

SM

It is worth bearing in mind (and almost gets us back on topic!) that ordinary journeys on Swiss trains are actually quite expensive, long distance Inter City prices are higher than a British Saver ticket for a similar distance (although anyone can buy a Swiss "half price" card) and Apex style tickets are not available. It's only when the passenger is prepared to commit to regular use that the savings start to add up.