Economical hotel in Bern by train station

We will be spending the last day of our itinerary in Bern and are looking for the most economical hotel we can find merely to sleep! We will be needing to be at the train station by 6 am to get to the Zurich airport for our flight back to the US. We'll probably be needing to walk to the train station at that early hour, so the closer, the better! Would love to hear from anyone who has done this. Our second consideration would be to just head on into the Zurich Airport area the night before. Any advice?

<<"Our second consideration would be to just head on into the Zurich Airport area the night before. Any advice?">> Easier and safer. The trains are very full during morning rush hour. Or, you could stay in downtown Zürich...5-8 trains per hour to the airport.

www.myswissalps.com/zu richairporthotels

Look into the Hotel Montana on Konradstrasse in Zürich.

hotelmontana-zurich.com/en_UK/conta ct-us

Never stayed there, but friends recommended it. Very basic, and close to the main station.

Slowpoke

Thanks. I was hoping that if we took the 5:30am train we'd miss the "rush hour" but maybe not!

I'll look into the Zurich hotels that you mentioned. Thanks again!

The first train departs as early as 4:21 AM and won't be busy. But of course it's always safer to stay close to the airport. If you consider Bern then the Backpackers Glocke is a cheap hostel and just 10 minutes from the rail station, on foot. There are trams too, from around 5:00/6:00 AM. More hotels are listed here.

<<"Thanks. I was hoping that if we took the 5:30am train we'd miss the "rush hour" but maybe not!">>

Quite possible that you would.....

But, if you have the chance to be closer, you really reduce any uncertainties.

At least, the trains from Bern at that hour don't require a change at Zürich main station, although they pass through that busy hub.

I have done a similar thing from Luzern quite a few times, but since the trains from Zug northwards tend to run a few minutes late in the morning and especially during rush hour, I allow at least 30 minutes extra in addition to a comfortably early departure.

For travel to the USA, many airlines impose an extra level of security, such as an individual q&A session with a representative of the airline. Even though Zürich is a very efficient airport, it can be crowded at the early-mid morning departure time for most flights to the USA.

What time of year will you travel? In August, enough people are on vacation to reduce the morning crowds.

This link will help you with many towns and cities, including Bern as well as Zürich.

www.myswissalps.com/ho tels/budget

and, under where to go, each main city has a tab for "Hotels."

www.myswissalps.com/ bern/hotels

www.myswissalps.com/ zurich/hotels

Those lists for the cities can include some extremely expensive deluxe places as well as less expensive ones.

My friends told me that the Hotel Walhalla, at Limmatstrasse 5, is another good choice in Zürich.

www.walhalla-hotel.ch/welcome/inter national/

At the time they stayed there the hotel did not did not serve breakfast, but offered a coupon ( a "Gutschein") for a nearby Starbucks. And, they noted that it is very close to the "mid-platform" (under the tracks) pedestrian underpass, saving steps and time to reach the platforms. Also very basic.

I also have not stayed there. My friends are reliable, experienced travelers, by the way.

I'd look first at the Walhalla, before the Montana, based on their comments.

Slowpoke

Thanks, Slowpoke! You are a wealth of information!

We will be traveling back to the states on June 2nd. Our flight doesn't leave until 10:30 am; Being at the airport 3 hrs prior to our flight has always been fine for us in our international travels.

We may just spend the day in Bern for a quick look around and head to Zurich in the afternoon.

Although, I may look into Rhine Falls and do a quick trip there instead. Having really looked into the logistics of that.

<<"Thanks, Slowpoke! You are a wealth of information!We will be traveling back to the states on June 2nd.">>

You are welcome.

I spent a bit more time looking at Zürich hotels....I think my friends were really talking only aboout the Walhalla, because they mentioned the Starbucks nearby.

The Alps are are just starting to open up on June 3.

May is not hopeless, but it is not the best time to go up there.

If you intend to, it might be worth discussing.

<<"Our flight doesn't leave until 10:30 am; Being at the airport 3 hrs prior to our flight has always been fine for us in our international travels.">>

I allow two hours on Delta, for flights to the USA, but I have Elite Status, so i get the short line at each stage of the journey through the airport. That saves me about a half an hour.

With that timing, even allowing for at least one and sometimes two interview stops, I can usually find time stop for a cup of coffee and to buy a few Swiss chocolates.

I now save even more time....no more Lindt or Sprüngli at the airport.

The packages of chocolates that they sell have been "dumbed down" -- a molded plastic shell inside with widely spaced chocolates. Cheaper, for tourists, i guess. I now buy what I need in Zürich the day before I travel home. Variety is better, and packages are full...samples are visible.

If you've seen Niagara, the Rhine Falls will be a non-event.

There are some nice parts of Zürich to walk around.

Take a look at this thread for some comments about Zürich, apart from what the forum offers

www.myswissalps.com/zu rich

under that city listing. Look down the thread.

www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/swiss-itinerary-for-december-2015

Slowpoke

May was not my first choice to head to Switzerland but work situations led to that decision. I'm just happy to be going and hoping for the best. We also have some AA status that should help move things along for us at the airport.

I think I'm going to stick with the plan to spend the day in Bern and and maybe head to Zurich the evening before. I'll probably get a better nights sleep! Thanks for the info!!!!

<<"May was not my first choice to head to Switzerland but worksituations led to that decision. I'm just happy to be going and hopingfor the best. We also have some AA status that should help move thingsalong for us at the airport. I think I'm going to stick with theplan to spend the day in Bern and and maybe head to Zurich the eveningbefore. I'll probably get a better nights sleep! Thanks for the info!!!!">>

I go routinely in May, but don't go up into the Alps. This year, i am overlapping into June slightly, in order to stop at the Hotel Schöneggin Wengen when the open for the summer seaon with nnew management.

May is a good time to travel to avoid tourists and generally have nice weather.....no promises on weather.

Do you intend to do any hiking?

Slowpoke

Yes, we love to hike! Plan on doing it where/when we can and depending on the weather. I've read so many things about the weather that I think I'm going to just hope for the best! I'm sure it will be great no matter what.

<<"Yes, we love to hike! Plan on doing it where/when we can and depending on the weather. I've read so many things about the weather that I think I'm going to just hope for the best! I'm sure it will be great no matterwhat.">>

Check this thread and related -

www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/langnau-in-may

www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/langnau-in-may/page/2

Have you studies the Switzerand Mobility web site?

www.wanderland.ch/en/h iking-in-switzerland.html

Also, in the Rhone valley -

www.loetschberger.ch/A usfluege/BLS-Loetschberger-Suedrampe

Only in German, I guess. But, there is lots more on this hike, and I'll try to remember to post a few pictures.

Do you speak any French or German? Italian?

A bit of work with the daily weather forecasts and the trains can often find a sunny area when part of Switzerland is rainy. The Rhone Valley is usually dry and sunny, even when the area north of the lps is lousy.

Definitely, micro climates.

To keep this thread on topic, I'll add that I always stay at the Hotel Adler in Zürich.

Slowpoke

PS- I'm going to start a new thread entitled "Südrampe Trail" in the "Miscellaneous" section of the forum