4 Hour Layover in Zurich...enough time for a stroll?

Question

I have a 4 hour layover at Zurich airport around 7:00 AM...which I thought would not be enough time to see anything.

But then I found out that there are frequent trains that only take about 10 mintues to get into the city center.

Would I have time to hop a train to Zurich...take a quick walk around, take a couple pictures, and catch the train back to the airport?

Also, if I wanted to pick up some chocolate in town for a gift, would carrying it back into the airport lengthen the time it would take me to check back in at the airport?

Answer 1

Sounds like a good idea, Ask someone first so you don't miss your flight. If you are not sure one can always take a taxie. Since ground transportation is great everywhere in Europe you should enjoy at least two hours as a tourist.

Answer 2

Yeah, go for it, unless you have visa issues (assuming you do get out quickly, be prepared to change your plans if your first flight is delayed).

Go to the ticket machine and buy a return ticket to Zurich. It will be valid on all the trams in the city for twenty-four hours as well as your train back.

Take the first train to Zurich HB (the main station), but if it happens to be the S16, get off one stop after HB at Stadelhofen. That's right by the lake. Otherwise, get off at HB and go the river (the Limmat), walk along it (towards the cool churches, away from the Marriot). See the lovely churches, etc.  

If you start heading back an hour and a half before you have to board, you should be fine. Don't know about the chocolate situation, unfortunately. You can buy it at the airport, or at this big chocolate store on Bahnhofstrasse (Merkur), or you can buy something from Sprungli in the train station. (I recommend Luxemburgerlis.)

Answer 3

You need at least 40minute minimum each to check-out & check-in at Zurich airport but in reality it takes more than that plus your walking time during transit from airport to train v.v. , that leaves you 1hour at most to stroll within the city. That is assuming there's no flight delay.