Hey OB jet setters,
So took advantage of this - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/269571. Part of our trip will be 3 nights in both Zurich & HK. Looking at the ZürichCARD as one way to travel OzBargain style. Any 1st hand experience with money exchanges, weather, hotels, transport or anything else in either city/country would be welcome as first time for both. Traveling as family of 2A+2C. Thanks in advance.
Zurich is the most expensive city iv'e ever been to. For an Ozbarginer it felt like a total ripoff. You pay $50 for two burger meals at McDonalds. I would spend my time in Budapest or Prague.
Zurich is the most expensive city iv'e ever been to.
+1 to that! We (wife and I) stayed in Zürich for one night in March last year, at the Arlette Am Hauptbahnhof Hotel at a cost of CHF 175 (c. $232 at the current exchange rate). We were only there for one night, and didn't need anything flash, just convenient to the main train station (aka Hauptbahnhof, or "Hbf"). Expect to pay a lot more for something large enough for two adults and two kids.
Restaurant prices were over the top, so we ended up getting a reasonably priced hot takeaway feed from the Coop supermarket near the Hbf.
(We've yet to visit Budapest but we did spend a couple of nights in Prague as part of the same trip and unlike Zürich, found the prices there to be quite reasonable.)
Weather was a relatively warm 17 or 18º the day we arrived. I don't know if that's typical for that time of year, since Vienna, Prague and the UK, where we had just been, were a lot cooler. I'd Google it.
We had no need for local transport in Zürich, so can't help you with that one, sorry.
We last stayed in Hong Kong in late June / early July 2011. The MTR (train system) is good, but if all four of you are travelling together, it'd probably work out cheaper to get a taxi. Taxis there are fairly cheap, or were five years ago at least.
A few touristy things I recall us doing was a harbour cruise, taking the Peak Tram up to the top at night, and Ocean Park.
Weather was hot, wet and humid. April shouldn't be quite as bad (or maybe it is?!?), but I'd Google it, as above.
What's this "money exchanges" of which you speak? Every OzBargainer knows that you stick AUD into your Citibank Plus transaction account, and suck it out of an ATM in the local currency as you go. And for larger purchases, you whack it on your BankWest Zero Platinum MasterCard (or some other equivalent that doesn't slug you with conversion fees).
The best value food I found in Zurich was Haus Hitl happy hour buffet. A wide selection of vegetarian food for 10 CHF a plate between 4-6pm Monday to Friday.
It's good honest food, not gourmet, but I think you'd struggle to get something much better at that price anywhere in central Zurich.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I understand that Zurich is not a cheap destination, and it would seem a expensive one at that, however we are there for only 3 days & not 3 weeks so we will endeavor to make the most of the opportunity to be in a foreign country. Our trip of 37 nights in total involves 10 nights in hotels & the remainder with family so we have saved some $$ on accommodation & will be able to spend accordingly.
Don't eat McDonalds so that ok, lol… Budapest or Prague not really a option this trip.
Colin2905 - some good ideas/tips in that. I found accom 15mins out of Zurich town with airport shuttle & breakfast @ $225au p/n inc 2 queen beds ( kids are 9 & 1 ) so that may be us sorted.
Again, thanks all. Trip is almost 4 months away, so plenty time to do some looking online :)
+1 for the Zurich being expensive. Last time I was there (2013), it was 1 AUD = 1 CHF or close enough, and even that hurt. Seriously, it will be the most expensive 3 days of your trip.
Zurich/Geneva/Bern - they are all pretty much the same and I use the term 'doctors waiting room' to describe as it doesnt have that flare that other European cities have and is quite 'meh'. Geneva particularly was quite stale. Bern atleast has bears. That said, the mountains are quite amazing though - well worth a look if you have the time & coin.
But for family in Zurich, I would never re-visit it as there are more interesting places to go to. That said, I'm going there for Christmas this year and spending 5 days in Zurich, but that will be 95% solely with family before we depart for Italy for 3 weeks, which is much more interesting (or atleast I hope so!)
Buy a Swiss watch and claim the tax back on your way out of Switzerland. Agree that everything is pricier in any Swiss cities, but I also believe it's the most picturesque when you look at the mountains. It always looks like a postcard.
I recommend hiring a car and driving over to Interlaken or Lucerne if you can.
Hi,
Got back from 6 days in HK about 6 weeks ago.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Golden Mile. Was a great spot, next to the MTR and 5 mins to the harbour. We used the 'Family + Friends' link and saved a heap. We got a better room with 'exec club' privileges - well worth it for the extras (breakfast, happy hour, free drinks, etc). Rooms was 2 double beds. HK rooms are very small compared to else where is world.
For you 3 days, I would do the following:
Day 1: Go down to Harbour and after a walk around, looking at the buildings on both sides of the water. Get Star Ferry across to HK Island side. Catch bus upto Vicoria Peak. Well worth it for the views - Just the bus ride itself is great to experience how busy HK is. After the Peak come back to Harbour and get on the giant wheel. Catch the ferry back and then look around shopping centre on harbour. Then catch the bus to the Sky100 - great views.
Day 2: Get the MTR to Lantau Island. Do the Cable Car and Big Budha tour. Pay the extra and buy the 'skip the line tour'. for only a few bucks more it will save you hours in lines…. It also includes a bus ride to the local fishing village where they take you out to see pink dolphins. Cable Car is like nothing else you will see!
It is an all day option.
Day 3: Depending on the kid's ages, Disneyland or Ocean World are options. Otherwise go to Ladies market, Sneaker Street, Boat Ride around harbour, shopping centres etc.
I hope this helps
Cheers
Thank you. This actually helps alot as have been a little lost re the HK element of this trip. I will look into all suggested as the only thing I had heard about was the Big Budha, so again, thanks.
Restaurant: Worth spending some cash here https://g.co/kgs/FduQk3 overlooking the harbour. Amazing.