Travelling to New York from Dublin via Zurich

stevensi

Hey Guys,

Thinking of travelling to New York from Dublin via Zurich in March. The flight I am looking allows me 2H50mins in Zurich before the flight to New York. Just wondering do people think that 2H50 is enough time or is it cutting it too fine?

Thanks

Ian

Speedwell

Both legs on the same airline? Plenty of time. Two different airlines? Probably still good. I try to avoid booking two different airlines like that in case the first one is late and I have to scramble to make or reschedule the next one.

coylemj

The answer is probably yes but you'd need to say which airlines are involved in the two legs because short or long transfers are usually down to whether you have to change terminal or not. If the two flights are on one booking (are they?) then you will probably be able to send your check-in bag(s) straight through from Dublin, otherwise you will have to pull your bag in Zurich and check it in again, more delay.

Bear in mind that you will not be able to do US pre-clearance in Dublin which means you will have to queue up for immigration and customs in NY. Might be more trouble than the fare savings are worth, I assume it's to save money on the airfare than has you flying via Zurich.

LXFlyer

If it is all with SWISS then yes it is fine.

stevensi

Thanks guys for the feedback. Yes it is the same airline from Dublin onto Zurich onto New York. So that makes me feel a little more comfortable

LXFlyer

stevensi wrote: »

Thanks guys for the feedback. Yes it is the same airline from Dublin onto Zurich onto New York. So that makes me feel a little more comfortable

Zurich airport is a dream to transfer through - very easy indeed.


You will transfer to terminal E via an automated people mover to get your long haul flight.

schemingbohemia

How much are you saving doing it that way? It would want to be a lot to my mind, given the additional time to do immigration in NYC and the guts of 3 hours in Zurich. If you're going for a week it might be worth it, if for a long weekend definitely not. How much will you spend hanging around in Zurich airport plus what time will you arrive in NYC? Will you end up arriving at night time rather than afternoon with the Dublin based carriers?

stevensi

schemingbohemia wrote: »

How much are you saving doing it that way? It would want to be a lot to my mind, given the additional time to do immigration in NYC and the guts of 3 hours in Zurich. If you're going for a week it might be worth it, if for a long weekend definitely not. How much will you spend hanging around in Zurich airport plus what time will you arrive in NYC? Will you end up arriving at night time rather than afternoon with the Dublin based carriers?

As it's around Patricks day most direct flights are nearly 900 euro this way it is around the 500 euro mark. My own fault for not booking earlier but 400 euros is a decent saving. The flight is early so we arrive into NY at a decent hour. I know it is a much longer trek but the saving is worth it. Although will probably be sorry while in the air

schemingbohemia

Ah thought that might be the complicating factor alright - €400 is a big difference alright.

LXFlyer

stevensi wrote: »

As it's around Patricks day most direct flights are nearly 900 euro this way it is around the 500 euro mark. My own fault for not booking earlier but 400 euros is a decent saving. The flight is early so we arrive into NY at a decent hour. I know it is a much longer trek but the saving is worth it. Although will probably be sorry while in the air

No you won't be sorry - SWISS are a great airline to fly with.

Fred Swanson

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schemingbohemia

I arrived in JFK from Panama 2 years ago and waited for well over an hour - seemed like it was lunchtime and a lot of booths were closed. Previously waited well over an hour arriving into BWI before pre-clearance. Certainly wouldn't chose it over €50 and additional flight time and waiting around!

coylemj

The issue for me is that the morning flights from Dublin get into NYC at lunchtime and I want to hit the ground running so doing immigration and customs in Dublin means I can relax on the flight knowing that all I have to do when we land is grab my bag, hop in a taxi and Manhattan here we come! The first day in NY is a long one because of the extra five hours so my priority is to reduce the stress levels to a minimum though for a €400 saving, it's hard to argue with the OP's plan.