Simplest way to get to Zurich and back

[adenda]

Having decided our twice rebooked 14 sector round-the-world OWA in May is just too risky to contemplate (from the viewpoint of being stranded somewhere having tested positive) we're now looking to simply fly MEL to ZRH and back by the simplest route possible - either paid or by redemption. By simplest I mean minimum fuss/minimum risk in transiting through an intermediate stop - meaning no need to pass immigration/undergo quarantine etc. etc.
At this point thinking BKK, KUL, CGK, SIN, HKG, DXB or AUH.
Interested to hear the forum's opinion and/or experiences. Basically need to be in Europe by early June.
Cheers

 

[Mumanddad]

We flew Emirates to Zurich a few years ago, via Dubai. Two flights with a two hour layover in Dubai.

 

[AIRwin]

At this point thinking BKK, KUL, CGK, SIN, HKG, DXB or AUH.

Or DOH?

Don't think there are direct flights from CGK or KUL...

 

[ketsuzei]

Past performance is no guide to future returns, but I’ve done it on SQ roughly a dozen times. Smooth as.

 

[adenda]

We flew Emirates to Zurich a few years ago, via Dubai. Two flights with a two hour layover in Dubai.

Was there a need to pass through immigration?

 

[adenda]

Past performance is no guide to future returns, but I’ve done it on SQ roughly a dozen times. Smooth as.

We've done it on SQ as well and it was - as you say - smooth as. Main concern is whether the transit requires COVID testing, clearing immigration etc. etc Would be a disaster to arrive from MEL, test positive and then the whole trip is gone.

 

[henrus]

we're now looking to simply fly MEL to ZRH and back by the simplest route possible - either paid or by redemption

If you're looking for least risk and most normal expirence, I'd say the Qantas from Australia to London (with the Australian connection point option either PER [or DRW if that's still being used]) connecting to either Swiss or BA would be best.

Unlike most places listed in other posts, the UK has never banned transits plus having recently passed through heathrow they have a similar laid back attitude to Australia. It comes with the added benefit that in the very unlikely event you did feel sick en route, the health care in both the UK and the foreign land of PER is up to Australian standards and easy to access (both the UK and peoples republic of WA is covered by medicare).

Under current rules you would be able to fly MEL-LHR on QF and then LHR-ZRH on BA with no test required. Returning to Australia you just need a negative rapid antigen test 24 hours before departure of the ZRH-LHR flight.

Most of the Asian transit points don't let you leave the transit area which is fine but if something was to happen it could be a problem.

BKK - Those in transit require travel insurance that covers Thailand plus a PCR test.
KUL - Nothing bad - although can't leave the transit area.
CGK - Transits not allowed through Indonesia.
SIN - Comes with the risk of being shoved in a holding pen for the transit if they decide a country is higher risk.
HKG - Hong Kong is currently banning many transits and CX cancelling flights at short notice.
DXB/AUH/DOH - Nothing bad about either of these but neither are simple places to transit just lots of walking - The middle east does do temperature checks at some transit security.

 

[adenda]

Or DOH?

Don't think there are direct flights from CGK or KUL...

Correct - CGK and KUL require another transit via Middle East or IST. DOH is an option if transit is straightforward

 

[frodo]

Depends on your criteria for simplicity vs the least risk of contracting covid.

As mentioned above, covid testing could be an issue. Based on current requirements, flying via SIN requires a covid test prior to the flight. Flying via DOH or DXB doesn't (on the outbound leg anyway), as far as I'm aware, as neither the Swiss government, Australian government or the airlines require a test prior to departure.

 

[exLXCXFF]

I have done QF, QR, CX, and AY (via HKG) multiple times and to a lesser extent SQ (only once) - in Economy and Business.

Back-in-the-days: Overall, I prefer QR and QF (as long as refurbished A380 in J to LHR). CX is good in Y but obviously not an option for now (neither is AY via HKG).

I am definitively not a friend of SQ.

Overall, I think it depends on what status you have with which airline and how you feel about transit times - I think that EK is actually the closest you can get.

 

[Seat0B]

We've done it on SQ as well and it was - as you say - smooth as. Main concern is whether the transit requires COVID testing, clearing immigration etc. etc Would be a disaster to arrive from MEL, test positive and then the whole trip is gone.

this current thread suggests that SIN is not as simple or nice as it used to be as a transit point:

Business class transit through Singapore (Changi): an absolute farce

I am currently in Changi airport transiting from our flight from Rome to Melbourne (via Copenhagen then Singapore). After landing, passengers staying in Singapore were asked to disembark the plane first; then followed by those transiting onwards. Business class were then invited to exit the...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Mwenenzi]

.....we're now looking to simply fly MEL to ZRH and back by the simplest route possible - either paid or by redemption. .

As well as ZRH consider other close EU airports and then a train
Some, but not all--->A map from Great Circle Mapper

 

[RichardMEL]

for something a bit different if ZRH can't be easily got I see that GVA is served by EK from DXB and QR from DOH....

 

[rcn]

Did SYD-DXB-ZRH (late Jan 2022, see trip report here), then ZRH-SIN-SYD earlier this week.

Both sectors quite straight forward. RAT accepted for transit through SIN (you'll also need it for entry to Australia anyway). No testing requirements for transit through Dubai.

As stated above, transit through SIN if you're arriving from certrain countries, including Switzerland, is rather subpar. Once you disembark, you get herded on the aerobridge, get wrists tagged, then sheparded to a waiting area (a gate holding room) until 1 hr before your flight. No lounge access. There is a "premium waiting area" (presumably for First/Business, howevere no access control) that has vending machines with free snacks/beverages, but that is about it.

 

[jpp42]

Once you disembark, you get herded on the aerobridge, get wrists tagged, then sheparded to a waiting area (a gate holding room) until 1 hr before your flight. No lounge access. There is a "premium waiting area" (presumably for First/Business, howevere no access control) that has vending machines with free snacks/beverages, but that is about it.

I've heard that Singapore Airport is operating an "Uber Eats" like food delivery service from their airport restaurants, to these gate holding areas. Did you try that - I assume you have to download a specific app?

 

[exLXCXFF]

Did SYD-DXB-ZRH (late Jan 2022, see trip report here), then ZRH-SIN-SYD earlier this week.

Both sectors quite straight forward. RAT accepted for transit through SIN (you'll also need it for entry to Australia anyway). No testing requirements for transit through Dubai.

As stated above, transit through SIN if you're arriving from certrain countries, including Switzerland, is rather subpar. Once you disembark, you get herded on the aerobridge, get wrists tagged, then sheparded to a waiting area (a gate holding room) until 1 hr before your flight. No lounge access. There is a "premium waiting area" (presumably for First/Business, howevere no access control) that has vending machines with free snacks/beverages, but that is about it.

@rcn - I assume that your outbound flight was on EK. Did you do a RAT/PCR to leave Australia? I understand that no RAT/PCR is required for transit (as you say) but also Switzerland currently does not require any RAT/PCR to enter.

If not, was there any problem when checking in at SYD airport?

 

[Mumanddad]

Was there a need to pass through immigration?

No.

 

[andye]

I've heard that Singapore Airport is operating an "Uber Eats" like food delivery service from their airport restaurants, to these gate holding areas. Did you try that - I assume you have to download a specific app?

You do-when I was there, limited options but that was probably due to the hour it was by the time I'd worked it out
I also ordered some duty-free perfume via an online chat feature