Travel

Shrek

(4,464 posts) Mon May 28, 2012, 08:01 PM May 2012

Can an anglophone get by in Zurich for a weekend?

My son is studying abroad in Italy and is pondering a visit to Zurich next weekend.

He speaks English and some Italian but no German.

Can he muddle through well enough to make a short visit enjoyable?

6 replies

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Highlight:

Can an anglophone get by in Zurich for a weekend? (Original Post) Shrek May 2012 OP

I think he'll be just fine. NYC_SKP May 2012 #1

No problem Turbineguy May 2012 #2

i think he'll be fine blondie58 May 2012 #3

Sure; the Swiss are multi-phonic, elleng May 2012 #4

Thanks for all the info Shrek Jun 2012 #5

A little basic German is useful Retrograde Jun 2012 #6

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)

1. I think he'll be just fine.

Reply to Shrek (Original post)

Mon May 28, 2012, 08:07 PM

May 2012

Especially with some Italian (which demonstrates more than the typical American tourist), but his English will serve him well enough.

Turbineguy

(40,212 posts)

2. No problem

Reply to Shrek (Original post)

Mon May 28, 2012, 08:13 PM

May 2012

Just don't buy a Swiss Army knife at the airport on the way to the plane. I had no problems getting around on the trains either.

blondie58

(2,570 posts)

3. i think he'll be fine

Reply to Shrek (Original post)

Mon May 28, 2012, 08:21 PM

May 2012

The Swiss all speak English. Zurich is a beautiful city.

elleng

(141,926 posts)

4. Sure; the Swiss are multi-phonic,

Reply to Shrek (Original post)

Mon May 28, 2012, 08:58 PM

May 2012

and very business/commerce-minded. Little problem anywhere in Europe with English.
EXPENSIVE, tho.

Shrek

(4,464 posts)

5. Thanks for all the info

Reply to Shrek (Original post)

Sat Jun 2, 2012, 08:54 AM

Jun 2012

Just got off the phone and he is having a great time.

No language issues and he even threw in a day trip to Austria.

Retrograde

(11,450 posts)

6. A little basic German is useful

Reply to Shrek (Original post)

Wed Jun 6, 2012, 10:57 PM

Jun 2012

like "please" and "thank you", but in the tourist areas he should be alright. Swiss German is very different that German German, and foreigners aren't expected to understand it.

I recommend a boat trip on Lake Zurich if he has the time!

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