FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. When should I arrive?

If you are joining us for Segment 1 of the Technical Tours, you should plan to arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport (Italy) no later than 11:00 on Sunday, November 12. Your tour registration includes transfer by bus from the airport to the hotel, with buses scheduled to begin service at 09:00 and the last pickup at 11:00. You may choose to arrive earlier in Italy, but you will need to arrange for your own ground transportation at your expense. (The Milan airport website can assist you; a link is on our Annual Meeting home page.) If you plan to arrive earlier, be sure to indicate this on your hotel registration form so that we can make the appropriate rooming accommodations.Your tour will begin at 14:00 on Sunday afternoon and conclude Monday evening. The IADD will arrange for your transportation between Italy and Interlaken that evening.

If you are joining us for Segment 2 of the Technical Tours, you should plan to arrive in Switzerland at either Geneva Cointrin Airport or Zurich Unique Airport on Monday, November 13. Your tour will begin in the morning on Tuesday, November 14. You are responsible for your transportation from the airport to the Hotel Interlaken. We recommend train travel or driving. Information is available below and through the links on the Annual Meeting home page. You may choose to arrive earlier in Switzerland; if so, be sure to indicate this on your hotel registration form so that we can make the appropriate rooming accommodations.

2. How do I get from the airport to Interlaken? How long will it take?

You can click here for a website with rental car, taxi reservation, train schedules, and other transportation information. You can get driving directions from MapQuest. If you wish to take a taxi, the freephone number for taxi service is 16-0900-44-22-66 (a freephone is a complimentary house phone at the airport). Good sources for train information are Europe.com and RailEurope.com.

Geneva (Cointrin Airport) to Interlaken is approximately 3 hours by car or 3-1/2 hours by train. The train station in the airport is named Cornavin CFF. There is usually one train change (in Berne) on the way to Interlaken. The station in Interlaken is Interlaken Ost (East), which is a 5 minute walk across the street to the Hotel Interlaken lobby.

Zurich (Unique Airport) to Interlaken is approximately 2 hours by car or train. The train station in the airport is named HB (Hauptbohnhas). There is usually one train change or stop (in Berne) on the way to Interlaken. The station in Interlaken is Interlaken Ost (East), which is a 5 minute walk across the street to the Hotel Interlaken lobby.

3. What is the cost of the train ride?

The cost for a Round Trip ticket from either airport to Interlaken is approximately $90US ($137 for First Class Round Trip). The difference between first and regular class is that first class is more comfortable, has more leg room and more seats. A number of special deals may be available. Visit Swiss Pass for more information on how to purchase a pass, traveling on the pass, etc.

4. How do I handle my luggage?

You can use Rail Europe’s Fly Rail Baggage service for $15 per bag. You can check your luggage at any North American airport, fly to Switzerland, get on the train to your final Swiss destination and pick up your luggage there. Click here for more information. If you choose not to use this service, you will be expected to carry your bags onto and between trains. Porters are usually not available at the train stations.

5. What will the road conditions be like in Switzerland in November?

We are told that all roads are open in November. All roads are easy to drive and there are moutain passes off of the main roads.

6. How do I make hotel reservations?

All hotel reservations are being handled through the IADD, which will provide a rooming list to each of the hotels. It is imperative that you complete a meeting registration form and hotel reservation form as soon as possible to secure reservations. We will require your arrival and departure dates, as well as credit card information to secure the reservation. For more information on hotels and rates, click here.

7. How do we travel within Interlaken?

Interlaken itself is fairly small, and most people walk or take a bus. The buses run all year around.

8. What will the weather be like in November?

Normally, temperatures will be in the 50s. It may get a little cooler, but usually there is no snow at this time of year, except for high in the mountains.

9. Where can I find more information about Interlaken and Switzerland?

Please click on the tourism links on the Annual Meeting home page.

10. What is the official currency in Italy? In Switzerland? will the weather be like in November?

The official currency in Italy is the Euro (EU). Many taxis will accept credit cards, but not all, so you may wish to exchange a small amount of money upon arrival if you are joining us for Segment 1 of the tours. The official currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). You will find the current conversion rate here. Usually, all major credit cards are accepted; however, note that you will get the best conversion rate if you do NOT allow a store or restaurant to perform the conversion for you, as they usually charge a 1-2% fee for doing so.

11. What language(s) are spoken? Do restaurants and shops cater to English-speaking toursits?

The primary language in Milan/Bergamo is Italian, but you will find a number of people who understand and speak English, especially in tourist-related places. The primary language at the Zurich airport is Swiss German; in Geneva it is French. In Interlaken, it is Swiss German. However, you will find a number of people who understand and speak English, especially in tourist-related places.

12. What are some of the things I might do while in Interlaken?

The city of Interlaken is centrally located to some of the best sights to see in Switzerland, and we urge you to click on the tourism links on the Annual Meeting home page to plan your trip. While November is not high season, in addition to the shopping in Interlaken, you may wish to check out the horse carriage rides, Mystery Park or even hang gliding.

13. When should I depart?

You will note from the schedule on the Annual Meeting home page that the programming ends in the afternoon on Saturday, November 18. However, we are sure that you will want to join us for the final Awards Dinner on Saturday evening. Therefore, you should plan to leave Interlaken no earlier than Sunday, November 19. Of course, you are welcome to stay longer!