Travel Agency Assisted - AO Trips

After 4/1/2021 and once your travel dates have been assigned, you will not be able to make changes to your transportation choice.

Reimbursements will only be made for coach/economy class tickets. We will not reimburse for upgrades or other add-ons, such as inflight Wi-Fi, meals, premium seating, luggage, insurance or other items that are not a part of the base price of the ticket.

• If you are flying on dates other than the group travel dates or visiting other destinations, we will reimburse for the flight from your home city to the first destination and back home from your final destination. We will not reimburse for flights or other transportation in-between your departure and return dates or for flights that include a hotel stay in another city.

• If your flights are delayed or cancelled, you will be responsible for rebooking your flights.

• Reimbursements will not be made for additional expenses incurred due to flight delays or cancellations.

• Reimbursements will be sent to you by Auto-Owners Insurance AFTER you have traveled on the trip.

Auto-Owners Insurance will reimburse you for the actual cost that you paid for your flights up to the maximum amount of $1,400 per traveler. If you will be using airline reward points, miles, or vouchers for the entire fare, or traveling to the destination by methods other than a commercial flight, you will receive a compensation check for $1,200 per traveler.

• Upon receipt of your flight itinerary and receipt, we will confirm your reimbursement amount. Should you later make changes to your itinerary, your reimbursement amount will not change.

• Air allowances will not be reimbursed for cancelled trips.

For Complete Travel Planning Assistance (assistance with booking flights or pre/post trip travel excursions), Gavel International will send you a deviation request form after 3/15/2021. Flights must be booked by 6/1/2021 in order to receive reimbursement.

• Please do not contact Gavel to have your flights booked until you have been assigned to your travel dates.

• Gavel International will submit a copy of your itinerary and receipt to Auto-Owners in order for them to process your reimbursement.

• If itemized costs are not submitted, we will determine the reimbursement amount based on available coach/economy class tickets for the same itinerary.

Transfers from/to the airport/hotel will be provided when the following criteria is met:

• You are arriving/departing on designated group arrival/departure days.
• If you are extending your trip before or after the group dates and your arrival or departure date overlaps with those of another group, transfers will be provided within the designated times below.
• You arrive into Zurich Airport (ZRH) between 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on a group arrival day. You depart from Geneva Airport (GVA) between 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on a group departure day.
• If your flight is delayed causing you to arrive after the arrival window indicated above, transfers will not be provided unless there are other A-O travelers on that same flight using program air.
• Your complete flight itinerary and receipt must be received by 6/1/2021.

Note: If you arrive at ZRH prior to 8:00 a.m. on a group arrival day and wish to wait for a transfer, please notify Gavel International in advance. You will be placed on the earliest departing vehicle with available space.

AO Trips is providing a group activity on arrival day in Lucerne, Switzerland. Due to costs we recommend that you extend your trip AFTER the program.

If you pre-extend your trip in Lucerne or plan to meet your group on arrival day in Lucerne for the group activity, you must arrive at the Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne BEFORE 1:00 PM on arrival day in order to join in the group activity and to be included in the group transfer to Interlaken. In order to participate only in the group transfer to Interlaken, you must arrive into Lucerne prior to 2:00 PM on arrival day. Prior notice to Gavel International of your participation in this activity is required.

If you do not meet the above criteria to join the group transportation or if you arrive or depart on non-group arrival and departure days, you will be responsible for your own transportation arrangements to and from the airport and hotel.  The transfer time from the Zurich Airport (ZRH) to the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel and Spa in Interlaken is approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes depending on traffic.

Ground Transportation from the Zurich Airport (ZRH) and the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel in Inkerlaken or Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne

The transfer time from the Zurich Airport (ZRH) to the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel in Interlaken is approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes depending on traffic.

The transfer time from the Zurich Airport (ZRH) to the Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne is approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes depending on traffic. 

There are several options for you to arrange your own transportation between Zurich Airport (ZRH) and the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel in Interlaken or Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne. 

1. Recommended service for private transfers from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to either Interlaken or Lucerne is available through our local partner in Switzerland - Conventus. Conventus will be handling A-O group transportation.

To confirm directly with Conventus, please to go the private transfer booking link. 

Pricing from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel in Interlaken:

•  Sedan: 770 CHF (Swiss Francs) (Max 2 people)
•  Minivan: 845 CHF (Swiss Francs) (Max 4-6 people)

 Pricing from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne:

•  Sedan: 420 CHF (Swiss Francs) (Max 2 people)
•  Minivan: 460 CHF (Swiss Francs) (Max 4-6 people)

Transfers between 9pm-7am local time and driver wait time for delayed flights will incur additional costs. 

2. Private car service from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Interlaken can be arranged through the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel concierge. Please email concierge@victoria-jungfrau.ch with your request and they will confirm back to you the arrangements. Prices are subject to change but are approximately: standard car 490 CHF (Swiss Francs); luxury car 660 CHF (Swiss Francs) or V class Mercedes at 700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Prices do not include driver gratuities. 

3. The most economical transfer is the train from Zurich Airport, Flughafen Train Station to Interlaken Ost Train Station. There are approximately 35 trains per day and you will have to change trains at least 1 time during the trip. Pricing is subject to change but is approximately 37 CHF (Swiss Francs) per person, one way in 2nd class and 65 CHF (Swiss Francs) per person, one way in 1st class. Travel time is typically 2 hours and 20 minutes. 

• Note: If you are arriving early and plan to pre-extend in Lucerne, you can also take the train from Zurich Airport Flughafen Train Station to Luzerne Train Station. There are approximately 40 trains per day, some are direct but you many need to change trains at least 1 time during the trip. Pricing is subject to change but is approximately 15 CHF (Swiss Francs) per person one way 2nd class or 27 CHF (Swiss Francs) per person, one way in 1st class. Travel time by train is typically 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Upon arrival at Zurich Airport (ZRH), exit the arrivals area, go outside and cross the street to the Airport Center. The train station is located on the lowest level of the Airport Center (Level-02). Please follow the signs.

Tickets can be purchased online or at ticket machines next to the SBB Travel Center located in the Airport Center.

You can review train schedules and obtain more information at: https://www.sbb.ch/en . 

4. There are also 2 car rental companies that have drop off locations in Interlaken if you select a one-way rental from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Interlaken. Hertz (https://www.hertz.ch) and Europcar (https://www.europcar.ch/en). Prices range from $150-250 USD per day based on vehicle type. Prices are subject to change. 

• Note: Driving in Switzerland can be on narrow, windy mountainous roads. Additional charges may apply for drivers between 20-25. An international driver's license is not required but is recommended. 

5. Uber Service is available only in the Metropolitan Zurich area. Uber drivers may not speak English and may not be familiar with the area outside of the Metropolitan Zurich area. It may be difficult to confirm an Uber to the outlying areas such as Interlaken or Lucerne. Using Uber in Switzerland is NOT recommended. 

6. Taxi service from Zurich to Lucerne or Interlaken is NOT recommended. 

Ground Transportation from the Fairmount Le Montreux Palace to the Geneva Airport (GVA) or Zurich Airport (ZRH)

The transfer time from the Fairmount Le Montreux Palace to the Geneva Airport (GVA) is approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes depending on traffic. 

The transfer time from the Fairmount Le Montreux Palace to the Zurich Airport (ZRH) is approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes depending on traffic.

There are several options for you to arrange your own transportation between the Fairmount Le Montreux Palace and the Geneva Airport (GVA) or Zurich Airport (ZRH).

1. Recommended service for private transfers from the Fairmount Le Montreux Palace to Geneva Airport (GVA) or Zurich Airport (ZRH) is available through our local partner in Switzerland - Conventus. Conventus will be handling A-O group transportation.

To confirm directly with Conventus, please to go the private transfer booking link. 

Pricing from the Fairmount Le Montreux Palace in Montreux to Geneva Airport (GVA):

•  Sedan: 500 CHF (Swiss Francs) (Max 2 people)
•  Minivan: 600 CHF (Swiss Francs) (Max 4-6 people)

Pricing from the Fairmount Le Montreux Palace in Montreux to Zurich Airport (ZRH):

•  Sedan: 1,075 CHF (Swiss Francs) (Max 2 people)
•  Minivan: 1,250 CHF (Swiss Francs) (Max 4-6 people)

Transfers between 9pm-7am local time and driver wait time for delayed flights will incur additional costs. 

2. Private car service can be arranged through the Fairmount Le Montreux Palace Hotel concierge. Please email concierge.Montreux@Fairmont.com with your request and they will confirm back to you the arrangements. Prices are subject to change but are approximately: To Geneva Airport (GVA): standard car for 2-3 passengers 350 CHF (Swiss Francs); luxury car for 2 passengers 550 CHF (Swiss Francs) or V class Mercedes for up to 6 passengers at 520 CHF (Swiss Francs). To Zurich Airport (ZRH), depending on type of vehicle, will range from 800 CHF (Swiss Francs) to 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Prices do not include driver gratuities. 

3. The most economical transfer is the train from the Montreux Gare Train Station to the Geneva Airport Station. There are approximately 58 trains per day, some are direct but you may need to change trains at least 1 time during the trip. Pricing is subject to change but is approximately 18 CHF (Swiss Francs) per person, one way in 2nd class or 31 CHF (Swiss Francs) per person, one way 1st class. Travel time by train is typically 1 hour and 35 minutes. 

For the train from the Montreux Gare Train Station to the Zurich Airport Flughafen Station, there are approximately 50+ trains per day, but you may need to change trains at least 1 time during the trip. The earliest train is around 5:17am. Pricing is subject to change but is approximately 42 CHF (Swiss Francs) per person, one way in 2nd class or 73.50 CHF (Swiss Francs) per person, one way in 1st class. Travel time by train is typically 3 hours with 1 train change in Lausanne.

To get the to the Gare train station in Montreux - use the rear entrance of the hotel located on the first floor. Turn right at the street level. The train station is located 2-3 blocks from the hotel on the left side of the street. 

Tickets can be purchased online or at ticket machines at the train station. You can review train schedules and obtain more information at: https://www.sbb.ch/en .

4. There is a Europcar car rental desk located at the rear entrance to the hotel. Europcar: (https://www.europcar.ch/en). You may need to rent the car the day before departure and keep it overnight at the hotel. Overnight parking at the hotel is approximately 45 CHF (Swiss Francs) per night. Prices range from $80-$150 USD per day based on vehicle type. Price are subject to change.

• Note: Driving in Switzerland can be on narrow, windy mountainous roads. Additional charges may apply for drivers between 20-25. An international driver's license is not required but is recommended. 

5. Uber Service is only available in the Metropolitan Geneva area. Uber drivers may not speak English and may not be familiar with the area outside of the Metropolitan Geneva area. It may be difficult to confirm an Uber in the outlying areas such as Montreux. Using Uber in Switzerland is NOT recommended.

6. Taxi service from Montreux to Geneva is NOT recommended.