Ratgeber
Honeymoon: flight times from Zurich by destination
Honeymoon ranks destinations from Zurich by journey time: Dubai is around six hours, the Maldives around ten to twelve hours, and Mauritius and Zanzibar clearly further, depending on the connection. If you have little leave, choose a closer destination or travel in stages with a stopover. We check the current flight schedule before booking.
Von Honeymoon, Stand
Schritt für Schritt
- Note your available leave days and the time you want at your destination.
- Set the maximum flight time per direction together.
- Compare direct flights and connections in the current flight schedule.
- Coordinate arrival time at the destination with the hotel, especially for night flights.
- Take time difference and jet lag into account when planning the first days.
- Choose an evening return flight, so that the last day stays usable.
Checkliste
- Maximum flight time per direction discussed
- Direct flight or connection decided
- Arrival time coordinated with hotel and transfer
- Jet lag allowed for in the first days
- Hand luggage prepared for night flight
- Entry and health checked for the current status at the FDFA (EDA) and the FOPH (BAG)
- Cancellation cover taken out
From Zurich, you reach Dubai in around six hours, the Maldives in around ten to twelve hours, and Mauritius and Zanzibar with a clearly longer journey time, depending on the connection. The shorter the flight, the more time you have at your destination. The current flight schedule decides whether you fly direct or change.
How long do you fly from Zurich to the popular destinations?
At around six hours, Dubai is the closest of the destinations mentioned. That makes it a good candidate for shorter trips where you still want to use a whole day after landing. Popular destinations in Europe, such as Santorini or the Amalfi Coast, are usually much closer, with short to medium flight times.
Mauritius, the Maldives and Zanzibar are clearly further away with long journey times, the Maldives at around ten to twelve hours. How long the journey really takes depends on the connection. Direct flights do not exist on every route or in every season.
On top of the pure flight time, add the journey to the airport, check-in and the transfer on site. For island destinations, a boat or seaplane is sometimes added. Ten flight hours quickly become twelve to fourteen hours of travel.
Direct flight or connection?
A direct flight saves time and nerves, especially with luggage. In return, it is not always available and sometimes costs more, depending on season and category. A connection lengthens the journey, but can lower the price.
With connections, make sure there is enough time between the flights. Too tight a connection time leads to missed connections when there are delays. A sufficient break at the connection is comfortable for many couples.
Also check whether your luggage is checked through. That spares you waiting and stress at the connecting airport. A connection at a large hub is usually more reliable than a tight connection at a small airport.
Jet lag and time difference
Dubai is only a few hours from Switzerland. Mauritius and the Maldives have a time difference of a few hours, Zanzibar somewhat less. Even a few hours' difference can make the first days tiring.
Plan very little for the day of arrival. A quiet dinner and an early night help you get into the rhythm. Daylight in the morning further supports the adjustment.
For medical questions about sleep or medication, speak to your doctor.
Which destination suits how much leave?
If you only have one week, Dubai or a destination in Europe is realistic. There is more time to settle in. With ten to fourteen days, Mauritius, the Maldives and Zanzibar make sense, because the long journey is worth it. As a rule of thumb: the greater the time difference, the more quiet days you should plan at the start.
With less than a week, it is better to avoid long-haul destinations, as the outward and return journeys take up a large part of the time. If you still want to go, prioritise direct flights and allow a buffer day after your return.
Ask yourselves together whether you would rather fly longer and be sure of beach and calm, or fly shorter and enjoy the atmosphere of a city.
Tips for the night flight and arrival
Take hand luggage with a change of clothes, passport and important medication. A travel pillow and warm socks make it easier to sleep. Pack swimwear in your hand luggage in case the suitcase arrives late.
Talk to the hotel about your arrival time. Some properties offer early check-in or keep the room ready. Transfers should also be confirmed in advance.
If you have connecting flights to islands, watch out for daylight. Seaplanes and boats usually only fly or sail during the day.
Weighing flight time against experience
A shorter journey is not automatically better. In the Maldives or Mauritius, a beach life awaits you that hardly any European destination offers. Many couples knowingly accept the longer journey for that.
If you see the journey as part of the adventure, plan a stop on the way. One or two nights in a city at the connecting point split the journey and shorten the jet lag. That does cost leave days and, depending on season and category, money too.
We will discuss with you in a video call which flight time fits your schedule. Honeymoon is a Swiss travel agency with video consultation, and we check the current flight schedule before every proposal.
