Hi all. Can I please have some advice about training from Colmar, France, to Budapest? I can take 1 in 2 nights to do it. I've already seen Vienna so not keen to stop there. I'd love to take a scenic train route.
Many thanks in advance for your interest and advice.
Posted by
Lake District, England
5841 posts
Look at sncf connect
They give 2 options- a 2 change train by day departing at 0823, arriving at 2102, changing at Basle and Zurich- two swiss changes, so very easy,
OR
a night train departing at 1923, arriving next morning at just after 0900. The sleeper leaves Zurich at 2140, so very civilised timings, but you obviously miss the scenery.
Probably best to book this as a day ticket to Zurich, then the sleeper booked direct with the operator Nightjet
Posted by
Freedonia
15083 posts
I'm going to suggest you NOT take a night train. While it may be efficient, the scenery on this route will be amazing and you really don't want to miss it if you are into scenery.
As stated, take the 8:23 changing in Basel and Zurich. However, instead of going all the way through, I suggest spending the night in Salzburg if you have not been there. (If you have, perhaps Innsbruck.) Then pick up your journey the next day with a direct train to Budapest. This way you get some time in one of those towns to explore.
Otherwise you're on the train for 12 hours.
However, I'm going to suggest something different if you really want scenery.
Take the 7:23 train from Colmar to Basel. Then switch to the 8:28 train to Brig. In Brig, you can change to the 11:18 Glacier Express train to Chur. Spend the night in Chur.
The next morning, take a train from Chur to Buchs--you're choice depending on how much transfer time you want--for the 11:54 to Budapest. If you can spare another night, and you haven't been there, stop off in Salzburg for some sightseeing in that city. (Otherwise it's a 9.5 hour journey without getting off.)
Posted by
OP
New Zealand
12 posts
Thank you so much. Will look into those options. Regards, Marie