Should I go to Geneva or Strasbourg (and/or some other city nearby)?

Geneva is more of an outlier than Strasbourg. Focus on FR Alsace region before going to Zurich.

I have been to both cities and would advise going to Strasbourg.

I agree, Strasbourg is much more interesting than Geneva. Stunning cathedral, lots of charm in the old town, much lower prices. Also, it is actually on the way, contrary to Geneva.

Geneva is more of a modern banking city. Forty years ago I did not find it that interesting. I was in Strasbourg in 2022 and found it more interesting and charming than Geneva.

(The views expressed above are my humble opinion)

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/france/strasbourg

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/france/paris

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/switzerland/zuerich

With the right search terms, the Search box top center can provide a wealth of personal comments on destinations.

I also think privacy is important, but you have a screen name here. It simply is not true that Hackers are going to abduct you because you name some places that you want information about. You are handicapping your own research, considering the vast experience of posters on this newsboard. Just to pick an example, it's not that hard to learn that Rick likes Besançon, which is likely on your route. But it's much harder to learn about a unique place like Pérouges, which can be tough to get to with only public transportation. But posters on this newsboard have done it.

I would have advised against Zurich if you had posted earlier. Worst flight decision I ever made was using Zurich. Definitely visit Strasbourg rather than Geneva. Switzerland cities are incredibly expensive and we found them quite unpleasant. The mountains of course are amazing but Switzerland as a whole not so much.

@janettravels44 Tell me more about using Zurich. I had booked to fly out of Zurich because it was cheaper to fly home from there compared to other cities nearby at the time I book my flight in and out of Europe (I know I was not a good decision). If I were able to change where I'm flying home from, I would have picked a different city (Dublin or Vienna comes to mind). Also, I only plan to spend only one night in Zurich before flying home.

Thanks to all the suggestions from the replies, I am strongly leaning towards Strasbourg/Alsace now. Although I am considering staying in Colmar instead of Strasbourg. Another thing I am considering to do while nearby Strasbourg is go to Europa Park, which is an amusement park in a German municipality not too far from Strasbourg. Again I have not finalized all my decisions yet.

I'm not sure I'm that interested in visiting Zurich, itself, but I found the airport nice, well organized and easy to use. When we used the Zurich airport, we flew in and took the train to Chur. Airport easy, Zurich central train station, easy. I had booked travel into Zurich for the same reason you choose it. It was less expensive. Then I turned that into a lovely trip with a night in Chur and a train ride to Italy.

I've visited a few cities in Switzerland--Basel, Bern, Geneva, Luzern, Berner Oberland cities and Chur and taken the Bernina Express to Italy. I've really liked the cities I've visited, except for Geneva, which was fine, but I wasn't in love with it. On the lake, Lausanne and Montreaux look like nice cities to stay and I have visited Chateau Chillon.

As many do, we loved Luzern. Many stay in Luzern that night before their flights out of Zurich because it is a charming city to spend any amount of time in.

Yes, every place in Switzerland has been more expensive than other places in Europe. Basel and Bern a little less expensive and we found Geneva to be way more expensive.

Worst flight decision I ever made was using Zurich.

Many of us have flown out of Zurich with no issues.

Andrew N,
I have flown into and out of Zurich with no problem

Let me start this by stating that I like Strasbourg, but it's not a cheap city, due to the EU contingent based there. I think you might want to look at Nancy, France or Freiberg, Germany. Nancy would give you easy access to Metz, and you can easily spend a week between these to charming cities. Freiberg gives you Colmar, Mulhausen, and Basel all close by.

Update: I made my decision and chose to go to Strasbourg. Both the TGV tickets from Paris to Strasbourg (exchangeable ticket) and the hotel (with free cancellation) have already been booked.