We are heading off on our 7th RS Tour “Best of Switzerland” in late May. Because of other circumstances we are flying into Gatwick on Thursday morning and have to be in Luzern by Monday afternoon. We are hoping to take our time and make some stops along the way. Likely travelling by train.
Looking for route options. Been to Paris, Amsterdam and Munich so somewhere new would be a bonus. Not that those aren’t fabulous cities.
Thanks in advance
Mike R
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17564 posts
From London the route by train will take you to Paris, but you do not have to stay there; you could travel onward to Alsace ( Strasbourg or Colmar). These lie on the direct route to Luzern, via Basel.
You have four nights. If you have not been to London before, spend two nights there. Then Eurostar train to Paris, change there for Colmar or Strasbourg. Spend two nights there. Then on Monday you have a journeynof 2-2.5 hours to Luzern.
Get some opinions on Colmar vs. Strasbourg. We loved Colmar but have not been to Strasbourg so cannot compare.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Strasbourg is a good idea. It is possible to get from London to Strasbourg without going via Paris, i.e. without having to cross Paris between stations. Instead you change trains at Lille Europe.
Details here from the Man in Seat 61: https://www.seat61.com/France.htm#London-to-Strasbourg-by-train
You could also include Basel.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Yes, Colmar, Strasbourg or Basel are the obvious possibilities. If you have four days Strasbourg has more to see although Colmar is very picturesque. I've never really explored Basel but look into it.
If any of you are road or rail transport enthusiasts, Mulhouse, which is between Colmar and Basel, has the French national museums of both, both of which are world-class. Otherwise the city doesn't have much to recommend it from a tourist perspective.
Posted by
OP
Canada
83 posts
Thanks very much. Those are excellent suggestions which we would have never come up with on our own.
Posted by
Washington DC
28249 posts
If you have any interest in art, the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar is very worthwhile. Its Isenheim Altarpiece is an acknowledged masterpiece.
Posted by
Australia
1072 posts
Loved both Strasbourg and Basel. In Strasbourg a canal tour is a must. In Basel the Jean Tinguely museum was exceptional - but only if you like surreal automatons and large kinetic art. Basel is very close to Luzern so you could just spend the day there on the way there if you came by train from Strasbourg or Colmar. Breisach on the Rhine near Colmar is also worth a visit but not sure if there is a train.