Switzerland and France trains

fponti,

For the short number of trips you're taking, buying P-P tickets is probably the easiest method. You can purchase these online or at local stations. A few thoughts on each of your journeys......

• Bern to Larouche-Migennes - there are numerous trains on that route, but one of the easiest will be a departure from Bern at 09:10, arriving Larouche at 15:02 (time 5H:52M, one change at Dijon Ville, reservations compulsory on first segment which will be provided with the ticket). One point to note is that the reservation will be specific to only that one train, so you must be willing to commit to that departure time. If you want to buy online, try www.capitainetrain.com as they should be able to provide tickets on that route.
• Larouche-Migennes to Colmar - one of the shortest trips is a departure from Larouche at 09:01, arriving Colmar at 13:57 (time 4H:56M, two changes at Dijon Ville and Mulhouse Ville, reservations compulsory on middle segment). Again, Capitaine Train for tickets online.
• Colmar to Zürich - there are numerous departures on that route so you can take your pick on the departure time. One that you could use is a departure from Colmar at 10:23, arriving Zürich HB at 12:26 (time 2H:03M, one change at Basel SBB).

You can view all the solutions using the Bahn.de website (but you won't be able to buy tickets there). If you're planning on doing any sightseeing in Switzerland that involves mountain lifts, you may find that the Swiss Half Fare card or one of the others will save you some money. You'll have to do the number crunching based on the sights you plan to visit.

Happy travels!

Thank you so much for the response regarding trip planning on trains.

It doesn't seem like there are any combined discount fares that incorporate both Switzerland and interim travel in France so your suggestions are probably the most efficient.

FP

Swiss trains don't have advance discounts, nor do any unreserved regional French trains which may be part of your trip. Consider a Swiss Travel Pass or one-month Swiss Half-Fare Card for your trains within Switzerland on the first half of the trip. The Basel-Zurich ride at the end ($35 value) would be discounted with the Half-Fare Card but might not be covered by your Swiss Pass, e.g., if you choose 8 days consecutive (about $400 per adult, but keep an eye out for special offers).

Thank you Laura, sounds like half fare may be the way to go.

Ken, I tried capitainetrain and the system looked easy to use until I tried to buy a ticket and they notified me that I had to go to a French rail station to get my ticket. Since I'm starting that segment in Bern, Switzerland that wouldn't be possible. However, in Dijon I could buy the second segment to Laroche-Migennes. I wonder if I can buy the whole trip online and just print the tickets at the various stations-Bern to Dijon in Bern and the other one in Dijon?

Frank

fponti,

I'm assuming you've now received some further information that has clarified the ticket situation, and hopefully you now have the tickets for your trip.

Bon Voyage!

Yes, Ken, capitanetrain was extremely helpful.

Thanks for your help.

Frank

Frank,

You're very welcome! Happy travels.