Ending a two-week trip to France with a few days in Chamonix at end of October. Instead of backtracking to Paris, would like to take a scenic train trip to Zurich and fly home from there. Can one of you Switzerland experts suggest the best route, please?
Posted by
Chicago
1435 posts
You also would have the option of taking a bus through the tunnel to Aosta or Milan, then train
from Milan back to Zurich.
Also, you might get better input from the Swiss experts if you add some info on how long you
want to take to get back to Zurich, whether you want to drive/train/bus, and any budget
considerations you might have.
Posted by
562 posts
The most scenic (and closest to straight line on a map) would be via Valorcine to Martigny, then a short ride to Montreux, then Golden Pass Express to Interlaken, then to Luzern. The scenery would be fantastic but these are not fast trains because of threading through the mountains. Leaving Chamonix at 09:28 it would take about 8½ hours to reach Luzern with a change of train at each place mentioned. Luzern to Zurich Airport (next day or stay a while in Luzern) is about 70 mins with frequent options from very early.
from Martigny there is a faster route which avoids the mountains, althoughit still has views. In that case Chamonix to Zurcih airport is possible in just inder 6 hours.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
1053 posts
@me.crews
Thanks! Very helpful. Will have to think on this. Planning overnight in Zurich, then fly out next day. Rome2Rio suggested a 6 1/2 hour train trip, but I was not clear on the route. Wanted to be sure I wasn't missing out on something better.
I may be, but 8+ hours may be just too long. Loved doing the Bernina Express, but we split the trip into two days. Also love Lucerne, but last trip to Switzerland started and ended there when husband had emergency orthopedic surgery!
Your suggestion would be great with an overnight break, but I've probably already stretched my travel companion's days to the max. But you've given me something to work with. Thanks again!
Posted by
562 posts
staying in central Zurich just for a next morning flight isn't the best idea. Either stay at an airport area hotel or in central Luzern.
You could bail out of the GPX at Spiez for a direct train to the airport, overall day length would be aboutteh same but that would be all land tavel done with.
The GPX:
https://www.gpx.swiss/en/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N94EjrtmQoU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=057JxrQ5teU
Interlaken-Luzern
https://www.zentralbahn.ch/en/experience/leisure/luzern-interlaken-express