Paris to Wengen/Lauterbrunnen

Train only takes 6 hours all the way from Paris to Lauterbrunnen, with connections at Basel and Interlaken Ost. How to Look Up Train Schedules Online](http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/online-schedules) gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it.

The portion from Paris to Basel is by fast TGV train and offers significant advance-purchase discounts. Rick’s France rail travel page has the link and tips for buying “Prems” rate TGV tickets through SNCF (cheap, reserved, nonrefundable, available three or four months ahead of your travel date) to print at home and pay with PayPal. It does not tend to work with US credit cards, unless you have an extra level of security set up.

For the Swiss portion of the trip, consider covering trains and other local transport with a Swiss Card or Swiss Pass.

I bought Prems just fine with my Cap1 MasterCard. I don't have any extra "layers of security" that I know of. Yes, you should definitely take the train.

lori,

As mentioned in previous replies, travelling by train will absolutely be the best option! You would NOT save any time by flying, and it would likely be a longer day (with more hassles and probably more expensive). It will be a far more interesting and enjoyable trip, especially at 300 kmH in the TGV.

I'd suggest checking either the sbb.ch or bahn.de websites to research the train journeys, as some trains on the route between Paris and Interlaken Ost only have one change in Basel, while others have two or three changes (it's better if you can minimize changes, especially as this is your first trip to Europe). You WILL have to change again at Interlaken Ost and use the small Berner Oberland train for the short (~20 minute) trip to Lauterbrunnen. If your end destination is Wengen, it will be a bit longer as you'll have to change again at Lauterbrunnen and take the cog wheel train up the hill. It sounds complicated but it's all rather easy in reality.