Traveling in a couple weeks from Paris to Wengen and have the option of 9:50am TGV (Basel, Interlaken etc) or 9:55am ICE (Strasbourg, Basel, Interlaken etc). The TGV is one less change but 35 min longer. Is either train/route better for views/ convenience/confort?? Seems like one less change on the TGV would be easier even if it gets in later unless there's a reason to do other train.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1067 posts
On long routes with luggage I always 100% of the time chose the route with the least amount of train changes. Every time you have to change trains with luggage you run the risk of delays, missing your connection, etc. and suddenly the quicker option becomes much longer. That route isn't anything mind boggling until you get into the Jungfrau region when it comes to views anyways, so convenience/simplicity is #1.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thank You!!! Makes perfect sense.
Posted by
Green Bay
22337 posts
The TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Basel is normally about 3 hours. The 12:55 train takes 3 hours and 4 minutes. So there must be some French train scheduling issues that add an extra 30 minutes to the 9:50 train time.
Another factor, the connection through Strasbourg is a French TER, and the platforms where they arrive at Basel SBB are a little walk from the main platforms. The TGV from GdL arrives the main platforms, so you just go up an escalator to the cross-over bridge, walk a few feet to your connecting track, then down the escalator to the platform for the onward connection to Bern or Interlaken.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
That doubles down on the choice to do the TGV! Appreciate the advice- don’t want to make anything more complicated!!
Posted by
Wengen
3244 posts
What date is this? Direct Paris - Basel should not be 35 minutes longer.
Also be aware of the different terminals these trains leave from. You will need to get there, and one might be closer than the other to your accomodation.
Posted by
NW England
868 posts
I agree that Paris-Basel should not be longer but something is going on. From late August until December there are only 4 instead of 6 Paris-Basel trains on Monday-Friday and one of those sets off about 90 minutes earlier than at weekend, misses out Dijon and sits at Mulhouse for about 40 minutes waiting for a path in Switzerland, 9213 - is this diverting via Strasbourg perhaps?
Posted by
OP
7 posts
This is for Monday, July 28
Posted by
Paris
7548 posts
Even with the extra time, with luggage I would still take the TGV to Basel. Scenery-wise, the routes are equivalent: the direct TGV is scenic through Burgundy, and the Strasbourg-Mulhouse line has nice views of the Alsace vineyards and the Vosges mountains (sitting right).
Posted by
Wengen
3244 posts
Yes, on the 28th the train that normally leaves Paris at 10:22 leaves at 9:50 in stead, and is indeed probably routed via Strasbourg, but it goes non stop form Paris to Mulhouse.