We are traveling to Interlaken / Grindelwald from Basel via train, going up the Jungfrau train and possibly the Schilthorn. We are then planning on a train ride to Paris for 2 nights.
I looked at the train schedule on raileurope.com for the Interlaken / Paris schedule, and was disappointed to see 1 train a day, making 3 stops, and taking 6 hours. Is this the best / only way to Paris? I guess I can look at flights, but am not sure where the closest airport to Interlaken is.
My other concern is we will be in Paris only 2 nights, and we will be there on May 1st which is a national holiday. Almost everything except the Eiffel Tower is closed. This will probably my only chance to see Paris, although it is a quick visit. Since the train arrives at 4pm, it doesn't really allow us any time for museums on arrival day.
Should we cancel the trip to Paris before the cruise lines books the tickets, and stay 2 extra nights in Switzerland?
Should we do both the Jungfrau and Schilthorn trains or just 1?
Posted by
Grand Rapids, MI
768 posts
There are two main airports in Switzerland: Geneva and Zurich. Both are about 3 hours away from Interlaken Ost, and both cities have fast trains to Paris. Check out www.seat61.com for info on trains, and www.sbb.ch/en for the official Swiss train schedule.
RailEurope is not as complete, and they charge more for the same tickets.
Speaking of Interlaken, don't stay there. Stay in Grindelwald (or Murren, if going to Schilthorn), where the views are 10X better.
I would not do both Jungfrau and Schilthorn. I like the latter because it is cheaper, doesn't take as long, and you are not so high that you need binoculars to figure out what you are looking at.
Posted by
OP
34 posts
Wow that is some great advice thank you so much! I will search the train schedules for the best times / route. Thank you!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
happy,
Don't use Rail Europe for checking rail schedules, as they tend to only list those that they sell tickets for. For accurate information on schedules use the German Rail website, https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml . If you wish to buy advance tickets, the easiest website I've found is https://www.trainline.eu/ (you'll have to register on the site first). As I recall they now sell tickets for Switzerland as well, but there's no reason to buy those in advance as there are no price breaks for doing so.
The quickest and easiest route will probably be a departure from Interlaken Ost at either 08:30 or 10:30 (there are numerous other departures), arriving at Paris Gare de Lyon at 13:37 or 15:37 (time 5H:07M, 1 change at Basel SBB). The trip from Basel to Paris is only about three hours via high speed TGV, which travels at up to 300 km/h. I wasn't clear on exactly which town you're staying in so I used Interlaken Ost in checking the details, since you'll have to go through there regardless.
If you're planning to see both the Jungfraujoch and the Schilthorn, the most convenient home base for that area will be staying in Lauterbrunnen, since it's the transportation hub. Grindelwald is a bit "off the beaten path", so not the most efficient home base location.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Swiss train tickets are not yet for sale for your travel period, don't require reservations, and don't offer advance purchase discounts. The reserved French TGV tickets are available through SNCF, Rail Europe (currently starting at $38 or $47 per person), and other agents, and you really only need to purchase the leg from Basel to Paris at this time.
Swiss tickets can be purchased there or you may want to get a Swiss Travel Pass that covers several days of travel on your loop from Basel.
The site that Ken recommended provides all the published schedule info for most of Europe, regardless of whether tickets are for sale. Their standard suggested connection only allows 5 minutes to change trains at Basel, but you might want to take an earlier departure from Interlaken, to allow more connection time to a reserved train departing at 10:34 or 12:34, for instance.