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Train etc. from Paris to Murren

Posted by on

My husband and I will be traveling from Paris to Murren in mid-June. We have scoured these forums and various links/websites and our brains are exploding. Can someone help us?

1) Is there a high speed train that will take us all the way from Paris to Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen without having to transfer?
2) If not, what city should we take the train to from Paris? I cannot find any route maps on the SBB site.
3) And then what? (what is the easiest, most direct option to get us up to Murren?)
4) Do we need to buy train tickets in advance? Is SBB the best site? If not, what other website should we visit?
5) Is first or second class better for traveling with luggage? We will probably have two regular size suitcases and backpacks.

We will be leaving Paris in the morning on a Monday and need to check into our rental in Murren by 4 pm. if possible.

Thanks so much for any help.

Posted by
2571 posts

1) No. Any route from Paris will have multiple connections.
2) Download the SBB app
3) This will depend on the trains departing on your specific day. This trip will take about 7 hours, and probably have 4 connections. But once you are in Switzerland, if you miss a connection, just take the next train. You’ll probably be using a rail pass of some kind, and reservations are not required.
4) You do not need to buy in advance. But there is currently a sale on the Swiss Travel Pass where you can get an extra day. It would be worth looking into.
5) That is personal preference. You will handle your own luggage regardless of class, so don’t bring more than you can carry yourself.

Are you sure you gave to check in to your rental BY 4:00? Most places have a check in time of 3-4:00 or later.

Posted by
2532 posts

You do not need route maps, nor do you need to try to guess what the best route is.

Just go to www.sbb.ch and do a search from "Paris" to "Muerren". (note the spelling. It is either Mürren, or Muerren).
The system will figure the best route out for you. And then you can just buy a ticket good for the whole route.

Buying tickets in advance is advisable, as the TGVs from Paris to Switzerland do fill up, and buying in advance gives you a discount. However it is not necessary (nor possible) to buy months in advance. However for Mid-June tickets should be available already.

Posted by
17559 posts

The journey takes 7 hours, so to arrive before your 4 pm checkin, you need to depart Paris before 8 am

The shortest route is via Basel, and there are 3 mandatory changes after that—they are the same no matter what route you take. These will be at Interlaken Ost, Lauterbrunnen , and Grutschalp. Note that this last one just involves walking from the cablecar up from Lauterbrunnen to the waiting small train for the last leg to Mürren. It is counted in the number of changes in the routes shown on SBB.ch.

There is a 7:20 train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Basel has has only the changes listed above. If you purchase now, you will not only be assured of seats on the TGV, you save some money. And you will save even more if you have park Swiss Travel Pass. The fare without a pass for that train is 169 CHF. Price with pass included is 117 CHF. You do not need to have the pass in hand to purchase the discounted tickets, ut you must have it on the day of travel.

Posted by
33991 posts

on that 7:20 train from Paris Gare de Lyon you will get to Basel at 10:26 (on its way to Zurich) and you need to get off there. There isn't a huge rush (but don't dawdle) because the train stops for as much as 7 minutes. You can go down into the station for a meal if you like or for a little shopping and stretch of the legs because your next train doesn't leave for an hour and 2 minutes.

The connection in Interlaken Ost (last stop for the train from Basel) has to happen because you get onto a mountain railway with a narrow gauge track and cogwheel to get up into the mountains. A normal train couldn't do it. For that connection you only have 7 minutes, but no worry - if you happen to miss it there will be another in half an hour. Perfectly fine to wait for the next train.

Then at Lauterbrunnen which is the last stop you hop off and walk across the road to the cable car. That's a 3 minute walk but you have 8 minutes. Again, if you miss it there will be another soon. Enjoy the great view as you fly up the mountainside. Magnificent. Welcome to the Alps.

At the top everybody steps off, and goes a short distance up to the little train for the final scenic ride into Mürren.

It is a long day, but with lots of variety and interests. Have a great time.

It is your choice First or Second class on the train - but I wouldn't decide based on luggage.

Posted by
768 posts

Lola and Nigel give good advice. If you want to learn a LOT about trains in Europe, this is the absolute best site:

www.seat61.com

Posted by
77 posts

Thank you so much, everyone! I've just now been able to come back to this site to see the responses. I knew there were previous posts on this topic but hadn't been able to find them, so I really appreciate everyone taking the time to provide information. I was feeling so confused before!

Beth

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