Hi, I was hoping someone could offer some advice on trains. We are flying into Paris and will take the train to Zurich and then spend 4 days in Switzerland (zurich to lauderbrunnen and gringewald), then from there to Chamonix to ski and Chamonix back to Paris to fly out. We were thinking of getting the global rail pass for flexible days but I have heard on some forums mixed things about that and that some Swiss trains won't take it and we would still need to buy a train ticket. Any advice would be much appreciated. We dont have alot of time so really our travel will just be Paris to Zurich, Zurich to Lauderbrunnen, then to Gringewald and then to Chamonix, back to Paris. I also thought of renting a car but it is during the winter and roads may be closed or snow covered. Thank you so much.
Posted by
Wengen
2480 posts
Don't get a Eurail Pass. Also it is not necessary to route through Zurich when going to Lauterbrunnen. The route for that would be Paris - Basel Lauterbrunnen.
The problem with the Eurail Pass is that you still need to get reservations for TGVs. It does cover travel till Lauterbrunnen, and from there to Chamonix tough.
So get for example Paris - Lauterbrunnen and Lauterbrunnen - Chamonix on www.sbb.ch, and Chamonix - Paris on www.sncf-connect.com.
What are you planning on doing in Lauterbrunnen?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33778 posts
sorry, by grinchwald do you mean Grindelwald, at the foot of the Eiger? If so, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are so close and well connected you probably will do better staying in one and visiting the other rather than moving. Or do you mean somewhere else?
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you both for the advice. Yes, I was referring to Grindelwald (didn't spell check:) ). I am not sure yet what are the plans for Lauderbrunnen, just see the scenery, we heard is beautiful and would love recommendations. We did want to see Zurich but you may be right, it make be better to route to Lauterbrunnen from Paris and side step Zurich.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Sorry, one more reply, I looked at that route going from Paris to Lauderbrunnen but that train ticket for a one way is over 200 US while the Eurorail pass seems to be 300 for 4 days. That is why I was thinking it may be less expensive to get the Euro pass it would get us there and back, plus some trains in Switzerland if I am understanding it correctly. Ty