Paris to Geneva or Zurich

Jury, I doubt there will be much difference in terms of "nice scenery" regardless of which city you choose. Between Paris and Switzerland, you'll likely be travelling via TGV. Rather than Zurich, you might also consider Lucerne or Bern for a few days.

What attracts you to Geneva, Zurich, or other cities? If you know why you want to go to them then you should be able to make a decision. We don't know your like, dislikes, etc. Do you want to stay French speaking or German? Do you want to consider Bern? Do you want to consider a run up to the Berner Oberland? For my 2 cents I'm not keen on either Geneva or Zurich. But I don't know what you like or want to see.

My flight is out of Zurich so I have to be in Zurich to get home from there. I have a friend in Geneva so I can stay with her for one night. I just want to be able to see some sights in between the extra nights I have after I leave Paris. I thought I'd at least be able to see some mountains on the train.. I don't speak French nor German. Only English, Spanish, Arabic.

Jury, There is not much scenery on the train routs from Paris to either Zurich or Geneva. But if scenery is what you want then here is a suggestion.
Take a train from Paris to Bern, then spend 2-3 hours in downtown Bern. In particular, tour the old city, climb the tower of the cathedral in the old city and get a superb view of the city and its surroundings. In the afternoon take a short train ride to Interlakan and spend the night there. On the second day visit the Bernese Oberland, the most impressive part of the Swiss Alps. At the train station in Interlaken you can purchase a tour that first takes you from Interlakan to Lauterbrunnen on a regular train. From there by a funicular and a special mountain train to Murren, a village nestled on the side of a very steep mountain. You walk through Murren and at the other end you catch the cable car to Shilthoren, some 3000 meters high. Just in front of you, on the other side of the valley you see, among others, the trio of mountains, the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger. Spend there as much time or as little time as you wish. (There is a revolving restaurant at that place). Once you decide to go back, take the cable car all the way down to the valley. From there a bus takes you back while stopping at some nice waterfalls. This trip might take you anywhere from 4-7 hours (depending on how much time you spend at each place). Once back in Interlaken, take the train to Zurich. Hans

I agree with Hans, We have done what he is suggesting and is great. Happy travels

If you want to see the Swiss Alps, I would take the train directly from Paris to Interlaken. From Interlaken, I would go straight up to Murren without spending the night in Interlaken. Interlaken is a very touristy town. Of course, this all depends on the train schedule and when you would get to Interlaken. It will be a long trip, but the final destination is unbelievably breathtaking. Another Swiss Alps experience would be to spend a few days in Lucerne. It's smaller than Bern and is set in the valley of the alps. From Lucerne, you could take a day trip, by train, to Mt. Titlis or one of the surrounding mountains. Lucerne wouldn't be as far from your final departure city of Zurich. Have a great trip!

Luzern is a great town to visit and only 45-60 minutes from the Zurich airport. Recently on TV I have seen a RS Luzern episode and a Bert Wolfe travelog. Luzern has a lot of nice walking tours in town along with the chance to take a boat ride and go to Mt Rigi or Pilatus.

How would I get from Lucern to Zurich airport? By train?

Jury, yes you would go by train from Lucerne to Zurich. Check this website for train schedules: http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en Early in the a.m. there is a direct train to the airport. Later, there is a stop in downtown Zurich where you just transfer to another train that goes directly to the airport. Zurich is a great airport to fly out of. You should have no issues. Have a great trip!

I would SO take the train directly to Interlaken ~ as a previous post advised ~ and then immediately up to Wengen or Murren (the latter costing more in cable fees). The next morning you MUST go up the Jungfrau (if it's not overcast) ~ "seeing" the Alps vs. being "in" the Alps is a night and day difference! Go for it!! You'll be SO glad you did!! ; )

We were in Genevea, but it was back in 1970. We didn't like Geneva. We also went to Lucerne and Zurich at that same time. We returned to Lucerne and Zurich in 2009. We took the Bernina Express and the other Express, which slips my mind. Going through the Alps was gorgeous. We like Lucerne better than Zurich. We took the train to Berne for the day. That was enough time there. We also stayed in Lugano in order to do day trips into Italy (Lake Como and Lake Maggiorre, Milan). Switerland is absolutely beautiful. The only MAJOR problem to us was that the people smoke everywhere. It was realy unhealthy. They smoke indoors, even in restaurants. We had a really hard time wathicng people holding their little ones and yet smoking. The smoking made it so we would never want to go back to Switzerland. When we were in Lugano, they didn't smoke indoors. That was great. Lucerne is a pictureque town. Geneva is definitely a French influened area. Lucerne, Berne and Zurich are more German influenced. The most beautiful part of Switzerland is going into the Alps. If you can do day trips (Gray Line tours) to Mount Riggi, or Mount Pilatus) out of Lucerne, it would be nice.

I spent 2 weeks in Switzerland in june and cannot remember be bothered by smokers inside or outside. The 3 days I spent in Paris was a different story as many Parisians still smoke outside. I am glad restaurants do not allow smoking inside although in Paris it is nicer to eat outdoors.