Hi friends Iam planning a surprise travel for me & my partner. This is my very first time to do this from choosing a country,planning to bookings. To start with I have chosen the country it switzerland and therefore while browsing I came across this lovely website where in a discussion I found few interesting things like hop on & off local trains in switzerland instead of taking one express train. As I love to explore places while travelling in the area. My area of interest to explore is interlaken. We'll only have to days to explore the place as it's a short holiday break staying for 3 nights. Now my question is I have been sort all this out in mind but can't understand the travel route from London to switzerland and how to reach interlaken Andwhich way is the best way to travel through airplane or eurostar? And can we get hotels to book while exploring different areas. Any website suggested for booking flight & hotel will be appreciated. As I feel a Lil lost. I plan to travel on 10th Aug 2013 so if anyone can advise ASAP. Much thanks!
Yogs
Posted by
BROADSTAIRS, Kent, United Kingdom
120 posts
Yogi You have left planning very,very late if you plan to travel in three days time. Have you even looked at the fares both air fare and Eurostar? If not do so now. Unless you have some idea of how you want to travel and where you want to stay, ie which hotel or hotels in Interlaken interest you, you are going to have difficulty in booking rooms, this is high summer season and many hotels will be full. I suggest you read the main Swiss tourist office site at www.myswitzerland.com and see what is available. Check some of the hotels sites directly and book you accommodation then read the Swiss Rail site www.sbb.ch/en and find your trains times. Before you do any of these though decide and book you travel to Switzerland.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
yogi, I second Pauline's comments! It would have been prudent to have started planning this trip several months ago. At the time I'm posting this, it's almost 23:00 London time, so you have TWO DAYS to plan and organize this trip. I'd have to give this some thought and will post again later if I can think of any suggestions. A few initial thoughts. You may find it very helpful to read the excellent seat61.com website, as that has a LOT of good information on rail travel. Your best bet to get from London to Switzerland would be EuroStar from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. From there take the TGV to Basel (you may have to use the Metro to get to Paris Est or whichever station that departure is from) and then Swiss trains to Interlaken. It's actually very easy, but will take some time. Unfortunately, at this late date you'll pay FULL PRICE for EuroStar tickets. Be sure to check in AT LEAST 30 minutes before EuroStar departure, or you won't be riding! You may have some trouble getting hotel bookings, as it will be busy. The best bet is to book directly on the hotel websites. Good luck!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Here are some websites to get you started. How to get from London to Switzerland by train: http://seat61.com/Switzerland.htm#Interlaken Flights from London to Bern or Zurich: http://www.skyscanner.com/ Since both trains and planes will be at high prices, I'd look at both. But remember, you have to get to and from the airports, so you may not save too much money or time. Here are hotel websites you should focus on. These will allow you to see multiple places at once, and book right away once you spot something available in your budget: http://www.hotels.com http://www.booking.com http://www.venere.com
Posted by
OP
London
3 posts
Dear Friends, Thank you so much for your replies & help. Yes I absolutely understand what you all are saying to plan a trip early is what we both do. Yes, I have checked air fares from London to Zurich & London to bens. Hotel been checking bit not yet booked few available But this idea of travelling occured to me just last night friends & I decided to do so and being aware of that it will absolutely not be so safe and secure travel option you will find ot crazy but that was the whole idea.more as of adventurous.... We have had always planned trips in advance in past.Just wanted to experience absolutely unexpected things this time instead of too much of pre planned stuff. I appreciate these info's are very very helpful. My conceen is I just want to know how to reach Lauterbrunnen from Zurich or Ben what would be better. The rest we want to explore unexpected. And which place (village/ area) is good to relax for walk and be in nature. Thank you so much again. Yogs
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Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
Yogi, Lauterbrunnen is very easy to get to. Choose whichever route you prefer to get to Interlaken Ost station (there are two stations in Interlaken). Once you arrive there, transfer to the small Berner Oberland train for the 20 minute ride to Lauterbrunnen. Lauterbrunnen is a good "home base" for that area as it provides easy access to both sides of the valley - Gimmelwald, Mürren and the Schilthorn on one side and Grindelwald, Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg and the Jungfraujoch on the other side. There are excellent hiking spots all over that area. One easy hike you could look at from Mürren is to take the Allmend-Hubel Funicular to the top and then walk down through alpine meadows. Cheers!
Posted by
OP
London
3 posts
Dear Ken Gratitude. Regards Yogs