I'm meeting my sister whose flying from Seattle to London in London in the middle of July (I'm flying from where I'm working, Beijing) and we plan to take the Eurostar to Paris. From that point, we want to make our way to Gimmelwald, and stay about 15 days in Switzerland. It's better to get a Swiss Pass if I'm going to be doing most of my travel in Switzerland, right? Also -- any ideas of the best way to get to Interlaken via France... and then 15 days later heading to Amsterdam?
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
Depending on where you will be in France, the TGV trains are generally the fastest way to get to Switzerland; via Basel, Geneva, or Luscanne. Click the "railpasses" tab above to compare the various different types of Swiss Passes, a rail pass is very useful for Switzerland and will save you a lot of money.
There is a direct night train from Zurich/Basel to Amsterdam. You can check schedules and book tickets at this site:
Posted by
OP
Beijing
5 posts
Thanks for the help Michael!
Anyone have significant opinions regarding first class and second class???
I'm used to China trains (hit or miss) .... so I am sure that anything is going to be luxurious!
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
2nd class is very comfortable. You can check schedules at http://rail.ch
Posted by
OP
Beijing
5 posts
I'm in no real rush to GET to Gimmelwald, just have to make sure I'm in Amsterdam by the 12th.... probably going to be heading that way by the 5th of August...
for multiple nights (at least 1 week, perhaps 1 week plus) , in July, do you recommend booking ahead the accommodations in Switzerland??
How about if you branched out? Was one base place better than others???.... Gimmelwald vs Murren... etc?
What's the time frame of travel distance between all these small places?
Not worth staying in Murren for instance, and then switching to Gimmelwald later in the week?
Any place offer a discount for longer stay?
HOT shower is really my only request. Doesn't matter HOW they make it hot, or if it's only 5 minutes or so.
Best place for running into someone else whose along solo or with a pair and then making plans to hang out together?
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
The train system is Switerland is excellent, train are on time and very clean. I always travel 2nd class . Have you thought of flying from Orly Paris to Berne as that could reduce the travelling time alot
Paris to Bern by rail is only 4.5 hours. When you factor in traveling to/from each airport, allowing time to check-in and security hassles, flying isn't going to be any quicker.
Posted by
OP
Beijing
5 posts
If I take the Paris - Bern train arriving... it would cost how much because the Swiss Pass would not cover it?
Bern - Paris return (or any other way out of country0 is how much WITH a Swiss pass?
Posted by
Austin, Texas, USA
44 posts
Here is an easy/scenic suggestion.
Fly from Paris to Geneva on Easy Jet. (easyjet.com) I just checked and flights during the week are 31.99 Euros direct from Paris. Great price! There is a train station in the Geneva airport and you can hop right on the "Golden Pass" train. It goes around Lake Geneva. After about an hour it stops in Montreux, where you have to switch trains, but make plans to see Château de Chillon. It is then about three hours through beautiful contryside to Interlaaken.
When you are ready to leave Gemmelwald, you can head north, go through Luzerne and leave from Basel. There are the same cheap direct flights on Easyjet.com to Amsterdam from Basel. Have fun@!
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
You might also consider flying to Switzerland from London, then taking the train (Paris, Amsterdam) the rest of the way.
Lots of great stuff to see enroute, by the way, between Switzerland, Paris, and Amsterdam.