Paris/Switzerland/Italy/French Riviera - LOTS OF HELP NEEDED !!! Part A

For Paris

Typically people find the Viste Pass to be expensive. It does however offer flexibility if you are arriving mid-week. Please note that these prices will most likely change before you arrive. Rail prices in Paris typically change in July of each year. Many people either purchase a Carte Orange (which is switching to a Navigo Decouverte) or a carnet (booklet of 10 tickets).

Lots to look at here with current prices:
http://www.ratp.info/touristes/index.php?langue=en

RER ticket from CDG to Paris centre is 8.20 euro per person and can be purchased at the Gare. Note - you will need either euro coins or credit card with a smart chip to use the kiosks. Otherwise you will have to stand in line.

Versailles - if you are traveling during the high season (May to Sept) there is a combined pass wich includes entry, roundtrip rail tickets and audio guide called the Versailles Forfait Loisirs. This is usually the best deal. It can be purchased separately at any SNCF station.

http://www.transilien.com/web/site/accueil/guide-du-voyageur/billets-abonnements/Versailles/lang/en

Disney - There is also a combination type pass for Disneyland that gives you roundtrip train and entry tickets to the park. These entry tickets are NOT fast passes. Thus, you cannot get a fast pass for rides nor can you go to one of the other parks.

Should you decide to purchase separately take the RER A in the direction of Marne-la-Vallee-Chessy (careful : in that direction the RER A serves two destinations) and get off at Marne-la-Vallee-Chessy (it's the termination of the line).

http://www.ratp.info/touristes/index.php?langue=en&rub=decouvrir&cat=disney

For Bern -

Bern is a great center point. Lake Thun is nearby and there are many little spots you can go to. I used to live in Thun - I suggest a walk there to see the castle.
This can be on your way to Interlaken.

Bern is a non-stop TGC Lyria stop from Paris. So look for those times. Otherwise you will be making a connection through Lausanne.

Lausanne is not a "great" city - as far as Swiss towns go. I would minimize your time here. Montreux is a must and is only a short 20 minute train ride from Lausanne. There are commuter trains running frequently (watch for the direct train otherwise you will stop at each little town and the ride extends to nearly 30 minutes).

Best way to tell if the pass is economical or not is to research the cost of point2point tickets you will need and compare with the cost of the pass.

I have nearly always found the pass to be more expensive; but every trip is different. The number of days you will need the pass will determine its utility.

Yes 5 nights is too long to stay in Bern. Do a google search for "Bern sights" and read what you will find there to see.

I would stay in Interlaken instead so you can take the train up the mountain into the Alps peaks. The views there are well worth a couple of days.

There are no sights to see in Lugano; passing through on the train will expose you to everything.

I agree with Carl about Bern.

Every place is arguably interesting, but in my view Switzerland's charms are not in its cities.

However, rather than stay in Interlaken I would sleep up in the mountains on one side or the other of the Laterbrunen Valley, at least for part of the time.

Thank you so much Adam, Carl and Jona. I have found this forum to be amazing and I'm learning so much just by reading all the different posts. The information has been invaluable and I'm sure to be asking more questions over the coming months.

I'll rework my Switzerland itinerary and let you know what I come up with.

Thanks again guys.

Five nights in Paris and you plan to do two daytrips outside of city..

I really think Paris is worth more then 3 days... I mean comeon, for a 2 month trip, I would definately bump at least two more nights into Paris, keeping in mind that your arrival day is a write off, you will be exhausted.

Also, do you really really really want to see Disney. I have done it twice as I have taken my kids ( two of three kids, each travelling seperately with me) and I have to say,, even the kids considered it kind of a wasted day,, the 14 yr old especially was not impressed, the 12 yr old liked it , but did wish we had more time in Paris instead( although both insisted we go there in the first place).

As Jona mentioned the Forfaits Losirs is a great way to do Versailles, everything ( train and admissions)included and best of all, you skip the long line at the doors!

Hi Pat,
Thanks for your input. I really appreciate everyone giving me their advice and it's really helping me shape a great itinerary !

Yes, Disneyland is a must on this trip as my partner has studied animation and loves anything to do with Disney and the like, so that's the one thing on a 2 month itinerary that I'm allowing him to choose !!!

We are going to end our itinerary also in Paris so that will give us another couple of nights as well.

Sonia, then of course Disney is a must as they pioneered so much in animation..
Glad to hear you are in fact adding a few days at the end to Paris, whew, would hate to think you missed out on spending enough time in one of the greatest cities in the world ( ok, guess I am bias,, LOL )

Lucky you to have such a nice long trip,, but you deserve it after having to fly so far and long!