Hello,
We have never taken a train and this will be our second time in Europe. This is sounding very overwhelming trying to figure out the train system. We will be in Switzerland 6-7 days and France 6 days. Looking for recommendations on which pass would be best. I have been reading that the eurail pass doesn't go past Interlaken etc. and it's getting very confusing.
Can anyone help?
Thank you!
If you have an option then do it both. Otherwise, I would recommend Swiss Pass.
Eurail Pass is no help on Swiss trains. Research the various Swiss passes. Safe travels!
Eurail Pass is valid on most Swiss trains, but only gives a 25% discount on trains from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and trains above those towns. Even the Swiss Travel pass only gives 25% discount for trains above Grindelwald and Wengen.
Tell us your preliminary itinerary so we can see where you are traveling. On highspeed French trains, you still have to purchase seat reservations.
This is our tentative plan:
Fly into Milan and travel to Interlaken
Visit: Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Zermatt, and possibly Lucerne (Total of 6-7 days)
Travel to Paris for 3 days
Lyon
Normandy 2 days
Fly home from MIlan
This is very tentative as we haven't ironed out details yet. We have 15 days total including flight time 9/7 thru 9/22
Thank you!
have you got the flights?
Have you considered multi city into Milan and out of Paris? How will you get back to Milan with your current plan?
How many is "we"?
Or for that matter, into Zurich and out of Paris. Milan airport to Interlaken can be problematic with the Simplon Tunnel at reduced capacity with current long term repair project. If you are stuck with Milan, think about going to Luzern first as you can get a train from Malpensa airport to Luzern with a train change in Bellinzona. a scenic train ride to boot with the Treno Gottardo. Then to Interlaken, Zermatt, Lyom, Paris, Normandy, then back to Paris for flight home.
If you have never trqavelled by train before go to www.seat61.com and start reading. Be aware that there is no European train system. Every country has its own system, with its own rules, quirks and habits.
Also do not assume that you need a pass. The default way to travel by train is to just buy a ticket. A pass is something you buy for convenience mostly. It is not a must.
Lastly: Milan is not a good point of entry if you want to visit Switzerland and France. Start by looking at an open jaw ticket, in to Zurich and out from Paris, or the other way round.
And look at a map where Lyon and Normandy are relative to Switzerland and Paris :-)
Our flights are booked in and out of Milan. Four of us are traveling together.
Is Milan worth staying overnite and visiting for a day?
I enjoyed the Duomo and its fabulous roof and wandering around the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II across the road.
Then the Last Supper - I love the way it is presented along with the companion piece across the room.
I liked riding the trams very much, but the metro (subway) while very efficient and very useful is not unique to me.
Lots more there, but perhaps for just one day that's a start.
What airline are your tickets on? If your tickets are on an American airline and they are not basic economy tickets, then I would consider changing them and avoiding Milan totally.
