TGV train from CDG to Zurich

You change trains just like you change airplanes. Get off the train walk to the head of platform where most likely will be an announcement board - could be the old waterfall type or electronic - which will show you the platform number for the next train. You might also check with the conductor on the train to see if he/she knows the platform for your next train. Doesn't hurt to double check because the platform can change at the last five minutes or so. It is much easier than the airport because of shorter distances to walk. In some stations you will need to walk down some stairs to short tunnels that go under the train tracks to move from one platform to another. And there are two types of stations. Stations where the trains pass through from one end to another. The other type of station is where trains back in and pull out or pull in and back out. Think of the fingers on your hand. Generally these are the larger stations where train routes start and end.

Hi Mau, Have you already looked at the Rick Steves videos: Train Travel Overview Scheduling Stopovers Railpasses and Train Transfers The last one might have what you are looking for. In Strasbourg Ville it should just be a case of switching platforms and getting on the other train, you have plenty of time so there is no rush. The time table does not give the platform information for me, so I'd suggest you ask the ticket collector on board which platform your connection will be on. In Basel it looks like you will be coming in to the French station and need to transfer to the Swiss station... Both stations are in the same building complex, so you will not have to actually go out into streets. When you come out of the French station, just walk along the corridor and you will come into the main hall of the Swiss station, there you will be able to grab the escalators on your right up to the platforms. Currently the timetable show your train to be on platform 8, but check the board to make sure. Walk along the ramp until you come to platform 8 and then take the escalator or stairs down to your train.

In addition to Jim's comments, here's a link to show you the train station layout. I believe that Tracks 30-35 are actually in France but also in the same building as the Swiss Basel SBB train station. Just a slightly longer walk to change trains. http://gyazo.com/8e0f4aaf3a7b6f2a8baa860db4a7d3d0

OK, so the French station is more or less H4, H5 on Larry's map and the passage I was talking about is called the West Passage. It takes about 10 minutes to get from one station to the other. One other thing, although Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area, it is not part of the EU customs union, so there is a small possibility that you might be checked leaving the French station. Therefore I would recommend not hanging about the French station, but head direct for the Swiss one, just in case you need time to be processed. If you need to buy snacks etc. the cheapest place is the shop on the right at the end of the West Passage before you enter the Swiss station. It has plenty of hot and cold snacks, drinks, choclates etc...

The French SNCF station is logically in France but most definitely physically in Switzerland. Those platforms end well short of the next road bridge which has the trams heading to the round market and towards the zoo. There are the usual frosted glass doors but is simply a walk through; in fact it is easy just to go back and forth should you want to. It is the same situation as at Basel Bad Bhf coming from Germany, just much less good paint decoration in the SNCF station. The SNCF platforms are all head-in terminators so if you are at all concerned ride just behind the engine for the shortest walk.

I finally have a chance to read your replies. Thanks so much for all your help. This post is so wonderful. I have another question. The itinerary lists the 3 trains as Loisir reduced fare, Leisure, and Regular fare. The Loisir reduced fare gives me the coach and seat number whereas the others only say "without reservation". What reservation mean? what do I neeed to do prior and after boarding on each of the trains?

"I am very confused now. I booked the train tickets from tgv-europe.com/en and that is the itinerary (departs 12h36, route CDG-Strasbourg-Basel-Zurich). Now the German website shows different depart time (12h40) and route (CDG-Gare de Lyon-Zurich). Which is my actual itinerary? Also, what do I need to do about "reservation" to any of those legs?" Relax Mau, there are usually multiple different routes to get the the major destinations in Europe, your chosen route is fine and at least it does not involve a switch of stations in Paris!!! As regards reservations, here is what I find: 12:36 Aéroport Charles-de-Gaulle TGV to Strasbourg Ville - Reservation required, and you have it 15:51 Strasbourg Ville to Basel - A Regional Express, so reservation not possible, just grab some free seats.
17:33 Basel to Zurich - An Intercity, no reservations required nor available on line On the trains where you have no reservation, you simply look for some free seats, if there is someone else already there just ask if the other seats are free and if so, sit yourself down. The train you are taking from Basel to Zurich will be at the beginning of the rush hour, so you may find that it is rather full. If so, not to worry as there are plenty other trains heading for Zurich and your ticket is good on all of them. Other departures to Zurich are at: 17:36, 17:47, 18:07 and 18:13. Depending on how you are feeling by the time you get to Basel, it might even be an idea to have a little break, get a coffee and take a later, much less crowded, train down to Zurich.

"I don't believe Swiss trains have seat reservations." Yes it is possible on most Intercity trains etc. if you make a reservation at the counter, but very few people both. With trains departing every half an hour it is very unusual for a train to be full. And of course the smart ones use what I call the "Coffee Reservation" - Go to the restaurant car, order a coffee and then spend the hour it takes to get to your destination drinking it - cheaper than a reservation!!!

RailEurope shows only the connection you describe, through Strasbourg and Basel, taking 6 - 7 hours, leaving CDG at 10:26 or 12:36. The German Rail website, however, shows a connection from CDG to Gare de Lyon, then a direct TGV from there to Zürich, in 5 - 6 hours, leaving at 8:40 or 12:40. Of course, it might depend on your arrival time in Paris, which you cannot control.

I am very confused now. I booked the train tickets from tgv-europe.com/en and that is the itinerary (departs 12h36, route CDG-Strasbourg-Basel-Zurich). Now the German website shows different depart time (12h40) and route (CDG-Gare de Lyon-Zurich). Which is my actual itinerary? Also, what do I need to do about "reservation" to any of those legs?

The TGV is "Subject to compulsory reservation", so they came with the ticket. The regional train from Strasbourg to Basel probably does not have the possibility of reservations. I don't believe Swiss trains have seat reservations. The train information on the German Rail site says for this train, "Please reserve ", but that wording immediately follows "Number of bicycles conveyed limited", so I don't know if that means reserve a seat or reserve a place for your bicycle. Maybe someone more familiar with Swiss Rail can explain. "Which is my actual itinerary?" There are a number of possible routes. According to you, you have booked the Paris-Strasbourg-Basel-Zürich itinerary.

Thank you Jim and all. You made my day and the world a much more friendly place. BTW, this website, http://traintickets.myswitzerland.com/rail-help/, has also given me quite an assurance.