Tickets or Pass? Zurich->Interlaken->Paris

Posted by Noureen (San Francisco) on 05/02/10 03:05 PM

I am at my wits end trying to figure out whats the cheapest way to take trains. We are flying into Zurich, staying for a couple of days to get rid of the jet-lag and then traveling to Interlaken (by train). We stay in Interlaken area for 2 days and then need to get to Paris where we will stay for another 5 days.

I am torn between buying a Swiss-France pass and pay for reservations on TGV to get to Paris or buying tickets for Zurich->Interlaken and Interlaken->Paris. I tried to look at the cost and can't figure out all the different reservation fees! Any advice?

Posted by Lee

Lakewood, Colorado

05/02/10 03:58 PM

19274 posts

Two days of travel, but you can only get a 4 day saver pass for $340. A Swiss Rail ticket from Zürich to Interlaken is 63 CHF, about $58.50. Can you get to Paris, point-point ticket for $281.50, €212? Looks like the normal fare, even without using discount tickets, from Interlaken Ost to Paris, from TGV-Europe, is €116-129. Looks like a no brainer.

Posted by Lola

Seattle, WA

05/02/10 04:00 PM

17433 posts

Noureen, a pass won'thelp you for that trip. zurich to Interlaken is either 63 CHF or 46 CHF, depending which route you take. The less expensive one takes a bit longer but goes via the scenic route (Luzern and Brunig Pass).

From Interlaken to Paris, look on the SBB (Swiss) rail site. You can buy your tickets, including reservations, there. If you are far enough in advance, you can get a Piccolo fare for 148 CHF per person in 2d class, including the reservation for the TGV portin from Basel to Paris.

If you miss out on the Piccolo fare it is about 40 CHF more.

It is easier to book this trip on the Swiss rail site (www.rail.ch) because it won't kick you over to RailEurope.

Posted by Tim

Minneapolis, MN, USA

05/02/10 06:28 PM

8700 posts

I found an even better advance purchase fare on the Swiss Rail site: 88.20 CHF for Interlaken-Paris.