What is the best way to get from Geneva, Switzerland to Brujes, Belgium by train in August? We want a comfortable ride. Should be buy tickets in the U.S. in advance? Get them once we are in Switzerland? Since they are not bordering countries I assume we can't use eurail. Any other advice. Also, should we buy tickets in advance in the US for the Swiss rail system (3 adults for approximately 8 days in Switzerland) or should we purchase them in Switzerland. Additionally, should be get foreign money in advance in the US or in Europe? Are there ATMs there and is it more advantagous to use our credit card or pay cash? Thanks for any and all help.
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
August is the month most of Europe takes as vacation. If you must go at that time reserve in advance or you will stand in the RR cars. Call the toll-free number for the agency where you buy tickets and talk with a real person so you can ask questions. Don't rely on reserving on the web page.
Friends who live in Switzerland told me last time I was there that they always buy point-to-point and save. They asked what I had paid for my tickets and told me that I could have saved by buying them in Switzerland after I arrived. My guess is that a RR pass will cost more.
I never buy currency or travelers checks here because it is so easy to use the ATMs. You will ATMs everywhere. In Switzerland they are in post offices, service stations, banks, malls, supermarkets and other retail areas. I found them EVERYWHERE.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Your best train routes are Geneva-Lyon-Lille-Bruges or Geneva-Lyon-Brussels-Bruges. If you book a Lyon-Lille TGV or a Lyon-Brussels TGV NOW at www.voyages-sncf.com, you may still be able to get a Prem's (discount) fare. Booking in advance could save you a few euros for Geneva-Lyon, but it won't save you anything for Lille-Bruges or Brussels-Bruges. For complete timetables go to www.bahn.de and click on the drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner for English. After you get summary timetables for Geneve-Brugge (that's how you should spell the cities on the Bahn site), click on "Details for all" to see the connecting points.
What date in August do you plan to make this trip?
Posted by
OP
Malverne
2 posts
We will be in Switzerland from 8/13 - 8/28 when we leave for Brugges until we return home on 9/5.