I noticed that the cost was more than double going north on the German HB than if I go via Paris and then north to Amsterdam so we will probably opt for the cheaper fare. My concern was the station change from Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord. One option provided a 47 minute change between stations and the other shows an hour and 47 minutes. I gather that it's a fairly easy metro hop and probably only about 20 minutes needed but will current security lines make it risky to take the 47 minute option?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33832 posts
If I were going from Zurich to Amsterdam I would take one of the German ICE combinations which don't enter France at all. It heads for Basel and then just due north all the way to Amsterdam.
Do you want to go through Paris for some reason?
Don't look at the immediate travel prices, unless you are traveling right away, like this weekend. Use the Swiss site as well as the DB one and look for Sparscheine or savings tickets. The two railways call them something slightly different.
Swiss at http://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/billette-international/other-countries/netherlands.html and it might work better to get a discount as far as Köln (Cologne) and then onwards.
When is the journey?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33832 posts
Using the DB website I see (I don't know your travel day) September 7 at 7:00
Zürich HB dep 07:00 plat 13 IC 760 Direction: Basel SBB
Basel SBB arr 07:53 plat 8 Transfer time 20 min.
Basel SBB dep 08:13 plat 12 ICE 372 Direction: Berlin Ostbahnhof
Frankfurt(Main)Hbf arr 11:08 plat 9 Transfer time 21 min.
Frankfurt(Main)Hbf dep 11:29 plat 19 ICE 126 Direction: Amsterdam Centraal
arrive Amsterdam Centraal arr 15:27 plat 7b
You can get a Savings Fare of €89 on that one, or go later for 2 hours slower for €20 less. That 7 o'clock connection looks good to me.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33832 posts
I have made the Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon connection several times, easy on the RER.
Although it looks fast I have never been comfortable with less than an hour between. Both stations are large, and it can be a bit of a walk to the RER. We don't know your travel day, but with all the French strikes this year, and no prospect of them ending, I'd be sure to leave a decent gap.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8319 posts
Taking a train thru Paris is very time consuming and out of the way.
Have you considered taking the fastest way? You can fly one way Zurich to AMS for $125.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
It would definitely be a lot easier to take the German route, and avoid the inter-station transfer in Paris.
Paris Gare de Lyon to Gare de Nord is two stops on the RER, but a lot of corridors and descending and ascending through 4 levels. Only 12 minutes on the train, but at least 30 minutes from getting off your train at Gare de Lyon to standing under the departure board at Gare de Nord. And you have to buy métro tickets. Allow at least 1 hour to feel comfortable, I have done this many times (and am due to do it again next week) and I know exactly where to go.
Both routes involve exiting Switzerland via Basel. Are you really coming from Zürich? From most of Switzerland (Luzern Berner Oberland), it is quicker to get a train direct to Basel, and change there.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks for the feedback..... we did book via DB up through Frankfurt.... I was misreading the booking site when I first reviewed it.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
It did not make sense for the price to be cheaper via Paris. Glad that you figured it out.