Traveling by train from Paris to Switzerland-what is the best route?

Everything depends on where you final destination in Switzerland is. Head over to the Swiss Rail web site www.sbb.ch/en plug in Paris and your destination and it will give you the most efficient route.

Which route is better for sightseeing? Which train route is the most effecient way to get to the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland and then on to Cinque Terra and Florence Italy. Please any insight is welcome. Debbie

The best website for overall schedules in Europe is the German Rail query page. I would say that for Paris to the Berner Oberland you would do best to go directly through France to Basel, Switzerland and on to Interlaken, or go by TGV to Strasbourg and then up the Rhine to Basel and on to Interlaken.

Thanks for the information Lee and Michael! Your ideas make sense. I'm going to the web sites now. Thanks for your insight and advice. Happy Travels to All! Sincerely, Debbie

There is now a TVG (fast train_ to Geneve from Paris Lyon. 3 hours and 22 mins.

I think the high speed train through Lyon and on the Geneva is the way to go. Thanks for your suggestion.

A lot depends of what you mean by "best". That word means different things to some people. If you mean the fastest that would be one route; if you mean the most scenic it might mean another.

I have learned that most train routes in Europe are NOT direct. They always go through a hub that is off the straight line to your destination.

When I took that route to Interlaken I had to go through Bern! Research the fares for the routes available and decide which meets your needs--time-wise and cost-wise.

That is my next question. We are traveling from Interlaken to Cinque Terra. Once I arrive in Interlaken how do I get to Cinque Terra by train? The RailEurope web site doesn't allow that as a destination--I have to choose another city. Milan? Genoa----and then Levanto? How did you travel?

The main gateway to Cinque Terre is the city of La Spezia. Use that as your destination and you'll see some destinations come up. For the best schedules and price availabilities, check either the Italian national rail system at http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html (use Spiez as your starting point, since you take a short regional train from Interlaken to Spiez to pick up the train thru) or the Swiss rail system at http://www.sbb.ch/en . Purchasing in advance on Trenitalia has been problematic for Americans the last several months. But you could buy them through SBB if you wish or, if that fails, call them during European daytime and you should be able to buy. They're six hours ahead of EDT. Or, as mentioned earlier, purchase them when you arrive in Switzerland. Seven daytime trains/day.

Wow --you are all so helpful! Thank you-everyone for your knowledge and experience. I will use all the advice suggested. :) Debbie

I think the train route from Paris to Lausanne, via Frasne in France, is done in slightly less time than the train route from Paris to Geneva to Lausanne. (If you go to Geneva, you would go through Lausanne to go to Interlaken).

Thank you Ron. That sounds wonderful. I am lucky to have so many "Rick" experts help me. You are the best! Debra Happy Travels

Debra, CLICK HERE to see the train schedule from Interlaken Ost to Monterosso. It's a 7.5hr journey. Don't worry about having to buy in advance. When you arrive in Interlaken, just go into the train station and buy them then. The trains do not fill up.

That was very helpful info. I can't wait to board the trains! Debbie