jenblase

Next May we have a 2 week trip to France planned. However we want to see a bit of Switzerland first, so we will fly into Zurich on Wednesday morning and head to Paris on Saturday to check into our apartment. So it leaves us with 3 full days basically to get from Zurich to Paris.

One definite must-do for us is to take a scenic train one day (my husband's request). We are planning on doing the Glacier Express on Thursday, which means we'd have to get from Zurich to St. Moritz on Wednesday, which is where the Glacier Express departs. But I also would like to stay in the BO region one or two nights, like perhaps Hotel Alpenrose in Wengen. Any suggestions on how to do both? I know there are other scenic trains, like the Bernina Express, but I haven't researched these routes too much yet.

Also, should I even stay in Zurich the first night, or take a train immediately from the airport to a smaller, more scenic town? We have never seen Zurich so it might be nice to hang out there for a few hours before moving on? Then I need suggestions on how to ultimately get to Paris (I presume by train).

Thanks for your help,
Jennifer

jenblase

Oh - I have also thought of maybe spending one night in or outside of Strasbourg before Paris, so that would be the Friday night. I know, I know, too many things I want to do!!

suze

This isn't exactly the advice you asked for, but I'll top this post for you as well...

I often fly into Geneva. At both Geneva and Zurich the train station and airport are connected so it is incredibly convenient to just catch a train out. I always leave Geneva immediately for a smaller town 1 hour away on the lake (Vevey/Montreux).

Point being with only a few days, I'd skip Zurich since it's hard to see large cities in a short time, and spend your first night at a smaller town a short train ride away.

I know this is vague, I've never been thru Zurich.

jenblase

Thanks, Suze, I could switch my flight still and fly into Geneva instead. I have an award ticket on hold and I could probably switch it to Geneva instead of Zurich. I have thought about this option. But if we did that, then we won't be able to do the scenic train, because we would be heading further from France, not closer.

enzian

Hi Jennifer---

If you would consider a different scenic train route, there are sesveral ways you could get to Wengen as well as do the train ride. The Glacier Express is not necesarily the best scenic route, just the best promoted. Some people find the whole route too long (7.5 hours). There is a very good description of the various routes on Rick Steve's site:

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...switz_menu.htm

(choose "Scenic Rail Journeys" from the list).

The one that would work best for you would be the Golden Pass route, which travels between Zürich and Geneva via Interlaken. So you could start in Zürich and go as far as Interlaken to start---some of the trains leaving the Zürich airport go directly to Interlaken with no changes; others have one change at the main station in Zürich. That trip takes about 2 hours. Interlaken is where you would divert to Wengen for a night or two. Then back to Interlaken, and continue the route to Geneva, and on to France.

You could also start in Geneva, and ride just as far as Interlaken, which is the truly scenic part of the trip; visit Wengen, and then head to Paris from the Berner Oberland via Bern. You can take a train from Interlaken to Paris in 6 hours, with changes in Bern and Lausanne. Other routes go through Basel and Strasbourg:
www.sbb.ch

swandav2000

Hi jenblase,

I really recommend against your plan. With only three days in Switzerland, you're planning to spend two of them on the trains; all you'll remember is that moving carriage and the vague scenery slipping by your window (no better than a tv screen . . .). I only think "scenic" trains are good if you are going on that route *anyway*. I'm not sure if you realize that the Glacier Express is more than seven hours long.

Switzerland's best is the country and the mountains, so I suggest you pick a beautiful mountain spot that's not too far out of your way and enjoy it. Lots of trains, most are scenic ("scenic" trains are pretty much a marketing gimmick).

If you want to go to St. Moritz, the Bernina Express is an easy day trip -- to Posciavo and back will take about four hours. A lot of people prefer the Bernina Express to the Glacier Express.

You can check train schedules at www.rail.ch.

You don't have to fly into Geneva to find a cozy town for your first night; cozy towns abound in Switzerland.

I would suggest you fly into Zurich, go to either St Moritz or Wengen immediately, and spend your time there before moving on.

Good luck!

s

jenblase

Yes I know that the Glacier Express is 7.5 hrs long. My husband really wants to go on a train through the Alps so we're looking at it like a "day trip".

I guess I am looking for help with suggestions for different trains other than the GE? Since that seems to be non-negotiable with him.

Enzian - I'll look into the Golden Pass. Your itinerary just might be what I'm looking for!

suze

jenblase- I wasn't trying to talk you into changing to Geneva instead of Zurich.

What I meant to say is only that since you can take the train direct from the Zurich airport (just like in Geneva) I'm sure you could get to a smaller, scenic town within an hour or so from Zurich too. More to stress the idea of getting directly on a train from the airport, not bothering to go into the city of Zurich at all with such a short amount of time.

jenblase

Oh, I gotcha Suze. It's nice that the Zurich and Geneva airports have the train stations built-in.

enzian

Jennifer--I should clarify that the "Golden Pass" is a scenic train route, not a pass.

LLindaC

I really enjoyed taking the Golden Pass from Wengen to Lausanne. We just did the Glacier Express this year, and the only part I really loved was the Oberalp pass. You don't have to take the train from beginning to end, you can take any section and get on and off wherever you choose. There are parts of the GE that are just sitting in railroad stops with no views. It was lively on there and the train was very nice, but I'd rather spend my time sitting in front of a fondue with a cold beer and a mountain backdrop.

suze

<<It's nice that the Zurich and Geneva airports have the train stations built-in.>>

Yup, those crazy Swiss are incredibly efficient!

jenblase

Ok - maybe I should start a new post, but in furthering my research, I realize that most of the small villages will be closed during the time I am there - May 17 to the 20th - they are closed until the last week of May or so. So it sounds like cute villages like Wengen are out for my stay. What other areas are good to visit during this time?

jenblase

Suze, any Vevey hotel recommendations?