Well for starters check out these fantastic IMO sites on trains in those countries - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com - sites that give lots of great objective info and not just a hard sell for some pass - in 8 days it would be hard to go to Germany, France and Italy without being on the train all the time - I would chose either Germany and France or Germany and Italy.

For cheapest rates book online to snag the limited in number discounted (and train specific and often unchangeable nor refundable so you are locked in) try www.voyages-sncf.com for Zurich to Paris or www.bahn.de for Zurich to Germany.

Sorry, this is not possible, except maybe by helicopter. Four countries in 8 days does not mean 2 days in each country - it might mean 1. You haven't factored in travel time, time to get to stations/airports, unpacking, packing, checking in and out of accommodations, mealtimes, etc. One country, four cities - maybe. Four entire countries - nope.

I'm sorry - you don;t need help regarding trains - you need to start over.

In the very limited time you have you should stay at most in 2 cities - or one and do a couple of day trips. Otherwise you will just have a very expensive tour of the train stations of europe.

And does the 8 days include the day you arrive and the day you leave? in which case you really only have 6 days.

Is it possible to visit the cities of Germany and France near Swiss border in 2 days and 2 days for Italy ( Milan )?

The train from Zurich to Milan takes 4 hours. You are going to Switzerland. I suggest you visit Switzerland or you'll have to be content with only seeing the insides of trains and train stations.

Anything is possibly but why do you want to do this? Perhaps if you explained your motivation we could help you fulfill your dream. Right now you're going to places just because they're on the Swiss border. It seems you only have an interest in visiting Milan and Zurich. Why not spend 4 days in each place and enjoy yourself and see something of these cities rather than the inside of a train or bus and highways speeding by.

Is it possible to visit itlay ( milan ) in 2 days . What is the economical expenditure for Milan

kybourbon were posting at the same time and with the same thought.

<<What is the economical expenditure for Milan>>

No one can answer that question. There is no such thing as "the economical expenditure" for any place on earth. Are you a millionaire? A pauper? Something in between? How much do YOU have to spend? That's your starting point, not the other way around.

I love that part of the world, but my least favorite stops would be Zurich and Milan---both large commercial ciites.

I suggest 2 stops in your short time. Mine would be Luzern and Lake Como.

Milan can be very expensive if there are trade or fashion shows at the same time. Why have you selected Milan? Instead of listing random countries/cities, you should list your interests and then perhaps you can be directed to places within reasonable transport.

What do you want to see/do in Zurich and Milan that make them so compelling?

As for the "economical expenditure" - are you a student wanting to stay in a hostel? a bum wanting to stay on a park bench? do you want a pension? a modest hotel? or a good price at the best hotel in town?

Well I am a student and I want to stay in a reasonable hotel in Milan . I want to know about train fares as well . What are the nice places of france and germany near Swiss border which I can visit?

There is nothing special about Milan but I feel like going there I will be residing in Zurich at my relative's place !

Try renting a small car - it saves you time and it is not significantly more expensive than the train.

We would subscribe to one of the opinions above: try sticking to Swiss cities - they are incredibly beautiful with plenty of things to see and do. And you could still visit Milan which you are so keen to do.

<<What are the nice places of france and germany near Swiss border which I can visit?>>

A guidebook and good map will give you all the options. "Nice" isn't much of a descriptor unless we know what it means to you.

Thanks everyone . More suggestions are welcome

If you're staying in Zurich you can visit Geneva and Lucerne as day trips. Milan is not a day trip as it's about 4 hours each way from Zurich.

Please get yourself a guide book and a map and read about where you're staying. Can't your relatives offer any information about the Zurich area?

A student should be able to do research and should know geography and know that what you want to do is not possible.

You may not know exactly what you want to do in Europe but you should know if you like cultural activities or outdoor, sporty activities.

I have a guide book and doin little bit research but it's always better to get opinion from others.I like outdoor activities.

There's tons of nice hikes in Switzerland. Search on this board by country and you'll get some good suggestions that others have made in the past. Use the drop down box that's marked as view by country.

I realize you said you just "feel like going" to Milan, but I really don't get why. The more of your posts I read, the less I understand. You really need to pick a few places to go, and since you can stay at relatives' in Zurich, I'd spend as much time as possible there. You could fill a month with wonderful places to see using Zurich as your base and taking trains daily to them. And they could all be "outdoor" activities!

<What are the nice places of france and germany near Swiss border which I can visit?>>

Well if going to Paris you could stop off in Dijon, capital of Burgundy and all around nice large French town or in Germany Freibourg is a swell town not far from Switzerland

Or from Zurich you could easily day trip to Lindau on Lake Contance.

In Italy Stresa is a lovely lakeside town not fare from the Swiss border.

thanks everyone.i will be leaving for freibough tomorrow than mulhouse. more suggestions are needed.i have been to zurich city yesterday. kindly give me suggestions about other places in zurich.

kindly give me suggestions about other places in zurich.>

take one of the trams that climb eastward thru the hills to some nice countryside and forests with lots of nice paths.