10-12 nights in Switzerland and France
Feb 14th, 2015, 09:14 AM
#21
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The reason I said Bern was the closest TGV boarding point was if they had say the Berner Oberland Pass - it would get them to Bern free or so but if they had to pay to get to Basel that may add on 30-40 euros or more - now if they had the Swiss Pass it would all be covered up to Basel. Swiss passholders can get a Pass 2 fare on TGVs involving Switzerland - a discount from full fare (but cheaper overall fares can be had usually on the sites swandav2000 mentions.)
I would probably stay another day in Wengen or Grindelwald too but was mentioning the Golden Pass if they wanted to experience the iconic Swiss scenic trains and that lovely ride and the Lake Geneva area - now if they extended their trip a few days that would be better - I agree one-day stays are a hassle and you lose so much time packing up, unpacking, etc.
I would probably stay another day in Wengen or Grindelwald too but was mentioning the Golden Pass if they wanted to experience the iconic Swiss scenic trains and that lovely ride and the Lake Geneva area - now if they extended their trip a few days that would be better - I agree one-day stays are a hassle and you lose so much time packing up, unpacking, etc.
Feb 15th, 2015, 04:15 AM
#22
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Hi again .... while I can decide on the 7th night could you please suggest how many days' Swiss pass I would need for my 6-7 nights stay ... further is it possible to first visit Paris and then Switzerland, somebody told me as per the visa requirements, the sequence of destinations is decided based on the number of days of stay at each of them .. any idea on this?
By 90 days's advance purchase do you mean strictly 90 days or before, because I have crossed the 90 days threshold?
By 90 days's advance purchase do you mean strictly 90 days or before, because I have crossed the 90 days threshold?
Feb 15th, 2015, 09:13 AM
#24
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neckervd, I assumed the op would go on the most scenic route, the Golden Pass via Gstaad to Montreux, and from there onward to Paris. That route is 7h or 7h30.
I'm not sure the route via Fribourg & Paris would be as beautiful -- but it might be a good compromise. Not as long.
Shveta, Yes, the advance purchase tickets go on sale about 90 days out, and they sell out. But you should go ahead and check and see what kinds of bargains are left. That's a good motivation to nail down your plans so you can safely purchase your tickets and get as much of a discount as you can.
s
I'm not sure the route via Fribourg & Paris would be as beautiful -- but it might be a good compromise. Not as long.
Shveta, Yes, the advance purchase tickets go on sale about 90 days out, and they sell out. But you should go ahead and check and see what kinds of bargains are left. That's a good motivation to nail down your plans so you can safely purchase your tickets and get as much of a discount as you can.
s
Feb 15th, 2015, 01:14 PM
#25
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If you have a Swiss Pass again you can get tickets to Paris at a discount for having the pass - not sure on details but to get a possible price to see if it is good I'd call Byron at www.budgeteuropetravel.com - I've bought passes of all kinds not just Swiss from him for years and he's an expert you can talk to about a pass and IME he is objective and you need not be buying anything.
Off hand I'd say a 3-day Swiss Flexi Pass (Saverpasses have been discontinued and solo passes made cheaper - I don't know all the details but they are seriosuly redone in different forms - again Byron will know.)
Off hand I'd say a 3-day Swiss Flexi Pass (Saverpasses have been discontinued and solo passes made cheaper - I don't know all the details but they are seriosuly redone in different forms - again Byron will know.)
Feb 15th, 2015, 10:27 PM
#29
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Would it be Basel as per Swandav's initial comments? So in that case do we move the other way round as in Paris to Basel - Grindelwald and then to Lucerne ...
we now have 8 nights in total in Switzerland so now I have 2 spare nights. Does it make sense to go to Zermatt for 2 nights or Gstaad?
we now have 8 nights in total in Switzerland so now I have 2 spare nights. Does it make sense to go to Zermatt for 2 nights or Gstaad?
Feb 15th, 2015, 10:45 PM
#30
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Hi Shveta,
With 2 extra nights, I would do this:
Take the TGV from Paris to Geneva/Lausanne and continue to Montreux, spend 2 or 3 nights. In Montreux, you can see Chillon castle, spend time on the flowered lakeside promenade, explore the old town up in the hills, and explore Vevey's lakeside promenade and its old town.
Then take the Golden Pass route to Interlaken/Grindelwald. Get off the train in Gstaad to get an up-close look at the beautiful scenery here, maybe take a nice 50-minute walk to Saanen and then come back, have lunch at one of the many gourmet restaurants (alternately, make a small detour to Gruyere and explore its cheese-making and its hilltop village and castle, have a lunch of fondue or raclette). Spend 5 nights in Grindelwald.
Take the train to Luzern and stay for 1 or 2 nights.
This itinerary will give you more contrast as Montreux is in the French section and is less mountainous than either Zermatt or Grindelwald. If you went to Zermatt, you would be faced with some of the same problems -- walking trails will be muddy/snowy/icy, and folks will probably still be skiing. Also, I personally was underwhelmed by Zermatt because it's overcrowded with people and with buildings.
Hope you have fun as you research and decide!
s
With 2 extra nights, I would do this:
Take the TGV from Paris to Geneva/Lausanne and continue to Montreux, spend 2 or 3 nights. In Montreux, you can see Chillon castle, spend time on the flowered lakeside promenade, explore the old town up in the hills, and explore Vevey's lakeside promenade and its old town.
Then take the Golden Pass route to Interlaken/Grindelwald. Get off the train in Gstaad to get an up-close look at the beautiful scenery here, maybe take a nice 50-minute walk to Saanen and then come back, have lunch at one of the many gourmet restaurants (alternately, make a small detour to Gruyere and explore its cheese-making and its hilltop village and castle, have a lunch of fondue or raclette). Spend 5 nights in Grindelwald.
Take the train to Luzern and stay for 1 or 2 nights.
This itinerary will give you more contrast as Montreux is in the French section and is less mountainous than either Zermatt or Grindelwald. If you went to Zermatt, you would be faced with some of the same problems -- walking trails will be muddy/snowy/icy, and folks will probably still be skiing. Also, I personally was underwhelmed by Zermatt because it's overcrowded with people and with buildings.
Hope you have fun as you research and decide!
s
Feb 15th, 2015, 10:50 PM
#32
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Swandav, is there any particular charm in taking a TGV from Paris to Basel? I just spoke to the travel agent and he told me that I can get a flight to Geneva in almost the same price and much less travel time.
Feb 15th, 2015, 11:11 PM
#33
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You have given the perfect itinerary Swandav .... my travel agent still insists to stay at Interlaken then Grindelwald saying there is nothing to do there (only God knows the real reasons!) ..... but I will go with your advice 
So finally the itinerary looks something like this:
First 3 nights Paris - your inputs here would be much appreciated (as of now I have thought about Eiffel Tower and Louvre)
4th day - Paris to Geneva flight / TGV whichever is suggested
5th and 6th day - Montreux
7th - 9th day - Grindelwald
10th and 11th day Lucerne
12th day - Back home from Zurich
It would be really nice of you guys to suggest decent stay options at each of these places (my budget is around 100-150 Eur per night ....
Last thing, Swandav, when you say get off at Gstaad, what do we do with the luggage? We would not be travelling light by any means!
Thanks all of you once again ....
So finally the itinerary looks something like this:
First 3 nights Paris - your inputs here would be much appreciated (as of now I have thought about Eiffel Tower and Louvre)
4th day - Paris to Geneva flight / TGV whichever is suggested
5th and 6th day - Montreux
7th - 9th day - Grindelwald
10th and 11th day Lucerne
12th day - Back home from Zurich
It would be really nice of you guys to suggest decent stay options at each of these places (my budget is around 100-150 Eur per night ....
Last thing, Swandav, when you say get off at Gstaad, what do we do with the luggage? We would not be travelling light by any means!
Thanks all of you once again ....
Feb 15th, 2015, 11:17 PM
#34
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Hi again,
First of all, it won't be "much less travel time." Consider:
1 hr to get from Paris to the airport
1h30 to wait at the airport
1h to fly
20 minutes to get the bags
20 minutes to get from the airport to the train station
____
4h at least
The train from Paris to Geneva takes 3h05 with 0 changes if you take the 09.11 train or 3h16 with 0 changes if you take the 12.11 train. There is also a train at 11.58 that takes you directly (0 changes) to Lausanne in 3h39. Of course, the train whisks you from city center to city center, no messing with bags or customs or taxis or extra trains to get into the center of town.
Please see that I recommended the train to Geneva or Lausanne if you want to spend time on Lake Geneva, not the train to Basel.
Another advantage of taking the train is that it's just more fun. You can stroll the carriages, spend time at the restaurant car or the bistro car, chat with your seatmates, or just enjoy the scenery. And finally, of course, taking the train is FAR more green than taking a flight.
imo the train wins hands down!
s
First of all, it won't be "much less travel time." Consider:
1 hr to get from Paris to the airport
1h30 to wait at the airport
1h to fly
20 minutes to get the bags
20 minutes to get from the airport to the train station
____
4h at least
The train from Paris to Geneva takes 3h05 with 0 changes if you take the 09.11 train or 3h16 with 0 changes if you take the 12.11 train. There is also a train at 11.58 that takes you directly (0 changes) to Lausanne in 3h39. Of course, the train whisks you from city center to city center, no messing with bags or customs or taxis or extra trains to get into the center of town.
Please see that I recommended the train to Geneva or Lausanne if you want to spend time on Lake Geneva, not the train to Basel.
Another advantage of taking the train is that it's just more fun. You can stroll the carriages, spend time at the restaurant car or the bistro car, chat with your seatmates, or just enjoy the scenery. And finally, of course, taking the train is FAR more green than taking a flight.
imo the train wins hands down!
s
Feb 15th, 2015, 11:19 PM
#35
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Hi again,
Lots of luggage lockers at the station in Gstaad -- that would mean that you'll have to make a round-trip walk or take the train back to Gstaad to pick up your bags.
There are no lockers at the station in Gruyeres, though, so if you want to do that, you'd have to do something else with your bags. I have a few suggestions if you decide you definitely want to do that.
s
Lots of luggage lockers at the station in Gstaad -- that would mean that you'll have to make a round-trip walk or take the train back to Gstaad to pick up your bags.
There are no lockers at the station in Gruyeres, though, so if you want to do that, you'd have to do something else with your bags. I have a few suggestions if you decide you definitely want to do that.
s
Feb 16th, 2015, 05:32 AM
#36
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Point taken Swandav, I will go with the train ....
As far as Gruyeres goes I guess I will be keener to do Gstaad so thanks again for your inputs on managing the luggage there .... Switzerland is such a tourist friendly country! I wish mine were too for that could let the world easily see the gems we have back home ...
Now that my broad itinerary is in front of me and tickets are in the process of being booked, I will start getting into the finer points for chalking out the detailed itinerary at each of the places based on your inputs above. Will seek your advice again : )
In the meanwhile, are the prices for the Swisspass different on different sites like for the TGVs or they remain the same through out?
Thanks for not getting tired of my questions.
As far as Gruyeres goes I guess I will be keener to do Gstaad so thanks again for your inputs on managing the luggage there .... Switzerland is such a tourist friendly country! I wish mine were too for that could let the world easily see the gems we have back home ...
Now that my broad itinerary is in front of me and tickets are in the process of being booked, I will start getting into the finer points for chalking out the detailed itinerary at each of the places based on your inputs above. Will seek your advice again : )
In the meanwhile, are the prices for the Swisspass different on different sites like for the TGVs or they remain the same through out?
Thanks for not getting tired of my questions.
Feb 16th, 2015, 07:20 AM
#37
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Hi again,
Yes, you're right -- Switzerland is super, super tourist-friendly.
150€ is about 158 chf (around 474 chf for 3 nights). I just looked at booking.com and found these properties/prices for mid-April:
4-star Golf Hotel Rene Capt for 418 chf
Hotel Parc et Lac
3-star Hotel Bon Port for 440 chf
4-star Hotel Eden Palace for 450 chf
Of the above, I would recommend the Golf Hotel Rene Capt -- I love its location in a quiet section. I've stayed at the Eden Palace two times, and it's a fine hotel right in the center of the action, but I prefer to stay outside of the active center these days.
Sorry, I don't know anything about the Swiss Pass; I always get the Half Fare Card for my travels. Hopefully PalQ will be back with some advice.
s
Yes, you're right -- Switzerland is super, super tourist-friendly.
150€ is about 158 chf (around 474 chf for 3 nights). I just looked at booking.com and found these properties/prices for mid-April:
4-star Golf Hotel Rene Capt for 418 chf
Hotel Parc et Lac
3-star Hotel Bon Port for 440 chf
4-star Hotel Eden Palace for 450 chf
Of the above, I would recommend the Golf Hotel Rene Capt -- I love its location in a quiet section. I've stayed at the Eden Palace two times, and it's a fine hotel right in the center of the action, but I prefer to stay outside of the active center these days.
Sorry, I don't know anything about the Swiss Pass; I always get the Half Fare Card for my travels. Hopefully PalQ will be back with some advice.
s
Feb 16th, 2015, 09:57 AM
#38
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In the meanwhile, are the prices for the Swisspass different on different sites like for the TGVs or they remain the same through out?>
Swiss Pass prices are IME always exactly the same in the country they are sold in - any pass bought in Switzerland should be the same price - check www.sbb.ch Ticket Shop for currently in Switzerland prices.
For those in the U.S. check www.raileurope.com - RE is part owned by the Swiss Railways - and www.budgeteuropetravel.com is a good source of currently info and if you want to talk to a Swiss train/pass expert give Byron there a call - I have bought many passes from him for years - a Rail Europe agent he will answer any questions IMe even if not buying. And yes Swiss Passes have been completely overhauled in 2015 - no more Saver Pass but solo passes are much cheaper. You can buy a Half-Fare card for 50% off ($50% of $129 in U.S.) to supplement the pass - a flexipass used to give 50% off on days between your first and last 100% travel days but not more - so they lowered the price and gave the option of buying a Half-Price Card at 50% off in conjunction with the pass.
Passes in U.S. are cheaper than the same pass there when I recently checked due to the rise of the Swiss franc a few weeks ago but check prices both in the U.S. (or canada) vs those in Switzerland and see if it is worth buying here ahead (no foreign exchange fees either if bought in the U.S.).
Swiss Pass prices are IME always exactly the same in the country they are sold in - any pass bought in Switzerland should be the same price - check www.sbb.ch Ticket Shop for currently in Switzerland prices.
For those in the U.S. check www.raileurope.com - RE is part owned by the Swiss Railways - and www.budgeteuropetravel.com is a good source of currently info and if you want to talk to a Swiss train/pass expert give Byron there a call - I have bought many passes from him for years - a Rail Europe agent he will answer any questions IMe even if not buying. And yes Swiss Passes have been completely overhauled in 2015 - no more Saver Pass but solo passes are much cheaper. You can buy a Half-Fare card for 50% off ($50% of $129 in U.S.) to supplement the pass - a flexipass used to give 50% off on days between your first and last 100% travel days but not more - so they lowered the price and gave the option of buying a Half-Price Card at 50% off in conjunction with the pass.
Passes in U.S. are cheaper than the same pass there when I recently checked due to the rise of the Swiss franc a few weeks ago but check prices both in the U.S. (or canada) vs those in Switzerland and see if it is worth buying here ahead (no foreign exchange fees either if bought in the U.S.).
