1st time traveler to Zurich, Paris and Venice any advice?
May 21st, 2005, 04:36 AM
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1st time traveler to Zurich, Paris and Venice any advice?
My husband and I are 1st time travelers to Europe. We are flying into Zurich on Sept. 8th. We want to then go to Paris and Venice. We have 10 days. Any advice? What to see? How do we get from city to city? Where to eat?
May 21st, 2005, 04:43 AM
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ok
You've picked 3 cities in 3 different countries, and you will lost most of a day going from one to another. I do hope you have actually given some consideration on how you're going from one to another. Flying? Train? Before we go any further on advice, why don't you say what made you choose those cities, and what your expectations are in terms of spending your (limited) time: art museums? shopping? fine dining? Do you have to fly home from Zurich--is that already booked?
You've picked 3 cities in 3 different countries, and you will lost most of a day going from one to another. I do hope you have actually given some consideration on how you're going from one to another. Flying? Train? Before we go any further on advice, why don't you say what made you choose those cities, and what your expectations are in terms of spending your (limited) time: art museums? shopping? fine dining? Do you have to fly home from Zurich--is that already booked?
May 21st, 2005, 06:53 AM
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Hmm. In the middle of two widely separated cities. A problem.
Consider these times:
Paris - Zürich 6 hours, 15 minutes
Venice - Paris 9 hours 47 minutes
Zürich - Venice 6 hours 47 minutes
The above times are the fastest times available on a limited number of trains and do not include travel time to the stations. If you don't select the right one, you can tack on up to 2 hours more and several additional changes of train.
Like sunshine, I am wondering why you selected Zürich as a destination. It ranks 3rd as a tourist city in the set of 3 that you list. Now, I will admit that Switzerland is at the top of my list as a place to visit because I am an Alps freak. And I have been to Venice and Paris.
I think you could easily spend 5 full days in Paris alone and still have a lot left on your plate. Venice? Perhaps 3 days. But people get all carried away with dodging around those narrow streets and visiting the various attractions.
Given the travel time, you can blow 10 days very quickly.
Question: You say 10 days. Is this 10 days AFTER you land in Europe, or 10 days in total? If 10 days total, you will lose a day coming and going.
That leaves you only 8. And you lose the equivalent of a day in train travel.
In going from Paris to Venice you could consider a night train, but I would rather fly. The best night train travel time is about 12 hours and it involves a change. But flying on the Continent is not always cheap.
Perhaps someone knows of a cut=rate airline between Paris and Venice.
Easy Jet is not a realistic option because the London Paris and London Venice flights leave/arrive from/at different airports. bummer.
Expedia shows the cheapest flight is with Czech air at more than $600 per person.
Consider these times:
Paris - Zürich 6 hours, 15 minutes
Venice - Paris 9 hours 47 minutes
Zürich - Venice 6 hours 47 minutes
The above times are the fastest times available on a limited number of trains and do not include travel time to the stations. If you don't select the right one, you can tack on up to 2 hours more and several additional changes of train.
Like sunshine, I am wondering why you selected Zürich as a destination. It ranks 3rd as a tourist city in the set of 3 that you list. Now, I will admit that Switzerland is at the top of my list as a place to visit because I am an Alps freak. And I have been to Venice and Paris.
I think you could easily spend 5 full days in Paris alone and still have a lot left on your plate. Venice? Perhaps 3 days. But people get all carried away with dodging around those narrow streets and visiting the various attractions.
Given the travel time, you can blow 10 days very quickly.
Question: You say 10 days. Is this 10 days AFTER you land in Europe, or 10 days in total? If 10 days total, you will lose a day coming and going.
That leaves you only 8. And you lose the equivalent of a day in train travel.
In going from Paris to Venice you could consider a night train, but I would rather fly. The best night train travel time is about 12 hours and it involves a change. But flying on the Continent is not always cheap.
Perhaps someone knows of a cut=rate airline between Paris and Venice.
Easy Jet is not a realistic option because the London Paris and London Venice flights leave/arrive from/at different airports. bummer.
Expedia shows the cheapest flight is with Czech air at more than $600 per person.
May 21st, 2005, 07:26 AM
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whichbudget.com is a website that shows discount intereurope airlines. It shows flights from Zurich to Paris on Air Berlin for as little as 51-61e/person in September although I don't understand the flight times or length of the flights.
From Paris to Venice you can fly Ryanair from Paris BVA airport to Venice Treviso airport (both are lesser airports) for as little as 15e/person (plus tax I'd guess) and it takes a bit more than an hour.
From Venice, if you've got to go back to Zurich, you have a problem using a cheap carrier.
I've never been to Zurich so don't know how long you'd want to stay there. Have you picked it b/c it was a cheap flight or some other reason?
Paris is physically much larger than Venice. I would spend more time there although I also love Venice. Curious why you're worrying about where to eat before where to stay
and how to travel.
From Paris to Venice you can fly Ryanair from Paris BVA airport to Venice Treviso airport (both are lesser airports) for as little as 15e/person (plus tax I'd guess) and it takes a bit more than an hour.
From Venice, if you've got to go back to Zurich, you have a problem using a cheap carrier.
I've never been to Zurich so don't know how long you'd want to stay there. Have you picked it b/c it was a cheap flight or some other reason?
Paris is physically much larger than Venice. I would spend more time there although I also love Venice. Curious why you're worrying about where to eat before where to stay
and how to travel.
May 21st, 2005, 07:50 AM
#7
I suggest an overnight train reserving a private sleeper cabin for getting from Venice to Paris. We took an afternoon train to Milan, then transfered onto our overnight sleeper train. Woke up in Paris! It's about the cost of a hotel room and kind of fun. Pack a picnic dinner.
That said... As others are mentioning, only 10 days with 3 cities that are not close together will be a trick.
What city is your return flight out of?? Do you have to get back to Zurich for the flight home???
That said... As others are mentioning, only 10 days with 3 cities that are not close together will be a trick.
What city is your return flight out of?? Do you have to get back to Zurich for the flight home???
May 21st, 2005, 08:52 AM
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Any way to fly this open jawed?
I know it is possible because I have done it more than once. Paris in, Vienna out. Munich in, London out.
Munich to London was done over 9 days and an EasyJet flight in between.
I have also done it by flying to Dublin (eventually) on US Air, Aer Lingus to Munich, Munich home on US Air.
The flight to Dublin is a whole 'nother story.
I know it is possible because I have done it more than once. Paris in, Vienna out. Munich in, London out.
Munich to London was done over 9 days and an EasyJet flight in between.
I have also done it by flying to Dublin (eventually) on US Air, Aer Lingus to Munich, Munich home on US Air.
The flight to Dublin is a whole 'nother story.
May 21st, 2005, 11:53 AM
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You really need to give more info before peple can help you.
Why these three cities - kind of an odd combo.
Have you air tickets alredy - and need to get back to Zurich? O can you do open jaws?
What do you plan to do/see in each - so we can make a reco on how to divide your time?
Is budget unlimited- so you can take convenient flights fromeach (trains wil take forever - and you simply don;t have the time).
Please clarify!
Why these three cities - kind of an odd combo.
Have you air tickets alredy - and need to get back to Zurich? O can you do open jaws?
What do you plan to do/see in each - so we can make a reco on how to divide your time?
Is budget unlimited- so you can take convenient flights fromeach (trains wil take forever - and you simply don;t have the time).
Please clarify!
May 21st, 2005, 01:26 PM
#10
I'm going to guess Zurich is only in the mix because of a good fare or Texaseuro is using FF miles.
Frankly, Texaseuro, if that's the case, I'd create an itinerary that relates better geographically to Zurich. You only have 10 days.
Frankly, Texaseuro, if that's the case, I'd create an itinerary that relates better geographically to Zurich. You only have 10 days.
May 21st, 2005, 07:31 PM
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Thanks for all the advice. We picked Zurich because we have family there. We just picked Paris and Venice because we thought we'd like to visit thoughs 2 cities. Maybe, we should pick other cities? But, we have to visit Zurich because of the family. We have places to stay in all cities because family told us of some. Mostly worried about transportation from city to city. Nothing has been booked yet. Leaving on 8th and returning on 19th. We thought we would fly into Zurich 1st to make it our base. We can fly out of any city, but prefer Zurich. Would like to see a few musuem's and do some shopping not too worried about fine dining.
May 22nd, 2005, 05:49 AM
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Then stick to your plans. Often the first trip to Europe involves hopping around a bit more than one would do many trips later. Go from Zurich to Venice (and watch the scenery pass by); then splurge on a a night train from Venice to Paris; finally, take the fastest train you can afford from Paris to Zurich. You'll only have time for a taste of each place, but the contrasts among the three are bound to be spectacular, and you can plan many more trips for the future. Have a wonderful time. J.
May 22nd, 2005, 08:17 AM
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You might want to consider getting the Eurorail pass or Multi country pass ( France Switzerland Italy)..you will save ALOT of money on the train costs...esp. fast train TGV. Also, I
have found that by checking out Expedia ( daily) you can also book inter- europe air flights cheaper than booking from here.
Delta and air France had "offered" us the cost from South of France to Zurich something like an additional almost $800. per person ( on top of our fares)..
found the inter Europe fares at $190. per person at Expedia.. so pays to "shop"
Don't believe all the negative you are reading about Zurich.. it is a fabulous city..my suggestion would be to fly home though from Paris ( assuming that is your last stop)..not have to go back to Zurich.
Have fun.
have found that by checking out Expedia ( daily) you can also book inter- europe air flights cheaper than booking from here.
Delta and air France had "offered" us the cost from South of France to Zurich something like an additional almost $800. per person ( on top of our fares)..
found the inter Europe fares at $190. per person at Expedia.. so pays to "shop"
Don't believe all the negative you are reading about Zurich.. it is a fabulous city..my suggestion would be to fly home though from Paris ( assuming that is your last stop)..not have to go back to Zurich.
Have fun.
May 22nd, 2005, 08:40 AM
#15
I'm not sure why you prefer flying in and out of Zurich but since you do, try this for a plan, same as mentioned above:
Take a day train for Zurich to Venice, then an overnight train with a booked private cabin sleeper between Venice and Paris (or fly if you prefer), then fast train Paris back to Zurich.
Make reservations or arrangements at the places suggested by your family. And do get a guidebook to give you some ideas for things to do.
I never bother planning "where to eat" ahead to time. Just ask at your hotel front desk, or keep your eyes open while you're out sight-seeing. When you start to get hungry look for a place that looks nice and in your price range. That part is easy.
My one best suggestion would be to change your flight plans & to go IN to Zurich and fly OUT of Paris. "Open jaw" tickets such as this are often the same price, would basically give you an extra day or two in Paris, and avoid the cost and hassle of backtracking (to Zurich) needlessly.
Take a day train for Zurich to Venice, then an overnight train with a booked private cabin sleeper between Venice and Paris (or fly if you prefer), then fast train Paris back to Zurich.
Make reservations or arrangements at the places suggested by your family. And do get a guidebook to give you some ideas for things to do.
I never bother planning "where to eat" ahead to time. Just ask at your hotel front desk, or keep your eyes open while you're out sight-seeing. When you start to get hungry look for a place that looks nice and in your price range. That part is easy.
My one best suggestion would be to change your flight plans & to go IN to Zurich and fly OUT of Paris. "Open jaw" tickets such as this are often the same price, would basically give you an extra day or two in Paris, and avoid the cost and hassle of backtracking (to Zurich) needlessly.
May 22nd, 2005, 09:55 AM
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I would fly into beautiful MILAN Italy, stay 3 nights, then 3 nights in Zurich and 4 nights in Paris, flying home from Paris.
Once you decide on your cities and fly-in fly-out schedule, you should post a brand new question to the forum asking about transport between cities.
Once you decide on your cities and fly-in fly-out schedule, you should post a brand new question to the forum asking about transport between cities.
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