Bucket list trip Scenic train rides to Paris
 

We will be stating from the island of Santorini and need info on which city to fly to begin a scenic train trip through the Alps to Paris. Also will already traveled 20 days and will have luggage to be dealt with. Budget options are needed as we are traveling in June 2016 and will have already spent most of our trip savings. Thanks

do you want to do this all in one day or stop off somewhere - virtually impossible to do a scenic trip thru the Alps in one day - One great possibility for a 2-day trip would be to fly into Milan - take the train to Tirano and catch the Bernina Pass Railway to St Moritz and then regular trains on to Zurich - to me the Bernina Pass Railway is the most awesomely scenic in Europe.

But you'd have to break your journey somewhere to do Milan to Paris this way - and it is a lot of train traveling.

Milan to Paris direct goes thru low Alps but not all that scenic.

You could fly into Zurich and head directly to Paris but you'll only see the dreamy Alps from afar - any scenic Alpine routing will again take more than a day.

I think you'll find your quest to be impractical if wanting to do it in just one day. For lots on Swiss trains check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Thank you, where do you suggest stopping for the night. Another concern we have will be our luggage. This trip will come after 10 days each in Greece and France. We will have quite a bit of luggage in tow. Is that an issue with train travel?

>>We will have quite a bit of luggage in tow. <<

Why? Your choice, but a 20+ day trip doesn't require a boat load of luggage.

>>Is that an issue with train travel?<<

Within reason, if you can carry it and lift it you can take it . . . but can you walk a few blocks, lift your bags up into the train and into the luggage racks (without impeding the folks behind you try to board)>

Thank you, where do you suggest stopping for the night.>

Zurich if going the Bernina Pass rail route - get a morning train to Paris either direct or via Basel.

I took a train from Rome to Amsterdam once, and it was incredibly scenic since I saw all (or quite a few) of the Bavarian castles along the way.

But going to Paris, you need to just take the most direct route if you want to save money. You will see a few things that you will find 'scenic' along the way, but nothing really special.

Milan or Geneva might be good places to which you can fly.

Paris isn't close to the Alps, and overnighting in Zurich is expensive. If you want to save money it makes more sense to fly direct to Paris.

Agree with janisj, why on earth will you have a lot of luggage?

But if they want to see dreamy alpine scenery this is about the only route - not direct - they could take and only take 2 days - all other trans-alpine routes tunnel under the high glacier-stewn peaks. I may agree with janis and thursdaysd but I am only answering the OP's question - and the Bernina Pass rail route will be stunning if you do it - but if you need to do it in one day either do the daytime Milan to Paris trains or overnight trains from Venice/Milan to Paris - seeing only so-so but at times nice scenery that direct route.

Too bad OP can't spend like 3 days in an Alpine wonderland like the Interlaken area and then take trains there from Italy - spend a few days and go onto Paris - the Jungfrau Region being IMO the best place in Switzerland for a novice Swiss traveler to head to:

https://www.google.com/search?q=jung...w=1920&bih=955

Interlaken is about half-way between Milan and Paris - only about 5 hours via train to Paris from Interlaken - if you can wrangle a few extra days in do this - Milan-Spiez-Interlaken area - stay two nights - then next day go on to Paris.

I'm not sure what would be your best routing from Santorini to Italy, but if you can fly to Torino (Turin) or an airport reasonably near there, then you can take the train from Torino to Paris in 5 hours. Here is info and pictures of some of the Alpine scenery

http://www.seat61.com/Paris-to-Milan...m#.Vq07O9zoa2w

One possibility is to fly to Milan, take the 1-hour train to Torino. Another would be to fly to Genova. From there it is 2-3 hours to Torino (+5 to Paris). Yet another possibility is to fly to Pisa and take the train up the coast to Genova (which is scenic itself) and then to Torino. You can even fly into Bologna and take fast trains to Torino.

If you specifically want the Swiss Alps, this route won't do. But it does go through the Alps (and some very high ones at that).

I'm no minimalist and don't travel with only a carryon, I often have a 25" rolling bag plus a small totebag with me when I travel--the small totebag is NOT a 21" carryon or backpack. That amount of luggage isn't a problem for me when I travel. If you have more than that, you may have some trouble, but I'd think it was more trouble for you to lug it around in that case. But some train cars do get pretty full with the baggage, actually (in the end spot), so it pays to board as soon as you can.

There are some websites with great scenic train routes listed that you may get some ideas from, Fodors has one but it doesn't work for me, unfortunately so not sure what's suggested http://www.fodors.com/news/photos/wo...ic-train-rides

Eurails list http://www.eurail.com/europe-by-train/scenic-trains

Lonely Planet https://www.lonelyplanet.com/europe/...articles/77541

Just don't mix up Torino (for the Bernina Express) and Turin - just five hours from Paris by direct train and though the scenery is technically Alpine it ain't by far the Alpine wonderland scenery you may have in your minds' eyes.

Thanks for all your help, The luggage issue was because I am unsure about doing laundry while in Italy and Greece while touring with a tour company for 20 days. We have thought about shipping one case and bought items back to the US after finishing in Athens. We plan to continue in Europe for another 12 days after leaving Athens.

Laundry - that's what the bathroom sink is for. My clothes don't travel unless they drip dry successfully.

Laundry - that's what the bathroom sink is for.>

Or bidets in France... well not Hoyle maybe but works.

Inquire about shipping costs - may be really expensive.

Just a thought. Over the past about 18 years have received invaluable train travel information from the amazing man at Budget Europe Travel Services. Call him at Bets, 1-800-441-9413. You can also order the European Planing and Rail Guide, which I find very helpful. It's a free booklet of maps and descriptions of train trips all over Europe. He (Byron?) gives very personalized information, after you explain just what you are wanting to see. He is very well traveled and helpful.

I called him last week to ask about going on from Annecy to see a bit of the alps in Chamonix and Mont Blanc area. He suggested to go from Annecy to Chamonix to Martigney by train with the option to continue on through Basel then Colmar (look at Colmar. It is gorgeous) and end up in Strausbourg, then Paris. I have opted to do only what he said was the absolutely most beautiful segment, from Chamonix to Martigney. I will then take a bus (because I've been told that it is better than the train here) to Geneva, then on to Paris to end our trip. I think you will find him extremely helpful.

We will also be in France in May, but mostly in Provence, and using only public transportation, so I will soon be asking many questions here!

Provence will be a bigger challenge by public transit than some areas - you have to plan your day carefully but that is one place to consider a short car rental though you can get to all the main sights by trains or buses but buses like to the Pont du Gard are rather spotty.

I will then take a bus (because I've been told that it is better than the train here) to Geneva, then on to Paris to end our trip>

Yes - trains run a round-about route and require change(s)- buses go direct to the town center I think where trains from France may only go to the sleepy secondary remote Eaux-Vives train station on the edge of Geneva.

Thanks for all the suggestions. We are going to try the Bernina Express. Reversing our trip to leave from Paris and ending in Rome to begin our 20 day tour of Italy and Greece. Ideas of which trains to take in order to do this. We will consider a 2 day trip. Thanks

Paris to Zurich by TGV train (or to Basel and connecting Swiss train to Zurich

Zurich to Chur

Chur to St Moritz/Pontresina - stay there for the night or in Chur

St Moritz/Pontresina to Tirano change for train to Milan and Rome

that is the only logical sequencing of trains to do the Bernina Express in a 2-day trip as far as I can see.

Paris to St Moritz via Chur takes at the fastest about 7 hours and some change leave Paris around 10:30 and get to St Moritz about 6pm.

St Moritz to Milan is about 5-6 hours with a change of trains in Tirano - end of the Bernina Express railway - walk across the square from the Swiss station to the Italian station - this is a regional train - no reason to buy any tickets Tirano to Milan in advance - flat fare and very cheap - no reservations even possible come one and come all and since the train starts in Tirano I assume it will be mainly empty at that point. Pay a little extra for first class if the train has it - not all regional trains do but if so it costs just a few euros extra on them.