bvlenci

Basel is a very pleasant small city. I think it would be an ideal stopover. We didn't see much of Basel, because we mainly went to see a Gauguin show. I would love to spend a few days there some time.

Huggy

Just spent a late afternoon and evening in Basel on my way from Bologna to Alsace. Very beautiful and walkable old town. Wish I had spent more time in city but plan to return. In several trips to Switzerland, had always skipped but now realize that was a mistake.

gandolfgigi

Thank you all very much. This is very helpful.

bvlenci

There are direct trains to Paris (about 3 hours) from Basel, which is another plus if you stop over there.

PalenQ

Basel is nice but OP is in a hurry it seems so get the morning TGV direct to Zurich and go onto St Moritz - or add a day and stop in Basel, which though a nice nice city is perhaps not the nicest of nice places you could stop over in Switzerland.

PalenQ

Oops you are going the other way St Moritz (from Milan) to Paris - if on the first day you stay in Chur- a very pleasant small city- then the next day you can leave around 8am or 10am and be in Paris
5 1/2 hours later - starting from St Moritz add about 2 hours probably - anyway very doable -

You need not reserve Swiss domestic trains but do need a booking for TGVs from Switzerland to France. Get them with your ticket - should be automatically included - but the Swiss trains are optional reservation - can easily book once in Switzerland at any station IME - see if www.sbb.ch - Swiss Railways have a discounted Chur-Paris fare.

PalenQ

On many Zurich-Paris links you do have to change in Basel and yes that is a place for a great 2-3 hour lunch stop to see this gorgeous city straddling the Rhine.