golfdude

Hello,

We are a family of 4 and have booked the following:

Arriving into London on May 11th evening.
Flying out of Paris on May 25th late evening.

We plan to split our stay like this:

London: 3 days
Switzerland: 6 days
Paris: 4 days

What would be the best way from London to Switzerland ? In Switzerland, we plan to stay in Engelberg only for 6 days.

Is the drive from London to Engelberg a nice one ? I was thinking we can see sights along the way also. So leave early morning from London on May 15th and arrive late evening in Switzerland. Or should we split the drive and stay overnight in a place somewhere in between which is also a tourist place ?

Thanks a lot.

janisj

You don't want to drive. First of all it is a looooong way. Plus you'd have a car w/ the steering wheel on the right. Plus the drop off fees for the car (even IF they'd let you drop a RHD car on the Continent) would be enormous.

I'd fly to Zurich. about a 90 minute flight.

golfdude

Ok. Thanks.

How aboout Eurorail ?

sofarsogood

London to Switzerland is possible by train - this will tell you how to plan and buy tickets

http://www.seat61.com/Switzerland.htm

Eurorail is just an agent, you don't travel with them.

janisj

The train will take more than 18 hours. You'd have to go to Paris or Brussels, then Lucerne then Engelberg. Fly.

golfdude

It says on Eurostar:

13:31 22:26 07h 55m 1 change

It takes 8 hours. Is this route scenic ? I checked, it is cheaper than flying.

Thanks.

nytraveler

The fastest train I can find is 9 hours - from noon to 10 pm (due to the hour time change) using bahn.de - but there are 4 changes. Didn't check prices but it you don't like flying this is a reasonable option (18 hours IMHO would not be).

If yo check on bahn.de it will show you where each of the train changes takes place, but they don't give you time except to change trains.

And you would need to check prices for your dates.

golfdude

ok. Thanks.

I was thinking about the following new idea:

1) Take train from London to Brussels. See Bruges for a day and then take a rental car and drive to Zurich via Baden-Baden (Black Forest area).

2) Use the car in Engelberg area for 3-4 days and drop it off and then take the train to Paris and drop it off in Paris.

3) Use public transport in Paris for the last 3 days and then fly back home.

This way, we can see Bruges and the Black Forest area also.

Any thoughts ?

Thanks.

golfdude

Had a typo so reposting...

I was thinking about the following new idea:

1) Take train from London to Brussels. See Bruges for a day and then take a rental car and drive to Zurich via Baden-Baden (Black Forest area).

2) Use the car in Engelberg area for 3-4 days and drop the car off in Paris.

3) Use public transport in Paris for the last 3 days and then fly back home.

This way, we can see Bruges and the Black Forest area also and also use the car in Switzerland.

Any thoughts ?

Thanks.

golfdude

We have finalized the following:

4 days in London
Fly to Zurich
5 days in Engelberg
Take train to Paris
Last 4 days in Paris

We plan to use public transportation on London and Paris. Do we need a car in Engelberg to tour around Switzerland or can we use public transportation ?

I am assuming since Switzerland has so many natural spots to see, having a car will be better.

Is taking the train from Zurich to Paris Ok ?

Thanks.

neckervd

All depends on what you want to do in Switzerland.
For Lake Geneva area and lower Valais, fly from London to Geneva
For Bernese Oberland, fly from London to Berne
For Upper Valais, Central Switzerland and Northern Ticino, fly from London to Basel or Zurich
for Lugano and Chiasso/Como, fly from London to Malpensa,
fo all other Swiss areas, fly from London to Zurich

golfdude

I have already booked my 5 night stay in Engelberg. So I need to work backwards. Do I fly into Zurich ?

Do I need a rental car in Switzerland ?

Thanks.

swandav2000

Hi golfdude,

Public transportation in Switzerland is the best in Europe imo. I really can't imagine that you would need a car there -- maybe only if you intend to stay in a small hotel or something in the Jura.

Otherwise, all villages and towns are linked with excellent transport, usually with 4 departures every hour.

Engelberg isn't remote at all, so you can probably get to any hikes or sites without problems. You can check the exact train schedules at

www.sbb.ch

Have fun as you plan!

s

neckervd

ZRH is the closest airport: 2 hrs by train from Engelberg; the ride from Basel airport takes 2 1/4 hrs