Fly into Paris, Frankfurt or Munich?
 

I am helping a young family with 2 children plan a trip to Europe. They are being met by relatives in Geneva or Lausanne. because of the high cost of airfares to Switzerland from Canada, they will have to take a charter flight form Canada to either Paris, Munich or Frankfurt. I would like to know what the best choice might be as far as how easy it would be for them to get from each of these cities to Switzerland. I know Paris might be further, but do the TGV trains run into Switzerland? Any help would be appreciated.

A lot of this decision is going to depend on where and when they arrive. <BR>Of the three choices, Paris and Frankfurt are better than Munich. (I think.) But timing and the exact arrival times must be considered. <BR> <BR>From the TGV termainal at CDG Airport, you have these choices: <BR>Leave 10:04 Arrive Geneva 14:33 <BR>with a change in Lyon. <BR>Leave 11:24 Arrive Geneva 16:59 <BR>with a change in Lyon <BR> <BR>There are TGV trains direct from Paris Gare de Lyon to both Lausanne and Geneva, but that involves getting from the airport to the train station. <BR>(Van shuttles are available in Paris; I have used one of the services twice.) <BR> <BR>From Frankfurt, there is a no-change train to Geneva that leaves the Frankfurt Fernbahnhof at 8:56, arriving about 14:15. I do not know how convenient the train is to where they land. <BR>There are several more trains to Geneva after 8:56 that involve one change in Basel. <BR> <BR>I have assumed that the charter to Paris lands at CDG airport. If it comes into old Orly, your party will need to take a van shuttle (cheapest way with children and luggage) to the train station. <BR> <BR>A lot of the decision is going to depend on what time the charter is scheduled to arrive and which airport in Paris. <BR> <BR>The Frankfurt landing point, while involving a little longer trip to Geneva has the advantage of offering more frequent trains. <BR> <BR>Munich to Geneva is a longer trip. The length of the journey is from about 7 hours to more than 8. And, your friends will need to travel from the Munich airport to the main train station. <BR>Unless a flight into Munich is remarkably cheaper, the other two options are probably better. <BR> <BR>Perhaps someone who has flown a charter into Frankfurt can give us more guidance on the subject. <BR> <BR>I think we need some more definite information before anyone can make the optimal decision. Given the good chance that a charger flight will not be on schedule, I recommend that the final choice have a contingency plan!! <BR> <BR>If I can help more, email me directly. <BR>I am no expert, but I think I can help. <BR>

Bob, <BR>You have already helped a great deal! Thank you so much.

Hello Lee, <BR> <BR>I just have one info about Frankfurt Fernbahnhof for you. It`s located directly across the main Terminal in the Airport. Normally charter flights-depending on the Airline will arrive at Terminal 1, section B or C, some are arriving at Terminal 2 and you have to take a Monorail to get to the main(T1) building. You then just have to follow the signs "Fernbahnhof" in Terminal 1,B and cross the street via a covered hallway and you`re there-very comfortable. One warning-there`s another train station located in the lower basement of Terminal 1-that`s the wrong one, because those trains are connecting the Airport with Frankfurt City and Mainz etc. (S-Bahn). <BR> <BR>Miriam

Thank you for the additional help Mirium. Travelling with 2 children and flying all night, my friends will appreciate any help that will make the journey smoother for them. <BR>Thank you. <BR>Lee <BR>