innsbruck from paris?
 

My dad's taking me for my 16th birthday to Paris to see the sights. I got to pick. I'd like us to rent a car after a few days of sightseeing and go to Innsbruck for more sightseeing and maybe a day of skiing. My brother saw this place on the today show and said it was completely awesome! My dad said if I can figure out how to get there and not break the bank we might be able to work it out. My mom says you guys can figure out anything. What about a train, or car, I looked it up it's 413 miles from Paris, so we could make it there

The TGV train can get you there in 6-7 hours. Or, if you don't want to "waste" a day traveling, you can try an overnight train. The tickets are probably between $100 and $150 (I'm guessing).

Oops - forgot to add: the ticket prices I estimated are for each person, each way. For two people roundtrip, it can add up. I have never driven this route so I can't say how well a rental car would work.

The trip by train from Paris to Innsbruck is best 10 hours; 25 minutes with two changes of train.

You might be able to make it a little quicker by car, but not much.
The trip is a long and tedious one whether you go through Germany to Munich and then south to Innsbruck or through Switzerland and Western Austria.

The cheapest round trip ticket I saw without a youth pass is €188. An adult ticket would be more. The €188 converts to approximately $220.

I don't know where Jolie gets her/his facts, but the TGV does not go to Innsbruck. The driving time is shown as 8 and a half hours and he distance is 586 miles.

We are talking about Innsbruck in Austria are we not? If so, I am led to question where the 413 mile figure came from. I don't think Mapquest is wrong and gave the distance in kilometers. I checked and the word was: miles

Innsbruck is not the only ski site you can find that is pretty. There are many in Switzerland or the French alps that are just as scenic and a lot closer to Paris. Chamonix for starters.

Whoah. I misread the post. Somehow I thought he was going to Switzerland (which is probably where my brain is).

Scratch what I said.

And I'm a "she."

My brain is in Switzerland much of the time, too. In the summer, my body is sometimes there as well.

We were there last in late June and lordy was it hot in Brienz. We drove to the Grimsel Pass just to cool off.

One big dog had it down to a science.
As soon as the driver opened the door, this pooch ran up on the snow and started wallowing and rolling. Then he got up and started shaking. Everybody for a radius of 25 - 30 feet was giving him room to operate. Snow and water were flying everywhere.

Then he found a new spot and went at it again. As much as I like dogs, I was glad he was not riding home in my car.
Of course, we had a Fiat Panda and I would have needed to shove to get him in the back seat.

He was one of those gorgeous Bernese Mountain dogs, and those big feet could dig a quick whole in the snow for him to lie in after he got through with his rolling act. It was obvious that snow was his thing and he knew what to do.

I'd suggest that there are several places in Switzerland that are better places than Innsbruck and provide skiing just as good - the Interlaken area and Zermatt for starters - much closer to Paris and i'd think, apart from skiing, most folks who've been to Innsbruck would say that though it's a nice town it's not spectacular. don't mean to snow on your parade but if travel time and money is a factor Switzerland's ski areas are a whole lot closer to Paris.

I agree completely with PalenqueBob. There's not much to Innsbruck, other than the alure of being in a former Olympic village. Consider much closer destinations.

So any chance you can tell me where in switzerland, nice to look at and also ski, thanks fodors!

Grindelwald, just above Interlaken - a Valhalla of Alpine dreams - good skiing.

Many of the slopes around the whole area of Grindelwald, Mürren, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, Wilderswil have snow making machines if the natural snow is too thin.

These places are all reached from Interlaken Ost.

Grindelwald is the largest resort village of the group and has many hotels, restaurants, and other shops.

The north face of the Eiger is perhaps the most dominant feature, but the mountains all around are pretty.

I agree with people on Innsbruck. I have been there 3 times, and I have no plans to return.

Skiing is probably better in that part of Austria at Solden and Hochgürgel in the Otz valley, which is west and south of Innsbruck.

I have not been there in the winter, but there is a glacier up in the hills from Solden that offers year 'round ski slopes. Maintenance and grooming are on-going activities even in September.

But Switzerland is a lot closer.
If you want to go to Interlaken, the easiest way by train is this:
Leave Paris, Gare de Lyon at 7:34 for Bern
Leave Bern for Interlaken Ost at 13:06

You do have a 30 minute wait in Bern, but the train station is nice and has places for lunch and an ATM.

The last time I rode this particular train, the snack car closed as it approached Frasne, which is a border town.

ms molly4669

beg your very pardon, but why do you want to exchange some days in paris to some days skiing in innsbruck?

well, remember, there are people outside, who would be rather in paris.

well, paris, it is not just seeing the sights. it is a place to enjoy. oh well. i know, there are other places to be enjoyed too. but paris still is outsatanding amongst them.

ms molly4669

beg your very pardon, but why do you want to exchange some days in paris to some days skiing in innsbruck?

well, remember, there are people outside, who would be rather in paris.

well, paris, it is not just seeing the sights. it is a place to enjoy. oh well. i know, there are other places to be enjoyed too. but paris still is outstanding amongst them.

Going to the French Alps might be the most convenient. It might also be cheaper if PREM tickets are available.

hey I'm sixteen and the museum thing might get old...but any other ideas appreciated.

Surely the quickest way to really terrific snow from Paris is to get the train to Bourg St Maurice or Moutiers, and then get the bus (typicaly 30 mins) up to your choice of virtually anywhere in the 3 Vallees - notoriously the world's largest 'domaine skiable'.

Check on the SNCF site. But it's only 7 or so hours from Kent, so it can't be more than 5 from central Paris.

I have been to Paris, London, Vienna, Berlin, New York, and a few other smaller cities multiple times.

I go to Switzerland more than I go to those other places. So my preference is clear.

If you want to ski, there are, as said, good places in France. If you want to see the high Alps per se, then go to Switzerland.

Two places for the highest peaks that are easy to reach: the Berner Oberland and Zermatt. But Switzerland abounds in ski resorts.