Paris to Geneva
 

My wife and I want to spend our 30th aniv. in Paris - 1st week of Sept. After that we’re thinking of going to Geneva, Switz. for another week. Which would be better - plane or train from Paris to Geneva and should we make the arrangements before we leave Canada. Those of you who have been to that area what are some “Oh Wows”. We have a thousand ?? to ask about this trip so all advice is appreciated. This is our first ... Thanks

Train at about 3.5 hours is probably as quick as a plane figuring getting to airport, check in, baggage retrieval, etc.

Take the train - nice ride thru bucolic Burgundy check www.voyages-sncf.com for online only specials - and print your own ticket though you should not have any trouble booking in Paris but can get cheaper fares (often much cheaper) ahead of time online - but do so when come on system either 60 or 90 days in advance - not sure which.

You may be able to get lower-cost PREMS fares as early as three calendar months ahead of the travel date.

If you do a serch for MorganB here the long thread with instructions as to how to find and print these fares out at home should come up.

I'll try to find that and top it for you now.

I would take the TGV from Gare de Lyon.
The trip from Gare de Lyon is 3 hours, 30 minutes. By the time you get to one of the airports, go through security and check-in, you will not save much time if any by flying.

I would figure an hour to get the airport, an hour to check-in and get to the gate, and an hour to fly it. Then you have a short train ride from the Geneve airport to the city center.

Do you need to get your ticket before you leave. If you have a 1 week lead time in Paris, and can get to a ticket outlet on your first day, I think you can wait UNLESS you must be in Geneva at a specific time or must leave Paris at a specific time.

To be sure you can order via the sncf website in advance.

Being risk averse, I buy in advance. But, I also had less than a week of lead time once I was in Paris.

Being as how this is special, you might want to remove any doubt and be able to pick your departure times.

Hi terrygates,

I travel often to Lake Geneva though I like to stay at the smaller towns on the eastern side of the lake (Montreux). I'm going in August from Paris, and following MorganB's instructions, I bought a train ticket from Paris to Geneva for 20E.

Here are my personal favorites for activities around or from the lake:

Montreux old town
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Lavaux
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Promenade Fleuri
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Morges
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rges_Vaud.html

Gruyeres
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Fribourg.html

Saanen
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Gstaad
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Good luck!

s

A definute "Oh, WOW!" IMO is the rack railways trip up from Montreux to Rochers de Naye for absolutely spectacular views over Lac Leman.

You might also enjoy a visit to the Chillon castle in Montreux.

And unless you simply must stay IN Geneva you might consider going a litle farther along the shore of the lake and staying in one of the smaller towns. Easy connections by rail from Geneva.

thanks to all especially swandav2000. Train it is and maybe not Geneva but a smaller place as suggested by Dukey. we'll be posting more questions later. thanks again.