Kristen Bateman

Greetings! First timers to Europe here. My boyfriend and I (mid 20s) are flying into Paris at the end of this month. We would like to spend a few days somewhere else as well (we just have a week altogether though). Is it feasible to take a train to Interlaken, or should be pick another destination since we just have one week? <BR>How long is the train ride to Interlaken from Paris? Which train do we take that is direct? Any good suggestions on places to stay in Interlaken? <BR>Any advice is very much appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help.

Bob Brown

Interlaken is about 6.5 hours by train from Gare de Lyon. Take the TGV via Frasne to Bern and change for Interlaken, either West or Ost. <BR>It is actually quite easy. The Bern station is well designed. Gare de Lyon can be a little baffling because of its size. The ride across France is at normal TGV rates of speed, something like 150 mph or more. After Frasne, where the bar closed when we rode the train, the G tends to drop out of TGV. <BR>But Swiss trains are fine. Second class should be good enough unless your rich uncle is paying for it. <BR>I have no recommendations on where to stay in Interlaken. If you are into hostels, Balmers is the king of the bunch in Interlaken. <BR>I stay in Lauterbrunnen when I am in that area. <BR> <BR>

Barbara

Interlaken is beautiful. We tool a train there from Germany and the trains in Europe are far superior to the ones in the good old USA. <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Jungfrau Victoria which is in walking distance to everything and across from a park. We were able to take day trips into severl other cities since Interlaken is very centrally located. We found some wonderful little pubs and even went up into the mountains where they made that James Bond movie in the 60' or 70's (can't remember the name of it...) Take a boat ride out on the Lake and enjoy your trip

Russell Wayne

The ride from Paris is easy enough, as detailed in a few earlier posts. Since you have only one week altogether, the travel to and from Interlaken will wipe out two of your seven days. Then subtract the day of arrival from the states, which leaves you four days. However hardy you may be, you will not be at your peak after the transatlantic flight. If it's your first trip to Europe, that's pretty skimpy amount of time to try much more than one city. I've been to Paris more than 20 times and have barely scratched the surface. In the alternative, you may want to take day trips to Versailles, Giverney (Monet's house and gardens) or Normany. That much said, the Bernese Oberland, which is the area around Interlaken, is spectacular. Although an earlier poster recommended the Victoria Jungfrau, you should be aware that it's the priciest in town, though they have some deals currently you may want to look into. Another option is the Hotel Stella, where we had dinner last month. A good deal and certainly more reasonable than the VJ. Make sure to have dinner there on Thursday night, when they always have something special. Using Interlaken as a base, go by train via Lauterbrunnen (the transportation hub of the valley) to Muerren (funicular and cograil), then to the Schilthorn via cable car. Far more interesting and less expensive than the cob rail up to the Jungfrau. Follow up with a ride on one of the lake steamers from the terminal next to Interlaken West or Ost. If you have only a couple of days in Interlaken, that's the way to max out. What's to be avoided is the Hoheweg, Interlaken's main street, which is overrun with tourists and junky gift shops. The Paris/Interlaken combination is doable, but make sure it's well planned in advance and it may work. Enjoy!

Bob Brown

My first response to Kristen's question was to supply the immediate answer to her question. <BR> <BR>Taking into account that the time frame is one week, I would reconsider spending the time and money to visit Interlaken, unless you have an overwhelming desire to see the high peaks of the Berner Oberland. <BR>That is a trip that I identify with very strongly because that is exactly what I have done the last two summer: Paris for a few days and then the Berner Oberland. <BR>But I was taking nearly 3 weeks and knew I would return to Paris, health permitting. <BR> <BR>I, therefore, agree with Mr. Wayne's comments. There is plenty to see and do in Paris for a whole week. <BR>My Paris visits are divided by quite few years. The first times I was a young man; now as a senior citizen, I find that I have returned with new vigor. <BR>I suggest if you want to take train trips, consider using the time and money to see some of the sights around Paris, like Versailles and Fontainebleau. <BR> <BR>But, if your mountain urge is overwhelming, I can understand that very, very well because that is the way my desires take me. On my first trip to Europe in many years, I headed straight for Lauterbrunnen and spend a week loving every second of it. For me, Paris could wait, but I had been there before. <BR> <BR> <BR>