ilovetulips

Hi everyone! I have been trying to research train travel between these two places. I have checked Rail Europe as well as other sites. I see the distance being anywhere from 6.5 to 10 hours. Can anyone give me an idea about the normal distance between Paris and Interlaken? It looks like it is on a TGV train so I am hoping it is the shorter of the times. Also when taking this train is it normally an overnight train?

bob_brown

Let me suggest you quit messing around with Rail Europe and consult the Swiss national rail system time table at
www.sbb.ch.
There is an English version as signified by the English words Swiss Federal Railways, in case you need it.

The best schedule from Paris to Grindelwald is a TGV from Gare de Lyon to Bern. Continue from Bern to Interlaken Ost and from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald.

The morning schedule is quite ok. A TGV leaves Gare de Lyon at 7:44 and arrives in Bern at 12:30. You leave Bern at 13:26 and arrive at Grindelwald at 15:09. The drawback is the wait in Bern, but I know of no way to avoid it.
You will have time to acquire Swiss money, enjoy lunch, and find the connecting platform.

Notice that you have a change at Interlaken Ost. The Ost designation is important because that is the station from which the trains to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen depart.

If you decide you want to take that trip, there are a few more details you need to know.

Not all trains run on Saturday, so if you travel on Saturday you need to check out the precise schedule.

During the week, the train from Gare de Lyon leaves promptly at 7:44 and becomes a Swiss train at Frasne.
Also, two Switzerland bound trains leave from the same track; or they did two years ago. One goes to Lausanne; the other to Bern and Zürich.

If you flip over and consult the SNCF, the French system, you can learn the price of a ticket from Paris to Bern.
The Swiss system will give you the price from Bern to Grindelwald.

ilovetulips

Thanks for your response! It sounds like we are looking at at least a 7 hour trip if everything is on time. From your post, am I correct that I will have train changes in Bern AND Interlaken?

bob_brown

Yep. Look it up. All connections are shown, complete with track numbers.
I've made the trip several times and know it well.

bob_brown

PS. Rarely are Swiss trains not on time.
It takes a real problem for them not to be.
The TGVs in my experience are prompt as well.

I think you are assuming AMTRAK punctuality. Swiss trains usually run to the minute or less.
If the departure is at 8:02, you better be on the train at 8:01 and not 8:03.

yk

Just want to second what bob_brown mentioned. The Swiss trains are extremely on time - down to the second. Be sure you get there on time, they won't wait one second longer.