Paris to Italy by Train through Switzerland
 

Hi there...my very first visit to your insightful...site :) I'm looking forward to your advice...
My query is....my daughter and i will be travelling from paris to italy in may and would love to do it via a train trip through switzerland....I am wondering about the time frame of the trip and if there is indeed a direct trip? thanks

Congrats have done the route several times.
DAY trains my fav places to stay

Geneva/Evian Les Bains Marriott
Interlaken Hotel Victoria Jungfrau
Stresa/Baveno/Isola Bella north of Milan Grand Hotel Dino

seat61.com good info
booking.com lodging

We usually just hop on and off as we like stay flexible

BEAuTIFUL country and happy travels!

<< I am wondering about the time frame of the trip and if there is indeed a direct trip >>

You would have to tell us where in Italy. Otherwise no one would be able to tell you how long the trip takes.

When asking questions please keep in mind that more information from the poster is better than less.

What do you mean by "direct?" Not changing trains? That's not likely. Most trains (but not all) from Paris to somewhere in Italy have train changes.

You can look up the train routes and schedules on this site. It tells you all the stops and changes and there's even a map of the route.

http://www.bahn.de/i/view/USA/en/index.shtml

Well, it's a lonnng day, but sure, you could do it. Catch a morning TGV to Basel (like the 8:23), then switch to a train to Milan. There is an early morning train to Milan, but you'd have to overnight in Basel (something I recommend, but then I live there :-) ). I've gone from Basel to Milan many times by train (and also then headed off to Turin or Rome).

Some general tips:
From Basel to Milan, the early train stops in Luzern. That means if you're facing forward on the Basel to Luzern leg, you'll be facing backwards when it pulls out of Luzern. It doesn't bother me, but I have a friend who gets queasy riding backward, just an FYI. If you take this route, sit on the right hand side from Luzern - you'll get a wonderful postcard view of an onion-domed church perched on top of a hill surrounded by a picturesque village.

If you're going on the train that stops in Thun and Spiez, if you sit on the left, you'll get better views of the lakes.

Reservations? That's up to you. If you're traveling during or around the Ascension holiday week-end (starting May 17), then I STRONGLY recommend a reservation for the train through Switzerland, especially in second class because there will be a lot of groups. I recommend it for first class as well...you don't want to be stuck in aisle seats. I also recommend them for the few days before the holiday - there will be people getting an early start to their travels.

Snacks? The Basel SBB station offers ample snack/light meal choices...on the ground level, there's a Migros (grocery story and takeaway food sections), a Sutter bakery, a beer/wine shop. Go up the escalators and you'll find a Coop, a branch of the Sprungli pastry/chocolate chain, a Blueberry American-style (or so they claim) coffee/snack stand, a Brezel Konig (soft pretzels), etc. Just outside the station is a Starbucks, a Tschibo, a Burger King, McDonald's, and a few other places to grab a bite. (I am partial to the warm apple cinammon glazed donuts at Starbucks, but only get them on rare occasions).

Finally, the trains often lose time (sometimes a LOT) when they hit the Italian border. I suggest avoiding any tight connections in Milan if you're heading on to other Italian destinations...give yourself an hour between when the train arrives in Milan and when you're next one leaves. Also, watch the news for pending strikes or other things that could affect Italian portion of your train journey.

Anyway, those are my tips. I'm sure you'll get lots of other advice (no doubt some in direct opposition to mine ;-) )

There are OTHER routes:

You could easily take a TGV from Paris to either Geneva or Lausanne. From there it is a pretty ride along the north shore of Lac Leman and then on to Brig, through the Simplon Tunnel and down through Stresa into Milan. You can change in Milan for other destinations in Italy.

You could also take the above-recommended route from Paris to Zurich and change there making your way in any NUMBER of ways through Switzerland and into Italy.

Now, if you want a REALLY scenic route, you could make your way to Chur out of Zurich and change there for the Bernina Express for the several-hour trip down to Tirano and change there for the trip to Milan. This last route would probably be best done with an overnight in Zurich and an early rise for the basically all-day trip to Milan.

:) thanks!!! :)

oh boy....my sincere apologies...i tried to reply to you all individually (but unsuccessfully)...will work this out..I WILL! :)

qwovadis - thanks, SIMPLY greatly appreciated advice :)
adrienne - my apologies, you're right...i've explained little...we'll be arriving in Milan (i'm yet to double check that (lol) my friends live in Vercelli...(would that be right?) anyway, as for 'direct', a change of trains is fine...i'm just after the most scenic route without a stopover :)
FoFoBT - WoW :) thanks so much for your time with the 'detailed reply'...sincerely appreciated! :) (quietly looking forward to trying warm apple cinammon glazed donuts at Starbucks)
Dukey1 - many thanks dukey1 :)will definitely take your advice on board!!

Thanks so much everyone....if i'm doing this wrong (which i'm sure i am), please let me know how to fix it :)