Hello all
We wish to take a daytime train from Paris to Lauterbrunen in mid-September. Do you think we need to book now? Or should it be fairly easy to book a few days before when we are in Paris?

Would hate to lose the flexibility but what about availability?

Thank you

If you book a few days before leaving Paris, you'll have no trouble getting tickets. However, if you book the first leg NOW (either Paris-Bern or Paris-Basel) at sncf.com, you can get a Piccolo fare for €25 rather than €78 (Bern) or €84 (Basel).

Have a look at www.lyria.biz for France to Switzerland tickets - it is just another outlet, the same prices and same availability, but a bit more user-friendly than the SNCF website.

Hi TimS
What is Piccolo fare? Advance reservation? Almost 50Euro difference.

Thank you

>What is Piccolo fare? Advance reservation? Almost 50Euro difference.

Additionally to the normal fares there are a few cheap tickets available on most longer French train connections, called "Piccolo" or "PREM". They sell out fast, of course, so the earlier you book the ticket the better your chances to get the cheap one.
The airlines have done the same (in a much more complicated way) forever.

You could book the French tickets as suggested for a lower price than if you wait. In Switzerland, I don't think it will make much difference. The big advantage will be that you would have your ticket in hand and not have to worry with buying a separate one after arrival in Switzerland.

I have taken the train from Paris to Lauterbrunnen a couple of times, and the Swiss portion was not a problem. Prices are stable as a general rule on the Swiss system except for the longer period passes and various discount cards,

I rarely have had a seat reservation in Switzerland, but on the fast French trains they are mandatory.

AB321 - Altamiro has described the Piccolo fare very well. If you want to try to get that fare, first go to www.bahn.de and click on "Internat. Guests" for English. Enter Paris as your departure point and Lauterbrunnen as your arrival point and a possible travel date and time to get summary timetables. Click on "Details for all" to see the connecting points.

Make a note of the departure time you wish for either Paris-Basel or Paris-Bern and then go to www.sncf.com. Click on the British flag. Choose your route and departure time. Leave France as the default country for picking up your tickets. You'll be given several times--and a range of fares available for each of those times. If a Piccolo fare is available, select it and proceed to book and pay for your tickets. Do NOT choose cancellation insurance. Choose to pick up your ticket at a station or ticket boutique.