Train from Amsterdam to Zurich...good scenery, info please?
 

We are flying into Amsterdam and will spend a few days there before going to Zurich where my husband has a business meeting. We are considering taking the train from Amsterdam to Zurich....are wondering if the scenery is beautiful, will the long train trip be worthwhile....or should we take the night train and is it very comfortable. We are familiar with the train system within Switzerland and have traveled the high speed trains within the UK long distances. Bottom line is we don't want to waste our time on a boring ride if we would be better off sleeping through it or flying....info please?

You better take the night train. The scenery is only at a few place beautiful (e.g. middle Rhine).

Better save your time for other activities.

I.

Message: We are flying into Amsterdam and will spend a few days there before going to Zurich where my husband has a business meeting. We are considering taking the train from Amsterdam to Zurich....are wondering if the scenery is beautiful, will the long train trip be worthwhile....or should we take the night train and is it very comfortable. We are familiar with the train system within Switzerland and have traveled the high speed trains within the UK long distances. Bottom line is we don't want to waste our time on a boring ride if we would be better off sleeping through it or flying....info please?

Author: Ingo
Date: 01/02/2004, 05:47 am
Message: You better take the night train. The scenery is only at a few place beautiful (e.g. middle Rhine).

Better save your time for other activities.


This is the route of the former Rhinegold luxury express, with excellent views on the middle Rhine and good views on the upper Rhine. The straightforward journey by the Rhine is Amsterdam Central 0705, buffet car Inter City Express, Cologne 0951 to 1053, Berner Oberland restaurant car express, the best part of the Rhine valley comes from 1148 to 1240 but it is pretty good south of there too, Basel 1540 to 1607, buffet car train, Zurich 1658.

To take in the Black Forest as well, you could try a route with one more change of train

Amsterdam Central 0755, buffet car Inter City Express (ICE), Cologne 1041 to
1053, buffet car train, the best part of the Rhine valley comes from 1148 to 1240, Mannheim 1320 to 1331, ICE, Stuttgart 1408 to 1604, Cisalpino high tech restaurant car train through the Black Forest, Zurich 1847

Or Amsterdam Central 1107, buffet car Inter City Express (ICE), Cologne 1341 to
1353, restaurant car express, the best part of the Rhine valley comes from 1448 to 1540, Frankfurt 1614 to 1653, ICE, Stuttgart 1808 to 2004, Cisalpino restaurant car train through the Black Forest, Zurich 2247

The sleepers are on the Pegasus Express, a City Night Line train, from Amsterdam at 2025 to Zurich at 0816. It has 1, 2 and 4 berth sleepers, some with showers, and restaurant car. You could even see the middle Rhine with floodlit castles by night if you pick up a glass of Reisling from your conductor about 0040, and sit with the blind and curtain drawn and lights off until about 0140. I think your husband should stay asleep, however, if he means to make sense among the gnomes of Zurich in the morning.

Please write if I can help further. Welcome to Europe.

[email protected]

I guess since we don't know what YOU consider "boring" it is hard to answer this question..but I agree with Mr. Haines that some of the views along the Rhine are very rewarding. This is NOT a "spectacular" route like the Glacier Express for certain but I've been on many, MANY less scenic routes than the one you're considering taking.