annienan

Have you done this train travel from Budapest to Paris? We’ve checked Man in seat 61. What rail service did you use and were you satisfied? Looks like a route with beautiful and varied scenery. We plan to stop in Zurich for 2 nights on the way. Looking for advice on what worked for you in your travels.
Thanks in advance for your input.

neckervd

The direct Budapest - Paris train itinerary doesn't go via Zurich.
But I know the detour-itinerary via Zurich (ex Arlberg Express) very well.
It's certainly not among the 100 most scenic rail itineraries in Europe, but there are some nice views through te train window along the Danube in Niederösterreich as well as between Innsbruck and Zurich.
You don't see much of all that if you take the overnight train (with sleeping cars) whereas the train ride along the day is endless (6.40 - 17.20).

annienan

Thank you neckervd. We made the decision to go via the Arlberg pass after reading the rail options listed on seat61. The stop in Zurich is just a bonus stop on our way to Paris. This is the end of a 3 week trip to Prague, Krakow, Budapest with a few days in Paris to end it off before flying home. We hope to get in some interesting scenery on the train Budapest to Zurich and then Zurich to Paris. As you say, not the most scenic in all of Europe but will enjoy it none the less.

neckervd

Zuerich - Basel - Mulhouse - Belfort-Montbeliard - Dole - Dijon - Paris: nothing to rist home about.
More scenic alternatives:
Zurich - Lausanne - Frasne - Dole - Dijon - Paris,
Zurich - Neuchael - Pontarlier - Frasne - Paris (makes only sense in June/July when days ar long).

Most scenic Vienna - Paris itinerary:
Vienna - Semmering - Klagenfurt - Villach - Spittal - Lienz in Osttirol - Bruneck - bus - Corvara -Campolungo Pass - Pordoi Pass - Ortisei - Bolzano/Bozen - train - Merano/Meran - Mals - bus - Mustair - Stelvio Pass - Tirano -Bernina Express-Glacier Express - Brig - Lausanne - Paris
Vienna dp 14.08 - Lienz 20.07
Lienz dp 7.50 - Bruneck 9.29/10.05 - Ortisei 14.02/16.01 - Bolzano 16.57/17.35 - Mustair ar 20.25
Müstair dp 9.10 - Stelvio 10.05 - Tirano 12.05/13.17 - Bernina Express - St: Moritz ar 15.45
St. Moritz dp 7.02 - Glacier Express - Brig 13.40/14.26 - Lausanne 16.10/16.23 - Paris ar 20.04

Shortcut via Landeck:
Vienna dp 11.28 - Landeck 16.40 - Scuol-Tarasp 18.27/18.32 - Samedan ar 19.41
Samedan dp 7.15 - Glacier Express - Brig 13.40/14.26 - Lausanne 16.10/16.23 - Paris ar 20.04

annienan

Wow! Thanks so much for all these alternatives! We will definitely look into them. We really appreciate all the time it took for you to put this together for us. You and the Fodor’s community are amazing.