Proper route from Paris-Switzerland-Venice
Winclaire is planning their first trip to Switzerland for at least 8 days, seeking advice on train travel from Paris, itinerary sequencing for Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, and Lugano, and comparing costs between flying and taking the train to Venice. They received helpful tips on train options and accommodations from fellow travelers in the forum.
- Take the TGV Lyria train from Paris-Gare de Lyon to Zurich, then switch to Basel for continued travel to Lucerne.
- Stay in Lucerne and Lugano for local sightseeing, as both cities make easy day trips to Zurich and Bern.
- Booking accommodations in advance is recommended, especially in high season, to secure better options.
- Consider staying in hotels or hostels to benefit from the Ticino Ticket for unlimited travel in Lugano, which may not be available with Airbnb.
- Save money by planning trips on good weather days for scenic excursions.
AI-generated summary-
Dear all,
This is our first time to travel to Switzerland, where we would like to stay at least 8 days. My concerns are:
1. What train we can take from Paris to Switzerland? What is the best train station in Paris.
2. What is the proper sequence, if we would like to see Zurich, Bern, Lucerne and Lugano?
3. Taking plane seems cheaper than train from Lugano to Venice?
Thank you very much.
Winclaire
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Welcome to MySwissAlps Winclaire!
1. The TGV Lyria trains are the best way to reach Switzerland from Paris. Please see myswissalps.com/traint ickets/france for details. You would take a train from Paris-Gare de Lyon bound for Zurich, get off in Basel, and switch for Lucerne there. Alternatively you can stay seated until you reach Zurich, do some sightseeing there and continue to Lucerne later that day.
2. First stay in Lucerne for local sightseeing and day trips to Bern and Zurich (or go there on your arrival day, see 1). Then stay in Lugano.
3. Flying is not a good option in this case. A train trip is more comfortable, quicker, eco-friendly, more scenic and likely cheaper. Tickets start at less than € 50. Purchase options are listed on myswissalps.com/traint ickets/italy/price. As you live in the Philippines I’d recommend to check out http://www.raileurope-world.com/train/italia n-international-train s and http://www.raileurope.com.sg/ train/italian-international-trains.
Does this get you started?
Thanks Arno,
Your reply is really helpful, for a first timer like us.
It looks like, based on your explanation we don’t need to the 8 Days Grand Tour which is really expensive.
On those are, Lucerne, Bern, Zurich and Lugano, would it be advisable to book a hostel in advance?
Best regards.
Winclaire
Hi Winclaire,
I’m glad it helped! I assume you are referring to the Grand Tour by train where you travel to a different town every day? That’s indeed not for everyone as it’s a lot of moving around and sitting in trains. It can be great depending on your objectives, but it’s a lot better if you can stay 2 or more days in each town.
I think in your case, basing yourselves in Lucerne and Lugano will work just fine. You don’t have to book hotels in Bern and Zurich too, those cities are just an hour from Lucerne so it’s an easy day trip in case of less favourable weather. Use the good weather days for trips into the mountains or on the lakes. But it’s all up to you of course!
I’m not sure when you travel, but personally I always book in advance. Hotels can book out especially in high season. Often you can cancel for free anyway, at least until 24 hours before arrival or so. Please see:
Thanks a lot Arno,
Your suggestion in terms of days we need to stay for each location.
However, I hope there is an air bnb in those area, so we can save more.
Some of my good friends in adidas, Germany told me how nice Switzerland and it is really expensive, however I am still not losing hope. I am hoping I can still find some cheaper accomodation.
Best regards.
Winclaire
Hi Winclair,
I’m not a big fan of Airbnb for various reasons, but there are certainly options to book through them in Switzerland. Switzerland is indeed expensive, but it will be doable if you make the right choices. In Lugano, for example, guests of official hotels/hostels will receive a free Ticino Ticket for unlimited traveling by train/bus and discounted traveling on other modes of transport. However, if you book an Airbnb accommodation you may not get it. So if you save at all on accommodation you’ll spend more on day trips.
For Lugano specifically you could take a look at the Montarina hostel. It is affordable and right next to the train station so it’s easy to get around. The other pages I linked to in my previous post offer quite a lot of good low budget accommodation in other towns. Even more tips on saving money are here.
Thanks a lot Arno.
We will carefully review.
Have a good day.
Winclaire
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