Zurich road trip to Paris in December

  • Wen988
    Participant
    5 posts
    13 July 2022 at 15:34:58 #827764

    Dear All

    My first upcoming trip to Switzerland mid December, I had booked a car rental for 14 days & plan to do a cross border drive from Zurich airport to Paris.

    I do understand Switzerland have the best transportation but we be use to self drive for all our holiday vacation & knowing TGV is the best way to Paris but we can’t do a early return for my car rent might need to pay a penalty

    Can anyone able help to advise road trip is it safe on December Zurich to Paris

    Much Appreciated

    With Many Thanks

    Warmest Regards

    Wen

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    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    13 July 2022 at 22:56:47 #944266

    I driven across France to Switzerland many times in December and it has been without problem. Driving across Europe is perfectly safe in December, but you should bear in mind the following points:

    1) the number of daylight hours is low, so you would be driving in darkness at any time before 08.00 and after 16.45

    2) bad weather can be a problem, if you are unlucky it could be foggy and / or wet, and/ or snowing. If you are lucky it could be sunny and crisp weather.

    Wen988
    Participant
    5 posts
    14 July 2022 at 1:57:28 #944267

    Thank you so much to clear my worries drive cross border road trip, we land Zurich at 6am will start our driving trip to Paris, please do help to correct me is this road drive 6.5 hours to Paris or shorter road?

    Start in Zurich, Basel, Besancon, Dijon, Avallon, Fontainebleau, arrive in Paris

    Is Switzerland using google map for Navigator?

    Hope to hear from the above

    Many Thanks

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    14 July 2022 at 8:32:57 #944268

    Hi Wen988 and welcome to MySwissAlps.com!

    I use Google Maps to plan driving routes and I always add an extra 1 hr because of the unseen traffic jams, when I plan. Plus the stops (for rest) of course.

    According to Google Maps, I can see a route of 605 km, as the fastest way. Zurich – Basel – Mulhouse – Troyes – Paris. You do not have to drive through Besancon and Dijon.

    At http://www.myswissalps.com/car you’ll find some practical tips regarding driving a car in Switzerland.

    Take care,
    Ildiko

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    14 July 2022 at 23:00:04 #944269

    I have driven from France to and from Switzerland 100s of times. I recommend the following route:

    Zurich – Basel

    Basel – Mulhouse (Autoroute A35)

    Mulhouse – Belfort (A36)

    Belfort – Vesoul – Langres (‘Route Nationale’ N19)

    Langres – Chanoy (A31 motorway junction) (N19)

    Chanoy – Troyes – Paris (A5)

    I know all these roads well and in general they are nicer and less busy than some of the roads on the route you quoted

    Wen988
    Participant
    5 posts
    15 July 2022 at 0:45:12 #944270

    Hi 1960man & IIdiko

    Thanks you so much for recommendations road route to Paris

    Appreciated

    Wen

    Wen988
    Participant
    5 posts
    15 July 2022 at 1:21:51 #944271

    Hi 1960man & IIdiko

    After 13hrs long flight from Singapore to Zurich will start our driving route to Paris

    We will like to stop over 1 night stay along to Paris road trip, do you have good recommendations

    Many Thanks

    Wen

    Anna
    Moderator
    6355 posts
    15 July 2022 at 7:34:16 #944272

    Hi Wen,

    It depends on which route you take. The last time my family and Itravelled to Paris with a car, we made a quick stop in Dijon. It’s a really nice city. The whole journey took about 6 hours (we live abt 20 mins from Zurich).

    Regards,

    Anna

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    15 July 2022 at 22:16:36 #944273

    Using my route, you could drive the fairly short distance from Zurich to Belfort. Hotel prices in France are far cheaper than Switzerland so Mulhouse would be an alternative, but I recommend Belfort. It is a historic city with a fortifications, city walls, old town and fort, plus a very fine covered market hall

    http://www.belfort-tourisme.com/en/

    Wen988
    Participant
    5 posts
    18 July 2022 at 6:26:17 #944274

    Dear Anna & 1960man

    Thanks both for your kind advise

    Wen

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