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London to Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich or Basel from £62 one-way, £115 return, by train... The Matterhorn, Zermatt...  No need to fly to get there! Buy train tickets to Switzerland online

It's easy to travel from the UK to Switzerland by train.  It's civilised, comfortable, environmentally-friendly and affordable, a far less stressful experience than flying.  Take Eurostar from London to Paris in just 2 hours 20 minutes from just £39 one-way, £69 return, then take a high-speed TGV-Lyria train from Paris to Geneva (3h05), Lausanne (4h), Bern, Basel (3h05) or Zurich (4h05) from just £23 each way.  Or relax in first class from £63 each way!  Unlike a flight, the trains run from city centre to city centre, with no baggage fees, no airport taxes, bring your own bottle of wine for the journey if you like, and infants go free.  And there's great scenery in the French Alps on the way.  This page explains the best routes, train times, fares, and how to buy tickets both online and by phone.

On this page...

London to  Basel & Zurich

London to Bern

London to Geneva

London to Lausanne, Montreux, Gstaad

London to Interlaken, Grindelwald & the Jungfrau

London to Brig, Zermatt & the Matterhorn

London to Chur, Klosters, Davos, St Moritz & the Engadin region

London & East Anglia to Switzerland by train & ferry (via Harwich-Hoek, avoiding the Channel Tunnel)

Scotland & the North of England to Switzerland by train & ferry (via Hull or Newcastle, avoiding London)

Hotels & accommodation in Switzerland

Holidays & tours to Switzerland by train not plane

The Jungfraubahn mountain railway to the Top of Europe

On other pages...

Map of the Swiss rail network

The Glacier Express scenic train from Zermatt to St Moritz

The Bernina Express scenic train from Chur to Tirano for Milan

Buying connecting train tickets from other UK towns & cities

Scotland & North of England to Switzerland avoiding London    West Country & South Coast to Switzerland avoiding London

Taking your bike   Dogs   Luggage   Left luggage facilities in Paris   Passengers with disabilities   General info

Route map:  UK to Switzerland by train...

Eurostar London to Paris in 2 hours 20 minutes... TGV-Lyria from Paris to Switzerland in 3 hours...

Sponsored links...

It's so easy to travel from London to Basel or Zurich by train, taking Eurostar to Paris, then a direct high-speed TGV Lyria from Paris to Basel or Zurich.  It's affordable, too, London to Basel or Zurich starts at £62 one-way, £115 return, city centre to city centre, no baggage fees, no check-in fees, no extra to pay to travel to and from airports, a chance to chill out not stress out.  The TGVs from Paris to Basel & Zurich are run by Lyria, a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways.

New faster Paris-Basel-Zurich TGV trains from 11 December 2011...

The new Rhine-Rhone TGV line opened on 11 December.  Journey times from Paris to Basel & Zurich have been slashed by half an hour, train service has been increased, and in first class a cold light meal or snack and drinks are now included in the fare (as it is already on Lyria's Geneva and Lausanne routes).  Paris-Basel-Zurich TGVs now start from the Gare de Lyon instead of the Gare de l'Est, and are routed via Dijon and Mulhouse instead of Strasbourg and Mulhouse.

London ► Basel & Zurich

Eurostar (30 min check-in):

Mondays to Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

London St Pancras depart:

05:40

09:12

10:24

14:01

20:01 *

20:01 *

09:31

11:24

14:01

20:01 *

20:01 *

09:23

10:24

14:01

20:31 *

Paris Gare du Nord arrive:

09:17

12:47

13:47

17:17

23:17

23:17

12:47

14:47

17:17

23:17

23:17

12:47

13:47

17:17

23:47

Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV-Lyria train to Switzerland...

Paris Gare de Lyon depart:

10:23

14:23

16:23

18:23

06:15 *

08:23 *

14:23

16:23

18:23

06:15 *

08:23 *

14:23

16:23

18:23

08:23 *

Basel arrive:

13:26

17:26

19:26

21:26

09:26

11:26

17:26

19:26

21:26

09:26

11:26

17:26

19:26

21:26

11:26

Zurich arrive:

14:26

18:35

20:26

22:26

10:26

12:26

18:35

20:26

22:26

10:26

12:26

18:35

20:26

22:26

12:26

* This journey requires an overnight hotel stop in Paris, see suggested Paris hotels near the stations.  Take any Eurostar you like between London & Paris, not necessarily the one shown.

How to read these timetables...  Each column is a service, and you read downwards.  There's a change of trains at each of the grey bars.

Why not catch an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant on the main concourse?  It's an experience in itself...

Basel & Zurich ► London

Lyria TGV:

Mondays to Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

Zurich depart:

07:34

09:27

11:34

13:34

15:34

17:27 *

07:34

09:27

11:34

13:34

17:27 *

07:34

09:27

11:34

13:34

15:34

17:27 *

Basel depart:

08:34

10:34

12:34

14:34

16:34

18:34 *

08:34

10:34

12:34

14:34

18:34 *

08:34

10:34

12:34

14:34

16:34

18:34 *

Paris Gare de Lyon arrive:

11:37

13:37

15:37

17:37

19:37

21:37 *

11:37

13:37

15:37

17:37

21:37 *

11:37

13:37

15:37

17:37

19:37

21:37 *

Cross Paris by metro to the Gare du Nord for Eurostar (30 min check-in)

Paris Gare du Nord depart:

13:13

15:13

17:13

19:13

21:13

07:13 *

13:13

15:13

17:13

19:13

08:13 *

13:13

15:13

17:13

19:13

21:13

07:13 *

London St Pancras arrive:

14:36

16:39

18:30

20:36

22:36

08:30

14:36

16:39

18:30

20:36

09:30

14:36

16:39

18:36

20:30

22:36

08:30

On board Eurostar from London to Paris: See the Eurostar page for photos & information about on-board facilities.

On board the TGV-Lyria from Paris to Basel or Zurich...

Sleek, fast, and up to 10 times better for the environment than a flight.  This is an afternoon TGV to Zurich about to leave Paris...		First class seating.  Tables for 4, tables for 2, solo seats and dual side-by-side.  All first class seats have reading lights and power sockets for laptops & mobiles...

There's a cafe-bar car serving drinks & snacks....		Second class seating...
Watch the video - inside a Christian Lacroix TGV Designer interiors...  The TGV trains from Paris to Basel & Zurich feature chic designer interiors by Christian Lacroix.  There are power sockets for laptops & mobiles at every seat, baby-changing facilities and wheelchair spaces.  First class fares include a complimentary cold breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack according to time of day.  You can find a seat numbering plan & other useful information at www.tgv-lyria.com.  Double-deckers coming soon...   Impressive double-deck TGV Duplex will be progressively introduced on this route through 2012 & early 2013, see the TGV Duplex photos here.

How much does it cost?

London to Paris  by Eurostar:	From £39 one-way or £69 return 2nd class.   Child, youth & senior fares From £107 one-way or £189 return 1st class.
Paris to Zurich  by TGV-Lyria train:	2nd class		1st class
	One way	Return	One way	Return
Book-ahead fares:	From £23	From £46	From £73	From £146
Normal flexible fare:	£109	£174	£184	£289
Youth fare (anyone 12-26):	£65	£130	£116	£232
Senior fare (anyone over 60):	£76	£152	£119	£238
Child (4 to 11):	£53	£106	£100	£200
Child (0 to 3):	Free if not occupying its own seat, £12 each way with own seat (£21 1st class).
Railpass fare:	Holders of InterRail, Eurail, etc. pay £9 in 2nd class, £20 in 1st class.
Person in wheelchair:	£92 one-way, £184 return, 1st class.  Companion £31 each way.
Dogs & pets (see here):	£45 each way.  Guide dogs free.

Paris to Basel  by TGV-Lyria train:	2nd class		1st class
	One way	Return	One way	Return
Book-ahead fares:	From £23	From £46	From £63	From £126
Normal flexible fare:	£94	£145	£163	£245
Youth fare (anyone 12-26):	£60	£120	£100	£200
Senior fare (anyone over 60):	£64	£128	£111	£222
Child (4 to 11):	£42	£84	£81	£162
Child (0 to 3):	Free if not occupying its own seat, £12 each way with own seat (£21 1st class).
Railpass fare:	Holders of InterRail, Eurail, etc. pay £9 in 2nd class, £20 in 1st class.
Person in wheelchair:	£82 one-way, £164 return, 1st class.  Companion £31 each way.
Dogs & pets (see here):	£39 each way.  Guide dogs free.

  Buy train tickets to Switzerland online at www.raileurope.co.uk...

The best way for UK residents to buy tickets to anywhere in Switzerland is at www.raileurope.co.uk, just use the online booking form below.  But please read the booking tips first.  If you live in another European country, click here.  If you live outside Europe, for example in the USA or Australia, click here.

Children = children aged 4 & over, but under 12. Children under 4 go free, no ticket required. Youth = anyone under 26.  Senior = anyone over 60.

Please read these booking tips first... This booking form links to www.raileurope.co.uk, the UK's biggest European rail ticketing agency. Tickets can be collected at St Pancras or stations in France free of charge, or sent to a UK address for a £2.25 fee.  There's no fee for debit cards, but they charge a 2.5% credit card fee.  Only UK credit cards are accepted. When do bookings open?  Reservations for Lyria TGVs to Switzerland open 90 days before departure.  You can't book before reservations open!  Eurostar opens 120 days ahead, but I strongly recommend waiting until 90 days so you can book all your trains together and double-check the TGV times.  Be aware that the 90 days can become as few as 60 days in the weeks immediately after the European timetable change in mid-June & mid-December. Top tip, split the journey!  By all means book the easy way, from London to Switzerland all in one go (and if you're a nervous booker, stick with this way).  However, it's often better to book in two stages.  First book from Paris-Switzerland & back, add to basket, then click 'continue shopping' and book from London to Paris & back.  This gives you more control, you can mix & match 2nd class Eurostar with 1st class on Lyria (you'll often find cheap 1st class fares on the TGV, but not on Eurostar) and you can stopover in Paris if you like.  Why split the journey?  Just make sure you allow at least 60 minutes or more to change trains & stations in Paris on the outward journey, 90 minutes on the return.  Check the TGV times before booking your Eurostar, as engineering work can affect times.  Heading for a destination deep within Switzerland?  The system will easily book tickets to Basel, Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne or Bern, and tickets involving a further change of train, for example to Interlaken or Lucerne.  But it may struggle with places deep inside Switzerland like Grindelwald or St Moritz, as it cannot cope with more than 3 changes of train.  If you get an error message, book tickets to nearest big city and buy onward tickets at the station once you get to Switzerland.  No advance booking is needed for Swiss internal trains, you just  turn up, buy a ticket and hop on.  You can check how much Swiss train tickets cost at www.sbb.ch. Starting your trip outside London?  This system will only book tickets from London, Ebbsfleet or Ashford), but to buy a special add-on ticket from almost anywhere in Britain, see the UK connections page. On the confirmation page, click 'show itinerary details' to see the seat & coach number you've been given. You can find a Lyria seat numbering plan at www.tgv-lyria.com. Tickets are sent from Rail Europe's UK office and normally arrive in a couple of days.  If you need any help, you can call Rail Europe's UK call centre on 0844 848 5 848.

  www.eurostar.com also sells train tickets to Switzerland...

www.eurostar.com can now sell train tickets from London or over 130 UK towns & cities to these stations in Switzerland:  Aigle, Basel, Berne, Brig, Chur, Geneva, Landquart, Lausanne, Leuk, Martigny, Montreux, Neuchatel, Sargans, Sierre, Sion, Vallorbe, Visp or Zurich.  Special though fares from London to Switzerland start at £99 return.

• Plus points:  If the cheapest prices are available (but note the 'if'), the special through fares sold by www.eurostar.com can be the cheapest way to reach Switzerland by train.  Unlike www.raileurope.co.uk, it allows you to book through tickets from 130 towns & cities all over the UK, not just from London or Ebbsfleet or Ashford.  www.eurostar.com accepts all credit cards, not just UK ones, & allows tickets to be collected on departure in London, so it's good if you live outside the UK.  It also allows you to choose a specific Eurostar seat. 

• Limitations:  www.eurostar.com can only sell these special through fares with no stopovers.  www.raileurope.co.uk can be cheaper, as it is capable of combining cheap London-Paris fares with cheap Paris-Switzerland fares.  This often works out better value, as large numbers of cheap tickets are loaded into the system for these two busy sectors whereas the number of cheap London-Switzerland through tickets loaded into the system seems to be relatively small.  By booking London-Paris & Paris-Switzerland separately, www.raileurope.co.uk can also be used to arrange stopovers in Paris.  Top tip:  Try both www.eurostar.com & www.raileurope.co.uk!

  How to buy tickets by phone or in person...

You can buy tickets from any UK European rail booking agency, including Rail Europe on 0844 848 5 848 (lines open 09:00-19:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays, closed Sundays, £8 phone booking fee) or Ffestiniog Travel on 01766 772050 (office hours Monday-Friday, 8% booking fee applies).  Rail Europe have a travel centre for personal callers at 193 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EU, open 10:00-18:00 Mon-Fri, 10:00-17:00 Saturdays.  For more information on how to buy European train tickets, see the How to buy European train tickets page.

  Tailor-made train travel & hotel arrangements...

If you want a compete tailor-made travel service with all your rail travel booked for you and hotels arranged, contact www.railbookers.com, 020 3327 0761.  For example, 6 nights deluxe trip from London to Lausanne, then Zermatt, a trip on the famous Glacier Express to St Moritz, then back to London, costs around £1,219 per person, or there are cheaper 4-night trips which also include the Glacier Express from around £589 per person.  Just tell them what you want, and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you.  They get very positive reviews.  Browse suggested itineraries & prices.

  How to buy tickets online at www.tgv-europe.com or www.sbb.ch...

Anyone from any country worldwide can buy tickets direct from the relevant train operator websites as follows:

• How far ahead can you book?  Paris-Switzerland Lyria-TGVs open for booking 90 days before departure, you cannot book before bookings open.  Eurostar bookings open 120 days ahead, but I strongly recommend waiting and buying all your tickets at the same time.  I suggest doing a 'dry run' on each website before booking for real, to double-check prices, availability and exact timings for each part of the journey.

• If you live in the UK, it can be better to buy all your tickets from www.raileurope.co.uk as shown above.  Then you can buy your Eurostar & TGV tickets together in one place without relying on post from France, prices are (or should be) the same as www.tgv-europe.com, and it's backed by a UK call centre.  On the other hand, there are no credit card or postage fees at www.tgv-europe.com and prices are in euros so it's a fraction cheaper because you'll get a better exchange rate from your own bank.  It also allows you to request specific seating options (such as a table for two in 1st class) which Rail Europe currently doesn't.  But it's your call!

• Step 1:  Book the TGV from Paris to Switzerland at the official French Railways English-language website www.tgv-europe.com, or the French version www.voyages-sncf.com using these step-by-step instructions.  Tickets can be collected at the station in Paris, or for some fare types you can print out your own ticket.

• The system will easily book the direct TGVs from Paris to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Zurich or Bern, and it will also book tickets to many destinations involving one change of train in Switzerland, such as Interlaken or Brig.  But it can struggle with destinations requiring more changes, for example Zermatt or St Moritz.  If you have any difficulty booking to your final Swiss destination, simply book the direct TGV from Paris to Lausanne, Bern, Basel or Zurich, then buy onward domestic Swiss tickets separately either online at www.sbb.ch or at the station when you get to Switzerland.  This is easy, because no advance booking is necessary for Swiss domestic trains, you can turn up, buy a ticket and hop on.

• Alternatively, you can book from Paris to anywhere in Switzerland using the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch, as long as you're offered the option to self-print tickets when the delivery options come up.  This option will appear for cheap train-specific fares, but not for flexible fares.  Prices are the same as on tgv-europe.com.  For one-way or return journeys to Paris starting at the Switzerland end, www.sbb.ch is the best site to use, as tickets of all types can be collected at any main Swiss station.

• Step 2:  Book a connecting Eurostar from London to Paris.  Go to www.eurostar.com and book a suitable Eurostar from London to Paris and back.  Use the Eurostar times on this page as a guide, but feel free to choose an earlier Eurostar from London or a later Eurostar back from Paris if these have cheaper seats available or if you'd like to stop off in Paris.  You can print out your own ticket, or collect it at the station at London St Pancras.  Easy!

               How to buy tickets if you live in the USA, Canada, Australia, Asia, Africa or South America...

• If you live outside Europe, you can buy tickets for any or all of these trains online at www.raileurope.com (USA), www.raileurope.ca (Canada), www.raileurope.com.au (Australia), or www.raileurope-world.com (Asia, Africa, South America and any other country worldwide).  Rail Europe is North America's biggest European rail agency, a subsidiary of French Railways.  You may prefer buying all your tickets together from one agency in your home country in your own currency.

• However, be aware that overseas agencies often suppress the cheapest fares and add extra booking or postage fees on top.  It's often significantly cheaper (in some cases as much as 65% cheaper) to buy tickets online direct from the relevant European train operator, with cheap fares and no fees.  Simply follow the step-by-step advice in the section above to buy tickets online at www.eurostar.com & either www.tgv-europe.com or www.sbb.ch.

• Alternatively, if you want a compete hassle-free tailor-made trip with all your rail travel expertly booked for you and good quality hotels arranged by someone who knows what they're doing, the people to call are www.railbookers.com.  US residents can call them on (646) 770 2894 (please quote 'seat61'), Canadian residents can call (416) 800 0732 (please quote 'seat61').  Australian residents can call their Australian office, www.railbookers.com.au on 02 8096 0550.  Tell them what you want, and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you, hassle-free.  Railbookers get very positive reviews and take good care of their guests.  Browse suggested itineraries & prices.

Taking the train is the stress-free and environmentally-sound alternative from London to Bern.  Eurostar links London and Paris in just 2 hours 40 minutes, from £69 return.  High speed 'Lyria' TGV trains link Paris with Bern in just 4 hours 45 minutes, some direct, some with a change of train at Lausanne, with fares from £23 each way (from £68 in 1st class!).  TGVs have 1st & 2nd class, with a buffet-bar car selling drinks and snacks.  There are power points for mobiles & laptops at 1st class seats.  You can find a seat numbering plan & other useful information at www.tgv-lyria.com.  First class fares include a complimentary cold breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack according to time of day.  Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways.

TGV Lyria 1st class...		TGV Lyria 2nd class...		'Lyria' high-speed TGV train...

London ► Bern
Eurostar (30 min check-in):	Mondays-Fridays			Saturdays			Sundays
London St Pancras depart:	07:01	10:24	12:24	07:31	10:24	12:24	09:23	10:24	12:24
Paris Gare du Nord arrive:	10:17	13:47	15:47	10:17	13:47	15:47	12::47	13:47	15:47
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV Lyria to Switzerland...
Paris Gare de Lyon depart:	11:57	15:57	17:57	11:57	15:57	17:57	13:57	15:57	17:57
Lausanne arrive:	15:44	19:47	|	15:44	19:47	|	17:48	19:47	|
...direct or change at Lausanne?	Change	Change	Direct	Change	Change	Direct	Change	Change	Direct
Lausanne depart:	16:20	20:20	|	16:20	20:20	|	18:20	20:20	|
Bern arrive:	17:26	21:26	22:30	17:26	21:26	22:30	19:26	21:26	22:30

How to read these timetables  Each column is a service, and you read downwards.  There's a change of trains at each of the grey bars.

Direct = by direct Lyria TGV from Paris to Bern.  This is the recommended option, as it's cheapest & simplest.

Change = by Lyria TGV between Paris & Lausanne, and by Swiss InterCity train between Lausanne & Bern.

* This journey requires an overnight hotel stop in Paris.  Suggested hotels near the station in Paris.  Take any Eurostar you like, times shown may vary.

Why not catch an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant on the main concourse?  It's an experience in itself...

Eurostar times may vary slightly, so always double-check when booking.

Bern ► London
	Mondays-Fridays			Saturdays			Sundays
Bern depart:	07:29	10:34	17:23	07:29	10:34	17:23	07:29	10:34	17:23
Lausanne arrive:	|	11:40	change	|	11:40	change	|	11:40	change
...direct or change at Lausanne?	Direct	Change	at	Direct	Change	at	Direct	Change	at
Lausanne depart	|	12:22	Frasne	|	12:22	Frasne	|	12:22	Frasne
Paris Gare de Lyon arrive	12:18	16:17	21:59	12:18	16:17	21:59	12:18	16:17	21:59
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare du Nord for Eurostar (30 min check-in)
Paris Gare du Nord depart	15:13	18:13	07:13*	15:13	19:13	08:13*	15:13	18:13	07:13*
London St Pancras arrive	16:39	19:36	08:30*	16:39	20:41	09:39*	16:39	19:30	08:30*

How much does it cost?

1. London to Paris  by Eurostar:	From £39 one-way or £69 return 2nd class.   Child, youth & senior fares From £107 one-way or £189 return 1st class.
2. Paris to Bern  by direct Lyria TGV train:	2nd class		1st class
	One way	Return	One way	Return
Book-ahead fares:	From £23	From £46	From £68	From £136
Normal flexible fare:	£83	£129	£140	£220
Youth fare (12-26):	£56	£112	£95	£190
Senior fare (over 60):	£59	£118	£102	£204
Child (4 to 11):	£42	£84	£78	£156
Child (0 to 3):	Free if not occupying its own seat, £12 with own seat (£21 in 1st class).
Railpass fare:	Holders of InterRail, Eurail, etc. pay £9 in 2nd class, £24 in 1st class.
Person in wheelchair	£70 one-way, £140 return, 1st class.  Companion £35 each way.
Dogs & pets:	£33 each way.  Guide dogs free.

Fares for journeys involving a change in Lausanne:  See the London-Paris-Lausanne fares in the London to Lausanne section, and add the cost of a Swiss domestic ticket from Lausanne to Bern, CHF 31 (£22) one-way, CHF 62 (£44) return 2nd class.

How to buy tickets online...

• The best and cheapest way to buy tickets from London or Paris to Bern is online, follow the instructions above.

• For journeys involving a change in Lausanne, if no cheap fares show up for the Paris-Bern journey, trying asking the system for Paris-Lausanne, then buy a Lausanne-Bern ticket separately at the ticket office on arrival at Lausanne.  You can check Lausanne-Bern prices online at www.sbb.ch.  No reservation is necessary (or even possible!) for the domestic Swiss Lausanne-Bern section, so it's easy to buy this at the station in Lausanne.

How to buy tickets by phone...

You can buy tickets from any UK European rail booking agency, including Rail Europe on 0844 848 5 848 (lines open 09:00-19:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays, no longer open on Sundays, £8 phone booking fee applies) or Ffestiniog Travel on 01766 772050 (8% booking fee applies, office hours Monday-Friday).  Rail Europe have a travel centre for personal callers at 193 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EU, open 10:00-18:00 Monday-Friday, 10:00-17:00 Saturdays.  For more information about how to buy European train tickets, see the How to buy train tickets to Europe page.

Tailor-made travel & hotel arrangements...

If you want a compete tailor-made trip with all your rail travel expertly booked for you and good quality hotels arranged, UK residents can call www.railbookers.com on 020 3327 0761.  US residents can call them on (646) 770 2894 (please quote seat61) and Canadian residents on (416) 800 0732 (please quote 'seat61').  Australian residents can call their Australian office, www.railbookers.com.au on 02 8096 0550.  Just tell them what you want, and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you, hassle-free.  They get very positive reviews and take good care of their guests.  Browse suggested holiday itineraries & prices.

How to buy tickets if you live in the USA, Canada, Australia, etc.

• You can buy tickets for both Eurostar and the Paris-Switzerland trains online at www.raileurope.com (if you live in the USA or Canada) or www.raileurope.com.au (if you live in Australia), both subsidiaries of French Railways.  Be aware that the fares charged may be slightly higher than those charged in Europe.  Tickets can be sent to any address in the USA, Canada, Australia, or worldwide.  Find agencies in other countries...

• Alternatively, to buy tickets at European prices, buy a London-Paris Eurostar ticket online at www.eurostar.com, selecting the option to print out your own ticket or collect tickets at the station.  Then book the Paris-Switzerland train online at www.tgv-europe.com (if you're from the USA, see this advice before using it).  You can then collect your tickets on the day of travel at the ticket office at any main station in France, including Paris Gare de Lyon.

Taking the train is a wonderful, stress-free and environmentally-sound way to get from London to Geneva.  Eurostar links London and Paris in just 2 hours 20 minutes, from £69 return.  High speed TGV Lyria trains link Paris with Geneva in just over 3 hours, from £23 each way (from £62 in 1st class!).  The Paris-Geneva TGVs use a special high speed line at up to 186 mph for the first part of their journey, then slow right down over conventional lines through the beautiful French scenery for the remainder of their run to Switzerland.  The trip is a real treat, take a bottle of wine with you, put your feet up and enjoy the ride.  TGVs have first and second class, with a cafe-bar car selling drinks and snacks.  First class fares include a complimentary cold breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack according to time of day.  There are power points for mobiles & laptops at 1st class seats.  Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways.

A high-speed Lyria TGV at Geneva.		TGV Lyria 1st class...		TGV Lyria 2nd class...

Faster & more frequent Paris-Geneva trains were introduced in December 2010.  New scenic route!

The single-track 65km 'Haut-Bugey' line from Bourg en Bresse to Bellegarde passes through some rugged mountain scenery, in some places inaccessible by road.  Dating from 1877-1882, local traffic declined and the line was partially closed in 1990.  But it's just been given a new lease of life, rebuilt for mainline trains and reborn as a key link in the TGV network.  It shortens the distance between Paris & Geneva by 47km, shaving 15-20 minutes off the Paris-Geneva journey time - trains previously had to detour south via Culoz.  This 'new' line will take Paris-Geneva TGVs at low speed through some great mountainous terrain through some 11 tunnels and over 80 bridges & viaducts including the spectacular Cize-Bolozon Viaduct, a structure partly blown up by the French resistance in 1944 (it took 5 years to repair the damage after the war!).  Sit back with a glass of red wine and enjoy the scenic stress-free alternative to flying to Geneva, past pretty French villages, mountain forests and scenic lakes!  See the journey photos below.

London ► Geneva

Eurostar (30 min check-in)

Mondays to Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

London St Pancras depart:

05:40

07:01

10:24

11:31*

12:24

14:01

15:01*

07:31

10:24

12:24

14:01

10:24

12:24

14:01

Paris Gare du Nord arrive:

09:17

10:17

13:47

14:47*

15:47

17:17

18:17*

10:47

13:47

15:47

17:17

13:47

15:47

17:17

Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV Lyria to Switzerland...

Paris Gare de Lyon depart:

11:11

12:11

15:11

16:11*

18:11

19:11

20:11*

12:11

15:11

18:11

19:11

15:11

18:11

19:11

Geneva arrive:

14:16

15:27

18:16

19:27*

21:27

22:19

23:27*

15:27

18:16

21:27

22:19

18:16

21:27

22:19

Geneva ► London

Lyria TGV to Paris...

Mondays to Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

Geneva depart:

06:12

07:42

09:42

12:29

14:29

15:42

06:12

09:42

13:42

06:12

09:42

13:42

15:42

Paris Gare de Lyon arrive:

09:27

10:49

12:49

15:49

17:49

18:49

09:27

12:49

16:49

09:27

12:49

16:49

18:49

Cross Paris by metro to Gare du Nord for Eurostar (30 min check-in)

Paris Gare du Nord depart:

11:13

13:13

15:13

18:13

20:13

21:13

11:13

15:13

19:13

11:13

15:13

19:13

20:43

London St Pancras arrive:

12:30

14:36

16:39

19:36

21:39

22:36

12:30

16:39

20:36

12:30

16:39

20:36

22:00

* = Only runs on Fridays.

Why not catch an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant on the main concourse?  It's an experience in itself...

How much does it cost?

1. London to Paris  by Eurostar:	From £39 one-way or £69 return 2nd class.   Child, youth & senior fares From £107 one-way or £189 return 1st class.
2. Paris to Geneva  by Lyria TGV train:	2nd class		1st class
	One way	Return	One way	Return
Book-ahead fares:	From £23	From £46	From £62	From £124
Normal flexible fare:	£82	£127	£146	£216
Youth fare (12-26):	£47	£94	£84	£168
Senior fare (over 60):	£56	£112	£99	£198
Child (4 to 11):	£42	£84	£82	£164
Child (0 to 3):	Free (if not occupying its own seat), £12 with own seat (£21 1st class).
Railpass fare:	Holders of InterRail, Eurail, etc. pay £9 in 2nd class, £24 in 1st class.
Person in wheelchair:	£73 one-way, £146 return, 1st class. Companion £35 each way.
Dogs & pets (see here):	£34 each way.  Guide dogs free.

How to buy tickets online...

• The best and cheapest way to buy tickets from London or Paris to Bern is online, follow the instructions above.

• For journeys involving a change in Lausanne, if no cheap fares show up for the Paris-Bern journey, trying asking the system for Paris-Lausanne, then buy a Lausanne-Bern ticket separately at the ticket office on arrival at Lausanne.  You can check Lausanne-Bern prices online at www.sbb.ch.  No reservation is necessary (or even possible!) for the domestic Swiss Lausanne-Bern section, so it's easy to buy this at the station in Lausanne.

How to buy tickets by phone...

You can buy tickets from any UK European rail booking agency, including Rail Europe on 0844 848 5 848 (lines open 09:00-19:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays, £8 phone booking fee applies) or Ffestiniog Travel on 01766 772050 (8% booking fee applies, office hours Monday-Friday).  Rail Europe have a travel centre for personal callers at 193 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EU, open 10:00-18:00 Monday-Friday, 10:00-17:00 Saturdays.  For more information about how to buy European train tickets, see the How to buy train tickets to Europe page.

Tailor-made travel & hotel arrangements...

If you want a compete tailor-made trip with all your rail travel expertly booked for you and good quality hotels arranged, UK residents can call www.railbookers.com on 020 3327 0761.  US residents can call them on (646) 770 2894 (please quote seat61) and Canadian residents on (416) 800 0732 (please quote 'seat61').  Australian residents can call their Australian office, www.railbookers.com.au on 02 8096 0550.  Just tell them what you want, and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you, hassle-free.  They get very positive reviews and take good care of their guests.  Browse suggested holiday itineraries & prices.

How to buy tickets if you live in the USA, Canada, Australia, etc.

• You can buy tickets for both Eurostar and the Paris-Switzerland trains online at www.raileurope.com (if you live in the USA or Canada) or www.raileurope.com.au (if you live in Australia), both subsidiaries of French Railways.  Be aware that the fares charged may be slightly higher than those charged in Europe.  Tickets can be sent to any address in the USA, Canada, Australia, or worldwide.  Find agencies in other countries...

• Alternatively, to buy tickets at European prices, buy a London-Paris Eurostar ticket online at www.eurostar.com, selecting the option to print out your own ticket or collect tickets at the station.  Then book the Paris-Switzerland train online at www.tgv-europe.com (if you're from the USA, see this advice before using it).  You can then collect your tickets on the day of travel at the ticket office at any main station in France, including Paris Gare de Lyon.

A journey from Geneva to London by Lyria TGV & Eurostar...

An afternoon TGV from Geneva to Paris, boarding at Geneva.  You'll be back in London by evening, no airports, no flights, no hassle.  Relax!		Scenery on the Haut Bugey line, soon after leaving Geneva.  Look closely and you can see the back of the train as it snakes along the valley on its way to Paris...

More scenery, as the TGV from Geneva to Paris heads through the hills along the river valley from Geneva to Bellegarde and Bourg en Bresse.		The TGV from Geneva to Paris passes a lake, probably the Lac de Nantua...  This was an overcast February day, it will be spectacular in summer or Autumn...

The TGV crosses the spectacular Cize-Bolozon viaduct, one of the major engineering feat on the Haut-Bugey line.  At Macon, the train will join the high-speed line to Paris.		In 1st class, the fare now includes food served at your seat.  This is their afternoon snack.  Lunch or dinner with wine are served on lunchtime or evening departures.

Taking the train is a wonderful, stress-free and environmentally-friendly way to get from London to Lausanne or anywhere in Western Switzerland.  Take Eurostar from London to Paris in just 2 hours 20 minutes from £69 return, then a high-speed 'TGV-Lyria' from Paris to Lausanne in only 3 hours 50 minutes, from £23 each way (£68 in 1st class!).  Remember, that's city centre to city centre, not airport to airport.  Frequent Swiss trains, running like clockwork, link Lausanne with Vevey, Montreux, Aigle, Matigny, & Sion.  Change at Montreux for the scenic Golden Pass route to Gstaad.  Take a bottle of wine onto the TGV with you, put your feet up and enjoy the ride.  On TGV-Lyria, first class fares include a complimentary cold breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack according to time of day.

TGV Lyria 1st class...		TGV Lyria 2nd class...		'Lyria' high-speed TGV train...
There are power points for mobiles & laptops at 1st class seats.  You can find a seat numbering plan & other useful information at www.tgv-lyria.com.  First class passengers can pre-book & pre-pay for a hot 3-course meal served at your seat using www.tgv-lyria.com.  Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways.

London ► Lausanne, Montreux, Gstaad

Eurostar (30 min check-in)

Mondays to Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

London St Pancras depart:

07:01

10:24

12:24

20:01*

07:31

10:24

12:24

20:01*

09:23

10:24

13:01

20:01*

Paris Gare du Nord arrive:

10:17

13:47

15:47

23:17*

10:47

13:47

15:47

23:17*

12:47

13:47

16:17

23:17*

Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the Lyria TGV to Lausanne...

Paris Gare de Lyon depart:

11:57

15:57

17:57

07:57

11:57

15:57

17:57

07:57

13:57

15:57

17:57

07:57

Lausanne arrive:

15:44

19:47

21:47

11:44

15:44

19:47

21:47

11:44

17:48

19:47

21:47

11:44

Change at Lausanne for frequent InterCity trains to Montreux...

Lausanne depart:

16:20

20:20**

22:20

12:20

16:20

20:20

22:20

12:20

18:20

20:20

22:20

12:20

Montreux arrive:

16:39

20:39**

22:39

12:39

16:39

20:39

22:39

12:39

18:39

20:39

22:39

12:39

Quick & simple change at Montreux for the narrow gauge line to Gstaad...

Montreux depart:

16:44

21:11

-

12:44

16:44

21:11

-

12:44

18:44

21:11

-

12:44

Gstaad arrive:

18:09

22:38

-

14:09

18:09

22:38

-

14:09

20:14

22:38

-

14:09

How to read these timetables  Each column is a service, and you read downwards.  There's a change of trains at each of the grey bars.

* This journey involves an overnight stop in Paris, a useful option for a weekend in Switzerland without flying.  Suggested hotels near the station in Paris.  The Eurostar shown is just a suggestion.

** On Fridays from 16 December 2011 to 30 March 2012, there's no need to change at Lausanne because the 15:57 TGV-Lyria from Paris runs direct to Montreux, arriving 20:13.

*** On Saturdays from 17 December 2011 to 31 March 2012, there's no need to change at Lausanne as the 12:22 TGV-Lyria from Lausanne runs direct from Montreux, departing 11:48.

If you've time to spare at the Gare de Lyon for a meal or drink, try the famous Train Bleu restaurant on the main concourse.

Times may vary slightly, so always check exact times when booking.

Gstaad, Montreux, Lausanne ► London

Mondays to Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

Gstaad depart:

-

05:47

09:37

15:37

-

05:47

09:37

15:37

-

05:47

09:37

15:37

Montreux arrive:

-

07:10

11:13

17:13

-

07:10

11:13

17:13

-

07:10

11:13

17:13

Change at Montreux for frequent InterCity trains to Lausanne...

Montreux depart:

05:13

07:13

11:24***

17:19

05:13

07:19

11:24

17:19

05:13

07:19

11:24

17:19

Lausanne arrive:

05:34

07:34

11:40***

17:40

05:34

07:40

11:40

17:40

05:34

07:40

11:40

17:40

Change at Lausanne for the Lyria TGV train to Paris...

Lausanne depart:

06:22

08:22

12:22

18:30

06:22

08:22

12:22

18:30

06:22

08:22

12:22

18:30

Paris Gare de Lyon arrive

10:11

12:18

16:17

22:21

10:11

12:18

16:17

22:21

10:11

12:18

16:17

22:21

Cross Paris by metro to the Gare du Nord for Eurostar (30 min check-in)

Paris Gare du Nord depart

13:13

15:13

18:13

07:13*

13:13

15:13

19:13

08:13*

13:13

15:13

18:13

07:13*

London St Pancras arrive

14:36

16:39

19:36

08:30*

14:36

16:39

20:41

09:39*

14:36

16:39

19:36

08:30*

Connections to Vevey, Montreux, Sion, Martigny, Gstaad... Lausanne is the ideal entry point for western Switzerland.  Frequent (at least half-hourly) trains link Lausanne with Vevey, Montreux (19 minutes), Sion, & Martigny.  Change at Montreux for the amazingly scenic narrow-gauge Golden Pass route to Gstaad & Zweisimmen.  The Golden Pass route from Montreux to Gstaad climbs spectacularly up the mountain out of Montreux, passing over the top to the valley behind.  You can check train times and fares from Lausanne to anywhere in Switzerland at www.sbb.ch. Right:  Taking the train from London to Gstaad.  It's a very scenic train ride from Montreux to Gstaad, and some departures use panoramic coaches like these.

How much does it cost?

1. London to Paris  by Eurostar	From £39 one-way or £69 return 2nd class.   Child, youth & senior fares From £107 one-way or £189 return 1st class.
2. Paris to Lausanne  by Lyria TGV train	2nd class		1st class
	One way	Return	One way	Return
Book-ahead fares:	From just £23	From just £46	From £68	From £136
Normal flexible fare:	£78	£122	£137	£203
Youth fare (12-26):	£48	£96	£90	£180
Senior fare (over 60):	£55	£110	£93	£186
Child (4 to 11):	£45	£90	£79	£158
Child (0 to 3):	Free if not occupying its own seat, £11 with own seat (£23 1st class).
Railpass fare:	Holders of InterRail, Eurail, etc. pay £9 in 2nd class, £24 in 1st class.
Person in wheelchair:	£69 one-way, £138 return, 1st class. Companion £35 each way.
Dogs & pets (see here):	£33 each way.  Guide dogs free.
3. Fares beyond Lausanne  to anywhere in Switzerland:	Lausanne-Montreux is CHF 10 (£7) each way 2nd class, £12 each way 1st class. Lausanne-Gstaad is CHF 31 (£22) each way 2nd class, CHF 52 (£37) 1st class. You can check fares for any journey in Switzerland at www.sbb.ch. For destinations further into Switzerland, a Swiss Transfer Ticket allows one return journey from your point of entry (in this case Lausanne) to any station in Switzerland, for £93 return 2nd class, £140 return 1st class.

How to buy tickets online...

• The best and cheapest way to buy tickets from London or Paris to Lausanne is online, just follow the instructions above.

• The best way to buy onward tickets from Lausanne to Montreux or Gstaad is at the station when you reach Lausanne, or for journeys further into Switzerland, buy a Swiss Transfer Ticket before you leave home.

How to buy tickets by phone or in person...

You can buy tickets from any UK European rail booking agency, including Rail Europe on 0844 848 5 848 (lines open 09:00-19:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays, £8 booking fee applies) or Ffestiniog Travel on 01766 772050 (office hours Mon-Fri, 8% booking fee applies).  Rail Europe have a travel centre for personal callers at 193 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EU, open 10:00-18:00 Mon-Fri, 10:00-17:00 Saturdays.  For more information about how to buy European train tickets, see the How to buy train tickets to Europe page.

Tailor-made travel & hotel arrangements...

If you want a compete tailor-made travel service with all your rail travel booked for you and hotels arranged, contact www.railbookers.com, 020 3327 0761.  Just tell them what you want, and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you.  They get very positive reviews.  Browse suggested holiday itineraries & prices.

Just arrived from London by train...  The local train to Grindelwald has reached the buffer stops at the end of the line from London St Pancras, no flying necessary.

It's very easy to travel by train from the UK to Interlaken and the Jungfrau region.  Take Eurostar to Paris in only 2 hours 20 minutes, then a 186 mph TGV-Lyria from Paris to Basel in just 3 hours.  Regular Swiss InterCity trains go from Basel through the mountain and along the lake shore to Interlaken Ost in 1 hour 58 minutes.  No airports, no flights, a chance to chill out by train not stress out by plane.  TGV-Lyria trains have 1st & 2nd class with a cafe-bar car selling drinks and snacks, and you'll find power points for mobiles & laptops at all 1st class seats.  Take a bottle of wine with you, put your feet up and enjoy the ride!  First class fares now include a complimentary cold breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack according to time of day.  Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways.

Interlaken lies at the centre of the Jungfrau region, with narrow gauge local trains up into the mountains to skiing resorts such as Grindelwald nestling at the foot of the Eiger, and Lauterbrunnen, at the foot of the Jungfrau.  A rack railway climbs the Jungfrau to the 'Top of Europe' from both Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen.

London ► Interlaken & Grindelwald

Eurostar (30 min check-in):

Mondays to Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

London St Pancras depart:

05:40

09:12

10:24

14:01

20:01*

20:01*

09:31

11:24

14:01

20:01*

20:01*

09:23

10:24

14:01

20:31*

Paris Gare du Nord arrive:

09:17

12:47

13:47

17:17

23:17*

23:17*

12:47

14:47

17:17

23:17*

23:17*

12:47

13:47

17:17

23:47*

Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV-Lyria train to Switzerland...

Paris Gare de Lyon depart:

10:23

14:23

16:23

18:23

06:15*

08:23*

14:23

16:23

18:23

06:15*

08:23*

14:23

16:23

18:23

08:23*

Basel arrive:

13:26

17:26

19:26

21:26

09:26

11:26

17:26

19:26

21:26

09:26

11:26

17:26

19:26

21:26

11:26

Change trains at Basel onto a Swiss InterCity train...

Basel depart:

13:59

17:59

19:59

21:59

09:59

11:59

17:59

19:59

21:59

09:59

11:59

17:59

19:59

21:59

11:59

Interlaken Ost arrive:

15:57

19:57

21:56

23:59

11:57

13:57

19:57

21:56

23:59

11:57

13:57

19:57

21:56

23:59

13:57

Change trains at Interlaken onto a connecting narrow-gauge train...

Interlaken Ost depart:

16:05

20:05

22:05

-

12:05

14:05

20:05

22:05

-

12:05

14:05

20:05

22:05

-

14:05

Grindelwald arrive:

16:39

20:35

22:35

-

12:39

14:39

20:35

22:35

-

12:39

14:39

20:35

22:35

-

14:39

How to read these timetables  Each column is a service, and you read downwards.  There's a change of trains at each of the grey bars.

* This journey requires an overnight hotel stop in Paris.  Suggested hotels near the station in Paris.  Eurostar times may vary, just book whichever Eurostar you like.

Lauterbrunnen & the Jungfraujoch:  Half-hourly local trains link Interlaken Ost with Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen.  You can check times and fares using the journey planner at www.sbb.ch.   By train up the Jungfrau.

If you've time to spare at the Gare de Lyon for a meal or drink, try the famous Train Bleu restaurant on the main concourse.

Train times may vary slightly, so always double-check for your own date of travel when booking.

Grindelwald & Interlaken ► London

Narrow-gauge train:

Mondays to Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

Grindelwald depart:

05:19

07:19

09:19

11:19

13:19

15:19

05:19

07:19

09:19

11:19

15:19

05:19

07:19

09:19

11:19

13:19

15:19

Interlaken Ost arrive:

05:50

07:54

09:54

11:54

13:54

15:54

05:50

07:54

09:54

11:54

15:54

05:50

07:54

09:54

11:54

13:54

15:54

Change trains at Basel onto a Swiss InterCity train...

Interlaken Ost depart:

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

16:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

Basel arrive:

07:59

09:59

11:59

13:59

15:59

17:59

07:59

09:59

11:59

13:59

17:59

07:59

09:59

11:59

13:59

15:59

17:59

Change trains at Basel onto TGV-Lyria...

Basel depart:

08:34

10:34

12:34

14:34

16:34

18:34 *

08:34

10:34

12:34

14:34

18:34 *

08:34

10:34

12:34

14:34

16:34

18:34 *

Paris Gare de Lyon arrive:

11:37

13:37

15:37

17:37

19:37

21:37 *

11:37

13:37

15:37

17:37

21:37 *

11:37

13:37

15:37

17:37

19:37

21:37 *

Cross Paris by metro to the Gare du Nord for Eurostar (30 min check-in)

Paris Gare du Nord depart:

13:13

15:13

17:13

19:13

21:13

07:13 *

13:13

15:13

17:13

19:13

08:13 *

13:13

15:13

17:13

19:13

21:13

07:13 *

London St Pancras arrive:

14:36

16:39

18:30

20:36

22:36

08:30

14:36

16:39

18:30

20:36

09:30

14:36

16:39

18:36

20:30

22:36

08:30

How much does it cost?

1. London to Paris        by Eurostar	From £39 one-way or £69 return 2nd class.   Child, youth & senior fares From £107 one-way or £189 return 1st class.
2. Paris to Basel        by Lyria TGV train	2nd class		1st class
	One way	Return	One way	Return
Book-ahead fares:	From £23	From £46	From £63	From £126
Normal flexible fare:	£94	£145	£163	£245
Youth fare (anyone 12-26):	£60	£120	£100	£200
Senior fare (anyone over 60):	£64	£128	£111	£222
Child (4 to 11):	£42	£84	£81	£162
Child (0 to 3):	Free if not occupying its own seat, £12 each way with own seat (£21 1st class).
Railpass fare:	Holders of InterRail, Eurail, etc. pay £9 in 2nd class, £20 in 1st class.
Person in wheelchair:	£82 one-way, £164 return, 1st class.  Companion £31 each way.
Dogs & pets (see here):	£39 each way.  Guide dogs free.

3. Basel to Interlaken	Basel-Interlaken is CHF 56 (£40) or Basel to Grindelwald CHF 66 (£47) each way in 2nd class. You can check fares for any journey in Switzerland at www.sbb.ch. A Swiss Transfer Ticket is a better option for travel to Grindelwald.  It allows one return journey from your point of entry (in this case Basel) to any station in Switzerland, for £93 return 2nd class, £140 return 1st class.

How to buy tickets online...

• The best & cheapest way to buy tickets from London to Basel is online, just follow the instructions above.

• The best way to buy onward tickets from Basel is either at the station when you reach Switzerland or online at the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.  No reservation is necessary for Swiss domestic trains, you just buy a ticket and hop on.  A Swiss Transfer ticket is the cheapest option for a Basel to Grindelwald round trip, you need to buy this before leaving the UK:  Buy a Swiss Transfer Ticket online.

How to buy tickets by phone or in person...

You can buy tickets from any UK European rail booking agency, including Rail Europe on 0844 848 5 848 (lines open 09:00-19:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays, £8 booking fee applies) or Ffestiniog Travel on 01766 772050 (office hours Monday-Friday, 8% booking fee applies).  Rail Europe have a travel centre for personal callers at 193 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EU, open 10:00-18:00 Mon-Fri, 10:00-17:00 Saturdays.  For more information about how to buy European train tickets, see the How to buy train tickets to Europe page.

Tailor-made travel & hotel arrangements...

If you want a compete tailor-made trip with all your rail travel expertly booked for you and good quality hotels arranged, UK residents can call www.railbookers.com on 020 3327 0761.  US residents can call them on (646) 770 2894 (please quote seat61) and Canadian residents on (416) 800 0732 (please quote 'seat61').  Australian residents can call their Australian office, www.railbookers.com.au on 02 8096 0550.  Just tell them what you want, and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you, hassle-free.  They get very positive reviews and take good care of their guests.  Browse suggested holiday itineraries & prices.

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The Jungfrau Bahn:  11,333 feet above sea level, by train...

If you're staying in the Interlaken area, why not climb the North Face of the Eiger, traverse the Mönch and scale the Jungfrau to an altitude of over 11,000 feet?  By train, of course, on the famous Jungfraubahn!  Regular narrow-gauge trains link Interlaken Ost (567m or 1,860 feet above sea level) with the ski resorts of Lauterbrunnen & Grindelwald (1,034m or 3,393 feet).  Even smaller trains connect and climb from Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen up to the interchange point for the Jungfraubahn at Kleine Scheidegg, 2,061m (6,762 feet) above sea level.  Completed in 1912, the Jungfraubahn rack railway climbs up the North Face of the Eiger, at first in the open air and then in a long tunnel inside the mountain.  The train stops at Eigerwand (2,865m or 9,400 feet) inside the Eiger's infamous North Face for 5 minutes, allowing you to get out and see the view from the tunnel's viewing window.  Rescue missions for climbers caught on the Eiger start from here.  The train continues up inside the Eiger and Mönch mountains, with another 5 minute stop at the Eismeer ('Ice Sea') viewing point until it reaches Jungfraujoch, 11,333 feet (3,454 metres) above sea level, the highest railway station in Europe and billed as 'The Top of Europe'.  The  Jungfraujoch complex nestles below the Jungfrau's summit.  At Jungfraujoch you'll find restaurants, coffee shop, Europe's highest post office, souvenir shops, the 'sphinx' observatory & observation deck, and 'ice palace' and an open air 'ice plateau'.

Jungfraubahn:  Starting the climb from the interchange station at Kleine Scheidegg.  The first section is in the open air, the train then enters a tunnel inside the Eiger's North Face for the remainder of the climb.

At Jungfraujoch station:  After crossing the Mönch onto the Jungfrau, the train arrives at the underground Jungfraujoch station inside the mountain, the 'Top of Europe'.

The view from the 'Sphinx' observation deck at Jungfraujoch.  This is the view towards Interlaken, with Kleine Scheidegg in the valley in the foreground.

A trip on the Jungfraubahn doesn't come cheap:  CHF 158 (£113) return per adult from Grindelwald or CHF 176 (£126) from Interlaken.  There's more information at the Jungfraubahn website, www.jungfraubahn.ch, including timetable, fares, webcams and weather reports.

UK residents can order tickets for a trip to Jungfraujoch at www.swisspasses.com/excursions/packages/jungfraujochint (starting in Interlaken) or  www.swisspasses.com/excursions/packages/jungfraujoch starting in Wengen.

London-Zermatt by train:  On a clear day, Zermatt has excellent views of the Matterhorn, towering above the town.

Zermatt lies nestled at the foot of the imposing Matterhorn, surrounded by mountains.  It's a car-free resort, which can only be reached by train.  Electric 'johnny cabs' shuttle hotel guests to hotels and act as taxis.

London ► Brig & Zermatt

Eurostar (30 min check-in)

Mondays to Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

London St Pancras depart:

07:01

10:24

12:24

20:01*

07:31

10:24

12:24

20:01*

09:23

10:24

13:01

20:01*

Paris Gare du Nord arrive:

10:17

13:47

15:47

23:17*

10:47

13:47

15:47

23:17*

12:47

13:47

16:17

23:17*

Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV-Lyria train to Lausanne...

Paris Gare de Lyon depart:

11:57

15:57

17:57

07:57

11:57

15:57

17:57

07:57

13:57

15:57

17:57

07:57

Lausanne arrive:

15:44

19:47

21:47

11:44

15:44

19:47

21:47

11:44

17:48

19:47

21:47

11:44

Change at Lausanne for the hourly InterCity train to Visp & Brig...

Lausanne depart:

16:20

20:45**

22:20

12:20

16:20

20:45

22:20

12:20

18:20

20:45

22:20

12:20

Visp arrive (change for Zermatt):

17:52

22:22**

23:52

13:52

17:52

22:22

23:52

13:52

19:52

22:22

23:52

13:52

Brig arrive:

18:02

22:31**

00:02

14:02

18:02

22:31

00:02

14:02

20:02

22:31

00:02

14:02

Change at Visp for the scenic narrow gauge train up the Mattertal Valley to Zermatt...

Visp depart:

18:10

22:40

-

14:10

18:10

22:40

-

14:10

20:10

23:23

-

14:10

Zermatt arrive:

19:13

23:44

-

15:13

19:13

23:44

-

15:13

21:13

00:25

-

15:13

How to read these timetables  Each column is a service, and you read downwards.  There's a change of trains at each of the grey bars.

* This journey requires an overnight hotel stop in Paris.  Suggested hotels near the station in Paris.  Take any Eurostar you like between London & Paris, times shown may vary.

** On Fridays from 16 December 2011 to 30 March 2012, there's no need to change at Lausanne because the 15:57 TGV-Lyria from Paris runs direct to Visp (arrive 21:33) & Brig (arrive 21:43).

*** On Saturdays from 17 December 2011 to 31 March 2012, the 12:22 TGV-Lyria from Lausanne starts from Brig (leaving 10:09) & Visp (leaving 10:18), so no need to change at Lausanne.

Train times may vary slightly, so always double-check times for your date of travel when booking.

Zermatt & Brig ► London
Narrow gauge train to Visp...	Mondays to Fridays			Saturdays			Sundays
Zermatt depart:	-	08:39	14:39	-	08:39	14:39	-	08:39	14:39
Visp arrive:	-	09:47	15:47	-	09:47	15:47	-	09:47	15:47
Change at Visp for the hourly InterCity train to Lausanne...
Brig depart:	06:00	09:57***	15:57	06:00	09:57	15:57	06:00	09:57	15:57
Visp depart:	06:07	10:07***	16:07	06:07	10:07	16:07	06:07	10:07	16:07
Lausanne arrive:	07:40	11:36***	17:40	07:40	11:36	17:40	07:40	11:36	17:40
Change at Lausanne for the TGV-Lyria train to Paris...
Lausanne depart:	08:22	12:22	18:30	08:22	12:22	18:30	08:22	12:22	18:30
Paris Gare de Lyon arrive	12:18	16:17	22:21	12:18	16:17	22:21	12:18	16:17	22:21
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare du Nord for Eurostar (30 minute check-in)
Paris Gare du Nord depart	15:13	18:13	07:13*	15:13	19:13	08:13*	15:13	18:13	07:13*
London St Pancras arrive	16:39	19:36	08:30*	16:39	20:41	09:39*	16:39	19:36	08:30*

How much does it cost?

1. London to Paris      by Eurostar