London to Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich or Basel from £78 one-way, £131 return...
The Thames to the Matterhorn without flying... |
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Lunch in London, bedtime in Switzerland, by high-speed train!
London to Paris by Eurostar in only 2h20, have lunch at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon, then take a TGV-Lyria high-speed train from Paris to Geneva (3h05), Lausanne (3h39), Bern, Basel (3h03) or Zurich (4h03) from €29 each way. It's more civilised, comfortable & environmentally-friendly than any flight, centre to centre with no baggage fees or airport taxes. Infants go free & there's great scenery on the way. This page explains the best routes, train times, fares & how to buy tickets.
London to Basel, Zurich & Lucerne
London to Lausanne, Montreux, Gstaad
London to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen
London to
Brig, Zermatt & the Matterhorn
London to Chur, Klosters, Davos, St Moritz
London to Vaduz & Liechtenstein
London to Switzerland via
Brussels - avoids Paris
London
to
Switzerland by ferry from Harwich
London
to
Switzerland by ferry from Portsmouth
UK to Switzerland
by
ferry from Hull or Newcastle
Starting from other UK towns & cities
How to buy train tickets to
Switzerland
Train travel within Switzerland
Train travel in Switzerland -
a beginner's guide
Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card
Map of the Swiss rail network
- download map
The Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz
The Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano & Milan
The Jungfraubahn to the Top
of Europe
The Golden Pass - Montreux-Interlaken-Lucerne
International travel to/from Switzerland
Trains to Switzerland from other European cities
Trains from Switzerland
to other European cities
Other useful information
Useful country information:
currency,
dial code...
Quick guide to Zurich main station
Holidays & escorted tours to Switzerland by train
How to cross Paris by metro or taxi
Luggage on trains &
Left
luggage at stations
General European train
travel information
Travel insurance, Curve Card & VPN
Interactive map: Click a destination or route
Useful country information
Train operator in Switzerland: |
SBB-CFF-FFS (Swiss Federal Railways) & many private operators. For train times & fares within Switzerland see www.sbb.ch. Map of the Swiss rail network. All European train times: www.bahn.de |
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Swiss railpasses: |
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International railpasses: |
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Time zone: |
GMT+1 (GMT+2 from last Sunday in March to last Saturday in October). |
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Dialling code: |
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+41 |
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Currency: |
£1 = 1.2 Swiss Francs, €1 = 1.08 Swiss Francs, approx. Check exchange rates |
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Tourist information: |
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Hotels: |
Find hotels in Switzerland. Reviews: www.tripadvisor.com Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com |
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Page last updated: |
13 February 2023. Train times valid from 11 Dec 2022 to 9 Dec 2023. |
London to Basel, Zurich, Lucerne
-
Option 1, by Eurostar & TGV-Lyria via Paris. This is the fastest & cheapest option, with some great scenery.
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Option 2, by Eurostar & ICE via Brussels & Germany. This is a longer way round, but with simple same-station changes in Brussels and either Cologne or Frankfurt it avoids crossing Paris if that's important to you.
-
Option 3, by Harwich-Hoek van Holland ferry the easy ferry alternative to Eurostar and a great option if you live in East Anglia. Leave London Liverpool Street at 18:45 or Cambridge at 19:47, sleep in a cosy private cabin on the Stena Line superferry from 21:00 to 08:00 with shower, toilet & satellite TV. Next day, take the metro to Rotterdam and onward trains to Basel or Zurich.
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Option 4, by Portsmouth-Caen ferry, another ferry alternative, ideal if you live on the south coast. Sail overnight from Portsmouth to Caen with Brittany Ferries sleeping in a cosy private cabin. Take a morning train to Paris then an afternoon train to Basel & Zurich.
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Option 5, by overnight ferry from Hull to Rotterdam or Newcastle to Amsterdam and onward trains to Basel & Zurich. Travel direct from the North of England and by-pass London...
Option 1, London to Basel or Zurich via Paris
It's easy to travel from London to Basel or Zurich by train. Take Eurostar from London to Paris in 2h20 with cafe-bar & free WiFi. Change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi, then take a TGV-Lyria high-speed train from Paris to Basel in 3h04 or Zurich in 4h03, also with cafe-bar and free WiFi. Why not book an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the fabulous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?
Timetable outward 2023
London ► Basel & Zurich |
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Eurostar (30 min check-in): |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
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London St Pancras depart: |
07:01 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
06:31 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
08:01 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
Paris Gare du Nord arrive: |
10:17 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:27 |
09:47 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:17 |
11:20 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:27 |
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV-Lyria train to Switzerland... |
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Paris Gare de Lyon depart: |
12:22 |
16:22 |
18:22 |
07:22 |
12:22 |
14:22 |
16:22 |
18:22 |
10:22 |
12:22 |
14:22 |
16:22 |
18:22 |
07:22 |
Basel SBB arrive: |
15:26 |
19:26 |
21:26 |
10:26 |
15:26 |
17:26 |
19:26 |
21:26 |
13:26 |
15:26 |
17:26 |
19:26 |
21:26 |
10:26 |
Zurich HB arrive: |
16:26 |
20:26 |
22:26 |
11:26 |
16:26 |
18:26 |
20:26 |
22:26 |
14:26 |
16:26 |
18:26 |
20:26 |
22:26 |
11:26 |
Timetable inward 2023
Basel & Zurich ► London |
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Lyria TGV: |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
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Zurich HB depart: |
07:34 |
09:34 |
11:34 |
13:34 |
18:34 |
07:34 |
09:34 |
11:34 |
13:34 |
18:34 |
07:34 |
09:34 |
11:34 |
13:34 |
18:34 |
Basel SBB depart: |
08:34 |
10:34 |
12:34 |
14:34 |
19:34 |
08:34 |
10:34 |
12:34 |
14:34 |
19:34 |
08:34 |
10:34 |
12:34 |
14:34 |
19:34 |
Paris Gare de Lyon arrive |
11:38 |
13:40 |
15:38 |
17:38 |
22:42 |
11:38 |
13:38 |
15:38 |
17:38 |
22:42 |
11:38 |
13:38 |
15:38 |
17:38 |
22:42 |
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare du Nord for Eurostar (30 min check-in) |
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Paris Gare du Nord dep. |
15:03 |
17:03 |
18:13 |
21:03 |
07:03 |
14:13 |
16:13 |
19:03 |
20:13 |
08:13 |
15:03 |
16:13 |
18:13 |
20:13 |
07:03 |
London St Pancras arrive |
16:39 |
18:32 |
19:30 |
22:39 |
08:30 |
15:30 |
17:30 |
20:39 |
21:30 |
09:30 |
16:39 |
17:30 |
19:30 |
21:30 |
08:30 |
Notes for timetable
For Lucerne, change in Basel. Hourly trains link Basel SBB & Lucerne in 1h17, check times at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
How to read these timetables: It's easy, you read downwards, each column is a journey you can take. You change trains at each grey bar.
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...
Check times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Times may vary, for example the xx:22 from Paris to Zurich sometimes leaves at xx:19.
Shaded = time-effective journey with overnight stop in Paris. By all means choose an earlier evening Eurostar outward or a later morning one inwards than the one shown. Or a later morning TGV going south, or an earlier evening TGV going north. Your call! See suggestedhotels in Paris near the Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon |
How much does it cost?
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London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
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Paris to Basel or Zurich by TGV-Lyria starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class.
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Basel to Lucerne costs around €29.60 each way, regular price.
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Eurostar & TGV-Lyria fares are dynamic & vary like air fares, so book ahead. On Eurostar & TGV-Lyria, children under 4 go free, children under 12 travel at a child rate. On Swiss domestic trains, children under 6 go free, children under 16 at half price.
How to buy tickets
What are the trains like?
1. London to Paris by Eurostar...
Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Standard Premier & Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras (45-minute minimum in Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Paris Gare du Nord station guide. How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.
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A Eurostar e320 train at St Pancras. More about Eurostar. |
Standard Premier/Business Premier. Larger photo. |
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Standard class seats. Larger photo. |
One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9. Larger photo. |
2. Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria...
All TGV-Lyria trains are now 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex like the one shown below. TGV-Lyria trains have 3 classes: Standard class (2nd), standard premiere (1st class) and business premiere (1st class with hot meal & drinks included in the fare). There's a cafe-bar car selling drinks & snacks. There are power points for mobiles & laptops at all seats in all classes. Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways. More information about TGV-Lyria.
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TGV-Lyria TGV Duplex train at Paris Gare de Lyon. More information about TGV-Lyria |
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Cafe-bar on upper deck car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes... |
2nd class seats on the upper deck. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo. |
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1st class on the upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. Larger photo. |
A TGV-Lyria boarding at Paris Gare de Lyon. You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck. |
What's the scenery like?
On the route from Paris to Basel & Zurich, the train soon leaves the historic Gare de Lyon behind and accelerates through the Parisian suburbs onto the high-speed line at up to 300km/h (186mph). The train slows down to call at Dijon, the major city of the Burgundy region, with views over the city on the approach. The train continues through the rolling hills of rural France, past pretty villages with picturesque churches onto the new Rhone-Rhine high-speed line where the train reaches 320km/h (199mph). Calling at Mulhouse, the train continues on classic lines to enter Switzerland at Basel.
How to buy tickets
It's easy to buy train tickets from anywhere in Britain to anywhere in Switzerland, here I'll explain the best options. Booking online saves paying phone booking fees, and I recommend www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com as both Eurostar and TGV-Lyria can be booked in one place with .pdf print-your-own or show-on-phone mobile tickets. You can also book by phone or get a train travel specialist to arrange a tailor-made trip although this will naturally cost more.
Option 1, buy at Raileurope.com
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For hotels...www.booking.com allows you to book your accommodation before train bookings open, at no risk with free cancellation. See my personal hotel recommendations in Zurich & in the St Moritz area.
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Raileurope.com is the easiest option as you can buy British train tickets, Eurostar tickets and TGV-Lyria tickets all in one place, in plain English, one-way or return tickets in either direction. There's a small booking fee. Who are Raileurope.com?
You can book from London to anywhere in Switzerland in all one go, one-way or round trip. But it's often better to note down the trains you want, then book from London to Paris & back and add to basket (with Eurostar, a return fare is cheaper than two one-ways), then book Paris to Switzerland one-way and add to basket, then book Switzerland to Paris one-way and add to basket, then check out. Just make sure you allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris southbound, 90 minutes northbound (to include the 30 minute Eurostar check-in).
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Infants, children & youth fares: On Eurostar & TGV-Lyria, infants under 4 go free with no ticket necessary, children under 12 can travel at the child rate. Youth means anyone under 26.
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International credit cards accepted. Anyone from any country can use www.raileurope.com, as all credit cards are accepted and you'll usually get a print-your-own or show-on-phone ticket for Eurostar, TGV-Lyria.
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Booking usually opens 120 days (4 months) ahead for TGV Lyria. Eurostar opens up to 180 days ahead, but I recommend waiting until your onward trains open for booking, so that times & prices can be confirmed before you buy a non-refundable Eurostar ticket. Just so you know, the big annual timetable change happens on the 2nd Sunday in December, and most years, bookings for dates after this up to and including the Christmas & New Year period only open around mid-October. On the other hand, in recent years French Railways have opened bookings further ahead than usual over the summer months, so by all means try a booking and see if trains appear.
See more information about when European train bookings open. You can book hotel accommodation risk-free before booking your trains using www.booking.com with free cancellation.
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You can book from any station in Britain. www.raileurope.com allows you to book from any British station, not just London, but British trains only open for sale 3 months ahead, sometimes less.
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You can book to major stations in Switzerland... Raileurope.com can book Eurostar and the TGV-Lyria to Basel, Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne or Bern. It can also sell full-flex full-price tickets for many routes within Switzerland. But it can't sell Swiss Railways cheap advance-purchase Supersaver fares.
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Add onward Swiss domestic tickets separately... First try to book to your final Swiss destination on www.raileurope.com, it will show train times to almost any station in Switzerland. However, if raileurope.com says "Sorry, no tickets found" simply choose a suitable departure from the search results and note where you change from TGV-Lyria to a Swiss domestic train (usually Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich). Then use www.raileurope.com to book from London to that interchange station and use the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch (no booking fee) or Omio.com (small booking fee) to book the onward Swiss domestic part of the journey.
Money-saving tip: You can sometimes save up to 70% on the Swiss domestic part of the journey (for example, the Basel-Lucerne part of a London or Paris to Lucerne journey) by waiting until 60 days or less before departure and seeing if www.sbb.ch or Omio.com has a Supersaver advance-purchase fare available for that part of the journey as explained here. But read what I say about them when buying a ticket to connect out of a train from Paris!
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Fares vary like air fares, so book as far ahead as you can: Fares for Eurostar & TGV-Lyria trains are cheaper in advance, more expensive closer to the date of travel, so book as early as you can and search for the cheapest departures. Remember that the cheapest tickets mean no refunds, no changes. Once you're in Switzerland, Swiss domestic fares are usually fixed-price so don't vary according to when you buy them. You can buy them at the station on the day at the same price - though you can sometimes save money pre-booking a Supersaver fare.
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Tip: Choose an upper deck seat on a TGV Duplex: All TGV-Lyria trains are now double-deck TGV Duplex. www.raileurope.com allows you to choose upper or lower deck, I recommend an upstairs seat for the best views.
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Tip: Upgrade to 1st class on TGV-Lyria, often for little extra cost. Most booking sites won't let you mix & match 2nd class on Eurostar (on which 1st class is expensive) with 1st class on the onward TGV-Lyria, on which 1st class (called standard première or business première) sometimes costs little more than standard class. With Raileurope.com there's an easy solution: Before running the enquiry, click More options, enter Paris Nord as a via station. In the search results, instead of showing a total price for London to your Swiss destination, it will allow you to select a class & price from London to Paris and a separate class & price from Paris to Switzerland. See if there's a cheap 1st class fare for the TGV-Lyria.
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Tip: Don't be afraid to split the booking in Paris. For complete control, first book from your local station to Paris, add to basket, then book from Paris to Switzerland remembering to allow at least 60 minutes to cross Paris trains southbound, 90 minutes including Eurostar check-in northbound. Add to basket and checkout. You can easily adjust the Paris time this way, to stop off in Paris or perhaps have lunch at the Gare de Lyon. SNCF's database now has some sub-standard 40-minute cross-Paris connections when I'd recommend at least 60 minutes, so this is the way to avoid those, too (Raileurope.com cannot edit these sub-standard connections out, but have thoughtfully added a warning when a sub-60-minute cross-Paris connection comes up).
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Train seat numbering plans: You can find a Lyria seat numbering plan at www.tgv-lyria.com, and seat plans for other trains here, including Eurostar. On the confirmation page, click Show itinerary details to see the seat & coach number you've been given.
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Who powers Raileurope.com? www.raileurope.com connects to French Railways ticketing system (and to the Italian, Spanish, German ticketing systems), if you select € prices will be the same as you'll find on French Railways' own site www.sncf-connect.com or on tgv-lyria.com. But it's easier to use.
Option 2, buy at Thetrainline.com
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I recommend www.thetrainline.com for the same reasons as raileurope: It connects to the Eurostar & SNCF (French, Railways) ticketing systems so you can easily book all your tickets in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $ with overseas credit cards no problem. In fact, it also connects to SBB's (Swiss Railways) system so can offer Swiss domestic tickets too, including Supersavers. There's a small booking fee. Who are Thetrainline.com?
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Some people prefer www.raileurope.com, others prefer www.thetrainline.com, both are good and should show exactly the same prices for Eurostar & TGV, so use whichever you like the look of best.
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Most of the same booking tips in the Raileurope advice above also apply, except that www.thetrainline.com can also sell Supersaver fares in Switzerland. Though it can't book journeys with a British domestic element - though you can easily add a British domestic train ticket separately as explained here. If you want a stopover in Paris, simply book London-Paris & back separately from onward trains.
Option 3, buy at eurostar.com + sncf-connect.com + sbb.ch
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Alternatively, you can book each train separately direct from the relevant train operator, with no booking fee. It takes a bit more effort than booking everything in one place in plain English at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and the actual fares should be the same, so if you're new to this I'd stick with www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. If you want to book each train separately, do a dry run on each site to confirm times, prices & availability before booking for real.
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Step 1, first book the TGV from Paris to Switzerland at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com. You can usually print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
www.sncf-connect.com 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 Grindelwald, 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.
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. For one-way or return journeys to Paris starting in Switzerland, www.sbb.ch is the best site to use, as tickets of all types can be collected at any main Swiss station and there's no booking fee.
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Step 2: Book a connecting Eurostar from London to Paris at www.eurostar.com. 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 can show it on your phone, and there's no booking fee.
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Step 3, 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.
Money-saving tip: If you buy at www.sbb.ch less than 60 days before departure but as far ahead within those 60 days as you can, you can sometimes find cheap advance-purchase Supersaver fares which are valid on that specific train only, no changes to travel plans, no refunds, but can save up to 70% off the regular fare. Just read what I say about these Supersaver fares first, especially if connecting off a train arriving from Paris.
Or ask Byway to arrange it for you...
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Byway (Byway.travel) is a new UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating. If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a London-Switzerland journey for you as a package, including overnight hotels, starting from any British station you like.
To see pre-configured packages from London to Chur, Grindelwald, Tirano, use the journey planner on their website.
Tip: First book a one-way outward journey to your destination city on your outward date. Then change the direction of the arrow and book an inward journey on your return date. The journey back to the UK can be from a different location if you like, for example if you plan to travel around a bit before your return to the UK.
Alternatively they can build a trip to your requirements, email them or use the contact form. Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.
Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption & re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.
Or ask Railbookers to arrange for you...
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Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or holiday for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers. On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your own requirements. And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.
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Their two most popular Swiss holidays are Classic Bernina Express & Glacier Express which includes train travel from the UK to Switzerland so no flying necessary, and Switzerland's Lakes & Mountains which they can customise for you with train travel between the UK & Switzerland rather than flights, just call them & ask.
UK 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk
US 1-888-829-4775, see website
Canada 1-855-882-2910, see website
Australia 1300 971 526, see website
New Zealand 0800 000 554 or see website
Or ask Tailor Made Rail to arrange it...
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Tailor Made Rail also offers packages from the UK to Switzerland by train which can be customised your own requirements, one-way or round trip, with any stopovers you want. Or they can organise a trip entirely based on your own requirements, indeed they welcome complex itineraries! As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike. They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.
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Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking. From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461. Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday. Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/switzerland.
Escorted tours to Switzerland by train
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If you'd prefer to go to Switzerland on an escorted tour with a convivial group of travellers rather than travelling solo, here are the two UK companies which arrange escorted tours by train from the UK to destinations all over Europe on various dates through the year. Both companies are part of the same group.
Rail Discoveries, www.raildiscoveries.com, 01904 730 727
Great Rail Journeys, www.greatrail.com, 01904 527 120
How to buy tickets by phone
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It's better to book online to avoid additional phone booking fees and so you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey. Most ticketing agencies only work office hours on weekdays, but online booking is possible 24/7. However, if you want to book by phone, see my list of UK ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.
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Option 1, by Eurostar & TGV-Lyria via Paris. This is the fastest & cheapest option, with some great scenery on the way.
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Option 2, by Eurostar & TGV via Lille & Lyon. This takes a bit longer and usually costs a little more, but it involves an easy same-station change in Lille and in Lyon, with no need to cross Paris. That makes it ideal if you've heavy luggage or mobility problems.
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Option 3, by Harwich-Hoek van Holland ferry, the easy ferry alternative to Eurostar and a great option if you live in East Anglia. Leave London Liverpool Street at 18:45 or Cambridge at 19:47, sleep in a cosy private cabin on the Stena Line superferry from 21:00 to 08:00 with shower, toilet & satellite TV. Next day, take the metro to Rotterdam and onward trains to Switzerland.
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Option 4, by Portsmouth-Caen ferry, another ferry alternative, ideal if you live on the south coast. Sail overnight from Portsmouth to Caen with Brittany Ferries, sleeping in a cosy private cabin. Take a morning train to Paris then an afternoon train to Geneva.
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Option 5, by overnight ferry from Hull to Rotterdam or Newcastle to Amsterdam and onward trains to Basel then Geneva. Travel direct from the North of England and by-pass London...
Option 1, London to Geneva via Paris
It's easy to travel from London to Geneva by train. Take Eurostar from London to Paris in 2h20 with cafe-bar & free WiFi. Change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi, then take a TGV-Lyria high-speed train from Paris to Geneva in 3h11, also with cafe-bar and free WiFi.
For the first part of the journey, the Paris-Geneva TGVs use the TGV-Sud Est line at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). They then slow right down over classic lines through beautiful French mountain scenery for the rest of the run to Geneva, past pretty French villages, mountain forests, dramatic viaducts and scenic lakes, see photos of the journey below. Sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy the scenic stress-free alternative to flying to Geneva. And why not book an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the fabulous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?
Timetable outward 2023
London ► Geneva |
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Eurostar (30 min check-in) |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
|||||||||||||
London St Pancras depart |
07:01 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
06:31 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
08:01 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
14:31 |
20:01 |
Paris Gare du Nord arrive |
10:17 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:27 |
09:47 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:17 |
11:20 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
17:47 |
23:27 |
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV Lyria to Switzerland... |
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Paris Gare de Lyon depart |
12:18 |
14:18 |
16:18 |
18:18 |
08:18 |
12:18 |
14:18 |
16:18 |
18:18 |
10:18 |
12:18 |
14:18 |
16:18 |
18:18 |
20:18 |
06:18 |
Geneva arrive: |
15:29 |
17:30 |
19:29 |
21:29 |
11:29 |
15:29 |
17:30 |
19:29 |
21:29 |
13:29 |
15:29 |
17:30 |
19:29 |
21:29 |
23:29 |
09:29 |
Timetable inward 2023
Geneva ► London |
|||||||||||||||||
Lyria TGV to Paris... |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
||||||||||||||
Geneva depart: |
06:29 |
08:29 |
10:29 |
12:29 |
14:29 |
18:29 |
06:29 |
08:29 |
10:29 |
12:29 |
14:29 |
18:29 |
08:29 |
10:29 |
12:29 |
14:29 |
18:29 |
Paris Gare de Lyon arrive: |
09:42 |
11:42 |
13:42 |
15:42 |
17:42 |
21:42 |
09:42 |
11:42 |
13:42 |
15:42 |
17:42 |
21:42 |
11:42 |
13:42 |
15:42 |
17:42 |
21:42 |
Cross Paris by metro to Gare du Nord for Eurostar (30 min check-in) |
|||||||||||||||||
Paris Gare du Nord depart: |
13:03 |
15:03 |
17:03 |
18:13 |
21:03 |
07:03 |
13:03 |
14:13 |
16:13 |
19:03 |
20:13 |
08:13 |
15:03 |
16:13 |
18:13 |
20:13 |
07:03 |
London St Pancras arrive: |
14:39 |
16:39 |
18:32 |
19:30 |
22:39 |
08:30 |
14:39 |
15:30 |
17:30 |
20:39 |
21:30 |
09:30 |
16:39 |
17:30 |
19:30 |
21:30 |
08:30 |
Notes for timetable
How to read these timetables: It's easy, you read downwards, each column is a journey you can take. You change trains at each grey bar.
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...
Check times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com.
Shaded = time-effective journey with overnight hotel stop in Paris. Outwards from London, by all means choose an earlier evening Eurostar or a later morning TGV to Geneva. Inwards to London, by all means choose an earlier TGV to Paris or later morning Eurostar to London. Your call! See suggested hotels in Paris near the Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon |
How much does it cost?
-
London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
-
Paris to Geneva by TGV-Lyria starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class.
-
Eurostar & TGV-Lyria fares are dynamic & vary like air fares, so book ahead. On Eurostar & TGV-Lyria, children under 4 go free, children under 12 travel at a child rate. On Swiss domestic trains, children under 6 go free, children under 16 at half price.
How to buy tickets
What are the trains like?
1. London to Paris by Eurostar...
Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras (45-minute minimum in Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Paris Gare du Nord station guide. How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.
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A Eurostar e320 arrived at Paris Nord... |
Standard Premier/Business Premier. Larger photo. |
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Standard class seats. Larger photo. |
One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9. Larger photo. |
2. Paris to Geneva by TGV-Lyria duplex...
All TGV-Lyria trains are now 320km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex like the one shown below. TGV-Lyria trains have 3 classes: Standard class (2nd), standard premiere (1st class) and business premiere (1st class with hot meal & drinks included in the fare). There's a cafe-bar car selling drinks & snacks. There are power points for mobiles & laptops at all seats in all classes. Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways. More information about TGV-Lyria.
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TGV-Lyria euroduplex train to Geneva, at Paris Gare de Lyon. These 320 km/h double-deckers operate most Paris-Geneva & some Paris Basel-Zurich trains. Watch TGV Duplex video. |
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Cafe-bar on upper deck car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes. |
2nd (standard) class on upper deck with a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo. |
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1st class on upper deck, used as Standard Premiere & Business Premier. Larger photo. |
A TGV Duplex. The 1 near the door indicates 1st class. You enter on the lower deck, with 9 wide and easy stairs up to top deck. |
What's the scenery like?
In 2010 they shaved another 15-20 minutes off the Paris-Geneva journey time by rebuilding the amazing 65km single-track Haut-Bugey line from Bourg en Bresse to Bellegarde. This section of line dates from 1877-1882, but local traffic had declined and the line was partially closed in 1990. However, a joint French-Swiss project gave it a new lease of life, rebuilt to mainline standards and reborn as a key link in the TGV network. It shortens the distance between Paris & Geneva by 47km, trains previously had to detour south via Culoz. The wonderful Haut-Bugey line takes Paris-Geneva TGVs at low speed through some great mountainous terrain, some of it inaccessible by road, through some 11 tunnels and over 80 bridges & viaducts including the spectacular Cize-Bolozon viaduct over the Ain gorge, a structure partly blown up by the French resistance in 1944 (it took 5 years to repair the damage after the war). Relax and enjoy the journey!
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|
The TGV leaves the high-speed line and slows down onto the Haut-Bugey Line. Just after a short tunnel the train crosses the spectacular Cize-Bolozon viaduct over the Ain gorge (above left), the major structure on the Haut-Bugey line. Above right, in business première the fare includes food served at your seat with wine or other drinks... |
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For the last hour or so into Geneva, the train snakes through the hills on the wonderfully scenic Haut-Bugey line... |
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More scenery as the TGV from Paris to Geneva heads through the hills along the river valley between Bourg en Bresse & Bellegarde. The best views are on the right hand side, so keep a good lookout, although you can't pick sides when booking. |
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Nearing Switzerland, the train passes a lake, probably the Lac de Nantua... |
Option 2, London to Geneva via Lille & Lyon
This takes a bit longer than going via Paris, and usually costs a bit more. But it avoids crossing Paris, with two easy same-station changes, at Lille and Lyon. If you have heavy luggage, kids or mobility problems, it's a good option.
Timetable outward 2023
London ► Geneva |
||||||
Eurostar, 30 min check-in |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
|||
London St Pancras depart |
11:04 |
13:01 |
11:04 |
13:01 |
11:04 |
13:01 |
Lille Europe arrive |
13:27 |
15:27 |
13:27 |
15:27 |
13:27 |
15:27 |
Easy change at Lille onto a high-speed TGV... |
||||||
Lille Europe depart |
14:03 |
17:03 |
14:03 |
17:03 |
14:03 |
17:03 |
Lyon Part Dieu arrive |
17:00 |
20:00 |
17:00 |
20:00 |
17:00 |
20:00 |
Easy change at Lyon onto a TER regional train... |
||||||
Lyon Part Dieu depart |
17:38 |
20:38 |
18:34 |
20:38 |
17:38 |
20:38 |
Geneva arrive |
19:34 |
22:35 |
20:34 |
22:35 |
19:34 |
22:35 |
Timetable inward 2023
Geneva ► London |
|||||||||
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
|||||||
Geneva depart |
07:14 |
11:30 |
13:30 |
07:14 |
11:30 |
14:30 |
07:14 |
11:30 |
13:30 |
Lyon Part Dieu arrive |
09:22 |
13:26 |
15:22 |
09:22 |
13:26 |
16:22 |
09:22 |
13:26 |
15:22 |
|
|||||||||
Lyon Part Dieu depart |
11:00 |
14:00 |
16:00 |
11:00 |
14:00 |
17:00 |
11:00 |
14:00 |
16:00 |
Lille Europe arrive |
14:24 |
16:57 |
19:44 |
14:31 |
16:57 |
19:57 |
14:21 |
16:57 |
19:44 |
Easy change at Lille onto Eurostar, 30 minute check-in... |
|||||||||
Lille Europe depart |
16:35 |
18:35 |
21:35 |
15:30 |
18:35 |
20:58 |
16:35 |
18:35 |
21:35 |
London St Pancras arrive |
16:57 |
19:10 |
21:57 |
16:00 |
18:57 |
21:57 |
16:57 |
19:10 |
21:57 |
Notes for timetable
How to read these timetables: It's easy, you read downwards, each column is a journey you can take. You change trains at each grey bar.
Always check train times for your specific dates using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, as the times shown here can vary. Don't book any Eurostar tickets until you have confirmed onward train times. Eurostar doesn't run on 25 December.
How much does it cost?
-
London to Lille by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way, £78 return standard class or £115 one-way, £199 return in standard premier (1st class).
-
Lille to Lyon by TGV starts at €20 each way.
-
Lyon to Geneva by TER costs €29.60 each way, fixed price, no reservation necessary or possible.
-
Eurostar & TGV fares are dynamic & vary like air fares, so book ahead. On Eurostar & TGV, children under 4 go free, children under 12 travel at a child rate. On Swiss domestic trains, children under 6 go free, children under 16 at half price.
How to buy tickets
-
Buy tickets online at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
-
Booking for the Lille-Lyon TGV opens up to 4 months ahead, less than this if the mid-December timetable change intervenes.
-
I recommend booking London to Lyon first (and back, if returning), adding that you your basket, then book a Lyon to Geneva ticket separately, add to your basket and check out. It can help to add Lille Europe as a via station (if using www.raileurope.com, click More options).
Tip: If it still insists on routing you via Paris, break the journey down like this: Book from Lille to Lyon on its own, looking for the direct TGV and add to basket, then book London to Lille and add to basket, then book Lyon to Geneva, add to basket and check out.
What are the trains like?
1. London to Lille by Eurostar...
Eurostar trains link London & Lille in 1h22, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras (45-minute minimum in Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Lille Europe station guide & tips on changing trains.
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A Eurostar e320 at St Pancras. More about Eurostar. |
1st class: Standard Premier or Business Premier. |
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Standard class seats. Larger photo. |
One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9. Larger photo. |
2. Lille to Lyon by TGV...
TGV or Train á Grande Vitesse is French Railways high-speed train, with 1st & 2nd class and a cafe-bar. They come in various types, some single-deck, some double-deck TGV Duplex, you could get either on cross-France routes from Lille. Most have power sockets at seats, most now have free WiFi. The photos below show a single-deck TGV with the Christian Lacroix designer interior. The direct TGVs from Lille by-pass Paris on a high-speed avoiding line via Charles de Gaulle Airport station. More information about TGV. Lyon Part Dieu station guide.
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Boarding a TGV... |
Cafe-bar... See sample TGV bar menu |
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2nd class with a mix or unidirectional seats & tables for 4. Seats are 2+2 across car width. 360 degree photo. |
1st class with a mix of unidirectional seats, solo seats, tables for 2 & for 4. Seats 2+1 across car width. 360 degree photo. |
3. Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train...
These run every couple of hours, no reservation necessary or possible, you sit where you like. There's some nice scenery between Lyon & Geneva, too. More information about Lyon to Geneva TER trains. Lyon Part Dieu station guide. Geneva station guide.
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2nd class seats on Lyon-Geneva TER. Larger photo. |
A TER to Lyon at Geneva. |
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Scenery from the Lyon to Geneva TER as it follows the River Rhône. It follows the river for much of the way, mainly on the left hand side going Geneva to Lyon, right hand side Lyon to Geneva. |
London to Bern
Taking the train is the stress-free and environmentally-sound way from London to Bern. Eurostar links London & Paris in 2h20 from £52 one-way or £78 return. High speed TGV-Lyria trains link Paris with Basel in 3h04 from €29 each way - change in Basel for a Swiss intercity train to Bern taking 58 minutes. TGV-Lyrias have standard class (2nd class), standard premiere (1st class) and business premiere (1st class with flexible fares and at-seat meal & wine included). There's a cafe-bar car selling drinks & snacks, free WiFi and power sockets at all seats. You can find a seat numbering plan & other useful information at www.tgv-lyria.com. Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways. What's it like on board a TGV-Lyria?. For the ferry alternative, see here.
Timetable outward 2023
London ► Bern |
||||||||||||||
Eurostar (30 min check-in): |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
|||||||||||
London St Pancras depart: |
07:01 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
06:31 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
08:01 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
Paris Gare du Nord arrive: |
10:17 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:27 |
09:47 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:17 |
11:20 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:27 |
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV-Lyria train to Switzerland... |
||||||||||||||
Paris Gare de Lyon depart: |
12:22 |
16:22 |
18:22 |
07:22 |
12:22 |
14:22 |
16:22 |
18:22 |
10:22 |
12:22 |
14:22 |
16:22 |
18:22 |
07:22 |
Basel SBB arrive: |
15:26 |
19:26 |
21:26 |
10:26 |
15:26 |
17:26 |
19:26 |
21:26 |
13:26 |
15:26 |
17:26 |
19:26 |
21:26 |
10:26 |
Change at Basel onto a half-hourly Swiss train... |
||||||||||||||
Basel SBB depart: |
15:56 |
19:56 |
21:56 |
10:56 |
15:56 |
17:56 |
19:56 |
21:56 |
13:56 |
15:56 |
17:56 |
19:56 |
21:56 |
10:56 |
Bern arrive: |
16:56 |
20:56 |
22:56 |
11:56 |
16:56 |
18:56 |
20:56 |
22:56 |
14:56 |
16:56 |
18:56 |
20:56 |
22:56 |
11:56 |
How to read these timetables: It's very simple, you read downwards, each column is a journey you can take. You change trains at each grey bar.
Shaded = time-effective journey with overnight hotel stop in Paris. By all means choose an earlier evening Eurostar outward or a later morning one inwards. Or a later morning TGV going south, or an earlier evening TGV going north. Your call! See suggested hotels in Paris near the Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon |
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 can vary slightly so always double-check when booking. Check these times & buy tickets online at www.raileurope.com.
Timetable inward 2023
Bern ► London |
|||||||||||||||
Half-hourly Swiss train... |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
||||||||||||
Bern depart: |
07:04 |
09:04 |
11:04 |
13:04 |
17:04 |
07:04 |
09:04 |
11:04 |
13:04 |
17:04 |
07:04 |
09:04 |
11:04 |
13:04 |
17:04 |
Basel SBB arrive: |
08:01 |
10:01 |
12:01 |
14:01 |
18:01 |
08:01 |
10:01 |
12:01 |
14:01 |
18:01 |
08:01 |
10:01 |
12:01 |
14:01 |
18:01 |
TGV-Lyria... |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Basel SBB depart: |
08:34 |
10:34 |
12:34 |
14:34 |
18:34 |
08:34 |
10:34 |
12:34 |
14:34 |
18:34 |
08:34 |
10:34 |
12:34 |
14:34 |
18:34 |
Paris Gare de Lyon arrive |
11:38 |
13:38 |
15:38 |
17:38 |
21:38 |
11:38 |
13:38 |
15:38 |
17:38 |
21:38 |
11:38 |
13:38 |
15:38 |
17:38 |
21:38 |
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare du Nord for Eurostar (30 min check-in) |
|||||||||||||||
Paris Gare du Nord dep. |
15:03 |
17:03 |
18:13 |
21:03 |
07:03 |
14:13 |
16:13 |
19:03 |
20:13 |
08:13 |
15:03 |
16:13 |
18:13 |
20:13 |
07:13 |
London St Pancras arrive |
16:39 |
18:32 |
19:30 |
22:39 |
08:30 |
15:30 |
17:30 |
20:39 |
21:30 |
09:30 |
16:39 |
17:30 |
19:30 |
21:30 |
08:32 |
How much does it cost?
-
London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
-
Paris to Basel by TGV-Lyria starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class.
-
Basel to Bern costs CHF 40 (£30) each way 2nd class.
-
Eurostar & TGV-Lyria fares are dynamic & vary like air fares, so book ahead. On Eurostar & TGV-Lyria, children under 4 go free, children under 12 travel at a child rate. On Swiss domestic trains, children under 6 go free, children under 16 at half price.
How to buy tickets
-
To buy tickets online, by phone or in person, 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.
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Taking the train is a wonderful, stress-free and environmentally-friendly way to get from London to Lausanne & western Switzerland. Take Eurostar from London to Paris in just 2h20 from £52, then a high-speed TGV-Lyria train from Paris to Lausanne in only 3h40 from €29 each way. That's city centre to city centre, no baggage fees, no extra to pay to get to and from airports, and infants under 4 go free.
The TGV-Lyria travels at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) along the TGV Sud-Est high-speed line, then branches off at lower speed through pretty hills around Dijon and across rural France into Switzerland. Frequent Swiss trains, running like clockwork, link Lausanne with Vevey, Montreux, Aigle, Martigny, & 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, business première fares include a complimentary meal and wine served at your seat. What's it like on a TGV-Lyria train?. For the ferry alternative, see here.
Pictured 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.
Timetable outward 2023
London ► Lausanne, Montreux, Gstaad |
||||||||||||||
Eurostar (30 min check-in) |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
|||||||||||
London St Pancras depart: |
07:01 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
06:31 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
Paris Gare du Nord arrive: |
10:17 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:27 |
09:47 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:17 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:27 |
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the Lyria TGV to Lausanne... |
||||||||||||||
Paris Gare de Lyon depart: |
11:56 |
14:18 |
16:18 |
17:56 |
07:56 |
11:56 |
14:18 |
16:18 |
17:56 |
07:56 |
14:18 |
16:18 |
17:56 |
07:56 |
Lausanne arrive: |
15:37 |
18:14 |
20:14 |
21:38 |
11:52 |
15:37 |
18:14 |
20:14 |
21:38 |
11:52 |
18:14 |
20:14 |
21:37 |
11:52 |
Change at Lausanne for frequent Swiss domestic trains to Montreux, these run every 15-20 minutes... |
||||||||||||||
Lausanne depart: |
15:50 |
18:27 |
20:27 |
21:50 |
12:01 |
15:50 |
18:27 |
20:27 |
21:50 |
12:01 |
18:27 |
20:27 |
21:50 |
12:01 |
Montreux arrive: |
16:10 |
18:57 |
20:57 |
22:10 |
12:26 |
16:10 |
18:57 |
20:57 |
22:10 |
12:26 |
18:57 |
20:57 |
22:10 |
12:26 |
Quick & simple change at Montreux for the narrow gauge line to Gstaad... |
||||||||||||||
Montreux depart: |
16:50 |
19:50 |
21:49 |
22:49 |
12:50 |
16:50 |
19:50 |
21:49 |
22:49 |
12:50 |
19:50 |
21:49 |
22:49 |
12:50 |
Gstaad arrive: |
18:23 |
21:23 |
23:23 |
00:23 |
14:23 |
18:23 |
21:23 |
23:23 |
00:23 |
14:23 |
21:23 |
23:23 |
00:23 |
14:23 |
How to read these timetables It's simple, you read downwards, each column is a journey option you can take. You change trains at each grey bar.
Shaded = time-effective journey with overnight hotel stop in Paris. By all means choose an earlier evening Eurostar outward or a later morning one inwards. Or a later morning TGV going south, or an earlier evening TGV going north. Your call! See suggested hotels in Paris near the Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon |
Why not book an earlier Eurostar and have lunch in Paris at the celebrated Train Bleu restaurant inside the Gare de Lyon?
Times may vary so always check exact times online. Check these times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com.
The 14:18, 16:18 Paris-Lausanne TGVs & 09:45, 13:45 Lausanne-Paris TGVs run via Geneva, see the scenery photos in the Paris-Geneva section.
Timetable inward 2023
Gstaad, Montreux, Lausanne ► London |
|||||||||||||||
|
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
||||||||||||
Gstaad depart: |
- |
06:36 |
09:36 |
10:36 |
13:36 |
- |
06:36 |
09:36 |
10:36 |
13:36 |
- |
06:36 |
09:36 |
10:36 |
13:36 |
Montreux arrive: |
- |
08:11 |
11:11 |
12:11 |
15:11 |
- |
08:11 |
11:11 |
12:11 |
15:11 |
- |
08:11 |
11:11 |
12:11 |
15:11 |
Change at Montreux for frequent InterCity trains to Lausanne... |
|||||||||||||||
Montreux depart: |
06:33 |
08:48 |
11:28 |
12:48 |
15:31 |
06:33 |
08:48 |
11:28 |
12:48 |
15:31 |
06:33 |
08:48 |
11:28 |
12:48 |
15:31 |
Lausanne arrive: |
07:00 |
09:10 |
11:48 |
13:10 |
15:59 |
07:00 |
09:10 |
11:48 |
13:10 |
15:59 |
07:00 |
09:10 |
11:48 |
13:10 |
15:59 |
Change at Lausanne for the Lyria TGV train to Paris... |
|||||||||||||||
Lausanne depart: |
07:23 |
09:45 |
12:23 |
13:45 |
16:23 |
07:23 |
09:45 |
12:23 |
13:45 |
16:23 |
07:23 |
09:45 |
12:23 |
13:45 |
16:23 |
Paris Gare de Lyon arrive |
11:08 |
13:42 |
16:04 |
17:42 |
20:04 |
11:08 |
13:42 |
16:04 |
17:42 |
20:04 |
11:08 |
13:42 |
16:04 |
17:42 |
20:04 |
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare du Nord for Eurostar (30 min check-in) |
|||||||||||||||
Paris Gare du Nord depart |
13:03 |
17:03 |
18:13 |
21:03 |
07:03 |
13:03 |
16:13 |
19:03 |
20:13 |
08:13 |
13:03 |
16:13 |
18:13 |
20:13 |
07:03 |
London St Pancras arrive |
14:39 |
18:32 |
19:30 |
22:39 |
08:30 |
14:39 |
17:30 |
20:39 |
21:30 |
09:30 |
14:39 |
17:30 |
19:30 |
21:30 |
08:30 |
Connections to Vevey, Montreux, Sion, Martigny
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.
How much does it cost?
-
London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
-
Paris to Lausanne by TGV-Lyria starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class.
-
Lausanne to Montreux CHF 6.30 (£5) each way 2nd class; Lausanne to Gstaad CHF 33 (£25) each way 2nd class, CHF 58 (£44) 1st class.
-
Eurostar & TGV-Lyria fares are dynamic & vary like air fares, so book ahead. On Eurostar & TGV-Lyria, children under 4 go free, children under 12 travel at a child rate. On Swiss domestic trains, children under 6 go free, children under 16 at half price.
How to buy tickets
-
To buy tickets online, by phone or in person, 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 at www.sbb.ch.
London to Interlaken & region
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|
It's easy to travel by train from the UK to Interlaken and the Jungfrau region. Take Eurostar to Paris in only 2h20 from £52 one-way or £78 return, then a 300 km/h (186 mph) TGV-Lyria from Paris to Basel in just 3h from €29 each way. Regular Swiss InterCity trains run from Basel through the mountains and along the lake shore to Interlaken Ost in 1h58. No airports, no flights, a chance to chill out by train not stress out by plane.
TGV-Lyria trains have 3 classes, standard class (2nd class), standard première (1st class) & business première (1st class with a meal & wine served at your seat included in the fare). There's a cafe-bar car selling drinks & 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! TGV-Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss railways. For the ferry alternatives, see here.
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. The famous Jungfraubahn rack railway climbs the Jungfrau to the Top of Europe from both Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen.
Pictured right: 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.
Timetable outward 2023
London ► Interlaken & Grindelwald |
||||||||||||||
Eurostar (30 min check-in) |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
|||||||||||
London St Pancras depart: |
07:01 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
06:31 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
08:01 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
Paris Gare du Nord arrive: |
10:17 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:27 |
09:47 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:17 |
11:20 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:27 |
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV-Lyria train to Switzerland... |
||||||||||||||
Paris Gare de Lyon depart: |
12:22 |
16:22 |
18:22 |
07:22 |
12:22 |
14:22 |
16:22 |
18:22 |
10:22 |
12:22 |
14:22 |
16:22 |
18:22 |
07:22 |
Basel SBB arrive: |
15:26 |
19:26 |
21:26 |
10:26 |
15:26 |
17:26 |
19:26 |
21:26 |
13:26 |
15:26 |
17:26 |
19:26 |
21:26 |
10:26 |
Change at Basel onto a Swiss train... |
||||||||||||||
Basel SBB depart: |
15:56 |
19:56 |
21:56 |
10:56 |
15:56 |
17:56 |
19:56 |
21:56 |
13:56 |
15:56 |
17:56 |
19:56 |
21:56 |
10:56 |
Interlaken Ost arrive: |
17:58 |
21:59 |
00:00 |
12:58 |
17:58 |
19:58 |
21:59 |
00:00 |
15:58 |
17:58 |
19:59 |
21:59 |
00:00 |
12:58 |
Change trains at Interlaken onto a connecting narrow-gauge train... |
||||||||||||||
Interlaken Ost depart: |
18:05 |
22:05 |
- |
13:05 |
18:05 |
20:05 |
22:05 |
- |
16:05 |
18:05 |
20:05 |
22:05 |
- |
13:05 |
Grindelwald arrive: |
18:39 |
22:39 |
- |
13:39 |
18:39 |
20:39 |
22:39 |
- |
16:39 |
18:39 |
20:39 |
22:39 |
- |
13:39 |
How to read these timetables It's simple, you read downwards, each column is a journey option you can take. You change trains at each grey bar.
Shaded = time-effective journey with overnight hotel stop in Paris. By all means choose an earlier evening Eurostar outward or a later morning one inwards. Or a later morning TGV going south, or an earlier evening TGV going north. Your call! See suggested hotels in Paris near the Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon |
Lauterbrunnen & Wengen:: Half-hourly local trains link Interlaken Ost with Lauterbrunnen, journey time 20 minutes. Change at Lauterbrunnen for Wengen, total journey time from Interlaken to Wengen is 46 minutes. You can check times and fares using the journey planner at www.sbb.ch. By train up the Jungfrau.
Why not book an earlier Eurostar and have lunch in Paris at the celebrated Train Bleu restaurant inside the Gare de Lyon?
Train times may vary so always double-check for your date of travel. Check these times & buy tickets online at www.raileurope.com.
Timetable inward 2023
Grindelwald & Interlaken ► London |
|||||||||||||||
Narrow-gauge train: |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
||||||||||||
Grindelwald depart: |
05:18 |
07:18 |
09:18 |
11:18 |
15:18 |
05:18 |
07:18 |
09:18 |
11:18 |
15:18 |
05:18 |
07:18 |
09:18 |
11:18 |
15:18 |
Interlaken Ost arrive: |
05:52 |
07:53 |
09:53 |
11:53 |
15:53 |
05:52 |
07:53 |
09:53 |
11:53 |
15:53 |
05:52 |
07:53 |
09:53 |
11:53 |
15:53 |
Change trains at Basel onto a Swiss InterCity train... |
|||||||||||||||
Interlaken Ost depart: |
05:58 |
08:00 |
10:00 |
12:00 |
16:00 |
05:58 |
08:00 |
10:00 |
12:00 |
16:00 |
05:58 |
08:00 |
10:00 |
12:00 |
16:00 |
Basel SBB arrive: |
08:01 |
10:01 |
12:01 |
14:01 |
18:01 |
08:01 |
10:01 |
12:01 |
14:01 |
18:01 |
08:01 |
10:01 |
12:01 |
14:01 |
18:01 |
Change trains at Basel onto TGV-Lyria... |
|||||||||||||||
Basel SBB depart: |
08:34 |
10:34 |
12:34 |
14:34 |
18:34 |
08:34 |
10:34 |
12:34 |
14:34 |
18:34 |
08:34 |
10:34 |
12:34 |
14:34 |
18:34 |
Paris Gare de Lyon arr: |
11:38 |
13:38 |
15:38 |
17:38 |
21:38 |
11:38 |
13:38 |
15:38 |
17:38 |
21:38 |
11:38 |
13:38 |
15:38 |
17:38 |
21:38 |
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare du Nord for Eurostar (30 min check-in) |
|||||||||||||||
15:03 |
17:03 |
18:13 |
21:03 |
07:03 |
14:13 |
16:13 |
19:03 |
20:13 |
08:13 |
15:03 |
16:13 |
18:13 |
20:13 |
07:03 |
|
London St Pancras arr. |
16:39 |
18:32 |
19:30 |
22:39 |
08:30 |
15:30 |
17:30 |
20:39 |
21:30 |
09:30 |
16:39 |
17:30 |
19:30 |
21:30 |
08:30 |
How much does it cost?
-
London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
-
Paris to Basel by TGV-Lyria starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class.
-
Basel to Interlaken is CHF 60 (£45) each way in 2nd class. Basel to Grindelwald CHF 71 (£54) each way in 2nd class.
-
Eurostar & TGV-Lyria fares are dynamic & vary like air fares, so book ahead. On Eurostar & TGV-Lyria, children under 4 go free, children under 12 travel at a child rate. On Swiss domestic trains, children under 6 go free, children under 16 at half price.
How to buy tickets
-
To buy tickets online, by phone or in person, 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.
London to Brig & Zermatt
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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. Here is the daily all-year-round train service.
To reach Zermatt, simply hop on a Eurostar to Paris in 2h20 then take a TGV-Lyria high-speed train from Paris to Lausanne in just 3h40. Hourly Swiss trains link Lausanne with Visp, where you board the little narrow-gauge branch line up the Mattertal Valley to Zermatt. For the ferry alternatives via Harwich, Hull or Newcastle, see here.
For the best views of the scenery on the local line southbound from Brig or Visp to Zermatt, find a seat on the left-hand side of the train. This narrow gauge train ascends the Mattertal Valley via a series of 'steps'. The train uses conventional adhesion along the level sections, then rack-and-pinion to climb a series of steep sections.
Pictured right, the Matterhorn towers over Zermatt...
Timetable outward 2023
London ► Brig & Zermatt |
||||||||||||||
Eurostar (30 min check-in) |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
|||||||||||
London St Pancras depart: |
07:01 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
06:31 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
09:24 |
10:22 |
12:24 |
20:01 |
Paris Gare du Nord arrive: |
10:17 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:27 |
09:47 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:17 |
12:57 |
13:57 |
15:57 |
23:27 |
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV-Lyria train to Lausanne... |
||||||||||||||
Paris Gare de Lyon depart: |
11:56 |
14:18 |
16:18 |
17:56 |
07:56 |
11:56 |
14:18 |
16:18 |
17:56 |
07:56 |
14:18 |
16:18 |
17:56 |
07:56 |
Lausanne arrive: |
15:37 |
18:14 |
20:14 |
21:37 |
11:52 |
15:37 |
18:14 |
20:14 |
21:37 |
11:52 |
18:14 |
20:14 |
21:37 |
11:52 |
Change at Lausanne for Swiss Inter-Regional trains to Visp & Brig, these run every half hour... |
||||||||||||||
Lausanne depart: |
15:50 |
18:50 |
20:50 |
21:50 |
12:21 |
15:50 |
18:50 |
20:50 |
21:50 |
12:21 |
18:50 |
20:50 |
21:50 |
12:21 |
Visp arrive - change for Zermatt: |
17:23 |
20:23 |
22:23 |
23:25 |
13:53 |
17:23 |
20:23 |
22:23 |
23:25 |
13:53 |
20:23 |
22:23 |
23:25 |
13:53 |
Brig arrive: |
17:32 |
20:32 |
22:32 |
23:38 |
14:02 |
17:32 |
20:32 |
22:32 |
23:38 |
14:02 |
20:32 |
22:32 |
23:38 |
14:02 |
Change at Visp for the scenic narrow gauge train up the Mattertal Valley to Zermatt... |
||||||||||||||
Visp depart: |
17:41 |
21:08 |
22:41 |
- |
14:08 |
17:41 |
21:08 |
22:41 |
- |
14:08 |
21:08 |
23:29 |
23:29 |
14:08 |
Zermatt arrive: |
18:51 |
22:14 |
23:48 |
- |
15:14 |
18:51 |
22:14 |
23:48 |
- |
15:14 |
22:14 |
00:28 |
00:28 |
15:14 |
How to read these timetables It's simple, you read downwards, each column is a journey option you can take. You change trains at each grey bar.
Shaded = time-effective journey with overnight hotel stop in Paris. By all means choose an earlier evening Eurostar outward or a later morning one inwards. Or a later morning TGV going south, or an earlier evening TGV going north. Your call! See suggested hotels in Paris near the Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon |
Why not book an earlier Eurostar and have lunch in Paris at the celebrated Train Bleu restaurant inside the Gare de Lyon?
Train times can vary so always check times for your date of travel online. Check these times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com.
Timetable inward 2023
Zermatt & Brig ► London |
||||||||||||
Narrow gauge train to Visp... |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
|||||||||
Zermatt depart: |
06:13 |
08:13 |
10:13 |
12:37 |
06:13 |
08:37 |
10:13 |
12:37 |
06:13 |
08:37 |
10:13 |
12:37 |
Visp arrive: |
07:22 |
09:22 |
11:22 |
13:46 |
07:22 |
09:46 |
11:22 |
13:46 |
07:22 |
09:46 |
11:22 |
13:46 |
Change at Visp for the hourly InterCity train to Lausanne... |
||||||||||||
Brig depart: |
07:26 |
09:57 |
11:26 |
13:57 |
07:26 |
09:57 |
11:26 |
13:57 |
07:26 |
09:57 |
11:26 |
13:57 |
Visp depart: |
07:35 |
10:06 |
11:35 |
14:06 |
07:35 |
10:06 |
11:35 |
14:06 |
07:35 |
10:06 |
11:35 |
14:06 |
Lausanne arrive: |
09:10 |
11:39 |
13:10 |
15:39 |
09:10 |
11:39 |
13:10 |
15:39 |
09:10 |
11:39 |
13:10 |
15:39 |
Change at Lausanne for the TGV-Lyria train to Paris... |
||||||||||||
Lausanne depart: |
09:45 |
12:23 |
13:45 |
16:23 |
09:45 |
12:23 |
13:45 |
16:23 |
09:45 |
12:23 |
13:45 |
16:23 |
Paris Gare de Lyon arrive |
13:42 |
16:04 |
17:42 |
20:04 |
13:42 |
16:04 |
17:42 |
20:04 |
13:42 |
16:04 |
17:42 |
20:04 |
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare du Nord for Eurostar (30 minute check-in) |
||||||||||||
Paris Gare du Nord depart |
17:03 |
18:13 |
21:03 |
07:03 |
16:13 |
19:03 |
20:13 |
08:13 |
16:13 |
18:13 |
20:13 |
07:03 |
London St Pancras arrive |
18:32 |
19:30 |
22:39 |
08:30 |
17:30 |
20:39 |
21:30 |
09:30 |
17:30 |
19:30 |
21:30 |
08:30 |
How much does it cost?
-
London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
-
Paris to Lausanne by TGV-Lyria starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class.
-
Lausanne to Zermatt costs CHF 80 (£60) one-way, CHF 160 (£120) return.
-
Eurostar & TGV-Lyria fares are dynamic & vary like air fares, so book ahead. On Eurostar & TGV-Lyria, children under 4 go free, children under 12 travel at a child rate. On Swiss domestic trains, children under 6 go free, children under 16 at half price.
How to buy tickets
Let Railbookers arrange it for you
-
Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or holiday for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers. On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your own requirements. And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.
UK 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk
US 1-888-829-4775, see website
Canada 1-855-882-2910, see website
Australia 1300 971 526, see website
New Zealand 0800 000 554 or see website
London to Chur & the Engadin
The area around St Moritz, Davos and Klosters has attracted visitors from the UK both for winter sports and summer holidays for over a century - and the journey by narrow-gauge train from Chur to St Moritz is one of the most scenic train rides in Switzerland, or indeed the world. To get there by train from the UK, simply use any of the London-Zurich options shown in the London to Zurich section above, then use www.sbb.ch to find connections to St Moritz. Two good options are shown below. For the ferry alternative, see here.
London ► Chur, Davos, Klosters, St Moritz, every day
-
Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 07:01 Mondays-Fridays arriving Paris Gare du Nord 10:17, at 06:31 on Saturdays arriving Paris Gare du Nord 09:47, or at 08:01 on Sundays arriving Paris Gare du Nord 11:20.
There's also an 07:55 Eurostar on Mondays-Saturdays, but I'd play safe and book an earlier Eurostar when available.
Cross Paris by taxi or metro to the Gare de Lyon, it's just 2 stops on RER line D.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 12:22 & arriving in Zurich HB at 15:26.
The double-deck TGV-Lyria travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) and has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
-
Step 3 for St Moritz, leave Zurich HB at 16:38 by InterCity & change at Chur onto the narrow-gauge Rhätische Bahn to St Moritz, arriving 20:00.
-
Step 3 for Klosters or Davos, leave Zurich HB at 16:38 by InterCity train and change at Landquart onto the narrow-gauge Rhätische Bahn to Klosters Platz arriving 18:26 and Davos Platz arriving 18:57.
London ► Chur, Davos, Klosters, St Moritz, every day
-
Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 10:22, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 13:57.
Cross Paris by taxi or metro to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D or 25 minutes by taxi.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris to Basel by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:22 and arriving Zurich HB at 20:26.
The double-deck TGV-Lyria travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) and has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
-
Step 3 for St Moritz, leave Zurich HB at 20:38, change at Landquart, Klosters Platz & Sagliains (or at Chur & Samedan Fridays & Saturdays) arriving St Moritz at 23:54. This is the last connection of the day, check times at www.sbb.ch.
-
Step 3 for Klosters or Davos, leave Zurich HB at 20:38 by InterCity train and change at Landquart onto the narrow-gauge Rhätische Bahn to Klosters Platz arriving 22:36 and Davos Platz arriving 23:05. There is a later connection from Zurich at 21:38 if the TGV from Paris is delayed.
St Moritz, Klosters, Davos, Chur ► London, every day
-
Step 1 from St Moritz, travel from St Moritz to Zurich by train, leaving St Moritz at 07:02 by narrow gauge Rhätische Bahn train, with a simple change at Chur onto the standard gauge Swiss Federal Railways InterCity train to Zurich, arriving Zurich HB at 10:22.
-
Step 1 from Davos or Klosters, leave Davos Platz at 08:02 or Klosters Platz at 08:31, changing from the narrow gauge Rhätische Bahn to the Swiss Federal Railways InterCity train at Landquart, arriving Zurich HB at 10:22.
-
Step 2, travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria, leaving Zurich HB at 11:34 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:38.
The double-deck TGV-Lyria travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) and has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Cross Paris by taxi or metro to the Gare du Nord.
-
Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 18:13 daily except Saturdays arriving London St Pancras at 19:30. On Saturdays, leave Paris Gare du Nord at 19:03 arriving London St Pancras at 20:39.
St Moritz, Klosters, Davos, Chur ► London, every day
-
Step 1 from St Moritz, travel from St Moritz to Zurich by train, leaving St Moritz at 09:02 by narrow gauge Rhätische Bahn train, with a simple change at Chur onto the standard gauge Swiss Federal Railways InterCity train to Zurich, arriving Zurich HB at 12:22.
-
Step 1 from Davos or Klosters, leave Davos Platz at 10:02 or Klosters Platz at 10:31, changing from the narrow gauge Rhätische Bahn to the Swiss Federal Railways InterCity train at Landquart, arriving Zurich HB at 12:22.
-
Step 2, travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria, leaving Zurich HB at 13:34 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:38.
The double-deck TGV-Lyria travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) and has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Cross Paris by taxi or metro to the Gare du Nord.
-
Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 21:03 Mondays-Friday arriving London St Pancras at 22:39, or at 20:13 on Saturdays & Sundays arriving 21:30.
How much does it cost?
-
London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
-
Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria starts at €29 each way in 2nd class, €79 each way in 1st class. See the London to Basel & Zurich section for full details of London-Basel & London-Zurich fares.
-
Zurich to St Moritz costs CHF 75 (£57) one-way, CHF 150 (£114) return in 2nd class, check fares at www.sbb.ch.
-
Eurostar & TGV-Lyria fares are dynamic & vary like air fares, so book ahead. On Eurostar & TGV-Lyria, children under 4 go free, children under 12 travel at a child rate. On Swiss domestic trains, children under 6 go free, children under 16 at half price.
How to buy tickets
Let Railbookers arrange it for you
-
Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a holiday or short break to Switzerland as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers. On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your own requirements. And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.
UK 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk
US 1-888-829-4775, see website
Canada 1-855-882-2910, see website
Australia 1300 971 526, see website
New Zealand 0800 000 554 or see website
Places to stay near St Moritz
There's no shortage of hotels in St Moritz, just run a search at booking.com, anything with a review score over 8.0 will be great. But for something really different and special, I recommend the amazing Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl, opened in 1907 and perched on a 2,454m high mountain with spectacular views over the Engadin Valley. It is easily the best view I have ever had over a hotel breakfast.
To reach the Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl, take a local train from St Moritz to Punt Muragl Staz, see Muottas Muragl train route map, or you can get off the Glacier Express at Samedan (the stop before St Moritz) and take a local train to Punt Muragl. It's then a 250m walk from either of these unstaffed halts to the lower station of the funicular railway which climbs up the mountain to the Hotel Muottas Muragl. To check train times, simply use the journey planner at www.sbb.ch and run an enquiry from anywhere in Switzerland to Muottas Muragl, that's the name of the upper station of the funicular right next to the hotel.
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The Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl in winter. The upper station of the funicular railway up the mountain from Punt Muragl station is adjacent to the hotel. See Muottas Muragl train route map. |
London to Liechtenstein
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Vaduz (the capital of Liechtenstein) has no rail station, but buses link it with Buchs & Sargans stations in Switzerland every 30 minutes, and with Feldkirch station in Austria every hour. The bus website for all these bus services at www.lba.li.
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For travel between Swiss cities & Vaduz, catch a train to Sargans, then the bus to Vaduz, Post.
You can check times & buy tickets between any Swiss city and Vaduz, Post at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee), or at the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.
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For travel between Austrian cities & Vaduz, catch a train to Feldkirch, then the bus to Vaduz, Post.
You can check times & buy tickets between any Austrian city and Vaduz, Post at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
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The main Zurich-Innsbruck railway cuts through Liechtenstein, but the expresses don't stop at any of the four local stations within the principality. Schaan-Vaduz is the most important of these stations, served only by somewhat irregular Buchs-Feldkirch local trains. You can check train times at www.sbb.ch but will need to look carefully for trains rather than buses - look for departures marked R or RE, not BUS. Schaan-Vaduz Bahnhof is just 11 minutes by frequent bus from Vaduz itself.
London to Vaduz
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Step 1, travel from London to Zurich by Eurostar & TGV-Lyria as shown above.
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Step 2, take a regular Swiss domestic train from Zurich to Sargans, these run twice an hour, journey time 55-67 minutes, check times & prices at www.sbb.ch. No reservation necessary, just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on the next train.
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Step 3, catch a bus from outside Sargans station to Vaduz Post Office, every 30 minutes, journey time 32 minutes, check times at www.lba.li. No reservation necessary, buy a ticket from the driver, fare around CHF 7, children under 16 half price.
London to Switzerland via Brussels
Going via Brussels takes significantly longer than going via Paris as shown above, but it avoids having to change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi. The changes of train at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf are straightforward same-station changes taking only take a couple of minutes getting off one train and onto another. This might be important to you if you have lots of luggage, kids, or a mobility issue.
London ► Basel
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Option 1: London depart 08:55 every day, arriving Basel SBB 18:47: Leave London St Pancras by Eurostar at 08:55, arriving Brussels Midi at 12:05. Make a quick change onto the 12:25 high-speed ICE from Brussels to Cologne, and change at Cologne Hbf onto another high-speed ICE to Basel SBB 18:47.
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Option 2: London depart 11:04 every day, arriving Basel SBB 20:47: Leave London St Pancras by Eurostar at 11:04 arriving Brussels Midi at 14:05, make a quick & easy change (usually a simple cross-platform change on this departure) onto the 14:25 high-speed ICE from Brussels to Cologne and change at Cologne Hbf onto another high-speed ICE to Basel SBB arriving 20:47.
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Change at Basel SBB for Zurich HB, Luzern and all other destinations in Switzerland.
Basel ► London
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Option 1, departing Basel SBB at 07:13 every day, arriving London at 16:57: Leave Basel SBB at 07:13 by high-speed ICE train to Cologne Hbf, change at Cologne onto another high-speed ICE train to Brussels Midi, change at Brussels onto the 15:56 Eurostar to London St Pancras, arriving 16:57.
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Option 2, departing Basel SBB at 09:13 on Sundays, arriving London at 19:10: Leave Basel SBB at 09:13 by high-speed ICE train to Cologne Hbf, change at Cologne onto another high-speed ICE train to Brussels Midi, change at Brussels onto the 17:56 Eurostar to London St Pancras, arriving 19:10.
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Option 3, departing Basel SBB at 11:13 Mondays-Fridays, arriving London at 19:57: Leave Basel SBB at 11:13 by high-speed ICE train to Cologne Hbf, change at Cologne Hbf onto another high-speed ICE train to Brussels Midi, change at Brussels onto the 18:52 Eurostar to London St Pancras, arriving 19:57.
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Option 4, departing Basel SBB at 13:13 daily except Saturdays, arriving London at 21:57: Leave Basel SBB at 13:13 by high-speed ICE train daily except Saturdays to Cologne, change at Cologne Hbf onto another high-speed ICE train to Brussels Midi, change at Brussels onto the 20:52 Eurostar to London St Pancras, arriving 21:57.
How much does it cost?
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London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
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Brussels to Basel or Zurich starts at €39.90 each way in 2nd class, €69.90 each way in 1st class.
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Fares are dynamic like air fares, so for the cheapest prices book early and avoid busier times such as Fridays or Sunday afternoons.
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On Eurostar, children under 4 go free, children under 12 travel at a child rate. On Brussels-Switzerland trains, children under 6 go free, children under 15 half price (but if booked at bahn.de, free when accompanying an adult on a Sparpreis fare). On Swiss domestic trains, children under 6 go free, children under 16 at half price. The more generous child age limits can be an advantage on this route!
How to buy tickets
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Buy tickets from London to Switzerland at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Anyone from any country can use www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem. There's a small booking fee.
Tip: To get the route via Brussels, click via (Trainline) or More options (Raileurope) and enter Brussels Midi as a via station.
You print your own ticket, or you can load the Eurostar ticket into the Eurostar app, and show the DB ticket on your laptop or phone.
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When does booking open?
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, less than this when the mid-December timetable change intervenes. More about when booking opens.
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Booking tips
Fares are dynamic like air fares, so book early for the cheapest prices and avoid busy days such as Fridays or Sunday afternoons.
To get the route via Brussels, click via (Trainline) or More options (Raileurope) and enter Brussels Midi as a via station.
After booking you can use the Eurostar Manage Booking system to select an exact seat on Eurostar.
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Is it a through ticket?
No, there are no through tickets from London any more, DB's Sparpreis London fares were discontinued in March 2020. www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com will seamlessly sell you a Eurostar ticket to Brussels plus an onward ticket from Brussels to anywhere in Switzerland.
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One-way or round trip?
On Eurostar, return fares are significantly cheaper than two one-ways. On German & Swiss trains, returns are simply two one-ways. So for a round trip you should book London to Switzerland & back as a return journey, or for more control over the booking, book London-Brussels as a return journey to benefit a Eurostar return fare, add to basket, then book Brussels to Switzerland one way, add to basket, then Switzerland to Brussels one-way, add to basket & check out.
An 'open jaw' journey out from London to Zurich, back from Luzern to London, would be cheapest booked as London to Brussels & back, add to basket, Brussels to Zurich one-way, add to basket, Luzern to Brussels one-way, add to basket, and check out. Easy when you know!
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Seat reservations
A seat reservation on Eurostar is automatically included with every Eurostar ticket. Seat reservations on ICE trains are optional, if you want a reserved seat it can be added during the booking process for small fee (no fee . A reserved seat is a good idea, especially at busy periods, so I'd add one when prompted.
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About the 20-minute connections between Eurostar & ICEs at Brussels Midi
The slick 20-minute connection in Brussels between Eurostar and an onward ICE, sometimes a little less than this, is usually a recognised connection which lots of people make. It's not usually a problem, especially if you use the Brussels Midi short cut between platforms.
Even though the system sells you separate tickets either side of Brussels, you are protected by the Railteam Promise/HOTNAT so if there's a delay and you miss the connection you will be allowed to travel on later onwards trains at no extra charge.
The system is programmed to know which connections are acceptable and which are too tight - if you intend booking your Eurostar and ICE tickets separately (which I often do to check prices for Eurostar and onwards trains separately, and to retain more control over the booking) it's wise to run a London-Cologne enquiry first just to check that the system does indeed recognise that specific Eurostar as connecting with that specific onward ICE, on that specific date.
Tip: Nothing stops you booking an earlier Eurostar than the one which directly connects with your chosen onward ICE, if it has cheaper fares or if you want a more robust connection. There are plenty of places for a meal, coffee or beer between trains in Brussels!
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How to buy a connecting ticket from other UK towns & cities: See the advice on special add-on tickets here.
Another way to buy tickets
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This is a little more work, but no booking fee. Obviously, do a dry run on both sites first to check availability & prices.
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Before booking for real, check that your outward Eurostar & ICE are indeed a recognised connection by checking that they appear together when you run a London to Cologne enquiry at www.bahn.de, as explained in the paragraph about the 20-minute connections in Brussels in the previous section.
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Step 1, book the Eurostar from London to Brussels (and back, if returning) at www.eurostar.com and print your own ticket, or load it into the Eurostar app to show on your phone.
Eurostar return fares are significantly less than two one-ways, so if you're coming back, make sure you book this as a round trip. After booking you can use the Eurostar Manage Booking system to select an exact seat on Eurostar.
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Step 2, book from Brussels to Basel, Zurich or anywhere in Switzerland at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.
You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. A round trip is just two one-ways, so book one way at a time as it's easier. Look for journeys with the fewest changes.
I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
An advantage of booking direct with www.bahn.de is that you can select an exact seat on ICE trains from a seating plan.
Tip: With www.bahn.de you can add a stopover and still get the end-to-end cheap fare, it allows up to 2 stopovers within the 2-day ticket validity to be incorporated in your booking using the Stopover link. You simply specify the duration of the stopover in hours & minutes in the hh:mm box. Why not stop off in Cologne or Heidelberg?
How to buy tickets by phone
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It's better to book online to avoid additional phone booking fees and so you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey. Most ticketing agencies only work office hours on weekdays, but online booking is possible 24/7. However, if you want to book by phone, see my list of UK ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.
Take the Rhine Valley scenic route
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Booking engines normally route you via the modern Cologne-Frankfurt high-speed line as this is obviously fastest. However, if you don't mind the extra hour, you can take the original, classic Rhine Valley line, snaking along the River Rhine past castles, vineyards and the famous Lorelei Rock. Learn more about the classic Rhine Valley route here.
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To book tickets via the Rhine Valley route, simply add Koblenz as a via station. If using www.raileurope.com, click More options and enter Koblenz, leaving duration zero. If using www.bahn.de, click Stopover and enter Koblenz as a via station, leaving duration zero.
What's the journey like?
1. London to Brussels by Eurostar...
Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras (45-minute minimum in Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels.
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A Eurostar e320 train. More about Eurostar. |
Standard Premier/Business Premier. Larger photo. |
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Standard class seats. Larger photo. |
One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9. Larger photo. |
2. Brussels to Cologne & Cologne to Switzerland by ICE3...
Germany's superb ICEs have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, bistro orders are taken at your seat. 50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava. As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station. More information about ICE3. Brussels Midi station guide. Cologne Hbf station guide.
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An ICE3M to Cologne at Brussels Midi. More information about ICE. Advice on changing trains in Brussels. |
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2nd class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
1st class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
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Food is served on proper china with metal cutlery. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! See current month's menu. |
Restaurant car: This is the small 12-seat restaurant on an ICE3M. ICE3 classes 403 & 407 have a larger restaurant area. Larger photo. |
London to Switzerland by ferry from Harwich
You might prefer the idea of cruising overnight in a comfy en suite cabin on the Stena Line superferry (watch the video!), then taking a superb German ICE train to Switzerland next day, and this route is useful If you live in East Anglia, want to avoid the Channel Tunnel, if the French are on strike again, or if all the cheap Eurostar fares have sold out. It's one of the routes shown in dark blue on the route map above.
Incidentally, I don't recommend Dover-Calais. Although it's more direct, it's has no through ticketing and long walks or taxis are required between station & port in both Dover & Calais. The Harwich-Hoek route has seamless train/ferry connections & one ticket covers the British train and the ferry.
London, Cambridge & Harwich ► Switzerland
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Day 1, travel from London to Hoek van Holland overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail.
You leave London Liverpool Street at 18:45 Mondays-Fridays, 19:36 Saturdays or 20:00 Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.
You leave Cambridge at 19:47 Mondays-Saturdays or 19:45 on Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.
At Harwich, the station is right next to the ferry terminal and you walk off the train into the terminal, check in at the Stena Line desk and walk straight onto Stena Line's luxurious overnight superferry Stena Hollandica to Hoek van Holland.
The ferry sails at 23:00 and arrives at Hoek van Holland at 08:00 next morning, Dutch time.
All passengers travel in cosy private cabins with en suite toilet & shower & satellite TV. Deluxe Comfort class & Captains class cabins are also available, and there's free WiFi in the lounges, restaurants & bars on 9 deck. You can get on board the ferry around 9pm, have a late dinner in the restaurant and settle into your cabin.
This is an integrated train & ferry service, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details, photos & travel tips. The special fare from London is valid from any Abellio Greater Anglia station, for example Norwich, Cambridge, Romford, Ilford, Ipswich.
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Day 2, take the frequent metro train from Hoek van Holland Haven to Rotterdam Alexander followed by a mainline train to Utrecht, arriving at or before 10:28. See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.
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Day 2, travel from Utrecht to Switzerland by train.
Take the 11:04 high-speed ICE train from Utrecht to Frankfurt, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 14:31. Change onto the 14:50 high-speed ICE train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Basel SBB (arrive 17:47), Bern (arrive 18:56) or Interlaken (arrive 19:58).
Change in Basel or Bern for destinations all over Switzerland. Check times & prices from Utrecht to almost anywhere in Switzerland at www.bahn.de (Tip: Click Stopover and enter Frankfurt(Main)Hbf).
Alternatively, you could spend the day in Amsterdam and take the new Nightjet sleeper train from Amsterdam Centraal to Basel SBB & Zurich HB overnight in an economical couchette or private sleeper, see here for details.
Switzerland ► Harwich, Cambridge & London
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Day 1, travel from Switzerland to Utrecht by train.
You can leave Basel SBB at 10:13 by high-speed ICE train to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf arriving at 13:08. Change in Frankfurt onto the 13:26 high-speed ICE train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Utrecht Centraal, arriving 17:23.
Check times & prices from almost anywhere in Switzerland to Utrecht at www.bahn.de (Tip: Click Stopover and enter Frankfurt(Main)Hbf).
Alternatively, you could leave Switzerland the previous evening on the new Nightjet sleeper train from Zurich HB & Basel SBB to Amsterdam Centraal overnight in an economical couchette or private sleeper, and spend the day exploring Amsterdam, see here for details.
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Day 1, travel from Utrecht to London overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail.
You take a frequent Dutch intercity train from Utrecht Centraal to Rotterdam Alexander and change there onto the frequent metro to Hoek van Holland Haven.
At Hoek, the ferry terminal is right next to the station. Taking the 10:13 from Basel gives you plenty of time to connect with the overnight ferry, so you could stop off in Utrecht or Rotterdam for dinner. Just make sure you reach Hoek before 21:00, ferry check-in closes 45 minutes before sailing time.
At Hoek van Holland, check in at the Stena Line desk then walk onto the luxurious superferry Stena Britannica and sail overnight to Harwich in a snug private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV.
The ferry sails from Hoek at 22:00 and arrives at Harwich International at 06:30 next morning, UK time.
In the morning on Day 2, take a train from Harwich to London Liverpool Street arriving around 08:54, or from Harwich to Cambridge arriving 09:41 (10:39 on Sundays). See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.
How much does it cost?
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London to Hoek van Holland by Rail & Sail starts at £55 per person each way, plus cabin.
Cabins start at £34 for a single berth cabin or £45 per cabin for a 2-berth, and are compulsory on the night sailing. For full details of fares and cabin types and costs, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.
Hoek van Holland to Rotterdam Alexander by metro costs around €4.
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Rotterdam Alexander to stations in Switzerland starts at €37.90 each way in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets
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Step 1, buy a Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket from London to Hoek van Holland as shown on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.
Buy the metro ticket from Hoek van Holland to Rotterdam Alexander as shown on that page.
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Step 2, book your trains from Rotterdam Alexander to Switzerland at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. You can book to any destination station you like in Switzerland. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, less when the mid-December timetable change intervenes. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
What's the journey like?
Step 1, London to Holland by train & ferry...
A train takes you from London's Liverpool Street station directly to the ferry terminal at Harwich. You walk off the train, into the terminal, get your boarding card & cabin key at the Stena Line check-in desk and walk straight onto the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland. The superferry Stena Britannica is the largest ferry of its kind in the world. The journey from London to Holland is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page. See the video...
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Captain's Class cabin on the Harwich-Hoek ferry with double bed, complimentary minibar with sparkling wine, tea & coffee making facilities, hairdryer. Larger photo. |
Boarding the Stena Britannica at Harwich. She's a floating hotel to Hoek van Holland, with easy rail connections on either side of the Channel. Restaurants, bars, shop, kennels, cinema... |
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Dinner before bed? Metropolitan à la carte restaurant. |
Standard outside cabin. Larger photo. 360º photo. |
Step 2, from Holland across Germany to Switzerland by ICE high-speed train...
At Hoek van Holland, you walk off the ship, through passport control and straight onto the station for the frequent metro train to Rotterdam Alexander. Change at Rotterdam Alexander for a train to Utrecht Centraal. Then take a superb German ICE train from Utrecht to Cologne and on to Switzerland. More information about ICE trains.
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An ICE3M to Frankfurt at Amsterdam. More information about ICE. |
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2nd class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
1st class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
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Proper china, metal cutlery. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! See current month's menu. |
Restaurant car: This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
London to Switzerland via Portsmouth
This route is ideal if you live on the south coast. It's also a good alternative to Eurostar from London if you want to avoid the Channel Tunnel or if Eurostar is expensive (for example, at short notice) - although the train/ferry/train transfers are much easier via Harwich & Hoek van Holland as stations & ferry terminals are integrated, on the Portsmouth-Caen route a taxi transfer is needed between train & ferry in Portsmouth, and a bus or taxi transfer in Caen.
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Step 1, travel from London or Portsmouth to Paris overnight by train & ferry.
You leave London around 18:00 by train to Portsmouth, take a taxi to the Continental Ferry Port and sail overnight from Portsmouth to Caen with Brittany Ferries, sleeping in a cosy private cabin with shower & toilet 22:45-06:45. Next morning, transfer to Caen station by bus or taxi and take a train into Paris St Lazare, arriving around 11:05.
For full details see the London to Paris by train & ferry page. Transfer from Paris St Lazare to Paris Gare de Lyon by taxi or metro.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Switzerland on any afternoon train.
Look up Paris-Switzerland trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly). Just make sure you allow at least 2hours between trains in Paris.
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The luxurious Normandie at Portsmouth. |
Scotland & North to Switzerland
If you live in the North of England or Scotland, option 1 is to take a train up to London and travel from London to Switzerland as described above. This may well be the quickest & easiest option. Here's some advice on buying connecting train tickets to London. If you live in Scotland, the Caledonian Sleepers will get you up to London in time for a morning Eurostar & afternoon TGV to Switzerland.
But consider option 2, by-passing London by taking a luxurious overnight cruise ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam run by DFDS Seaways or a similar overnight ferry from Hull to Rotterdam run by P&O Ferries, then taking a fast comfortable train to Switzerland.
Scotland & the North ► Amsterdam ► Switzerland
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Day 1, take a train to either Hull or Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for where you live.
In Hull, transfer to P&O ferry terminal and sail overnight from Hull to Rotterdam by P&O cruise ferry, with bus/train connection to Amsterdam Centraal. The ferry has bars, restaurants & cosy en suite cabins. For details of schedule, fares & tickets, see the Hull-Rotterdam page.
In Newcastle, transfer to the DFDS ferry terminal at North Shields and sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam by DFDS Seaways cruise ferry. The ferry has bars, restaurants & cosy en suite cabins. For details of schedule, fares & tickets see the Newcastle-Amsterdam page.
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Day 2, travel by fast comfortable train from Rotterdam Centraal or Amsterdam Centraal to anywhere you like in Switzerland. You can easily check train times & prices at the German Railways website www.bahn.de - just make sure you allow plenty of time, both to cover any likely delay to the ferry and for the bus transfers from ferry terminal to station. I suggest booking trains leaving around midday.
Alternatively, you could spend the day in Amsterdam and take the new Nightjet sleeper train from Amsterdam Centraal to Basel SBB & Zurich HB overnight in an economical couchette or private sleeper, see here for details.
Switzerland ► Amsterdam ► Scotland & the North
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Day 1, take a Swiss train from anywhere in Switzerland to Rotterdam Centraal (for P&O to Hull) or to Amsterdam Centraal (for DFDS to Newcastle), you can check times & prices at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. Just remember to allow plenty of time, meaning hours not minutes, for any likely delay to the train, for the bus transfer to the ferry terminal, and for the ferry check-in.
Alternatively, you could leave Switzerland the previous evening on the new Nightjet sleeper train from Zurich HB & Basel SBB to Amsterdam Centraal in an economical couchette or private sleeper, and spend the day exploring Amsterdam, see here for details.
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Day 1 early evening, transfer by DFDS bus from Amsterdam Centraal to IJmuiden (for the DFDS ferry to Newcastle) or by P&O bus from Rotterdam Centraal to Rotterdam Europoort for the P&O ferry to Hull.
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Day 1 evening, sail overnight by luxurious cruise ferry from Rotterdam Europoort to Hull with P&O Ferries or from IJmuiden to Newcastle with DFDS, whichever UK port is most convenient for where you live, arriving next morning (day 2). Transfer to the station and take a train home.
For details of timetables, fares & how to buy tickets from Amsterdam to the UK via these ferry routes, see the Hull-Rotterdam page or the Newcastle-Amsterdam page.
Fares & how to buy tickets
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To check train fares and buy train tickets to Hull or Newcastle, use www.nationalrail.co.uk or any train operator website such as www.tfwrail.wales.
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To check ferry fares & book the ferry online, go to www.dfds.co.uk (Newcastle-Amsterdam), www.poferries.com (Hull-Rotterdam).
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To check train times & prices and to buy tickets from Rotterdam or Amsterdam to any station in Switzerland, use the German Railways website www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket.
What's the journey like?
1. Newcastle to Amsterdam (DFDS) or Hull to Rotterdam (P&O) by overnight cruise ferry...
Both ferries have private en suite cabins, restaurants, bars, cinema, a floating hotel. If travelling with DFDS from Newcastle, a transfer bus takes you from IJmuiden ferry terminal to Amsterdam Centraal station next morning. If travelling with P&O from Hull, a transfer bus takes you from Rotterdam Europoort ferry terminal to Rotterdam Centraal, from where frequent Dutch trains run to Utrecht.
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DFDS Seaways Princess of Norway (now Princess Seaways) about to sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam. The ferry also has deluxe Commodore class cabins with minibar, satellite TV, shower & toilet. See the video... |
A standard Seaways class cabin with shower & toilet on DFDS Princess of Norway from Newcastle to Amsterdam. |
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P&O Ferries Pride of Rotterdam at Rotterdam Europoort. The ferry also has deluxe class cabins with minibar, satellite TV, shower & toilet. |
A standard outside cabin with shower & toilet on P&O's Pride of Rotterdam from Hull to Rotterdam. |
2. From Holland across Germany to Switzerland by ICE high-speed train...
Take an ICE train from Amsterdam or Utrecht to Cologne or Frankfurt, then another ICE to Basel, Zurich with connections all over Switzerland. There are power sockets at all seats, free WiFi and a bistro-restaurant serving drinks, snacks and meals. More info about ICE trains.
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An ICE3M to Frankfurt at Amsterdam. More information about ICE. |
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2nd class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
1st class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
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Proper china, metal cutlery. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! See current month's menu. |
Restaurant car: This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
Definitely take a good guidebook. For the independent traveller, I
think this means either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide.
Both guidebooks provide the same excellent level of practical
information and historical background.
You won't regret buying one!
Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website, from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.
European Rail Timetable & maps
The
European Rail Timetable
(formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable)
has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus
currency & climate information. It is essential
for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair
travellers. Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of
publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing
department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and
resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014.
You can buy it online at
www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses) or
www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide).
More information
on what the European Rail Timetable contains.
Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south. Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted. See an extract from the map. Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).
Hotels in Switzerland
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In Zurich, for something special, look no further than the superb Hotel Schweizerhof, located right next to Zurich station. One of my favourite hotels, they'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you at the station and carry your bags across the road.
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In the St Moritz-Pontresina area, try the Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl, an amazing place to stay perched on the top of a mountain, with clean simple and (for Switzerland) inexpensive rooms. It's reached via the Muottas Muragl funicular railway from Punt Muragl station, between Pontresina & St Moritz.
Hotels in Paris near the Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon...
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Hotels near the Gare du Nord with good reviews: Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 2-star, doubles €135), 25 Hours Terminus Nord (formerly the Mercure Terminus Nord, now refurbished in a decidedly funky style, 3-star, directly across the road from the station); Art Hotel (3-star); Avalon Hotel (2-star); Hotel Cambrai (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 1-star).
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Hotels near the Gare de Lyon with good reviews: Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star); Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star);
AirBnB: www.airbnb.com...
www.airbnb.com began in 2008 when two designers who had space to share hosted three travellers looking for a place to stay. AirBnB is a platform which connects hosts with guests, so you can now book a room in people's homes, or an apartment, flat or house which people want to rent out. It can be nicer than a hostel, cheaper than many hotels.
Tripadvisor hotel reviews...
www.tripadvisor.com is a good place to find independent travellers' reviews of the main hotels. It also has the low-down on all the sights & attractions too.
Backpacker hostels:
www.hostelworld.com...
www.hostelworld.com: If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels. Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.
Holidays to Switzerland by train
0207 864 4600 (UK) 1-888-829-4775 (USA) 1-855-882-2910 (Canada) 1300 971 526 (Aus) 0800 000 554 (NZ) |
|
01904 730 727 |
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01904 527120 |
If you want a holiday to Switzerland by train not plane, but want someone else to organise all the train tickets & hotels for you, several specialist companies do just that, for a holiday with no airport hassles and no long days in cramped coach seats on motorways. Railbookers offer custom-made individual holidays with departure on any date you like, whereas Rail Discoveries & Great Rail Journeys offer escorted tours with specific departure dates.
Railbookers for holidays & breaks to Switzerland by rail...
Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or holiday for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers. On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your own requirements. And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay. They get very positive reviews. For example, they can do a 2-night short break to Geneva or a 4-night trip including the famous Glacier Express and the equally amazing Bernina Express.
UK 0207 864 4600,
www.railbookers.co.uk.
US 1-888-829-4775,
see
website.
Canada 1-855-882-2910,
see website.
Australia 1300 971 526,
see website.
New Zealand 0800 000 554 or
see
website.
Rail Discoveries, www.raildiscoveries.com, 01904 730 727: Escorted tours...
Rail Discoveries offers several train-based tours to Switzerland, with 3* hotels and travel from London by Eurostar and high-speed TGV. For example, they offer an 8-day tour combining Mont Blanc with the amazing Glacier Express (see the Glacier Express page). Check details & prices online at www.raildiscoveries.com, then book online or call 01904 730 727.
Great Rail Journeys, www.greatrail.com, 01904 527120: Escorted tours...
GRJ offers five-star inclusive tours to Switzerland, with 1st class train travel and 5* hotels. Their most popular tour combines 1st class overland travel from London to Switzerland by Eurostar & high-speed TGV with a ride on the famous narrow-gauge Glacier Express, which runs right across Switzerland from St Moritz to Zermatt through spectacular scenery. Tours depart regularly throughout much of the year. Check the tour details & prices online, then call 01904 527120 to book or use their online booking form.
Travel insurance & VPN
Always take out travel insurance...
You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer. It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit. These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I use an annual policy myself. Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here. Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.
www.staysure.co.uk
offers enhanced Covid-19 protection.
You
can use
www.confused.com to compare prices & policy features across
major insurance companies.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
Curve card saves foreign transaction fees...
Banks often give a poor exchange rate, then charge a currency conversion fee as well. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this. The balance goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards. And you can get a Curve card for free.
How it works: 1. Download the app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to most European addresses including the UK. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, just like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance onto whichever of your debit or credit cards you choose. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I use a Curve Blue card myself - I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I'm recommending it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card - they'll give you £5 cashback through that link, too.
Get a VPN for safe browsing. VPNs & why you need one explained...
When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. A VPN means your connection to the internet is encrypted & always secure, even using unsecured WiFi. In countries such as China where access to Twitter & Facebook is restricted, a VPN gets around these restrictions. And lastly, you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geographic restrictions which some websites apply - for example one booking site charges a booking fee to non-European visitors but none to European visitors, so if you're not located in Europe you can avoid this fee by browsing with a UK IP address using a VPN. VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy and I use it myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription, and I get a small commission to help support this site.
Carry an Anker powerbank...
With tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes now often held digitally on your mobile phone, it's vital to keep it charged. I recommend carrying an Anker powerbank which can recharge your phone several times over if you can't get to a power outlet when you're on the move. I never travel without one.