England - Zurich

[Gathursty]

Begin to nail down an itinerary for the Summer.

I downloaded the SNCF map to investigate different routes from Eurostar to Zurich.

I first looked at Lille - Valenciennes - Charlesville-Mezieres - Metz - Strasbourg - Mulhouse - Basel - Zurich but got confused with the results from googling making me think some sections of this route aren't possible.

Next I looked at changing at Paris and going via Strasbourg but also noticed I could go via Dijon.

Aim is to get from Wigan to Basel/Zurich in a day (checking in somewhere not too late at night) and minimise paying for seat reservations (have an Interrail Global Pass Second Class) and see a variety of scenery if possible.

Any knowledge would be invaluable. Thanks.

 

[Gloster]

It is probably not possible to fulfil all your requirements. A look at the European Rail Timetable Winter 2024/2025 edition (the 2025/2026 one is not yet out) suggests one possibility.

St Pancras 12.31
Paris Nord 15.48
Paris Gare de Lyon 18.22 (TGV)
Basle SBB 21.06
Zurich HB 22.26

There is a 10.24 off St Pancras that gives a roughly two hours earlier arrivals in Switzerland. The Strasbourg route is probably not worth it if you are going to Basle, while the route across via Charleville always was a slow trail and it may not even be possible nowadays.

 

[30907]

To do Zurich in a day you definitely need TGV to Strasbourg, either 1104 STP via Lille or various via Paris (my daughter has done that from Bradford twice). The Dijon route is cheapest if you book TGV to Mulhouse and TER thence.

Via Dijon you can also do Frasne-Neuchatel, Besancon-La Chaux-de-Fonds or Meyroux-Dole into Switzerland without paying excessive supplements.

Via Charleville is impossible, via Laon-Reims IIRC little better.

There are TERs from Paris Est to Strasbourg and Belfort/Mulhouse on the historic routes - they need a cheap reservation.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

The traditional 'boat train' route from Lille to Basel via Metz is no longer possible - it is just a series of (non-connecting) TERs with a very 'thin' timetable.

There is a TGV Lille Europe (d 1401) to Strasbourg, thence (loco-hauled) TER to Basel and then SBB IC to Zürich which is quite an attractive option.

Otherwise it is the 'Lyria' TGV direct from Paris Lyon to Zürich.

 

[ivanhoe]

There is a direct train from Paris Bercy to Lyon Part Dieu which goes about 7.30 in morning.Also at 15.35, direct.
lyon to Geneva
Geneva to Zurich.

All reservation free.
id recommend a stay in Lyon,

 

[Gathursty]

Thanks for the quick replies. I think I'll play safe and book a hotel in Strasbourg rather than try to go further in one day. How long is a typical train journey from Strasbourg to Zurich?

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Thanks for the quick replies. I think I'll play safe and book a hotel in Strasbourg rather than try to go further in one day. How long is a typical train journey from Strasbourg to Zurich?

Strasbourg to Basel is about 75mins; Basel to Zürich 60mins.

 

[Gloster]

Thanks for the quick replies. I think I'll play safe and book a hotel in Strasbourg rather than try to go further in one day. How long is a typical train journey from Strasbourg to Zurich?

You are looking at around three hours with a change at Basle. However, Strasbourg is expensive and can be very expensive so I would recommend staying in either Colmar, which has TGV from Paris Est or Mulhouse, which has TGV from Gare de Lyon. Colmar is a lovely place (I lived there for several years) but Mulhouse isn’t unless you want to visit one of its museums, but it is cheaper.

 

[bspahh]

You can also avoid reservation fees and do the trip in a day if you go via Brussels. Seat61 has these itineraries:

London ► Basel
Option 1, London depart 09:01 every day, arriving Basel SBB 18:48:

Leave London St Pancras by Eurostar at 09:01, 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 ICE arriving Basel SBB 18:48.

Option 2, London depart 11:04 every day, arriving Basel SBB 20:48:

Leave London St Pancras by Eurostar at 11:04 arriving Brussels Midi at 14:05, make a quick change (usually a simple cross-platform change on this departure) onto the 14:25 ICE from Brussels to Cologne. Change at Cologne Hbf onto another ICE arriving Basel SBB 20:48.

Change at Basel SBB for Zurich HB, Luzern and all other destinations in Switzerland.

To use the first one, you could get the 05:46 from Wigan North Western. The train from Cologne should carry on through to Zürich at 20:00, although it will get cancelled in Basel if it is running late, and you would need to change trains.

For the second one, you could get the 07:11 from Wigan North Western. You would then need to change at Basel, perhaps to the 21:07 that gets to Zürich at 22:00.

The rail network in Germany is not the most reliable, but I've always got to my destination in the end, even if it was a bit late.

 

[Polarbear]

Another option could be to Paris, then Paris Est to Mulhouse via Troyes. Admittedly, there aren’t that many services that run the full route.

Given the paucity of services between Paris & Mulhouse on this route, you’d be looking at an overnight stop-I’d suggest Mulhouse as there is a reasonably timed service from Paris Est at 16:42.

A seat reservation is required, but only costs €1.70.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Another TER route from Paris is from Est via Troyes to Belfort/Mulhouse with connection to Basel.
Probably much cheaper accommodation if you break your journey en route.
I think it has new bi-modes on the route (electric to Troyes, diesel on to Belfort).
There's a 1342 Paris Est-Belfort, connecting to Basel via Mulhouse by 1920.

 

[scragend]

You can also avoid reservation fees and do the trip in a day if you go via Brussels. Seat61 has these itineraries:


To use the first one, you could get the 05:46 from Wigan North Western. The train from Cologne should carry on through to Zürich at 20:00, although it will get cancelled in Basel if it is running late, and you would need to change trains.

For the second one, you could get the 07:11 from Wigan North Western. You would then need to change at Basel, perhaps to the 21:07 that gets to Zürich at 22:00.

The rail network in Germany is not the most reliable, but I've always got to my destination in the end, even if it was a bit late.

The 09:01 Eurostar would be a bit tight for my liking - the 05:46 is due in at Euston at 08:00. If it's on time then there would probably be enough time to get over to St. Pancras in time for the Eurostar check in but if there's any delays it could be pushing it. Last time I took the 05:46 it was delayed and I wouldn't have made it in time for the 09:01. I always book the 11:04 - it means hanging round in London but I just go for breakfast and then take my time getting over to St. P.

Even with taking the 11:04 it should in theory be possible to make it to Zurich for 22:00 via Brussels/Cologne/Basel but with tight connection times so the reality could be different.

I was interested in the question because I'm looking at getting to Villach (also from Wigan, and also with an InterRail pass) as quickly as possible this summer. I originally considered going to Zurich and then taking the Nightjet straight to Villach but I couldn't make it work so I'm now leaning towards going to Brussels and taking a Nightjet to Salzburg and then another train in the morning, buying a point-to-point ticket for the Salzburg-Villach leg so as not to waste a pass day. The latter also makes the arrival in Villach at a bit less of an ungodly hour.

 

[Usual-Commuter]

I’ve done Leeds to Zurich in a day with the Eurostar and then the direct TGV Lira from Paris. Don’t recall the seat reservation for Interrail being particularly expensive.

It’s certainly doable in a day, although I just about made the connection going from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon thinking they were closer.

If you have time I’d be tempted to stay overnight somewhere as getting to Zurich was about the most time I could do on trains in a day!

 

[scragend]

InterRail seat reservations on the TGV these days are €10 until the quota runs out and then €20 after that.

It's not a fortune but it's just a bit of a niggle.

 

[Usual-Commuter]

InterRail seat reservations on the TGV these days are €10 until the quota runs out and then €20 after that.

It's not a fortune but it's just a bit of a niggle.

That makes sense I think I recall paying around €20.

Yeah it’s a shame when the ICE in Germany are included without having to pay for the reservation.

 

[RT4038]

InterRail seat reservations on the TGV these days are €10 until the quota runs out and then €20 after that.

It's not a fortune but it's just a bit of a niggle.

Only on domestic TGV. Cross border are often a lot more TGV-Lyria (Paris-Switzerland) €30-€70, Paris-Milan TGV €31, Paris-Barcelona TGV €34.

 

[scragend]

Only on domestic TGV. Cross border are often a lot more TGV-Lyria (Paris-Switzerland) €30-€70, Paris-Milan TGV €31, Paris-Barcelona TGV €34.

Didn't realise that. Thanks.

Another reason to go via Belgium & Germany then!

 

[Usual-Commuter]

Just checked what I paid Paris to Basel earlier in the year.

€29 +€4 booking fee from SNCB.

I’d be interested to know where people normally book the TGV seat reservations if there are options without fees.

 

[scragend]

Rail Europe I think doesn't charge fees for that.

I just tried a dummy booking on that route with InterRail and it was offering €29 with no booking fee.

 

[Polarbear]

I’ve used Rail Europe to book SNCF reservations.

 

[rvdborgt]

Cross border are often a lot more TGV-Lyria (Paris-Switzerland) €30-€70, Paris-Milan TGV €31, Paris-Barcelona TGV €34.

TGV Lyria has been €29 in 2nd class and €39 in 1st for some years now. Still expensive but not so extortionate in 1st class anymore. I still avoid them though and change in Strasbourg for that reason.
TGV Paris-Milan is still €45 in 1st class, too expensive IMO.

 

[MarcVD]

You might also want to try the classic route of yesteryear via Brussels, Luxembourg, Metz, Strasbourg, and Basel. Once in Brussels, all the trains on this route are absolutely free of charge for any Interrail pass holder. Most trains run hourly, I think.

Bahn.de tells me that for example on Wed. 14 Jan. you could leave Brussels on 13h07 and arrive in Zurich on 21h52

No reservations necessary, or even possible. Some connections a bit tight, but as they are all hourly services, the potential damage is minimal. How early could you be in Brussels ?

 

[danshrimp]

I suspect it will not always be the most practical or cheapest - depending on your requirements - but taking the new European Sleeper from Brussels to Bern (then a 1-hour reservation-free onward train to Zurich) will be a fun new option!

 

[Tester]

In May this year I did Dumfries (dep 0457) to Lausanne (arr 2143) via Paris-Strasbourg TGV (€10).

That was leaving St Pancras at 1131, so a comfortable margin.

Wigan-Zuerich would fit around that with a fair margin for disruption.

 

[RT4038]

You might also want to try the classic route of yesteryear via Brussels, Luxembourg, Metz, Strasbourg, and Basel. Once in Brussels, all the trains on this route are absolutely free of charge for any Interrail pass holder. Most trains run hourly, I think.

Bahn.de tells me that for example on Wed. 14 Jan. you could leave Brussels on 13h07 and arrive in Zurich on 21h52

No reservations necessary, or even possible. Some connections a bit tight, but as they are all hourly services, the potential damage is minimal. How early could you be in Brussels ?

I have no idea of the stamina or the finances of the OP, but he stated that he is starting from Wigan, in the north west. The first train departs from there at 05h46, arriving into Euston at 08h00. This would be a bit tight for the 09h01 E* to Brussels, due there at 12h05. So 15hr of tense travelling. All to save EUR10 on a Paris-Strasbourg TGV.........

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Dec 2025 ==

Didn't realise that. Thanks.

Another reason to go via Belgium & Germany then!

Except that during the Summer (when the OP is travelling) the Brussels-Frankfurt ICE service has a EUR5.50 compulsory seat reservation charge , and the miserable punctuality of DB as well.

 

[Frothy]

In terms of the route via Charleville, this is still possible post the mid-2010s discontinuation of the IC service over the route, but the timings of the remaining TER trains make this hard to do.

On most days of the week, assuming you want to travel on a train and not on a bus, the timetables will have you staying in Charleville overnight.

However, on a Sunday, you can travel eastbound and just about make it to Strasbourg from Lille, leaving at 12h35 changing at Charleville, Thionville and Metz arriving Strasbourg 22h11

On a Saturday, you can travel the whole Zurich-Lille journey, leaving at 06h59 and changing at Basel, Strasbourg, Nancy, Longuyon (note not via Metz) and Charleville, arriving in Lille at 20h25. You might even just make the 21h35 Eurostar to St Pancras!

Begin to nail down an itinerary for the Summer.

I downloaded the SNCF map to investigate different routes from Eurostar to Zurich.

I first looked at Lille - Valenciennes - Charlesville-Mezieres - Metz - Strasbourg - Mulhouse - Basel - Zurich but got confused with the results from googling making me think some sections of this route aren't possible.

Next I looked at changing at Paris and going via Strasbourg but also noticed I could go via Dijon.

Aim is to get from Wigan to Basel/Zurich in a day (checking in somewhere not too late at night) and minimise paying for seat reservations (have an Interrail Global Pass Second Class) and see a variety of scenery if possible.

Any knowledge would be invaluable. Thanks.

 

[185143]

It's a big detour, but I did Zurich-Amsterdam-London-Doncaster-Manchester using the night train to Amsterdam then Eurostar through the channel. Just had a seat on the overnight, so it only set me back the Eurostar reservation fee as I was on Interrail.

Can't say I'd recommend it though, that was without doubt the worst night "sleep" in a seat I've ever had, by quite some way!

 

[Freemo]

I did Sheffield to Zurich leaving 07.00 arriving 20.26 via 10.31 Eurostar and lunch at Le Train Bleu in Gare de Lyon, but it was a rush to make the lunch sitting trying to manhandle luggage onto the double decker RER in Paris.

€19 cheaper but a later arrival to do the 11.04 Eurostar to Lille, 14.01 TGV to Strasbourg and change at Basel to arrive 21.26. If travelling with suitcases, TGV Reseau Lille to Strasbourg, Corail stock to Basel and lower deck of a Swiss IC to Zurich are easier to navigate than the TGV Lyria duplex.

 

[Gathursty]

I have no idea of the stamina or the finances of the OP, but he stated that he is starting from Wigan, in the north west. The first train departs from there at 05h46, arriving into Euston at 08h00. This would be a bit tight for the 09h01 E* to Brussels, due there at 12h05. So 15hr of tense travelling. All to save EUR10 on a Paris-Strasbourg TGV.........

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Dec 2025 ==


Except that during the Summer (when the OP is travelling) the Brussels-Frankfurt ICE service has a EUR5.50 compulsory seat reservation charge , and the miserable punctuality of DB as well.

I'll be leaving on the 0546 from Wigan with a view to be stopping travelling by train at 5pm-ish.

I think I'm drawn to taking the TGV to Strasbourg and then on to Colmar as I'd like to go for cheaper hotels (but not hostels this time). As for seat reservations, I'm happy to pay but not for every single train.

Last year I was in Benelux so didn't need to spend on reservations however I know in France and Italy, I probably wont be able to avoid it unless I'm going on local all-station stoppers IIRC.

After Zurich, I'll ride out to Liechtenstein/Austrian border then return to Zurich. Leaving Zurich, I'll go towards Milan then Ventimiglia and stay in the Menton area (cheaper than Nice?) to have a look around Monaco before heading off to Toulouse for the coach to Andorra and then heading back all the way to Wigan.

 

[Freemo]

I think I'm drawn to taking the TGV to Strasbourg and then on to Colmar as I'd like to go for cheaper hotels (but not hostels this time). As for seat reservations, I'm happy to pay but not for every single train.

It looks like 10.31 Eurostar with a change in Paris to arrive 17.07 via ICE (slightly higher reservation fee) or aforementioned 11.04 via Lille arriving 17.37 are the quickest options to get to Strasbourg in that case, Colmar is half hourly.

The change in Paris is really not much longer than it is at Lille now they've put an escalator and lift between Nord and Est.