Hi,
Hope you are fine. We are trying to plan a trip from Zurich to Paris and back from Thu (Dec 31) till Sat (Jan 2). I am quite new to this. Any recommendations? How much do I save by going on train rather than airplane?
I realize our plan is on so short notice, and so, our options could be a little limited

Your help is sincerely appreciated. Thanks.

take the train, its far more interesting.

If you do it early in the day, you can still celebrate new years on the champs-elysees with the few others that gather there.
Beware french men kiss A LOT(!!) and seemed to consider all females fair game.
(although maybe I was just lucky )

BIG ADVANTAGE to the train over the airport - the train drops you right into the centre of town, for no extra cost.

We got 'caught in traffic' going from near the Notre Dame to the airport on a Sunday afternoon - nearly 100chf for the taxi fare...ouch...

Plane plus 50-100chf taxi fare each direction - you'll save using the train.

I took the train alone from the airport on arrival, and it was very very crowded and vulnerable to pickpockets...

my friend i`m going to say you something: TAKE THE AIRPLANE...

nothing is more valuble than the TIME.

I did this trip last may and we are going to do it on next june AGAIN!!!.

I also followed the recommendations of people on here saying take the train....

WOULD NOT RECOMMEND!!

Set off early enough... (7am train to Paris) didn't get there till 3pm!! some guy decided to throw himself at the train just passed Strasbourg on the way there! so add 3Hrs to the Journey! and on the way back somebody else decided to do the same thing lucklily it didn't hit our train, but it meant we had to go all the way to Paris and then take the longer route!! so didn't get back to Zurich till 3am (Monday morning) instead of 10pm Sunday which meant a big Taxi fare home!! (courtesey of SBB nontheless!)

anyways if you're not staying long and you're not stoping along the way! the journey is not really that interesting, and the speed of the TGV is not that thrilling! so catch the plane! unless you wanna waste time!


Cheers and Happy New Year!

We did this exact trip last weekend!! Decided at 1:30 on Thursday morning and then took the train at 16:27! It was fab!

I would recommend the train, for the convenience as said before into the centre of town, there's also no security checks or passport control or best of all weight restrictions!!! (that is, if you're a shopper like I am). I didn't mind the train ride back to Zurich as a chance to relax my very tired legs

Enjoy Paris!!

Take the train. TGV Lyria. Upgrade to first class if you can. I came back from Paris yesterday no problems. They have just upgraded the line so have knocked more time off the journey.Arrive at Gare de Lyon and then jump on the underground (Line D I think) and then you are right in the centre of Paris.

Actually you arrive at Gare De L'Est (unless you take the indirect one)... buy a day ticket for the tube I think it's six euros or something... you also get it half price if you're under 27 if i'm not wrong....


Cheers

Actually the trains leaving from the civilised part of Switzerland arrive at Gare de Lyon, unlike those from Zürich.

Well I think that's a discussion for another thread Which is more civilised Zurich or Geneva? hmmm I'm rather indifferent... as I currently don't live in either!

anyhoo the original poster is from Zurich (if his location is to go by) and hence the suggestions made... not taken the Geneva TGV to Paris so can't comment...