Why travel to Switzerland by train
This year, my daughter set me the challenge to take the train rather than fly when I next visited our long-standing client in Switzerland from UK and I accepted. Here is what I found out….
Comparing journeys
I travel from Tonbridge, Kent to St. Gallen (Switzerland). On a flight this would usually take 7 hours compared to 13 for the train. The train journey also involved 2-3 more changes than the flight and part of the extra time was waiting for connections. On the journey, I would generally be working anyway so the trip is usually part of a work day for me.
The train cost was 650 pounds (I took standard on UK trains and 1st class in Europe) versus 400 pounds on the plane (business class). So the plane is significantly cheaper.
The environmental impact
The train trip is scored at 5kg of CO2 and the flight is 250kg (yes that is 50 times less!). The Environmental argument for avoiding flying on short-haul trips is very compelling.
What was the journey like
The trains are very comfortable, especially the TGV. And there are lots of little ‘perks’ such as being able to take more luggage, carry liquids, generally better wifi, no popping of your ears on the flight.
I would like to say I got far more work done but I did spend far too much time looking out of the window and enjoying the view! Overall my journey was longer but much less stressful and I was less tired when I arrived.
My big ‘fear’ was that I would miss a connection and be stranded somewhere in Europe. My train to Basel was late so I caught the next (half empty) train to Zurich and there were helpful announcements in English telling me what to do! I was 10 minutes late arriving in St. Gallen.
Tips for the journey
- Leave your phone on and you will get a ping from the text when you cross borders!
- First class is definitely recommended on the European trains (and you deserve it).
- Have a clear plan and have a plan B for your connecting trains.
- The SBB and Eurostar train Apps are all very useful and give real-time data.
- Get you tickets for the Paris underground from the Eurostar restaurant early before they publically announce them
- Cultivate a different mindset and treat the journey as part of the fun, not a chore.
- On the way home, pick up some cakes and pastries in Paris and you will be extra popular.
In conclusion
The train took longer, although I think I would have used the extra time gained from the flight to work anyway in my hotel room.
The journey was more complex and needed more planning. It was also significantly more expensive.
However, the train was 50 times less destructive to the environment and the whole trip more enjoyable.
The acid test really is what I plan to do next time? I am really looking forward to the next train ride over…
It was also a great talking point when I arrived to visit our customer and my daughter thinks I am slightly less uncool now!