Richard Green
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My wife and I would like to travel from Exeter to Interlaken by train, preferably this May. Could you offer any advise as to whether this is feasible, taking into account timing, cost, and routing? David Tyler, Exeter
Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: Yes, it's more than feasible, and already a popular way of traveling to Switzerland. You'll glide out of the new St Pancras, sample the new TGV Est out of Paris, and then complete the last part of the journey on the precisely run and stunningly scenic Swiss Railways. You'll have plenty of room to move about, your luggage will arrive when you do albeit you have to carry it and the journey is refreshingly city centre to city centre.
You are best off speaking to a specialist rail agent, like European Rail (Call 020-7619 1083), which has return standard class fares from Exeter to Interlaken from about £215pp (or from £440 in First Class, which includes complimentary meals and drinks on Eurostar). Or from London, it's £191pp in standard class, or £364pp in First.
To arrive at your Swiss hotel before dark, you could travel up to London the night before, and then take the 8:32am Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris.
European Rail provide Metro tickets for your transfer between stations in Paris, and then you board the TGV Est, with its snazzy interiors designed by Christian Lacroix, via Strasbourg. You'll step down from the local direct train from Basle into the invigorating Interlaken air at 5:51pm.
Alternatively, you can do it in one day, leaving Exeter at 7:52am and arriving at Interlaken at 9:49pm. Coming home works well too; departing Interlaken at 8:35am and arriving at Exeter at 9:15pm (or St Pancras at 5:34pm).
Or try Rail Europe (08448 484 064)
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