• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Basel and Lyon

Status
Not open for further replies.

Gadget88

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2013
Messages
811
I am visiting both of these cities from Paris how far are both to the old town area? Also should I stay at Gare du Nord or Lyon as Nord is much cheaper but involves a metro to catch the train I believe? I passed Basel on the way to Zurich pretty boring train journey but looks interesting for a visit. Out of interest which city do people prefer? I am doing this trip to get to know these cities more as possible to reach Italy from there as it would avoid a longer trip to Zurich.
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

Mag_seven

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
1 Sep 2014
Messages
9,994
Location
here to eternity
I passed Basel on the way to Zurich pretty boring train journey but looks interesting for a visit.

I find Basel a fascinating city as it actually straddles three countries (Switzerland, Germany and France). There is a walk you can do that takes you from Switzerland into Germany then into France and back into Switzerland itself in about an hour. It involves crossing the river Rhine on a footbridge. Basel also has a large tram network which goes into both France and Germany!
 

Gadget88

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2013
Messages
811
I find Basel a fascinating city as it actually straddles three countries (Switzerland, Germany and France). There is a walk you can do that takes you from Switzerland into Germany then into France and back into Switzerland itself in about an hour. It involves crossing the river Rhine on a footbridge. Basel also has a large tram network which goes into both France and Germany!
Interesting I notice I could also stay in Frankfurt and make the trip to Basel within the same time frame as Paris :)
 
Joined
21 Oct 2012
Messages
929
Location
Wilmslow
Basel SBB station is a bit of a step from the city-centre / old town, but there are frequent trams from directly outside the main entrance. Terminating Lyon TGV services from Paris run to Perrache which is pretty central; other services use Part Dieu which is a tram, metro or local-train ride away. Basel is pleasant enough for an overnight stay, with a spectacular Cathedral and Town Hall but has more of a 'small town' feel compared to Lyon. Lyon is transport heaven with tram, trolleybus and metro systems to explore, plus two funiculars. The old town / cathedral area has quite an atmospheric setting, and the two large rivers when in full flood at this time of year are very dramatic. I wouldn't bother with Frankfurt - definitely my least favourite German city!
 

duesselmartin

Established Member
Joined
18 Jan 2014
Messages
1,902
Location
Duisburg, Germany
Even among Germans Frankfurt is not that popular oddly enough. To ne it lacks soul.
Nearby Freiburg is definitly worth visiting.
Both Basel and Zürich have direct trains to Milan.
 
Last edited:

Gadget88

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2013
Messages
811
Even among Germans Frankfurt is not that popular oddly enough. To ne seems to Lack soul.
Nearby Freiburg is definitly worth visiting.
Both Basel and Zürich have direct trains to Milan.
I have been there last summer enjoyed the mix of old buildings and skyscrapers but the people were not too friendly which is unusual as Berlin was very friendly.
 

Mag_seven

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
1 Sep 2014
Messages
9,994
Location
here to eternity
The tram network (if you like that sort of thing) is the only thing reason why I would visit Frankfurt.
 

Alfie1014

Member
Joined
27 Jun 2012
Messages
1,118
Location
Essex
Lyon is my favourite French City, compact and as mentioned great public transport, it also has some amazing restaurants and is known for its gastronomy. Neither Part Dieu or Perrache are adjacent to the old centre which is situated between the rivers Rhône and Saone, though Perrache is slightly closer at just under a mile from Place Bellecour which is a good starting point to explore, (metro stop Bellecour). Just NW of here is Rue Merciere a street of reasonable priced restaurants. From near Saint Jean cathedral you can catch a funicular up to the Basilica of Notre Dame for amazing views over the city.
 

Re 4/4

Member
Joined
30 Jun 2018
Messages
181
Location
Bristol
Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon is two stops on the RER. If it's not on strike or closed for works, it's not a problem at all to do.
 

dutchflyer

Established Member
Joined
17 Oct 2013
Messages
1,237
FRAnkfurt is nicknamed Bankfurt or Mainhattan (its on that river) which about tells the felt views on it. Seems to have the largest % of non-Germans in the city (most workers come from outside as daily commuters). And innercity transport over there in those towns is quite affordable, one does not need to shriek away from using it (comparing it with the astronomous amounts TfL wants for the unknown foreigner). But the area around Gare du Nord in Paris is, well, lets say a bit rundown, though plenty of HTLs just around steps away, much fewer around Gare du Lyon.
 

Gadget88

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2013
Messages
811
So is St. Jakob-Park easy to find?

Ive booked this holiday for April.

also wondering if the large shopping mall in Lyon is next to the train station?
 
Joined
11 Jan 2015
Messages
677
So is St. Jakob-Park easy to find?

Ive booked this holiday for April.

also wondering if the large shopping mall in Lyon is next to the train station?

there is a very large shopping centre west of Lyon Part Dieu, but not Perrache.
 

Gadget88

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2013
Messages
811
there is a very large shopping centre west of Lyon Part Dieu, but not Perrache.
I am arriving at Part Dieu so it’s easy to find in that area? My dilemma is whether to visit it first or visit the old town area? Is there much shops in the old town?
 
Joined
11 Jan 2015
Messages
677
If you walk you go through the shopping centre. But it’s at least a 30 min walk to Place Bellecour. If you take the metro you, obviously won’t go through the shopping centre.

There are shops in the old town, it’s not a museum with coffee shops and restaurants only. But if you want a major food shop it won’t be the place for you.
 

Gadget88

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2013
Messages
811
Doing this trip in April. Is Lyon football stadium close by?

Also next year I am planning a trip to Geneva and Strasbourg both are the same time away as Basel and Lyon and seem to have impressive railway stations. Are they both worth a visit?
 

30907

Veteran Member
Joined
30 Sep 2012
Messages
17,866
Location
Airedale
Doing this trip in April. Is Lyon football stadium close by?

Also next year I am planning a trip to Geneva and Strasbourg both are the same time away as Basel and Lyon and seem to have impressive railway stations. Are they both worth a visit?
Of the two cities, Strasbourg definitely has more to offer, and maybe more variety in railway terms.
 

MarcVD

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2016
Messages
1,004
Not sure about that, at all ! Geneva tram network expanded quite a lot lately, there is now this new CEVA service, and the train station dispatches trains to lots of places in Switzerland.

Strasbourg, in the other hand, is today much less interesting than it used to be when international trains were more frequent.
 

Gadget88

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2013
Messages
811
Not sure about that, at all ! Geneva tram network expanded quite a lot lately, there is now this new CEVA service, and the train station dispatches trains to lots of places in Switzerland.

Strasbourg, in the other hand, is today much less interesting than it used to be when international trains were more frequent.

Why do less international trains go there now? The station looks quite nice in Strasbourg.
 

MarcVD

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2016
Messages
1,004
Why do less international trains go there now? The station looks quite nice in Strasbourg.

All international trains between Belgium and Italy/Switzerland have been withdrawn. International train to Moscow doesn't call in Strasbourg anymore either. No more classic trains to Germany, only TGVs and ICEs left. Still quite some hauled trains on the Alsace line, though. But all in all, it's rather depressing, as is most of France, in fact.
 

Catracho

Member
Joined
6 Apr 2019
Messages
45
Location
Dresden
Not sure about that, at all ! Geneva tram network expanded quite a lot lately, there is now this new CEVA service, and the train station dispatches trains to lots of places in Switzerland.

I agree. Traffic at Geneva's main station is actually quite diverse:
- the new Léman Express commuter network with 6 lines
- 4 IC/IR lines originating/terminating at the airport
- EC service to Milan
- TGVs to Paris and Marseille
- TERs to Lyon and Grenoble
- REs between Annemasse and St-Maurice
 

cle

Established Member
Joined
17 Nov 2010
Messages
4,007
Basel is one of the most interesting/diverse railway stations in Europe. Brussels Zuid might have as much diversity.
 

BahrainLad

Member
Joined
3 Aug 2015
Messages
311
Brasserie Georges right next to Lyon Perrache is a fantastic restaurant, well worth a visit.
I actually like Frankfurt but only when the Christmas markets are on, the big luxury business hotels are normally very cheap (who'd go to Frankfurt for the weekend?), the markets are large and there are a few decent bars/pubs if you know where to look.
 

LNW-GW Joint

Veteran Member
Joined
22 Feb 2011
Messages
19,555
Location
Mold, Clwyd
Some of Strasbourg's trams (Eurotram) were built by ABB in Derby, if you like to spot British exports.
The river and cathedral quarters are very interesting.
Geneva is scenic with views of Mont Blanc on a decent day.
Some good local transport including the ferries across Lac Leman, plus the new Leman Express line linking surrounding Swiss and French areas with the city.
But prices generally are horrendous, allegedly the highest in Europe.
 

Jamesrob637

Established Member
Joined
12 Aug 2016
Messages
5,207
Brasserie Georges right next to Lyon Perrache is a fantastic restaurant, well worth a visit.
I actually like Frankfurt but only when the Christmas markets are on, the big luxury business hotels are normally very cheap (who'd go to Frankfurt for the weekend?), the markets are large and there are a few decent bars/pubs if you know where to look.

I went to FRA for the weekend around 10 years ago, mind you I stayed with contacts and flew on staff discount, so the 4-5 days cost almost nothing transport-wise.
But back to Basel and Lyon, Basel has the "Rotes Rathaus" (red town hall) between SBB station and the Rhein, always worth a look at!
Haven't been to Lyon since the early-1990s and that may well have been only Satolas as the airport was called at the time.
 

Gadget88

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2013
Messages
811
I’m curious with Lyon do they have a Eurostar passport area? I know trains go there but only in the summer just wondered if these platforms sit empty all year or what?
 

MarcVD

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2016
Messages
1,004
Basel is one of the most interesting/diverse railway stations in Europe. Brussels Zuid might have as much diversity.

Brussels also lost quite some interest since long distance trains disappeared. Today you have of course all types of belgian stock (DMUs Excepted ) as well as Thalys, french TGVs, ICEs, and Eurostar. Plus the dutch stock forming the IC to Amsterdam. That's quite meager...
 

30907

Veteran Member
Joined
30 Sep 2012
Messages
17,866
Location
Airedale
I’m curious with Lyon do they have a Eurostar passport area? I know trains go there but only in the summer just wondered if these platforms sit empty all year or what?
The Marseille-Lyon-London does passports etc at Lille; everyone has to disembark for it.
 

MDB1images

Member
Joined
9 Jun 2018
Messages
654
Sticking with Basel would I be right in saying Basel Pratteln and Basel Bad are locations in which Freight can be photographed with ease?
Equally a bit further out anything worth a look on the French side of Basel?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top