Smooth Travel from Zurich to Paris: TGV Train & Paris Metro Guide
TGV Train Journey from Zurich to Paris: A Scenic High-Speed Travel Experience
Welcome to the France tour. As I’m going to France, there is a world-famous train in France called the TGV train, from where I’m going to start my France tour. Today, I’m going to France from the Zurich City of Switzerland. The French train has arrived at the Hauptbahnhof station of Zurich, from where I have to travel for four hours to reach the capital city of France, Paris.
And at the exact time, the train arrived, and I found my seat. The quality of the seat is so good. The TGV French train is world-famous. If you go there, you can see it’s a first-class train. You can see enough space in that train. I’m passing fields, wharves, and houses. There was a beautiful view outside.
Today’s train journey will take about 4 hours. A one-way first-class ticket costs around 230 euros. I’m travelling about 500 kilometers. The fare feels a bit high, considering the time and distance. The seat, however, is quite comfortable. The beautiful scenery outside the train is delightful to watch.
Some time later, I’m on the second floor of this train’s canteen. You can see the canteen was really good. I’ve spent almost 8.5 euros here to buy a cappuccino and an amazing muffin. I find the cappuccino average, but the muffin was amazing. It was really good. From the side of the canteen, the view looks amazing. The glass is comparatively cleaner. Watching that scene while drinking coffee is delightful. There’s a place to sit as well as stand here. I’m going by standing.
Finally, after a four-hour journey, I have arrived in Paris, the beautiful capital of France. The city greets me with its bustling atmosphere, historic architecture, and the charm of its streets. The journey has been smooth, and now it’s time to explore the wonders of Paris.
Complete Guide to Paris Public Transport: Metro, RER, Buses, and Passes
Getting around in Paris is very easy. There is an extensive metro, rail, and bus network. If you want to explore Paris, you will come across various small and big metro and RER (Regional Express Rail) stations. Paris has five RER lines that connect the central part of the city to slightly farther destinations. Additionally, the city is interconnected by 16 metro lines, which link over 300 stations.
To travel in Paris, you need to understand which zone you are in. You can follow the metro lines M1 through M16 according to the board. Moreover, there are five RER lines—RER A, B, C, D, and E—that can interchange with the metro system.
Besides that, there is also a widespread bus network. The amount of charge depends on which zone you are traveling within. If you want, you can buy zone passes. When I bought a Navigo pass, I was able to load a day pass. The Navigo pass itself costs 2 euros, and the day pass is around 11–11.5 euros. With this, for an entire day at the cost of 11 euros, I could travel unlimitedly within zones 1 to 3. Additionally, you can purchase passes for just zone 1, zone 2, or even different alternatives like zones 1–5.
Paris’ RER trains are excellent. They are the best commuter system for traveling from the main city to Greater Paris. But within central Paris, there is no alternative to the metro rail. To travel here, you need to understand the five major zones of Paris. The farther the zone you travel to, the more the fare changes. If you want, you can buy day passes like me. During my six-day trip, for five days, I didn’t need to travel beyond zones 1–3. Only for visiting the Palace of Versailles did I need a pass for zone 4. Most tourist attractions are covered within the first two zones.
If you have a pass, you can travel unlimitedly by bus or train. The machines are functional, but they can be a bit confusing. The best option is to get direct service from the station counter. One more thing: don’t buy multiple passes using your own online account. Remember, the pass you purchase on your online account is only valid for you. This is true whether you buy one or ten.
With a well-connected transportation system, Paris makes it easy for both locals and tourists to explore the city conveniently. Whether you choose the metro, RER, or buses, understanding the zones and ticketing system will ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey across the French capital.
