| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Sat January 28, 2012 04:06 PM UTC
Ah, one more question. Would renting a car be a better choice for me? I'd rent it in Bern and return it in Lyon on the same day. Should I request snow tires or it will no longer be necessary in the beginning of March.
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Sat January 28, 2012 04:39 PM UTC
Regarding the train Bern-Lyon, it's not necessary to book in advance, just buy the ticket at the ticket office or machines.
In Geneve, you have to take another train and allow some time as the platform to Lyon (it says France), is a bit far from the platforms of the trains going from Bern/other places in Switzerland, and you maybe asked for your passport, you are leaving a country anyway. The total journey takes around 4 hours.
Car?, I'd suggest you the train, but in the end, it a problem of money (and don't forget that they will charge you for leaving the car in another country and ask if they let you do).
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Sat January 28, 2012 09:14 PM UTC
yes you are ask for id passport control from Swiss to French sides. check fares on www.voyages-sncf.com
Lyon and put Berne, Bern in French, will give you hours and prices by train. Raieurope is an agency charge a lot more. And as Redang says you can buy on site when you arrive here,and cheaper than buying from Brazil
Cheers
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Sun January 29, 2012 07:23 AM UTC
First of all, welcome to Bern. It's a nice town. I know, because I live there :-)
There is a bus from the airport to downtown that has a schedule that is timed to the flights, so that is not a problem. This bus sets you down at the main station, and from there it's only a short walk to the Weihergasse. I suppose its the youth hostel you're staying at? There are actually signs to the youth hostel at the station, or just ask someone.
For the train from Bern to Lyon you don't need to buy from raileurope. There is train roughly every hour, always with a change in Geneva. There are no longer any border inspections at the Swiss - French border, so the change of trains is rather straightforward. Last time I did it it only took me 4 minutes from one platform to the other. (The info the other posters have might be a bit outdated).
Go to www.sbb.ch, and look up times there. Notice however how there are two categories of train offered for the Geneva - Lyon part: There are TER trains (marked RE on the SBB site) and there are TGV trains. The TGV is more expensive, but not faster on that route. With the RE/TER the ticket will cost you 76,- CHF when bought at the station in Bern. No reservations needed on that route. No advance purchases either.
Enjoy your stay in Bern. There is quite a lively Brasilian community here (large enough to cause spontaneous street parties when the Brasilian soccer team wins a game...)
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Sun January 29, 2012 07:30 AM UTC
First, hi K_V_B, I didn't know that you live in Bern.
Second, I was "lucky" that they checked my luggage, wallet, asked me about the money I had.............., so, it took me a while. Maybe they didn't like my looking (Dec. '11)
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Sun January 29, 2012 10:10 AM UTC
I was pull too in Geneva coming back to France in a small room, needed to lay on the table everything ho ho ho, Jul 2011.
maybe the rules change for 2012 ?
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Sun January 29, 2012 11:36 AM UTC
There are still customs checks at the Swiss borders, so they may be interested you if you are carrying a lot. Mostly however if you are coming from France, not leaving for France.
However, since Switzerland is part of Schengen now they have no systematic identity checks at the border anymore.
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Sun January 29, 2012 11:48 AM UTC
Sure, it is just an anecdote and thery were polite; no probs at all. And by the way, some years ago, crossing the border again from France by car on that occasion, they checked it (and belongins); it must be me.
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Sun January 29, 2012 07:13 PM UTC
yes customs checks at random. coming back to France. Going to Switzerland never been search ::)
oh well, it was surprise because been to other more distant countries and never were search. There is always one.
I think they thought my name is not French so typical...
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Mon January 30, 2012 01:58 AM UTC
Wow, first of all, thank you so very much, Redang, Gwened and KVB, for the swift answers to my question! They're most useful and I'm quite more at ease now.
About the rental car, Redang, I thought it might be a possibility, even if it'd cost me more, as we would see it more like an adventure. However, I got concerned when I was told there still might be snow in some parts of Switzerland, since I've never driven in such circumstances. Yeah, I've decided, Gwened, I'll get the train tickets when I get there (I noticed RailEurope seems a bit steeper.
KVB, we're really excited about getting to know your beautiful hometown! Had no idea Brazilians would be there bringing chaos amongst the Swiss (LOL), good Lord!
Yep, we're staying at the youth hostel! I've checked google maps and my friends think it might be quite a walk from the main station, as we'll be carrying suitcases and it will be around 10 p.m. I guess we'll end up taking a cab to the hostel (hope they run all night in Bern, do they?).
Hum... Redang, I'm inclined to think we might get stopped too at the border anyway, as we are Brazilians (oh, boy!), so, we'll get our passports ready...
Gwened, any chance it might take us so long we may miss the connection to Lyon? I'm asking you since you seem to have been held a bit longer than Redang.
Thank you guys again!
Gus
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Mon January 30, 2012 03:58 AM UTC
I should add that I was asked about my train time, when I said, in 30 minutes, maybe they thought, ok, plenty of time..........
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Mon January 30, 2012 05:55 AM UTC
To the OP: If you're worried about missing your connection in Geneva just take a train half an hour earlier. Trains from Bern to Geneva run every half hour, and your ticket is valid on all of them.
As to getting to the youth hostel: With luggage it might indeed be a drag, especially as there is quite a change of altitude involved. The railway station is in the upper town, and the youth hostel is down by the river. There is a funicular that connects the two, but that closes around 8pm. However, in the evening there is bus nr. 30. This makes a loop from the railway station, through the old town and down to the river, and passes close to the youth hostel. You don't need to pay again for this bus, as you will already have paid for the airport bus, and transport is integrated in Bern. But a taxi is an option to. A taxi will probably cost you about 20,- CHF or so.
As to your original plan of renting a car: The problem would not be snow, as the main roads are usually sweeped black quite quickly after snow fall. The main problem is that renting one way from Switzerland to France will be expensive. Better just take the train.
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Mon January 30, 2012 06:05 AM UTC
"KVB, we're really excited about getting to know your beautiful hometown", in my opinion, you'll enjoy it for sure. I stayed there less than 2 months ago.
Regarding the train, I'd take it instead of the car. I also went Bern-Lyon, and it is really nice and you'll pay more attention to the landscape, Lake leman included, lovely journey.
Where do you have your accommodation in Lyon?
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Tue January 31, 2012 04:42 AM UTC
KVB, thanks for the great advice on taking the train do Lyon and the bus to get to the hostel.
Redang, thank you too. Yeah, you're right, I wouldn't want to miss on the landscape on the way to Lyon :).
There, we're going to stay in Vaise, where we're renting a studio.
All the best guys!
If you ever come to Rio and need some advice, please, get in touch.
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Tue January 31, 2012 04:45 AM UTC
Thanks for the offer, and enjoy Bern/Lyon, great and nice cities indeed!
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Wed February 1, 2012 02:23 PM UTC
no Gusnust I have never missed a connection. All is time Swiss time ::) its done fairly quickly if you have nothing ...hehehe
Cheers
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| Bern |
Re: Transportation Posted: Thu February 16, 2012 01:57 PM UTC
Thanks Gwen :)
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