Planning today’s route back to Paris for tomorrow was a bit challenging in terms of juggling timetables between Italy, Switzerland & France with journeys permitted by Interrail and finding reasonable priced reservation fees when/if required. Left Milano at a sensible hour, 0940 Monday 30 March on a regional train to Lugano, Switzerland (Customs Border with EU). Really busy train but we grabbed unreserved seats just in time.
Most people got off at Lake Como. The most stressful bit wasn’t finding a seat but changing trains at Lugano – 1158 arrive, depart 1202 at adjacent platforms. On this occasion, the two ‘adjacent’ platforms involved a mad rush with lots of other passengers down steps under the tracks then up a long slope to join the train – which indeed left dead on time!! Luckily, we’d been forewarned by a fellow passenger! Managed just in time then walked down the entire train to find 1st Class with available, unreserved seats, phew!! Food onboard not very inspiring, so decided to wait until Zurich. Another busy train, so lucky to find seats and it had come to Lugano from Basel – only one toilet working! Train Managers were most apologetic, ‘this is not usual for Swiss trains’! Arrived on time in Zurich with half an hour to find our Lyria/TGV to Paris, with 1st class seat reservations and restaurant car. Steve was too hungry to wait and grabbed a snack on the platform Burger King kiosk in Zurich!
TGV/Lyria ran us from Zurich to Paris Gare de Lyon in just four hours! Reaching nearly 300 km/hr in several places, stopping only at Mullhouse, Basel & Dijon. Comfortable upper deck seats in 1st Class Premiere with a good selection of reasonable fare from the restaurant car made this a good last run on the European rail network (no china, glass or proper cutlery though). Arrived as expected spot on time in Gare de Lyon, 1738, with plenty of time to find our hotel in Gare du Nord ready for the morning Eurostar. Took the RER three stops to Gare du Nord for the last night of our trip. We’d splashed out on this place, recently refurbished in a funky style directly opposite the station with a room on the fifth floor. This time didn’t misread the four minutes walk. Only booked it this morning at a discount price and still got an upgrade on check-in from the very friendly receptionist.
The room on the fifth floor has a balcony overlooking the station and Montmartre. It’s extremely comfortable, funky and fun decor with complimentary beers in the minibar and a staircase that doesn’t take you anywhere. Salut! The only downside was the rather slow (and very small) lift – which only went from the first floor but porters and reception staff were more than happy to help with luggage up the stairs. Went for a wander round Gare du Nord, much more clean and tidy than when we were last there in 2017. Checked out where Eurostar departs ready for the morning and had a great ‘last night’ meal at the hotel restaurant, just three floors down in the lift! This restaurant lived up to its reviews for a lively atmosphere and good Levantine cuisine.