I'd fly to Paris, spend a few days, and then train to Switzerland. The train from Paris to Basel to Lucerne is so easy. From Lucerne you can train to lots of places. You'll fly out of Zurich, which is also a really easy train ride from Lucerne.

Do NOT skimp on air conditioning in Paris. In Switzerland you should be fine without it

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:August, 2 weeks: Which would be better with regards to crowds and weather?

Fly to London, then Eurostar to Paris, fly out of Paris or Paris, then London?

Or Fly to Paris, fly to Zurich, fly out of Geneva?

Trying to combine something with Paris.

Those are all places that will generally have nice weather in August, although there is chance of heat waves, of course. You can also visit those places and stay in less busy areas, avoid major touristy sites at certain times of day, etc. I'd make the decision based on where you want to go and what you want to do.

Zurich is a bigger airport than Geneva with more flight options, so if you are going to both, I'd make that the final place you fly out of, other things being equal.

It's also less than 5 hours by train from Paris to Geneva, a very pleasant ride, so no need to fly unless it's much cheaper or something.

Thank you! Didn't know that it was only 5 hours to Geneva from Paris by train. Will look into that. Might be better since we would have to pay extra for the checked bags on the flight.

Paris to Geneva is 3 hours on the TGV fast train, not 5 hours

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On the French side near Geneva - check out Yvoire, Evian and Annecy.

Yes Lake Annecy would be the best choice for swimming and boating, etc. The water is very comfortable in August, likely warmer than anything in Switzerland.

Also food and hotels, etc will be cheaper on the French side than Swiss.

Anonymous wrote:On the French side near Geneva - check out Yvoire, Evian and Annecy.

Yes Lake Annecy would be the best choice for swimming and boating, etc. The water is very comfortable in August, likely warmer than anything in Switzerland.

On the French side near Geneva - check out Yvoire, Evian and Annecy.

Anonymous wrote:Switzerland. Do not skip Montreux!

My sister lives in Geneva and I spend a lot of time there. While Montreux is nice, Vevey is even better. It's between Lausanne and Montreux and just beautiful. Highly recommend. If you are wine drinkers, don't miss the Swiss wines from that region. The wine world's best kept secret. They don't export them - they keep them to themselves!!

I vote for Switzerland in August. Weather is great and at least in Geneva, most Swiss are out on holiday for the month but it will be busy with visitors. There are lots of nice places around Geneva, but the Bernese Oberland is really stunning. Trains are great and towns like Interlaken, Lucerne, Grindelwald, Zermatt are all gorgeous.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you'd like to hike, I'd pick Switzerland (you could find places in the UK to hike too, but I assume if you did London you would want to see the city). I like pairing cities with non-city time when traveling.

I was leaning towards Paris first and then Switzerland since it would give us down time with the scenic train rides.

That sounds lovely. I hope you have wonderful weather.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered Paris and Strausbourg? It's a larger city in France very close to Switzerland and really lovely.

I meant Switzerland and Strausbourg!!!!

That looks like a lovely place. Never heard of it before. Family wants to go to Paris though.

Sorry to be picky, but it's Strasbourg.

There are some lovely towns south of there if you want to drive around. This one is beautiful:
https://www.visit.alsace/en/253000781-eguisheim/

You never go to London for the weather. Any time of year.