DO I need Switzerland visa

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???Hi,

I'm going paris and some major city in Italy this summer. Here is the questions I want to ask, hope someone can help me. Thanks:

I'm holding China passport and Schengen visa. My first stop is Paris. Since I'm going to take train from Paris to Milan. Is that easy to find if the route I'm going to take pass through Switzerland?

I'm not sure if it is ok without Switzerland visa.  But it would be nice to avoid it. I asked more than three travel agencies regarding if certain route will pass through Switzerland and I got different answers. I'm so confused.

Many thanks.

[nitsansh]

Don't worry. None of the trains that go directly Paris to Milano (3 daily trains) go through Switzerland territory. They take the route Chambery-Torino.

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Hello,

Thanks so much for your reply. I went to the web link you give me and found another good route, does this one pass through Switzerland?

Paris-bercy --> Dijon --> Dole --> Brescia --> Verona Porta Nuova --> Milan

Thanks again.

Tiana

[me]

Hi, Tiana!

Don't know about the route you list.  But, Rick Steves suggests an Alpine crossing, via "Aiguille du Midi téléphérique," a gondola, from France to Italy in his Europe Through the Back Door 1999 book.  

This way goes from Chamonix, France, to La Palud, Italy, near Mt Blanc.  It looks fabulous!  But, i haven't been there yet.   Btw, the map in his book also shows a "12 KM tunnel" between these locations.  

Might this be the kind of Swiss-free passage you seek?  

- d

[nitsansh]

tiana said:

Hello,

Thanks so much for your reply. I went to the web link you give me and found another good route, does this one pass through Switzerland?

Paris-bercy --> Dijon --> Dole --> Brescia --> Verona Porta Nuova --> Milan

Thanks again.

Tiana

This route doesn't make sense. Brescia and Verona are east of Milano. I have no clue where Dole is.

[me]

finally found another site (well, i'd never really looked) that refers to this gondola: britishexpats.com/arch/44/2002/11/115680
it also has links to official websites.

frankly, i was a little sceptical about the wole thing - figured everyone would use it, if it really existed.

but, there it is!

- d

David said:

Hi, Tiana!

Don't know about the route you list.  But, Rick Steves suggests an Alpine crossing, via "Aiguille du Midi téléphérique," a gondola, from France to Italy in his Europe Through the Back Door 1999 book.  <br>
This way goes from Chamonix, France, to La Palud, Italy, near Mt Blanc.  It looks fabulous!  But, i haven't been there yet.   Btw, the map in his book also shows a "12 KM tunnel" between these locations.  <br>
Might this be the kind of Swiss-free passage you seek?  <br>
- d

[karlhoh]

There are TGV trains that go directly from Paris Gare de Lyon to Milano twice a day. Fastest connection you've got, and they don't stop in Switzerland, so you can be sure you won't need a Swiss visa for them.