rb24

Hello,

Thanks for all your help on my previous posts.

I have another one.

We're planning to travel from Florence and take an overnight train to Paris.

How far in advance should I book this? We will have a rail pass.

Should I book a reservation for couchette/sleeper before we leave or while we're in Europe?

Which train would you recommend? Has anyone taken this route?

Thanks for your help.

PalQ

The only direct overnight train, the Artesia Night train, leaves Florence nightl at 20:29, arriving in Paris's Bercy station the following morning at 8:38. If you have a railpass, the cheapest sleeping accommodation is, if bought in the US, $29 for a berth in 6-person "T-6" (Tourist 6-berth couchette) or $44 in a 4-berth "T-4". T-4 requires a 1st-class pass; T-6s only a 2nd-class pass. T-2 doubles run $88 per person. T-4s and T-6s are unisex. There are no regular seats on this hotel train, so minimum $29 plus rail fare (covered by pass) is required. If just traveling in France and Italy, opt for the France-Italy Railpass, which is cheaper than eurail and you can get in 2nd class if want. Note that these trains have several nights in August and November that are blacked out for reservations because of track work in the Frejus Tunnel. The trains are popular. I booked my pass and T-4 thru Budget Europe (800-441-9413) who you should call for any more details about this train, railpasses and anything else - they are the experts. (Ask for their superb free European Planning & Rail guide!) A $15 booking fee applies per order, regardless of how many reservations you require. I usually book my overnight train connections in Europe but since I was going in a peak period I did this one before going and the train was jammed full. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance.

rex

You may have read my unending arguments about why people should not buy a rail pass. Here's another one: you can fly www.jetx.it from Pisa (less than 30 minutes from Florence) to CDG for fares as low as 4.99 euro (okay - - this is fairly misleading - - it's 42.52 with taxes and fees).

This information from the seemingly ever reliable website www.whichbudget.com

Travel time is only 1 hr 40 minutes. Personally, I would rather sleep in a bed that doesn't disappear when you get to the station.

Best wishes,

Rex

ira

Hi rb,

Are you sure you want a railpass?

Have you entered your itinerary at www.railsaver.com?

You can book the train, if you want to go by train, at
http://www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic/

I assume that "we" means that you would want a T2 sleeper.

rb24

Thanks for your replies!

Ira and Rex, there are 3 of us travelling so we'll be getting the Select Saver pass for 3 countries.

I did run our itinerary thru railsaver, and for 1st class, it suggested getting the above pass. For second class, it was only a few dollars cheaper.

Rex, we're using one of the budget airlines already to fly down from Stansted to Italy. The time factor was the plus for us in that situation. Otherwise I find the transferring from place to place to catch a flight that lands outside of city centre more of a hassle unless it saves us a huge amount of money. And right now it's not that much more in order for us to consider the added flight option -- for now at least.

Thanks!

rex

And thank you in return for taking my reply in the spirit I intended it.

When I express a contrarian view like this, it's directed only part at the original poster - - and almost moreso at other readers of the thread who may face similar travel needs, present or future.

Have a great trip.

rb24

Thanks Rex!

Ira, I checked that url you sent, and it's not working. So I went to the root of that url, and I tried doing the search. My French is limited, but it doesn't seem to give me an option if I already have pass and I just want to buy a reservation and a sleeper.

And I got as far as the pulldown menu where it asks for what country it should be sent to (or at least that's what I think it says) -- and maybe I'm just tired or blind, but it doesn't seem to have Canada on it.

And PalQ, if the sleepers are indeed unisex, it's going to be a problem. My husband and my mother-in-law are going with me and we would like to stay together.

Do you know of any website that I can go to double-check this and would be able to give me the price for the sleeper if one has a rail pass?

I also checked the Rail Europe site to see whether it could give me any idea, and it gave numerous options which my simple mind found completely confusing.

Thanks again for the help.

ira

Hi rb,

You will have to purchase your reservations through a travel agent.

Try www.euraide.com They have a US phone number, and are very helpful.

I looked up your train. It has 1 cl couchettes for 4 and compartments for 1 and 2.

I don't think that you want the couchette.

PalQ

By unisex i meant men and women are in the same compartment, they are not sex segregated. The prices I gave are for railpass holders. Again I'd call Budget Europe at the number I gave in my original post - they are the experts; i've used them for years.

Andre

Re: Jetx, I'm generally an advocate of budget airlines, but in this case I'd be wary...

Jetx is a teensy <i>Icelandic</i> airline and only flies this route twice a week. This is the kind of company that can fold without notice.

For those of you considering flying (I certainly would), Volareweb from either Bologna or Rome FCO remains the best option.
www.volareweb.com

Hope this helps,
Andre

rb24

Thank you so much for all your help!!