Florence To Paris Via Overnight Train?
Jul 20th, 2017, 05:23 AM
#1
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Florence To Paris Via Overnight Train?
Hello!
Does anyone know the best and preferably the most direct way to get from Florence (Firenze S.M. Novella station) to Paris (Gare de Lyon station)? I'm traveling with 2 other people that are on a tight budget so we were looking at taking the overnight train on September 3rd. I've looked on trainline.eu and it looks like there are multiple stops. Any advice on the most efficient way would be greatly appreciated! Is it better to book in advance or book while we're in Europe? And how do we book a private cabin? Thanks!
Does anyone know the best and preferably the most direct way to get from Florence (Firenze S.M. Novella station) to Paris (Gare de Lyon station)? I'm traveling with 2 other people that are on a tight budget so we were looking at taking the overnight train on September 3rd. I've looked on trainline.eu and it looks like there are multiple stops. Any advice on the most efficient way would be greatly appreciated! Is it better to book in advance or book while we're in Europe? And how do we book a private cabin? Thanks!
Jul 20th, 2017, 05:28 AM
#2
I'm no expert but we did a Venice/Paris overnight train (actually it was in Milan where we got on the overnight train). We just booked our cabin at the train station in Venice the day before. We were just two people in a cabin with two single bunk beds. For 3 people I think you'd be in a couchette?
Jul 20th, 2017, 05:58 AM
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www.thello.com is the official site for Thello night train which runs Paris-Milan-Venice. Change in morning in Milan for Florence.
Buying in advance should yield discounts over just buying once in Paris. Private cabins for 2 however are very pricey - 45 euros p.p.possible in a coucheette (4-6 people including strangers)- flying would probably be cheaper than a private compartment -but with night train you do save on a night's accommodation.
You'd still have to buy a Milan to Florence ticket - www.trenitalia.com.
For lots on night trains and trains in general- www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.
Buying in advance should yield discounts over just buying once in Paris. Private cabins for 2 however are very pricey - 45 euros p.p.possible in a coucheette (4-6 people including strangers)- flying would probably be cheaper than a private compartment -but with night train you do save on a night's accommodation.
You'd still have to buy a Milan to Florence ticket - www.trenitalia.com.
For lots on night trains and trains in general- www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.
Jul 20th, 2017, 06:21 AM
#4
Depending on what accommodation you want on the train (seats v. beds), you might find that the cheapest air fare is lower or very competitive to the lowest train fare. For example, Ryanair flies Pisa to Paris Beauvais on Sept. 3rd from 54 pounds. If you flew the next day at 6:20a, the fare is from 45 pounds. The Trenitalia fare for the overnight in a cabin is well over 100 euros.
http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en
[Search Firenze and not Florence.]
Don't forget to consider you'd need a hotel in Paris or Florence for the night you would have been on the train.
http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en
[Search Firenze and not Florence.]
Don't forget to consider you'd need a hotel in Paris or Florence for the night you would have been on the train.
Jul 20th, 2017, 06:45 AM
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www.skyscanner.com will show you no-frills one-way plane tickets for under $100 US, but buy them now. I wouldn't even consider a night train with a transfer, and I like trains.
Jul 20th, 2017, 06:46 AM
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On the French rail site, sncf.fr , you can buy the tickets together with your chosen type of accomodation. If you buy a month in advance, there are good discounts. I believe you have to change in Milan.
I've taken this train, but some years ago. It didn't have good reviews (and still doesn't) but I wasn't expecting luxury. It was better than the old couchette trains I used to take when I was young.
I suggest you bring your own food and beverages aboard, including water to brush your teeth. The water in the bathroom was not potable, although that may have changed.
I've taken this train, but some years ago. It didn't have good reviews (and still doesn't) but I wasn't expecting luxury. It was better than the old couchette trains I used to take when I was young.
I suggest you bring your own food and beverages aboard, including water to brush your teeth. The water in the bathroom was not potable, although that may have changed.
Jul 20th, 2017, 07:04 AM
#8
See: https://www.seat61.com/international...Florence-Paris
Option 3 is the night train.
On the other options I can attest to Turin being worth seeing, and that the scenery between Turin and Lyon is good.
Option 3 is the night train.
On the other options I can attest to Turin being worth seeing, and that the scenery between Turin and Lyon is good.
Jul 20th, 2017, 08:02 AM
#9
<I wouldn't even consider a night train with a transfer, and I like trains.>
I don't think they would be transferring on the night train?
Ours was a regular day train to Milan, then the night train thru to Paris.
I don't think they would be transferring on the night train?
Ours was a regular day train to Milan, then the night train thru to Paris.
Jul 20th, 2017, 08:50 AM
#12
PalenQ - They are going Florence to Paris, not the other way around.
I would never do a shared couchette, for me a night train would have to be in a private compartment (myself solo, or with one traveling companion).
I would never do a shared couchette, for me a night train would have to be in a private compartment (myself solo, or with one traveling companion).
Jul 20th, 2017, 08:54 AM
#13
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Ok - yes easy enough just join the night train at Milan -maybe spend the day in Milan?
thanks for correction - lot more convenient that way -to Paris.
the Rome-Florence-Paris night train was scrubbed several years ago so via Milan is now the only option.
I've always taken 4-berth couchettes on that night train -three times I did it and it was fine -if I could have afforded private solo cabin definitely would have.
thanks for correction - lot more convenient that way -to Paris.
the Rome-Florence-Paris night train was scrubbed several years ago so via Milan is now the only option.
I've always taken 4-berth couchettes on that night train -three times I did it and it was fine -if I could have afforded private solo cabin definitely would have.
Jul 20th, 2017, 09:12 AM
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Yes a 3-person compartment would be sweet - go to www.thello.com and get a price for all three and if good book NOW!
I did a dummy date for Sep and said 290 euros for three was cheapest -not sure that was in a 3-person compartment however.
I did a dummy date for Sep and said 290 euros for three was cheapest -not sure that was in a 3-person compartment however.
Jul 20th, 2017, 10:06 AM
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Not directly but take the Pisa airport people mover or whatever they call that transport thing to Pisa Centrale station for umpteen trains an hour to Florence. Mainly regional trains you can just hop on-buy a Florence ticket at the airport.
Jul 20th, 2017, 10:20 AM
#20
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Also I'm not finding any trains from Firenza SM Novella to Pisa Centrale that gets in earlier than 5:52 am? If we do the Ryanair flight at 620am I don't think that will give us enough time?
