Therea

What's the best way to get from Milan to Paris? Doesn't look like easyJet or Go Airlines fly that leg..... <BR> <BR>We will be traveling in Italy for 12 days and need to fly out of Paris on the 15 day--during October.

Rex

www.virgin-express.com lists the lowest fare for Milan-Brussels as 119000 LIT - - and then take the train directly to CDG.

Tony

There are also two direct (no changes) trains per day using French TGVs. <BR>EC16 Dep.Milan 0915 Arr Paris 1611 <BR>EC18 Dep Milan 1600 Arr Paris 2254.

elvira

Ok now I gotta question: <BR> <BR>Is the scenery worth taking the Milan&gt;Paris train? Time is not an issue (actually, it would be Venice&gt;Paris train), nor are $$, and I like trains.

Ben Haines

Fodors <BR> <BR>For Elvira: The reference library of a city near you may have the Thomas Cook European Timetable. Tables 73, 82, 41 and 42 have your trains. <BR> <BR>The fast route is in table 44: Venice Santa Lucia 0550, Milan Central 0855 to 0915, buffet car train, Paris Gare de Lyon 1611. Or a similar connection, Venice 1000, Paris 2133. But that route skirts Switzerland. So we add one change of train. Venice Santa Lucia 0742, Milan Central 1050 to 1110, bufet car train via Brig, Geneva 1542 to 1641, buffet car train, Paris 2022 <BR>Or Venice Santa Lucia 1000, Milan Central 1255 to 1310, buffet car train via Brig, Lausanne 1500 to 1752, buffet car train, Paris 2150. <BR> <BR>But those are still not the highest Alps. So we run you through Basle. Venice 0742, Milan 1050 to 1125, Verdi restaurant car express, Basel 1646 to 1830, buffet car train, Paris Est 2344. Now I think we've hit the jackpot. On the Verdi Express you run alongside and over Lake Lugano, spiral up mountainsides under snowsheds to the Gothard Pass and its tunnel, spiral down again on the northern side, and skirt both Lake Lucerne and the Zugersee. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to Europe. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

Tony

Elvira.. <BR> <BR>I like trains too but Venice to Paris in one day..whilst its possible as Ben has shown us.. I think its getting a little ambitous in terms of time on trains in one day. <BR>You said that time is not an issue, so why not a break of journey for an afternoon and overnight stop on Lake Geneva at either Montreux or Lausanne. <BR>There are fast trains next morning from either Laussanne or Geneva to get you into Paris in time for a latish lunch.

Beth

I loved that train ride! We rode the train from Venice to Geneva. It was some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. I think we went Venice to Milan (didn't have to change trains) and then on to Geneva. Geneva would be a nice overnight if you chose to break up the train ride. One note: Be prepared for the entry from Italy into Switzerland. Border guards check every cabin. I was the lucky soul who had to open my backpack because I had it in the empty seat next to me. Lucky for them it was full of dirty clothes! They closed it up pretty darn quick! <BR> <BR>For this route, I would definitely recommend the train. The scenery from Geneva to Paris is nice, but not as nice as Venice to Geneva. We shared a cabin with a very nice French couple. That is the other benefit of training it. A chance to talk to those around you and maybe learn something about the area you're leaving or going to. You never know who you might meet! Once, on the train from Paris to Barcelona, I met someone who knew my mom. Made for some interesting conversation! <BR> <BR>Have a great trip, no matter which type of transportation you choose. <BR> <BR>Beth

elvira

Ben and Tony, I'm likin' the route through Basel, and the idea of maybe a stopover. Thanks for the help; I had found the 'direct' routes on the SNCF site, but it didn't give any info on how it got from Milan to Paris. <BR>I like train travel for the relaxation and scenery; sounds like the Basel route works. <BR> <BR>

Tony

Elvira.. <BR> <BR>In that case your best stopover is probably Lucerne. All the direct Milan to Basle trains stop at Lucerne. <BR>Next day it is about an hour from Lucerne to Basle to pick up the Paris train, and there are one or two trains per hour.