cindyjo

Hoping for some help. I am using the SNCF and Trainline sites to buy tickets for January and coming up with nothing. Am I too early? There is only 1 trip listed for 438 euros for two people. I have used both sites previously and had no difficulties Any ideas? Thanks...

cindyjo

P.S, trainline only lists trips for flixbus — —

margo_oz

Timetables from 10 December are in the process of updating over the next few days.
Check back a bit later.

Traveler_Nick

Why do you want to take the train? Have you thought of flying?

NewbE

I took the overnight from Venice to Paris ages ago and it was dreary. I would fly if I had it to do again.

fuzzbucket

EasyJet normally has specials to Venice. We paid 28 EU round-trip in December. Took 90 minutes.

neckervd

https://www.thello.com/reservation/O...html?iLangID=3

Dukey1

As much as I LIKE taking the train in Europe for this trip I, too, would consider a budget flight.

Easyjet flies from Orly and CDG <B>to Marco Polo</B>. Look at fares on www.skyscanner.com

bvlenci

The only direct trains from Paris to Venice are the Thello overnight trains. On the Thello site, they say that tickets for dates beyond the 9th of December are temporarily unavailable.

https://www.thello.com/reservation/O...tes/index.html

If you want a day train, you have to take the French TGV train as far as Milan, and then an Italian high-speed train from there to Venice. The Italian trains are already available 120 days in advance, which includes part of January, but I don't see any TVG trains to Milan after the 8th of December.

I've taken the overnight train and wasn't expecting anything better than what I got. I would take it again. (Be sure to bring your own food and beverages, including water to brush your teeth.) If I didn't take the night train, and didn't want to fly, I'd probably pass through Switzerland and spend a night there.

Man_in_seat_61

The Thello overnight sleeper train is far more fun, more of an experience and more environmentally-friendly than yet another globalised flight.

The daytime trains are an alternative too, Paris to Turin by TGV at up to 186mph, then at slow speed through the mountain scenery into Italy. 5h40 to Turin. Ideally, stay overnight and see something of lovely Turin (though the whole trip can be done in a day if you like), then hop on a Turin-Venice train in about 3h29.

It's cheap: Paris to Venice by Thello from €35 ($41) including a bunk to sleep in.

Paris-Turin by TGV from €29, Turin to Venice from €29.90.

All can be booked at www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu and you print your own tickets.

Man_in_seat_61

Check out the video of the TGV day trains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B09t_WJz_mM&t=24s

...and of the Thello sleeper, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfjiaO2lyOw&t=58s

Booking for dates after the 10 December timetable change is starting to open now, most French trains opened for booking on 12 Oct, German trains will open 17 Oct, Italian trains are in a longer process of uploading,..

PalenQ

Yes day trains a long slog for most -but many do like overnight trains and the one Man in Seat 61 talks does Paris-Venice - for lots on trains check Man 61's commercial site: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

And there will be regular trains Paris-Milan-Venice in January just not loaded yet until schedules firm up.

cindyjo

Ok, thank you for all responses. I thought it might be too early. We do prefer trains to flights and have the time but the consensus seems to be fly .....
I guess I do have some time to think about it.
I appreciate the feedback.

Our 8 weeks in Rome and Sicily are set and thought we might just add on Paris in January. We were in Paris once in December and froze! We are from Seattle which is same latitude but Paris seemed so much colder (but well worth a few shivers),

fuzzbucket

I'd rather take a flight of 90 minutes than take a train from Paris to Venice for about 12 hours...

Dukey1

Even of you take the MUCH MORE SCENIC route from Paris to Venice by usding a daytime TGV to Geneva and changing there for the trip along Lac Leman through the Simplon Tunnel and along Lake Maggiore to Milan and changing there for the final leg to Milan (unless you get one of the direct trains from Geneva which goes all the way to Venice I AM SORRY but having done it vs flying...I would still fly.

Now, Mr. Take the train no matter what can say whatever he likes(including that night train which even he says could be better)and perhaps you'll go for it...up to you but I think you really have very little to decide given what you are trying to accomplish: getting from A to B and fast and with MINIMAL hassle.

NewbE

The fact that you are traveling for 8 weeks makes me think that perhaps a scenic, if schleppy, day train might suit you, as a kind of a break. I am not an overnight travel sort of person, be it plane, train or automobile, so that's where I'm coming from.

neckervd

If you want to do it by "day" train (it will get dark shortly after 4pm), leave Paris at 15.57, arrive at Montreux at 20.11, sleep there and go on the following day at 8.37 to Venezia SL ar 14.40 (direct train with dining car).

PalenQ

Well Montreux would be a novel idea and also arguably provide a more scenic route but instead of leaving Paris in the dark maybe get to Montreux around 2-3pm so you can see the nice panorama of Lake Geneva and Mt Blanc hovering over it - take a stroll along the lake - unlikely to be really cold.

Anyway the quickest day train link is about 11 hours straight thru - a little long for me, a train junkie.

cindyjo

Hmm, sounds like flying may be the better option. In truth, I am a bit burned out from almost a year’s planning re Sicily. Very much appreciate input and am bookmarking for my Train Trips folder..

PalenQ

Not into overnight trains? Ever taken one? Just curious as many here enjoy the experience and ultimate daytime time saver. But I understand they are not for everyone.