Thello night train from Paris to Rome?

Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 02:51 PM
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Thello night train from Paris to Rome?

Hi there - We are a family of four, our kids are 2 and 5. We would like to take the Thello night train from Paris to Rome. I am having a hard time wading through multiple sites (Thello included) when it comes to trying to book the train and find out how much it would cost for us to get our own sleeper car.

Maybe there is something super obvious that I am missing? We will be in Paris in a few weeks. Would also love any feedback from others who have taken the Thello as to what you thought of it and what it cost you.

Thanks so much for any tips you can provide!
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Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 02:59 PM
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Fly. Has your family taken an overnight train before? If any of you can't sleep - then at least the next day (or two) will be like jet lag. And then you arrive in the AM and probably can't get into your hotel room until mid-afternoon. You can usually fly very cheaply.


(but you say you are traveling in a few weeks -- so it may be too late for cheap fares either flying or taking the train)
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Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 03:26 PM
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Look at it on this site www.seat61.com
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Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 06:54 PM
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The train leaves at 7:11PM and takes 14 hours. There is a a change at Milano Centrale at 5:50AM. A Vueling flight from Orly probably costs under $50.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 07:06 PM
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try www.trainline.eu
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Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 09:23 PM
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Thello night train from Paris to Rome?
Posted by: swedishfish on Oct 23, 16 at 6:51pm
Hi there - We are a family of four, our kids are 2 and 5. We would like to take the Thello night train from Paris to Rome. I am having a hard time wading through multiple sites (Thello included) when it comes to trying to book the train and find out how much it would cost for us to get our own sleeper car.
Would also love any feedback from others who have taken the Thello as to what you thought of it and what it cost you.


I've taken many night trains but not that particular one. The Thello site indicates that the cost will be nearly 500 euros for your family. The 2 y/o rides free. You will fit perfectly in a T-3 cabin.

For an illustrated introduction to night trains see http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap17/rail3.htm. To get specific information and book your tickets I suggest contacting the Budget Europe Travel Service in Ann Arbor. They are experts. The site is http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/. Call them and you'll get personal service. Byron and Linda know trains.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 11:22 PM
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Fly.. the night train is not fun.. and its expensive.

Flight is 1.5 hours and yes.. there is time waiting at airport for 1.5 hours ahead of flight.. so three hours .. add another 40 minutes to get into Rome.. so four hours versus 14 hours of travel.. and likely little sleep.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 11:24 PM
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PS.. look for flights that leave out of Orly or Charles De Gaulle.. not Beavais. .

Easyjet and Vueling to this route .
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 12:04 AM
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Get an inexpensive flight from Orly. The night train is a waste of money and a waste of your time and comfort.
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 04:32 AM
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Fly. An overnight train with a change at 5:50 am is hell on earth.
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 05:41 AM
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I agree with everything above: fly!
If you prefer the overnight train, here is the timetable:
Paris L dp 19.11 - Verona ar 7.54, have breakfast and change to a silver arrow train dp 8.52 - Roma Termini ar 11.45
Timetable valid until December 17th
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 11:42 AM
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I've taken the overnight train between Paris and Milan (in both directions). The conditions were rather primitive, but I had spend a lot of time in couchettes on overnight trains 30 years ago, and I wasn't expecting anything better. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Your kids might find it fun. Just don't expect the Orient Express, and bring your own food and beverages.

You can usually get very good prices if you buy a month in advance.
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 12:05 PM
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But the OP isn't going to Milan so would have to wake the kids and change trains somewhere. If it was straight through I could maybe see it as an adventure. But not the slog they would have from Paris to Rome.
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 01:41 PM
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I don't know where that schedule through Verona came from, I suppose it is an alternate as the schedule in a couple weeks on Nov 9th is Paris-Milan 19:11-5:50 am, then Milan to Rome 6:08 am - 9:10 am. Maybe it's an alternative if you want to take longer and not get into Rome until almost noon, although I would think that could cost even more.

It does cost more than flying, but that isn't that far off, so cheapest flight tickets may be sold (train also I imagine). Easyjet does fly ORY-FCO but the ticket is currently about 77 euro per person in a couple weeks. If you want to check bags, that is around 15 euro or so as I recall, so you would end up paying close to 100 euro each or nearly 400 euro.

I'd much rather do that myself, not pay more for the overnight train, but some people might prefer the train.
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 02:05 PM
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janisj on Oct 24, 16 at 4:05pm
But the OP isn't going to Milan so would have to wake the kids and change trains somewhere. If it was straight through I could maybe see it as an adventure. But not the slog they would have from Paris to Rome.


One person's chaos is another person's adventure. Changing trains at the Milan station is an adventure, something the OP and family will always remember. But beware of pickpockets and luggage thieves. Brush off beggars and helpful strangers. Milan station is as iffy as Amsterdam Centraal.
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 02:24 PM
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Are yous also going to Venice- if so go there first from Paris on the direct Thello night train, negating the early change of trains in Milan -then go to Rome or Florence or whatever.

the overnight Paris-Florence-Rome night trains were scrubbed a few years ago.

Anyway as some say night trains ain't for everyone - I've taken zillions and always could sleep but many cannot as there is noise from inside the train - in the aisles and outside the train - wheels screeching - station PA announcements, etc.

But kids could find it a real adventure.

For lots on trains and night trains check www.seat61.com (great info on discounted tickets and Thello in particular; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

You may find 4-person couchettes on that train you could book up but then the 2-yr old may have to pay for the bed - often kids that age who do not require their own bed go free - not sure how that works or age limits- if there are triples you may be able to do one of those.
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 03:17 PM
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2 yr old and 5 yr old.. ha.. no.. I don't think that's the ideal adventure age.. they cant carry luggage, they cry , they want to be picked up.. I would wait till a kid was at least 8 or 9 before I looked for adventure.
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 05:25 PM
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>>something the OP and family will always remember.
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Old Oct 25th, 2016, 06:54 AM
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>

Oh yeah, they'll remember the adventure from hell! Nothing like lugging baggage and 2-year-olds and their strollers and accoutrements through a train station at the crack of dawn while worrying about pickpockets and beggars. It's hard enough on a normal day. You just do not look for this kind of 'adventure" until the kids are grown up, not in strollers, and can handle their own stuff. Even then, it's not an "adventure," - it's a pain in the ass.
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Old Oct 25th, 2016, 07:23 AM
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Of course there are a full 18 minutes between trains to accomplish this, everyone fully rested and in good spirits.
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