lilylove

i need help! i've never been to europe before and am sooooo excited about my upcoming holiday. i have a culinary excursion planned for nine days throughout italy. however, i was recently invited to spend some time in paris. from the train website it seems to be at least a 14 hour trip. i will be traveling alone to paris. do i want a sleeper? will my luggage be safe if sharing space with others? is there a cheap flight that would be comparable to the train rates? i will be dropped off at fco-rome airport the last morning of my trip in italy, is there a direct train from there or do i need to transfer to another station? what is preferential euros or traveler checks ( in euros)? if i were to get traveler checks in euros am i able to pop into any bank and cash them out for physical euros? any information would be greatly appreciated.

janisj

My question is - why on earth do you want to do this by train ?? There are many flights between Rome and Paris - cheaper and faster than the train

ellenem

Personally, I would look for a flight for Rome to Paris since I would not get any sleep on a train.

<< i will be dropped off at fco-rome airport the last morning of my trip in italy, is there a direct train from there or do i need to transfer to another station? >>
You would need to get to Roma Termini, the main train station in Rome. There is a train that shuttles between FCO and Termini.

<<what is preferential euros or traveler checks ( in euros)? if i were to get traveler checks in euros am i able to pop into any bank and cash them out for physical euros? >>
Don't bother with travelers checks. They are difficult to cash and give the worst exchange rate because you must pay to buy them and pay to cash them. For pocket money, use your ATM card to access your home bank account. Also use your credit cards to charge things. (Do NOT use your credit cards to get pocket money--you'll be charged interest immediately.) Check the fees charged by your ban and credit card for international use--some have better rates than others.

lilylove

i was told that the train was the most economical way to go. i have no problem taking a flight if that is the better route.

lilylove

thanks for the info ellenem! do you suggest i pick up euros at the airport or outside as well?

i was a little leary about using my cc abroad. how does the exchange rate work on a cc?

janisj

I was so flummoxed by the train question - I missed the € question.

You don't need to take € or TCs - use your ATM card to get € as you need them. And, yes you want to use your credit card - not to get money though. Charge things just like you would back home.

lilylove

thanks janisj...i will definately put the info to good use. i think i may be overthinking things in all my excitement.

janisj

You'll have a great trip - things are a lot easier than they might seem from home . . . . .

janisj

oops meant to give the link to http://www.whichbudget.com/

It is one of a few websites that lists budget airlines w/i Europe

ellenem

Most credit cards or bank ATM cards will chrage you a conversion fee and/or a transaction fee. You can check the fees yours charge, but even the worst deals with these cards will still be better and easier than dealing with travelers checks.

Do make sure your bank and credit card provider know you will be using the cards internationally. Some banks will consider it unusual activity and might not allow the transaction.

lilylove

you are awesome. thank you. i was trying to search united airlines and nothing popped up to my surprise. i will definately look over this site. thanks again.

lilylove

thanks el. i guess you only live once...i'll just close my eyes and sign on the line. here's hoping for reasonable rates.

KellyRome3

I agree with using the ATM to get euros. They are always available in the arrivals areas of airports. Also, bring an equivalent of a couple of hundred euros in case you have problems at first.

Make sure that your bank(s) know that your credit card will be used internationally. Also, have your ATM limit be increased temporarily otherwise you will find yourself looking for an ATM every day.

Be aware that credit cards typically give a bad exchange rate (in my experience). My rate with ATM card is far better. Also be aware that in many places (small B&Bs, some restaurants, etc) you will not be able to use credit cards.

Here are some websites for making the choice of flight versus train. I would recommend a flight. You should be able to find flights for about the same price as a train (maybe cheaper if you look around enough).

Italian train:
http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/fer...il/inglese.jsp

Low cost carriers from Rome-Paris (some are Ciampino though so might not work):
http://www.vueling.com/ES/index.php
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/
http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/index.asp

There are many other regular carriers (KLM, Air France, etc., skip Alitalia if possible).

janisj

just one comment re above -- credit cards don't give a bad exchange rate. However - different US banks/credit Unions handle foreign exchange differently. Some tack on 1%, some 3% - but even so, you get a better rate than most other ways of paying for things. Plus there is no transaction fee added on.

Ricardo_215

If you know your dates and book early enough you could get Rome-Paris night train with couchette for €35. You can (I think) choose a woman-only compartment (if you qualify!). No problems with luggage, and saves you a hotel bill. There's a restaurant on the train. For a bit more (€125) you can book a bed, this price also includes snacks & breakfast & use of dedicated room at Rome station. Yes it does take about 15 hours but some would prefer it to flying. For more info on rail try www.seat61.com, I found some very useful tips there.

galaxygrrl200

try www.airninja.com too. It lists all the low cost airlines that fly from Rome to Paris. ;-)

alanRow

<<< Low cost carriers from Rome-Paris (some are Ciampino though so might not work): >>>

And Ryanair use Beauvais which is somewhere in the sticks of France

lilylove

you guys are great! thanks for all the info.

Ricardo_215

Ryanair do Ciampino to Beauvais. I don't know Rome, but I've read a few arguments about the merits & otherwise of Beauvais over CDG. Beauvais is small, which means you may get out quicker. There's a bus laid on to bring you to Porte Maillot, & apparently it's not much difference timewise to getting the RER from CDG. Ryanair have a bad reputation in the prss, but are very popular. I've often used them and they are usually punctual and clean. Mind you if it was me, I'd go by train. But then I just enjoy trains. Whatever you decide, book early for the cheaper tickets.

WillTravel

I'd prefer EasyJet from Ciampino to Orly, if they are flying that route that day, rather than Ryanair to Beauvais. It is true that with a small airport, you are in and out extremely quickly, so being out in the boondocks is not so bad. And often the bus ride can be quite enjoyable.