dicebj

We are trying to make reservations for the night train from Paris to Venice on Sept. 3rd. The trenetalia website says there are no seats available for 2 persons, class 2, double compartment for that date. However, on the rail europe website it seems such a compartment for that day is available. Am I dealing with 2 different trains or am I doing the imput of information incorrectly on the trenetalia website? Thanks for any help!

Tomsd

Some webpages are better than others for train schedules, making reservations, etc - so just keep digging and also - check out the webpage for The Man in Seat 61. Google and you should be able to find it - and he is a great source.

Personally - I would recommend you go during the day - and go through Switzerland for a beautiful trip - maybe spending a night in the Interlaken/Bernease Oberland area and then on to Venice the next day.

Love train riding in Europe.

Dukey1

Have you used THIS site for Trenitalia? www.lefrecce.it

If not, try it

Ronda

You should try posting this in the Europe forum instead of the US forum. You might get more answers ;-)

nytraveler

Agree - the posts are for the area you are going to - NOT where you are from (VA doesn't come into it unless they have moved both Paris and Venice) and people who travel the trains in europe a lot will have better answers.

Either repost there or ask the editors to move you question.

Dukey1

USE the site I gave you...it works and the only thing that might hold you up is if you are trying to book more than 90 days/nights out.

Rich

I thought maybe they were going from Paris, Texas to Venice Florida . .

kybourbon

I'm pretty sure can't purchase this ticket on Trenitalia. Trenitalia requires international tickets to be picked up in Italy as stations with self service kiosks. You need to purchase on the French website or on the Thello website if you are departing from Paris. I think it's too early to book for 9/3, but try the French site. The fare will be 360€ for two people in a two person compartment. I'm also pretty sure there is no class distinction for a two person compartment. If you don't want to spend that much, you can try booking the Smart fare in the 4 person couchette (50€ each).
https://www.thello.com/

Have you considered flying? Easy Jet flies from Paris Orly and (closer into the city than the other airports) to Venice and is showing prices of 42-52€ for your date. Travel time is 1:40.

http://www.easyjet.com/EN

ira

Hi d,

Is your interest in getting to Venice or to riding on a train?

If the former, I also suggest flying.

Man_in_seat_61

This is the Italian-run Thello sleeper train, it can be booked in either direction with 'ticketless' ticket delivery at the Italian Railways website www.fsitaliane.it or more simply (although in French) at www.thello.com.

Ignore any small print on the Trenitalia website about ticket collection only being in Italy, this train is different, and they haven't updated the wording to show this train as an exception.

The Thello sleeper train is a good way to travel between Paris and Venice, it may not be the Orient Express but it's safe, comfortable, time-effective and fun, far better than an easily-avoided flight and all the airport stress and pollution. You can see what it's like in this video I took in January: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfjiaO2lyOw

Now the bad news. If you use Thello.com, you'll see dates from 11 Aug to 2 September greyed out. There's engineering work at Domodossola, and the train is currently closed for sale for those dates while they work out if they can divert it.

Either wait a bit, or book a Paris-Milan TGV (there's one at 07:49 daily) at www.tgv-europe.com/en (select 'Afghanistan' to avoid being bumped to Rail Europe with higher prices and fees), fares for the TGV start at €25 2nd class, €35 in 1st class, with self-print tickets. I was on the 14:41 TGV from Paris to Milan with my family last Wednesday, in 1st class, as it happens. A pretty run. Then book a connection Milan-Venice at www.lefrecce.it although allow at least an hour in Milan in case of any delay. Fraes from €9 if you find the cheapest Super-Economy rate.

Or go via the fabulous Bernina Express. Book Paris-Zurich day 1 at www.tgv-europe.com, from €25. Any train you like. Stay over in Zurich.

Next day, take the 07:07 Zurich-Chur arriving 08:22, buy at the station or pre-buy at www.sbb.ch, no reservation required.

Then book the the 08:32 Bernina Express scenic train from Chur to Tirano pre-book at www.berninaexpress.ch. Spectacular!!!

In Tirano, buy an €8 ticket to Milan and hop on the next regional train, no reservation needed for this bit. You'll make the 13:10 from Tirano arriving Milan centrale 15:40. Finally, pre-book a connection Milan-Venice at www.lefrecce.it

SeattleMichael

Another factor to consider when thinking about night train v. flying is the bathroom situation. If you have to get up during the night, you're going to be going down the hall to use the bathroom. Also, if you're susceptible to motion-sickness, it's pretty tough being stuck on a train for ten to twelve hours.

And, lastly, if you have a bad back, the jostling of the train while you're lying down might make it worse.

Just some things to consider.

Happy travels.

Man_in_seat_61

If you're so sensitive to motion sickness you get it on a train running smoothly on rails on the ground, you'd probably die of it if you went on a plane! My wife has back problems, but no worries at all on a comfy bed on a smooth-riding train...