Artesia Night train Paris to Rome carries family of 4 off into the European night
Sep 1st, 2007, 04:40 AM
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Artesia Night train Paris to Rome carries family of 4 off into the European night
Euro Railways has an overnight for $196 per person. A Comfort T4 is just right for our family of 4. Has anyone taken this train? How dependable are they, timewise? Would be advisable to trust them to arrive in Rome on time? We have a June 3, 2008 afternoon crusie to make. Could we arrive that morning and still make it?
Also is Euro Railways good to book with? Thanks.
Judy
Also is Euro Railways good to book with? Thanks.
Judy
Sep 1st, 2007, 04:56 AM
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Hi Judy - Why spend $800 when you can fly for less than € 50 per person?
Easyjet run this route.
www.easyjet.com
Steve
Easyjet run this route.
www.easyjet.com
Steve
Sep 1st, 2007, 05:21 AM
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Thanks Steve. Their fares stop March 2008. Also, what are their extra fees? Will I end up surprised with the final fare? Yes, the extra dollars saved would be nice. Have to decide wheather money saved versus "romance' of the night train is a worthwhile tradeoff. Is EasyJet in same class as Ryanair? Judy
Sep 1st, 2007, 05:24 AM
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Hi tt,
1. www.voyages-sncf.com offers PREMS fare of 140E ($190) pp in 1cl dbl on the 19:06 Artesia arriving 09:50.
2. They also offer a PREMS fare of 125E in a 2cl T3 on the same train. They didn't list a T4.
3. Your cruise doesn't leave from Rome. It leaves from Civitavecchia.
3a. If all goes well, you could take the 09:46 IC+ arriving C at 10:32. The next train gets you to C at 11:15.
See http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
Enjoy your trip.
1. www.voyages-sncf.com offers PREMS fare of 140E ($190) pp in 1cl dbl on the 19:06 Artesia arriving 09:50.
2. They also offer a PREMS fare of 125E in a 2cl T3 on the same train. They didn't list a T4.
3. Your cruise doesn't leave from Rome. It leaves from Civitavecchia.
3a. If all goes well, you could take the 09:46 IC+ arriving C at 10:32. The next train gets you to C at 11:15.
See http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
Enjoy your trip.
Sep 1st, 2007, 07:10 AM
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Ira, does that mean we would need 2 rooms, each person$190, total of $760 and would have 1st class? If that is correct, sounds like a good plan. Still checking. Haven't gone to the site for train from Rome to cruise departure city. I did realize it does not leave from Rome, just didn't mention it as figured it not too far from Rome. Good idea to take the train to port as they want upwards of $50 per person to transport us via van or some other mode. Haven't really checked that out yet. Like the train idea better--sounds less expensive. Judy
Sep 2nd, 2007, 01:24 AM
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Judy - I think you'll end up surprised by how low their fare is - if you book well in advance (- i.e.7-8 months).
Easyjet summer fares usually get posted about Nov. Look then ...
Their listed fare now includes taxes/fees. You can 'opt out' of the 'insurance' charge - assuming you have your own insurance.
Their only add-on now is luggage - which appears to be €3 per checked item.
You should find a total fare of under € 50
Hope this helps ...
Steve
Easyjet summer fares usually get posted about Nov. Look then ...
Their listed fare now includes taxes/fees. You can 'opt out' of the 'insurance' charge - assuming you have your own insurance.
Their only add-on now is luggage - which appears to be €3 per checked item.
You should find a total fare of under € 50
Hope this helps ...
Steve
Sep 2nd, 2007, 03:37 AM
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This train has couchette compartments with four or six bunks, and T3 sleeping cars.
The T3 compartments can be configured to have one, two or three berths, with the fare depending on the number of people sharing. The sleeping cars are neither first- nor second-class. Compartments have wash basins, but toilets are shared. Descriptions and pictures of sleeping accommodation are on www.seat61.com.
If comparing the price of a flight, don't forget to add the cost of an extra night in a hotel.
Whether the train will allow time to join a cruise depends on what time the cruise ship sails, but you should allow at least a couple of hours margin, as well as the travel time from Roma to Civitavecchia.
The T3 compartments can be configured to have one, two or three berths, with the fare depending on the number of people sharing. The sleeping cars are neither first- nor second-class. Compartments have wash basins, but toilets are shared. Descriptions and pictures of sleeping accommodation are on www.seat61.com.
If comparing the price of a flight, don't forget to add the cost of an extra night in a hotel.
Whether the train will allow time to join a cruise depends on what time the cruise ship sails, but you should allow at least a couple of hours margin, as well as the travel time from Roma to Civitavecchia.
Sep 2nd, 2007, 03:43 AM
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To get the best fare for the night train, book up to three months in advance at www.voyages-sncf.com, the French national rail site. The PREM'S (discount) fare for a bunk in a four-person couchette is €60. The standard fare is €110.
The PREM'S fare for a bed in a double sleeper is €140 and the standard fare is €180.
The PREM'S fare for a bed in a double sleeper is €140 and the standard fare is €180.
Sep 2nd, 2007, 04:22 AM
#11
Never heard of Euro Railways and I'm sure they will have some type of hefty mark-up either for paper tickets/ shipping/handling as most second-hand ticket providers do. The scnf and trenitalia links are the official web sites for France and Italy. They won't have the hidden mark-ups and sometimes have specials. I think the German rail site now has capability to purchase overnight trains also.
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
Sep 2nd, 2007, 08:53 AM
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Thanks for all your replies. It appears I have tons of research before final decisions are made. I appreciate the flight idea, but my gut tells me the train is the best way for our group.
GeoffHamer, thanks loads for the site to seat61. That site is chocked full of wonderful info. Already spent about an hour checking out various info there. I'm sure I'll spend many hours there in the near future!
Ira, you are, as always, correct and to the point. Wish I knew how to understand the rail sites as easily as you do. Prems sounds like the way to book. I may need more assistance later.
TimS--Thanks for your input regarding the trains from Rome to Civ. Those fares are sooo low compared to private transportation. You and Ira both recommend the french railway site and I have been there, but still not able to really focus on it yet.
kybourbon--I'll check out that German site too. where are you in KY? We lived in Lexington and Berea once upon a time.
My end aim is Eurotar London to Paris. Few days later, night train Paris to Rome. Same day, Rome to Civ. port for cruise. 2+weeks later, overnight Rome to Nice.
I appeciate any and all continuing suggestions.
This is my 4th European trip but I always rent and drive myself. But, my mind is not as crisp this time as in the past because our 15 year old grandson, Alexander, passed away June30, 2007.
This upcoming trip is being planned by me for my son, his wife, and daughter, and me. My DH wil stay home and guard the fort-- and work, of course. We (DH and myself) hope the anticipation of the upcoming trip will (and it is) give them something positive to look forward to. At this point, we are all very devastated. As one would expect, it is especially hard on my son and his wife. and daughter.
So, I would ask your continual patience with my ramblings and thank you for your help.
Judy
GeoffHamer, thanks loads for the site to seat61. That site is chocked full of wonderful info. Already spent about an hour checking out various info there. I'm sure I'll spend many hours there in the near future!
Ira, you are, as always, correct and to the point. Wish I knew how to understand the rail sites as easily as you do. Prems sounds like the way to book. I may need more assistance later.
TimS--Thanks for your input regarding the trains from Rome to Civ. Those fares are sooo low compared to private transportation. You and Ira both recommend the french railway site and I have been there, but still not able to really focus on it yet.
kybourbon--I'll check out that German site too. where are you in KY? We lived in Lexington and Berea once upon a time.
My end aim is Eurotar London to Paris. Few days later, night train Paris to Rome. Same day, Rome to Civ. port for cruise. 2+weeks later, overnight Rome to Nice.
I appeciate any and all continuing suggestions.
This is my 4th European trip but I always rent and drive myself. But, my mind is not as crisp this time as in the past because our 15 year old grandson, Alexander, passed away June30, 2007.
This upcoming trip is being planned by me for my son, his wife, and daughter, and me. My DH wil stay home and guard the fort-- and work, of course. We (DH and myself) hope the anticipation of the upcoming trip will (and it is) give them something positive to look forward to. At this point, we are all very devastated. As one would expect, it is especially hard on my son and his wife. and daughter.
So, I would ask your continual patience with my ramblings and thank you for your help.
Judy
Sep 2nd, 2007, 11:50 AM
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Judy,
Take the Eurostar from London to Paris. It's relaxing and faster than flying. Book up to nine months in advance at www.eurostar.com.
Take the Eurostar from London to Paris. It's relaxing and faster than flying. Book up to nine months in advance at www.eurostar.com.
Sep 2nd, 2007, 11:52 AM
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Hi tt,
For Eurostar from L to P, the Roundtrip tickets are usually cheaper than the one-way.
You should find an RT for about $100 at eurostar.com if you choose UK as your residence or at www.raileurope.com.
Sorry to hear about your grandson.
For Eurostar from L to P, the Roundtrip tickets are usually cheaper than the one-way.
You should find an RT for about $100 at eurostar.com if you choose UK as your residence or at www.raileurope.com.
Sorry to hear about your grandson.
Sep 2nd, 2007, 03:23 PM
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Judy,
I, too, am sorry to learn of the death of your grandson. I hope people are reaching out to you with love and support of all kinds.
I'll add to ira's reference about registering at eurostar.com. You are asked for a country of residence when you first visit the site. Fares and deals differ depending upon your country of residence. If you want to compare fares, you have to clear the cookies from your Internet browser and re-register as a resident of another country.
I just did a dummy booking as a US resident for a date in April. The best single (one-way) fare was $94. The best same day return fare was $101. The best return fare for travel on separate days was $148.
I, too, am sorry to learn of the death of your grandson. I hope people are reaching out to you with love and support of all kinds.
I'll add to ira's reference about registering at eurostar.com. You are asked for a country of residence when you first visit the site. Fares and deals differ depending upon your country of residence. If you want to compare fares, you have to clear the cookies from your Internet browser and re-register as a resident of another country.
I just did a dummy booking as a US resident for a date in April. The best single (one-way) fare was $94. The best same day return fare was $101. The best return fare for travel on separate days was $148.
Sep 2nd, 2007, 04:49 PM
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My DH and I appreciate your condolences for our grandson. It is difficult to truly believe we won't see him again in this realm.
Tim and Ira, I went to the eurostar.com site, set up as UK resident, but Jan 1 was last date allowed for tickets. The raileurope.com site allowed me to get tickets for Wed, May 28, 2008. I have not booked yet as am still double checking on exact date needed. Maybe need to be Thurs May 29.
I don't understand exactly how it works. I would have to purchase round-trip and use only 1 way? It appears the one way is (in my case) less $ than round trip. What am I doing wrong? Thank you. Judy
Tim and Ira, I went to the eurostar.com site, set up as UK resident, but Jan 1 was last date allowed for tickets. The raileurope.com site allowed me to get tickets for Wed, May 28, 2008. I have not booked yet as am still double checking on exact date needed. Maybe need to be Thurs May 29.
I don't understand exactly how it works. I would have to purchase round-trip and use only 1 way? It appears the one way is (in my case) less $ than round trip. What am I doing wrong? Thank you. Judy
Sep 3rd, 2007, 04:44 AM
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You're not doing anything wrong. Registering at eurostar.com as a resident of the US allows booking up to nine months in advance. Currently single fares are cheaper than return fares for "US residents." If you register as a resident of another country, return fares are often cheaper than single fares. Book an arbitrary return date and throw away the unused portion. And it doesn't surprise me that the advance booking timelines vary.
Sep 3rd, 2007, 06:29 AM
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Tim, if I book a round trip and throw away the return portion, do I actually pay for the entire round trip? Also, the price in pounds seem so high!
As a sidenote, in 2003 I was in London at Waterloo and (natively) wanting tickets to Paris at that very moment. There were 3 of us. The ticket person actually did as you suggested, I think. He ticketed us 1st class to Paris and 2nd class on the return. He charged us only for the outbound and made us promise ('m serious) not to use the return tickets as they were not paid for. We ennded up having an entire first class car to ourseves with breakfast, papers, and great personal service. It was fantastic. I guess they don't do that sort of thing any longer. It was on a Monday. I still have my stubs as a keepsake. Was 54.50 GBP 1st class and should have been $59.50 to return.
Sorry to be so dense. Judy
As a sidenote, in 2003 I was in London at Waterloo and (natively) wanting tickets to Paris at that very moment. There were 3 of us. The ticket person actually did as you suggested, I think. He ticketed us 1st class to Paris and 2nd class on the return. He charged us only for the outbound and made us promise ('m serious) not to use the return tickets as they were not paid for. We ennded up having an entire first class car to ourseves with breakfast, papers, and great personal service. It was fantastic. I guess they don't do that sort of thing any longer. It was on a Monday. I still have my stubs as a keepsake. Was 54.50 GBP 1st class and should have been $59.50 to return.
Sorry to be so dense. Judy
