Hi all, we're attempting to go from Rome to Provence. The trains seem like they are a mess (4 transfers) and car rental would require us to get a new rental in france, right?? (or can we go through france if we drop back off in Italy?). Which seems to only leave us with the option of a flight. Is there something we're overlooking? should we take a different train route through the mountains?

Fly Easy Jet Rome/Nice.

Is there something we're overlooking? should we take a different train route through the mountains?>

You may go Milan-Turin-Lyon-Avignon but still very long day with 3 changes of train - but if you wanted to break your journey in Milan or an underrarted splendid Turin may not be bad. Not much in mountain scenery however. For lots on trains and routes check www.budgeteuropetravel.com (online excellent European Planning & Rail Guide); www.seat61.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

Driving would not be much quicker - what part of Provence are you talking about - the Avignon area is the epicenter or touristic Provence IME.

Fly.

It's never been easy to get from Italy to Provence, still isn't, and probably never will be. At least now there are flights. Take one.

"> The trains seem like they are a mess (4 transfers) <"

No mess - look at a map and you see that you can't expect to board a train in Rome and end up in Nîmes or Avignon. This is not a route where the geography allows for a direct line.

But as others have mentioned, there are splendid connection points - make the most of them.

Or, indeed, fly.

You can go Rome to Milan Centrale in 2h55 by 186 mph train from €29.90.

Then Milan Centrale to Nice in 4h42 from €15 also by train.

One very easy change in a Milan landmark that's an experience in itself!

Book from Roma Termini to Nice Ville at www.trenitalia.com

Then it is city centre to city centre, a relaxing European experience with a good book, scenery, no flights necessary and no airport stress!

May be you have a look at your previous post and the answers you got there.
Train:
Rome dp 7.30 or 11.30 and change at Milano C
Ferry:
Civitavecchia dp 23.45 and change at Porto Torres (not daily)

Thanks all. After all, it's not the destination, it's the journey, right?? Sounds doable, except of course for the luggage

You should be able to find Locos flying Rome Marseille, probably Vueling and Ryanair

The luggage issues are your own problem. Learn to pack light, and it's not an issue.

Sometimes it IS the destination!

Book from Roma Termini to Nice Ville at www.trenitalia.com>

so they will now book Thello trains too? Much faster than Trenitalia trains.www.thello.com

???

Thanks all. we are taking the train to Milan and then to Nice. Really not so bad after all. Used trainline.eu site, it was a lot easier than trying to figure out discounts on trenitalia or trello

Nice is not actually in Provence. You did not state your ultimate destination - Provence is quite extensive.

For Provence proper a flight to Marseille with either Alitalia or Veuling would probably be similar to your total train fares and substantially quicker.

Used trainline.eu site, it was a lot easier than trying to figure out discounts on trenitalia or trello>

What did you end up paying? Curious. trainline.eu gets good reviews yes vs the other sites.

Nice IS in Provence, which includes the Côte d'Azur as well as inland Provence. But the latter is what people usually think of as Provence. Avignon is just tucked into the western edge of Provence, Nîmes is outside Provence.

Yes the famous Chemins de fer de Provence - trains that go from Nice into the hinterlands of Provence from Nice - Provence.

but yes classic tourist Provence is around Avignon-both areas enthrall me- could not recommend one over the other unless beaches are a draw.

PalenQ, it was about 240 euro for four of us (2 children) on the other sites, I couldn't figure out how to get the gratis bambini rate, but trainline.eu automatically put us in the right category to get the discount

Thanks -think I'll start recommending the www.trainline.eu site along with trenitalia.com - many have said what you have said.

Thanks