duchess_priscilla

Hi all,

Friends and I are planning a 3D2N stay in Venice this coming June. We want to spend a couple of days in Paris before flying home. Because of time constraint, we are thinking of flying budget from Venice Marco Polo to Paris.

We have discovered there are several airlines that cater to this option. Any advice on which one to go for, and which site should I go to, to book the tickets?

Thanks!

dotheboyshall

Avoid Ryanair as Treviso isn't near Venice, nor is Beauvais near Paris

PalenQ

To maximize time savings and cost savings consider taking the Thello overnight train Venice to Paris - flying takes a half day - the train gets you to the heart of Paris in the morning and you save a night's cost in a hotel.

www.thello.com - fares as cheap as 59 euro if you book far enough in advance. If you've never experienced a European night train here's the chance - for an overview of night trains in general check out these IMO superb rail-special sites: www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

www.whichbudget.com and www.skyscanner.net for a listing of airlines linking Venice to Paris with an emphasis on budget.

MmePerdu

Here's a list of airlines that fly from Venice Marco Polo to all Paris airports. See which works best for you:

http://www.whichbudget.com/routes/VC...-to-paris.html

MmePerdu

I should also mention, on the WhichBudget site above, note the word "direct" in green. Those will be the ones you want, to Beauvais, CDG and Orly. I like Orly.

duchess_priscilla

dotheboyshall,

We are considering only departing from Marco Polo and arriving at either Orly or CDG.

PalenQ,

I read up a bit on the Thello night train from Seat61 site. I was keen on doing that to save a night's accommodation, but friends vetoed it. They prefer to fly.

I'll be checking the links you have provided. Thanks.

MmePerdu,

Thanks for the link. Noted on the "direct" feature.

I just googled and realised that distance-wise, Orly is closer to Paris city center than CDG. That means shorter travelling time from the airport to the city centre, right?

MmePerdu

I don't know about the actual travel time. Someone may tell you. I prefer it because it's a much smaller airport and I find it's easier for that reason.

MmePerdu

Again, regarding Orly, with several of you, if you fly into Orly you may find the cost per person of taking a taxi from Orly is comparable, or even less, than other options from CDG and much more convenient.

duchess_priscilla

Oh, never thought of taking a cab! Right, will discuss that option with friends. Thanks!

sarge56

I'm pretty sure there is both bus and trains that go from Orly into the city center. I can't give you specifics, but I'm betting someone else here can. Should be less costly than taxi.

duchess_priscilla

Thanks. I'll try to google on the train and bus options.

suze

I also did this leg by night train (thru Milan).

suze

The beauty of the train is you get on and off right in the center of each city, where the airports (all of them) are well outside.

PalenQ

I read up a bit on the Thello night train from Seat61 site. I was keen on doing that to save a night's accommodation, but friends vetoed it>

I would never try to talk someone into taking an overnight train if they did not want to - some folks who are light sleepers especially may not sleep much - there is always some noise - stell wheels screeching to halts at times - loud speakers in stations where night trains often seem to stand forever - people in the corridor, etc.

suze

To me it would depend on the reason WHY the friends vetoed it.

MmePerdu

Of course there are cheaper options from Orly into the city. But arriving at a closer-in airport, combined with several to share the cost makes the convenience of a taxi a very affordable luxury. That was the point, Sarge, as I'm sure the duchess knew, if you didn't.

Man_in_seat_61

Actually, I love slumbering to steel wheel swishing on steel wheel beneath me, and waking briefly to muffled tannoy announcements outside at some remote border station - it all makes sleeper travel across Europe one of the most unique and even romantic experiences.

That said, Thello isn't my favourite sleeper train by a long chalk!

I'd suggest the scenic daytime option, ideally with an overnight in Turin.

Venice to Paris can be done by train from as little as 48 euros city centre to city centre like this:

1. Evening train journey from Venice Santa Lucia to Turin Porta Susa on day 1 (after a full day in Venice) from 19 euros booked at www.trenitalia.com

Dinner and overnight in Turin, a wonderful city (even if you're not a fan of the 1969 Michael Caine film The Italian Job).

2. Morning TGV high-speed train from Turin to Paris, either the 07:46 arriving 13:24 or the 10:15 arriving 16:11, fares from 29 euros booked at www.capitainetrain.com - this is a nice train on a nice run, see the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B09t_WJz_mM

I've posted full details at http://www.seat61.com/international-...m#Venice-Paris

MmePerdu

The train would always be my first choice. The year of the ash cloud I thought I'd died & gone to heaven, had to replace a flight from Budapest to London with trains, day and overnight and splurged on a private compartment. Privacy at night, a scenic ride during the day.

I hope the duchess and friends can be convinced.

PalenQ

To me it would depend on the reason WHY the friends vetoed it.>

Well yes but 'vetoed' is a very strong reaction - I meant if one did convince them to train it they would constantly be looking for faults and saying, perhaps, how did I let you talk me into this?

Personally I would not want to be the potential target - you know how hard it is to change firm position such as the word 'vetoed' implied - discussion over. No no no!

MmePerdu

For me, trains can be as enjoyable as the destinations, not simply transportation. But I don't believe for a moment on such a short trip the average person would choose to spend the time on a train, including the OP's group. Maybe "vetoed" was a turn of phrase rather than an expression of vehemence on the subject, we don't know. In any case, my comment was general and not very serious, in this case.