Easy Train Trip: France to Italy
 

Interested in designing an uncomplicated train trip starting in Paris and ending in Rome as outlined below. Return visits to Paris, Rome and Florence.

Appreciate feedback on allocation of time, city flow and transportation costs. I thought about adding a day to Strasbourg and doing a daytrip to Colmar.

Fly into Paris
4 nights in Paris
Paris to Strasbourg ( Train)
2 nights in Strasbourg
Strasbourg to Lucerne (Train)
3 nights in Lucerne
Lucerne to Lugano (Gotthard Panorama Express, boat, then train)
2 nights in Lugano
Lugano to Florence (Train)
3 nights in Florence
Florence to Cinque Terre (train)
3 nights in Cinque Terre
Cinque Tere to Rome (train)
4 nights in Rome
Fly home

Book tickets early for sweet discounts but loss of flexibility - discounted tickets are usually train-specific and cannot be changed nor refunded in full or at all and as sold in limited numbers must be booked in stone weeks/months in advance. To chose trains once there and have flexibility as to which train to take once there investigate: Eurail Select (Saver if 2 or more traveling on one pass) for France, Switzerland and Italy - if over 28 it is only first class which has significant benefits -especially for those traveling with too much luggage - more room to stow luggage as less people in same-size train car as 2nd class (which most find perfectly fine but first-class is even finer).

With a pass however you will have to get mandated seat reservations on long-distance French and Italian trains - in Switzerland just hop on.

do the maths: www.voyages-sncf.com for French schedules; www.trenitalia.com for Italian (and booking discounted tickets on your own); www.sbb.ch for Swiss trains. www.seat61.com has erudite info on discounted ticketing; for general info - www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.riksteves.com.

oops-www.ricksteves.com.

Thanks PalenQ

Aren't you backtracking if you go from Lugano to Florence then back up to the Cinque Terre? Isn't it easier to work your way south to the Cinque Terre to Florence and then to Rome from there?

I spent a night in Colmar and loved it. Stopped off the train from Paris in Srtasbourg for a few hours before getting to Colmar. Strasbourg is a bigger town maybe a tad less quaint than Colmar, but they are roughly similar in feel. Note that the European Parliament meets sometimes in Strasbourg and when they do, lodging prices may go higher.

Isn't it easier to work your way south to the Cinque Terre to Florence and then to Rome from there?>

Yes indeedy = could go via Milan and Genoa to CT - nice coastal route when not in tunnels - and then via Pisa to Florence - almost always having to change in Pisa (put bags in station locker and climb the Tower!

thanks Andrew and PalenQ, it does look more efficient to go the the CT first, then on to Florence.

My sister did almost the same trip in reverse a few years ago, except starting at my home in Le Marche, and substituting Como for Lugano.

Cinque Terre to Florence is mainly by regional trains - no need to pre-book these - flat-fare just buy at CT station - no seat reservations even possible - may be true of Milan-Geno-CT trains too though IC trains do run that route and you could save a little perhaps by pre-booking at www.trenitalia.com.

Montersosso to Florence SMN (Santa Maria Novella- the main station near the center of Florence) can be done all by R or Regional train or by taking an IC train to Pisa then regional trains to Florence SMN.

IC trains are 30 minutes quicker to Pisa but are more expensive and require seat reservations which comes with a ticket whether you buy it online or at the station. So for a few extra euros you can save 30 minutes.

If traveling light like with a wheelie bag only regional trains stop at Pisa S Rossore which is literally almost in view of the Leaning Tower - if you can wheel or carry bags several blocks there is baggge check at the Tower last I knew (check before doing).

thanks PalenQ, my goal is to travel light on such a trip. My back is not up to lifting heavy bags on and off trains.

On Regional trains since tickets are valid for a period of time (not sure if just day or more) you have to cancel your tickets yourselves before boarding the train - if the conductor comes by (they may not always) and it is not so validated you may be fined so stick them in those validating devices trackside or in stations or at entrances to platforms.