rex

You seem to keep overlooking the advice on how to get to Paris. Pisa... not Genoa. Fly from there.

ira

Hi Nunz,

For Rome/Siena you can take a bus from Rome Tiburtina station to Siena center for 5E.

It takes about the same time as the train, it's direct, you don't have to schlep luggage.

http://www.senabus.it/

nunz

Thanks Ira. That sounds perfect (bus to Siena more direct). Rex, I must have a mental block with Pisa. You are right. So it would make more sense to take a train from CT to Pisa and then fly from Pisa to Paris. By gosh, I think I've got it!!!!! You've all been very helpful and patient with the newby. I may have a few more questions but will gladly post my trip report when we return. Grazie

Mimar

So, Rex, why do you insist on nunz flying to Paris from Pisa instead of Genoa? Genoa is so much closer to SML. Probably fewer flights but even so.

rex

Compare

http://whichbudget.com/en/cheapflights.php?from=PSA

versus

http://whichbudget.com/en/cheapflights.php?from=GOA

If you want to fly somewhere, you need to go where the airplanes land and take off.

While neither one is on the same page as a CDG or FRA, Pisa is a competitive air travel market with lots of carriers (and a nonstop flight to Paris, which this is all about)... Genoa is not.

nunz

Thanks again guys! Unless I read the flights wrong the flight from Genoa to Paris was actually cheaper. I will spend a little more time investigating this though. Many thanks for your expertise.

rex

I guess it depends on how fixed is your date of tansport, from Italy to Paris... but Easyjet offers flights starting at 53 euro, versus 99 euro for Condor's service from Genoa to Paris.

And while you might not like the late arrival in Paris (Orly - - at 22:35), it's a 90 minute nonstop on Easjet, from Pisa, whereas the Condor service is a minimum of 5 hours, connecting through Munich. It would eat up the day almost as bad as the train.

rex

See a follow-up on http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34848810