How long is the train ride from Madrid to Nice? Is it more feasible to take easyjet to Geneva, then overnight (expensive), and easyjet or train on to Nice? Or is it possible to take the entire trip by train? How do you find train schedules? Raileurope.com does not show any trains on this route.

Hi mk,

The best site for train schedules in Europe is http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

You can buy tickets at http://www.voyages-sncf.com

According to SBB.ch, the trip would take about 24 hours, I believe the flight is about 1.5 hours. It should also be cheaper to take Easyjet than even second class on the train. Train from Geneva to Nice takes 6.5 - 9 hours depending on how fast a train you take. I could not get a price from SBB.ch, but RailEurope says it is US$88 second class, and there are some discounts for early booking. FYI, RailEurope is generally more expensive than buying your own ticket through the websites for the state railway system in Spain or France. I always use the website for the Swiss Rail system (sbb.ch) as they show train times for all of Europe (but not fares for trips outside of Switzerland).

From opodo.co.uk - - take Iberia nonstop, 1 hr 45 mins; departurs at 8:45, 13:25 or 21:00 - - 120 GBP RT and throw away the return. Nothing else worth jacking around with,in my opinion.

The same website does show one-way service for 85.20 GBP on BMI but it takes seven hours, through LHR.

Or alternatively - - for those inclined to do such a thing (not me), you can find on www.raileurope.com an advance purchase fare of $74.00 for a "Value T4" berth on the Trenhotel Elipsos to Paris (thus saving a night's lodging somewhere. Depart 19:00; arrive 08:27 - - then train or fly (preferred, in my mind) to Nice.

Best wishes,

Rex

P.S. You don't seem to be "all that new" - - but you may not realize how to find your own posts (click on your own name), nor how to "move up" your question to get better visibility - - it's called "topping"; you can add any insignificant reply to yourself - - "ttt", for example ("to the top&quot, rather than re-posting the same question again.

Mk - The budget option with EasyJet would probably be via London rather than Geneva.

You could go via Luton or Gatwick.
Luton offers better connections (i.e. less waiting time).

e.g.

dep. Madrid 10.50
arr. Luton 12.15
dep. Luton 14.25
arr. Nice 17.30

For a midweek departure this could be less than £50.00.

Check your dates on
www.easyjet.com

Hope this helps ...

Steve

ttt

Yes you could take the overnight train Madrid-Paris and then TGV to Nice but this Elipsos hotel train, if you use a railpass, is more expensive than Port Bou-Nice night train as you have to pay about $49 with a pass for cheapest accommodation i think. But if you buy a France-Italy railpass this would give you the passholder fare of $49 (place in a T-4) on this train. Or the above mentioned book early fare of $74 thru RailEurope and you don't need a pass for this, needs to be booked 14 days in advance. On either Madrid-Barcelona or Port Bou-Nice night trains pass holders pay about $30 for a couchette, with rail fare being covered by pass. Come to think the Madrid-paris train then TGV to Nice (about 5.5 hrs) may be most convenient. Note France-Italy pass would cover the Madrid-Paris night train and you only pay the sleeping supplement of $49 if you use a day on the pass.

Is there some more detail on another thread aboutthe whole itinerary of this trip? Buy a rail pass? Why?

here's your thread, back up "to the top" - - don't keep re-posting

Yes the same question appears in three different posts, one outlining extensive Italian rail travel and on to Salzburg, Geneva, nice, Madrid.

ttt - Hope s/he finds it this time ...

Hey folks - Please keep this in the top 50 today. Grazie

Steve

ttt