Nice Activities and how to fly out to Italy from Nice
May 4th, 2004, 07:33 AM
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Nice Activities and how to fly out to Italy from Nice
After much research of travelling costs and time - my husband and I decided to fly from Paris to Nice to save the 11 hour train ride. Once we are there - what is there to do and see? How far is Monaco and the French Riviera - or is that part of the riviera. Sorry for the ignorance - I dont quite understand what Nice is all about. I will have to do more research myself, but wanted some input from all you experts!
Secondly - from Nice we are going onwards to Italy. I haven't been able to find any flights out of Nice to Italy. Are there any? We would like to go to either Naples or Venice. Either way would work - and then we are planning to travel to Rome and Florence by train from either side (Venice or Naples). I have even looked into the one country eurail pass is the best way to go for us - at only $163 pp. We figured once we are in Italy - each location is only about a 2-3 hour train ride which is manageable.
However, we want to avoid the 12 hour train ride from Nice to Venice or Naples. I have checked Easyjet, Volareweb and ryanair. Is there any flight that can take us into Italy from Nice at an afforadable rate??
Secondly - from Nice we are going onwards to Italy. I haven't been able to find any flights out of Nice to Italy. Are there any? We would like to go to either Naples or Venice. Either way would work - and then we are planning to travel to Rome and Florence by train from either side (Venice or Naples). I have even looked into the one country eurail pass is the best way to go for us - at only $163 pp. We figured once we are in Italy - each location is only about a 2-3 hour train ride which is manageable.
However, we want to avoid the 12 hour train ride from Nice to Venice or Naples. I have checked Easyjet, Volareweb and ryanair. Is there any flight that can take us into Italy from Nice at an afforadable rate??
May 4th, 2004, 07:54 AM
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Some answers. While I haven't done it, it should not take 11 hrs Paris/Nice by train. There's a TGV (very fast train) that may be on a different website from the one you're looking at. Someone else may be able to help.
Some websites that allow you to search a bunch of low cost inter Europe airlines all at once are
applefares.com
skyscanner.com
Yes, Nice is part of the Riviera. It's got an Italian feel to it though because at various times it's been part of Italy. Monaco is very close-about 15-20 minutes by train. The local train runs along the coast & connects most towns (Villefranche, Cannes, Antibes,etc.) A website with info on the area is provencebeyond.com
There's a search function here. Type into the box above (search this forum). Since Nice can be read as nice, be careful the terms you use for a search. Try things like French riviera AND sighhtseeing.
The area is gorgeous & there's lots to see & do. Some great art museums (Chagall in Nice, Picasso in Antibes, Fondation Maeght in St Paul de Vence), gardens (Monaco and Villa Ephrussi in Cap Ferrat), local markets for food, flowers, antiques etc.abound.
Some websites that allow you to search a bunch of low cost inter Europe airlines all at once are
applefares.com
skyscanner.com
Yes, Nice is part of the Riviera. It's got an Italian feel to it though because at various times it's been part of Italy. Monaco is very close-about 15-20 minutes by train. The local train runs along the coast & connects most towns (Villefranche, Cannes, Antibes,etc.) A website with info on the area is provencebeyond.com
There's a search function here. Type into the box above (search this forum). Since Nice can be read as nice, be careful the terms you use for a search. Try things like French riviera AND sighhtseeing.
The area is gorgeous & there's lots to see & do. Some great art museums (Chagall in Nice, Picasso in Antibes, Fondation Maeght in St Paul de Vence), gardens (Monaco and Villa Ephrussi in Cap Ferrat), local markets for food, flowers, antiques etc.abound.
May 4th, 2004, 08:26 AM
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If I was planning on buying the Eurail pass - is travelling on the TGV train included?
Also - I guess I can try a flight such as Air France or something from Nice to Italy but I am guessing that would cost a lot more.
Also - I guess I can try a flight such as Air France or something from Nice to Italy but I am guessing that would cost a lot more.
May 4th, 2004, 08:39 AM
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Unfortunately, there are no longer many options getting from Nice-Naples. Especially not cheap ones! However, if you post a question for ANDRE, a frequent contributor on this forum, you may find some help. I think he's a travel agent in Switzerland (?) and seems to know air schedules very well.
There is a four-hour train from Nice-Milan. From Milan, it's only another 2 1/2 hours by Eurostar to Venice.
If you decide on Naples, you may have to fly Nice-Rome,( the flight is about an hour and a half) then take the Eurostar from Rome-Naples.
Good luck, and please post any info you find about flights from Nice-Naples!
There is a four-hour train from Nice-Milan. From Milan, it's only another 2 1/2 hours by Eurostar to Venice.
If you decide on Naples, you may have to fly Nice-Rome,( the flight is about an hour and a half) then take the Eurostar from Rome-Naples.
Good luck, and please post any info you find about flights from Nice-Naples!
May 4th, 2004, 08:41 AM
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I just wanted to add that the TGV from Paris to Marseille is only about four hours, if that, as I remember. Then it's about another 2 hours from Marseille to Nice. There is a TGV website with decent information. I'm sorry I don't have the web address, but maybe somebody else here does?
May 4th, 2004, 08:45 AM
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<<I have even looked into the one country eurail pass is the best way to go for us - at only $163 pp>>
You checked this out on www.railsaver.com for real? Train travel in Italy is so sharply discounted for two people traveling (actually, even for one person traveling solo) that I am surprised that you will even need to spend $163 on the point-to-point tickets you are going to want.
Anotyher mega-cheap flights site is www.whichbudget.com
Best wishes,
Rex
You checked this out on www.railsaver.com for real? Train travel in Italy is so sharply discounted for two people traveling (actually, even for one person traveling solo) that I am surprised that you will even need to spend $163 on the point-to-point tickets you are going to want.
Anotyher mega-cheap flights site is www.whichbudget.com
Best wishes,
Rex
May 4th, 2004, 08:48 AM
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It doesn't even take 11 hours to drive from Paris to Nice.
Nice is a large city, lots to see and do in and around Nice, but without knowing how long you are staying there and what your interests are, it's difficult to give any advice.
Nice is a large city, lots to see and do in and around Nice, but without knowing how long you are staying there and what your interests are, it's difficult to give any advice.
May 4th, 2004, 08:56 AM
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Well, based on the raileurope point to point timings for Paris to Nice - they say it is 11 hours. However, with the TVG it is about 5-6 hours.
So once we get to Nice, as WEADLES said - we can possible fly to Rome. Do our siteseeing out there - Florence and Venice. And then train it to Naples in under 2 hours. Then fly back to Paris.
Or we can suck it up and take an overnight to Naples. I guess we will have to weigh our options.
Rex - the $165 pp I mentioned was a 4 day Italy pass - it is a Saverpass meant for 2 or more people. So that would cover our travelling expenses within Italy.
So once we get to Nice, as WEADLES said - we can possible fly to Rome. Do our siteseeing out there - Florence and Venice. And then train it to Naples in under 2 hours. Then fly back to Paris.
Or we can suck it up and take an overnight to Naples. I guess we will have to weigh our options.
Rex - the $165 pp I mentioned was a 4 day Italy pass - it is a Saverpass meant for 2 or more people. So that would cover our travelling expenses within Italy.
May 4th, 2004, 08:56 AM
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This should lead you to a fairly recent "what to see in 4 days in Nice" thread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34492435
The other website for low cost airlines is whichbudget.com Don't know what they might have that the other 2 don't but give it a try.
I'm not really knowledgeable about train travel, but I doubt TGV would be included in a eurail pass. At best it might get you a discount. Eurail passes are generally not ercommended on this message board because it sounds like they're only worth it if you're making a lot of stops (which you may be). I seem to recall reading the TGV Paris/Nice taking about 5-6 hrs. Depending on when you go, it may not be much cheaper than flying.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34492435
The other website for low cost airlines is whichbudget.com Don't know what they might have that the other 2 don't but give it a try.
I'm not really knowledgeable about train travel, but I doubt TGV would be included in a eurail pass. At best it might get you a discount. Eurail passes are generally not ercommended on this message board because it sounds like they're only worth it if you're making a lot of stops (which you may be). I seem to recall reading the TGV Paris/Nice taking about 5-6 hrs. Depending on when you go, it may not be much cheaper than flying.
May 4th, 2004, 09:14 AM
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I just did a quick search of my options out of Nice via train - and it seems like the only place I can overnight travel to is Venice. They have a train that leave at 8:00 pm and get you to Venice by 7:30 in the morning. Travelling to Rome or Naples would mean travelling during the day and wasting our vacation time. So doesn't really leave is much option.
May 4th, 2004, 10:45 AM
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<<Rex - the $165 pp I mentioned was a 4 day Italy pass - it is a Saverpass meant for 2 or more people. So that would cover our travelling expenses within Italy. >>
I understood that. I was suggesting that you are buying a $160+ pass to "cover" $120 worth of tickets.
Let me clarify that I am mystified by the allure of rail passes, and thus have been branded as biased against them.
They look like a way to make you think you are getting a bargain through "bulk purchase".
Let's say that you found the very best gelato shop in all of Venice, and a "grande" costs 3 euro. Or they offer a "gelato pass" for ten "grandes" for 17 euros, good for one week. Good bargain? I don't think so. Seems great for the first three times you use it; chances are you don't really need or want trips four or five or six. Smart sale on their part. Would you likely have bought that much gelato from them otherwise?
I understood that. I was suggesting that you are buying a $160+ pass to "cover" $120 worth of tickets.
Let me clarify that I am mystified by the allure of rail passes, and thus have been branded as biased against them.
They look like a way to make you think you are getting a bargain through "bulk purchase".
Let's say that you found the very best gelato shop in all of Venice, and a "grande" costs 3 euro. Or they offer a "gelato pass" for ten "grandes" for 17 euros, good for one week. Good bargain? I don't think so. Seems great for the first three times you use it; chances are you don't really need or want trips four or five or six. Smart sale on their part. Would you likely have bought that much gelato from them otherwise?
May 5th, 2004, 01:34 AM
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You CAN fly to either Naples or Venice from Nice.
These routes are now operated by the budget airline ALPI EAGLES
http://www.alpieagles.com/
Hope this helps ...
Steve
These routes are now operated by the budget airline ALPI EAGLES
http://www.alpieagles.com/
Hope this helps ...
Steve
May 5th, 2004, 05:41 AM
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Rex - very interesting. I guess I fell for it. BUt oyu are right - i did the point to point and I actually only need 3 point to points which comes out to $105 instead of the $163! Wow, thanks!!! I did select the second class prices when making this esimate. Do you recommend 2nd class over 1 st class - esp when it is just a 2-3 hour train ride?
Steve - thanks so much for the link. Have you ever flown through this airline. They "Special" rate is very reasonable. I am hoping "Special" doesn't mean - service and possibility of the flight being late or cancelled. Or being put on a waiting list of some sort?
Steve - thanks so much for the link. Have you ever flown through this airline. They "Special" rate is very reasonable. I am hoping "Special" doesn't mean - service and possibility of the flight being late or cancelled. Or being put on a waiting list of some sort?
