Hi,

After Southern France, we plan to visit Venice, Austria (Salzburg and Vienna)

a) Is Milan our only transit point (thereby lose a day in travel) or are there night trains from Nice to any of the above 3 cities.

b) what would be the recommended route from nice to other 3? using train or budget airlines ?

Thank you

RV -

a) There is an overnight train from Ventimiglia to Venice, leaving Ventimiglia at 21.48, arriving Venice at 07.15.

You can connect to Ventimiglia from Nice by train & bus - part of the line is currently closed for repair work.

b) I believe the best route to Salzburg would be via Verona & Innsbruck.

The same line continues from Salzburg to Venice. Alternatively there is a route from Venice to Vienna.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

I think Steve is correct in terms of the route from Venice to Salzburg/Vienna..you usually have to change in Verona.

There is at least one direct (no changes) train Venice to Vienna leaving at 1:14 PM (usually) arriving about 9:02 PM or you can do it overnight with no changes leaving Venice 8:43 PM and arriving Vienna at 6:26 the next morning.

For services Venice to Salzburg you generally have to change in both Verona and Innsbruck. Frequent service runs daily.
Hope this helps a bit.

Hi

The Venice/Vienna train ride over the mountains is quite scenic.

Hi All, Thank you so much, this is tremendously helpful.

We also plan to end the trip with about 9 days in Italy again. (Sorry did not mention that earlier)

Tuscany, Day trip to Pisa - 2D/1N (More Interested in wine country, does not look like we have much time for Florence?)

Amalfi Coast - Capri, Naples/Sorrento - 2 Days/1 Nights?, want to see the beautiful coast ..

Rome 4 Days/3 Nights (Fly out Rome to US)....

Does Nice - Venice - Vienna - Salzburg still work?

Then how do you suggest getting to Italy again - Overnight Train? Budget Air?
Where in Italy can we fly into since we end trip at Rome... (convenience, cost)?

Thanks VERY MUCH your input!!!

RV - You seem to be covering a lot of miles for 1/2-night stands! I think you'll need to plan carefully or you'll spend half the time travelling ...

You should definitely consider travelling overnight on one or two of the longer journeys - or consider flying.

The budget airline Sky Europe flies the Vienna-Venice route - though it actually uses Bratislava airport which is 50km from Vienna.
www.skyeurope.com

Depending on your route, Alpi Eagles flies Venice-Naples, so that would also be a time-saving option.
www.alpieagles.com

Let me know if I can be of more help ...

Steve

Steve/All

Thank you. There is so much we want to see and so little time its hard to balance!!
I have posted "Help!! - First trip to Europe!!!" here, maybe you have some suggestions?

In Nov/Dec considering the weather, travel time from Holland, etc what do you think of Switzerland?
Another time? We are not skiers but just want to see the alpine scenery..

Is there a budget airline that flies from Holland/Belgium to Barcelona?

How does this itinerary look for Italy? Suggestions?
Venice - 3 Nights?
Tuscany, Day trip to Pisa - 1 Night (More Interested in wine country, does not look like we have much time for Florence?)
Amalfi Coast - Capri, Naples/Sorrento - 2 Days/1 Nights?, want to see the beautiful coast ..
Rome 4 Days/3 Nights (Fly out Rome to US)....

Thanks in advance Steve and everyone else!!

Easyjet and Ryanair fly to Girona (near Barcelona) from Amsterdam and Charleroi.
Here are their websites:
www.easyjet.com
www.ryanair.com

If you can book well in advance they usually have good fares.

I'm not sure which other budget or other airlines fly directly to Barcellona Airport - but you can usually find this info on the airport website.

Switzerland in December? I've never been at that time of year - maybe someone else can help you. It should be attractive pre-Christmas, I think - especially if it snows.

Hope this helps ...

Steve