Hello all!
My husband and I are set to travel to Paris and Rome this summer (July 15-29th). I still see that I cannot book an overnight train from Paris to Rome. Does anyone know when this will be up and running or should I make alternate plans? I'm a big planner and starting to worry a bit! Thanks.


Renee

How are you trying to book? I just ran a test for July 15 on www.tgv-europe.com and it offered me a number of combination tickets from Paris to Rome, and some that were already fully reserved. I carried the test as far as providing credit-card info and it was still functioning. I didn't try July 29 as that's still outside the three-month limit.
There are countless posts in this forum on the procedure for booking French trains. My favourite summary, for English-speakers, is the blog www.parisbytrain.com What goes unsaid is that sometimes the system seems to clog up, but usually the mysteries clear themselves within 24 hours.

I had never used RailEurope in the past because it wasn't a good deal - did not offer redeuced rate taickets. But as I understand it, now you may be able to get the disconted tickets thru them - I think it would at least be worth your time to check out their website or give them a call and see what their deal would be and maybe get an anwer as to what's up with the overnight train.

I think you can also get them at http://www.voyages-sncf.com/

Thello operates the overnight train now and is supposed to add service to Rome this summer (I thought it was supposed to be June). I checked several website and don't see the train listed in July. Thello's website doesn't list Rome as a destination yet either.
https://www.thello.com/

Voyages-sncf is showing a night train for July 22 for 219.20 Euro right now.

apersuader - I still don't see that train even looking at those dates. What time does it depart Paris? I only see trains that require a change.

ky: You're right. The one I was seeing was a transfer to Munich with a depart time of 15:25. I was lured by the City Night Train Logo.

The word on the street is that the new Thello train from Paris to Florence and Venice will start on 13 July 2012. This comes from a source close to Thello.

However, any new service has lots of things that need to be done, and there is no sign of any official news or announcement (let alone opening of reservations) so nothing is certain and it could of course be delayed beyond 13 July.

thanks everyone! any thoughts on what we should do? flight from paris to rome?

Check Easy Jet from Paris Orly to FCO.