kaydee1215

My son is traveling from Paris to Florence in two weeks. Purchasing the railpass is no problem. Booking the train reservation for the overnight train from Paris to Florence seems impossible. I've never booked ahead, but I never travel overnight either. What's the best way to book this overnight train??? I want to make sure he has a place on the train and somewhere to sleep.

GeoffHamer

Some more information would help. Which country are you in? Is your son old enough to make bookings himself? When is your son in Paris?
Unless he is making lots of other long train journeys, it won't be worth getting a rail pass. The night train from Paris to Firenze ("Florence") has sleepers and couchettes, but no ordinary seats, and reservations are compulsory.

ira

Hi K,

A. Don't buy any railpasses until you have entered your itinerary at www.railsaver.com and clicked "only if it saves money".

B. It would be a lot easier for us to help him if your son signed up and asked his questions himself.

C. For student budget travel, check the Thorntreen Forum on www.lonelyplanet.com.

kaydee1215

My son is 18, and he this is his first "solo" trip. We are from the US. He will be in Paris until July 23rd, then traveling to Florence overnight, a few days in Florence then on to Rome for a week. The France/Itlay young railpass was the most cost effective, so I've purchased that. The issue I have is making the reservations, especially for the overnight train. I'm lost on doing that.........

Regarding the student travel website suggestion, thank you Ira for that idea. I will have him go there and check it out.

GeoffHamer

If you've purchased the rail pass, you should be able to get the overnight reservation from the same source. Otherwise, your son should try to book it when he arrives in Paris.
An 18-year-old is more likely to meet people his own age in a couchette, rather than a sleeper, though that depends on him. It will be peak season, but there are alternatives if the train is full: he could get the night train to Milano, Verona or even Venezia, then get a day train on to Firenze - it'll cost the same with a rail pass, and even a few hours would allow a brief look at Verona or Venezia.

ira

Hi K,

I'm sorry to belabor the point, but he will be a much more savvy traveler if he does his own research.

I he is already in Paris, he can make his sleeping reservations at any train station or SNCF boutique.

See www.pagesjaunes.fr for addresses.

kaydee1215

He leaves on July 20th for Paris, currently he is still here in the states. If you both feel confident that he'll have no problem getting on the overnight train on a Sunday night, then I'll just advise him to wait until he arrives in Paris on July 21st and purchase the ticket. Thanks for your help. I'll point him to the website you've recommended as well.