Hi there,<BR><BR>I have a few questions about train travel from Paris to Venice.<BR><BR>Is it the same price to order the tix through the TGV website as it is at the stations? <BR><BR>I got a price of $111 Euros per person on the overnight train...is that a good price?<BR><BR>Which is the best bunk (ie the most room) bottom, middle or top?<BR><BR>How far in advance do you need to book?<BR><BR>Thank you so much for your help!<BR>Jamie<BR>

The prices for Paris-Venezia depend on the type of sleeping accommodation - it's the same price on any day or whether you book in advance or not. I'm not sure whether the train has three-berth compartments (type T3), but there are certainly two-berth T2 and new Excelsior compartments with a shower and toilet. Which position bunk you choose is a matter of personal choice. The top bunk will give more privacy, but you need to be more agile to climb up the ladder to it, and it's more difficult to get down if you need to go to the toilet in the night.

Thanks! Anyone else??

I think there are many threads on this forum discussing the pros and cons of various sleepers, but you can check out http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/specialty/artesia_night.htm.<BR><BR>The earliest you can buy tickets are 60 days in advance. We tried to buy 1st class night train tickets for Milan - Paris from www.voyages-sncf.com and discovered the night trains during March/April are sold out almost immediately after they are available, i.e., 59 days before the date of travel. We suspected EuroRail or RailEurope blocked the peak season tickets for its Rail Pass. However, we noticed tickets for 2nd class accomodation or for couchette are available for most dates. So good luck!<BR><BR>BTW, I priced your ticket for only 105,80 euro for 2nd class couchette using the sncf.com website.

Hi Jamikins, I am not familiar with the train Paris Venice, however I know that whatever you choose it is much cheaper to buy it directly in France. You can do this by phone to SNCF, pay with a visa card, and the ticket will be waiting for you at the train station in Paris.Bon vayage.<BR><BR>rain