Should we take a plane or a train? What are the airlines to use over there for good fares? If we didnt take the train, is there some kind of pass to buy to get all around Paris? Do I buy this now or when we get there? I am so new to this...and am trying to plan this big trip for my hubby and I.THANK YOU!

If you visit www.whichbudget.com, you will be able to search the routes of no-frills airlines in Europe. Your best option for convenience would be Orly to Venice Marco Polo on MyAir. You could also fly Beauvais to Venice Treviso on Ryanair, but those airports are farther away from their respective cities.

Your best train option is the night train directly from Paris to Venice. You save a night in a hotel and have more daylight hours for sightseeing. A normal 2nd class ticket (bunk in a six-person couchette) is E105. However, PREM (discount) tickets, if available, can be as low as E50 for 2nd class and E70 for 1st class (four-person couchette). First class is worth it for the extra space and comfort. Tickets can be booked online at www.sncf.com no more than 90 days in advance. PREMs sell out fast so it's best to book them as soon as the 90-day window opens. You print PREMs yourself.

In Paris, single tickets are good on the metro, RER, and buses within zones 1-2. You can buy a carnet (book of ten tickets) or various kinds of passes covering zones 1-2 or beyond. The type you'll want depends upon how many days you'll be in Paris, your arrival and departure days of the week, and how many zones you need to pass through. Visit www.parisinfo.com, the official site of the Paris Tourist Bureau, for more information. Visit www.ratp.fr to download and print a metro/RER map. The site is viewable in English.

thank you sooooo much!

Hi F,

You might not find www.myair.com on whichbudget.

If you decide to go by train, I'd suggest an overnight train in a private cabin.

I dont understand the difference between "my low" price and "my sale" price for the flight

Hi f,

Buy the lowest price ticket.

I found MyAir on whichbudget.com.

A further note on the train: There are two train stations in Venice, Mestre and Santa Lucia. Book your ticket to Santa Lucia (the end of the line) to be closest to the heart of Venice.

suze suggests a private 1st class double on the night train. That would cost you E160/person (no PREMs for private berths).