Thello Night Train out of service, Now what?
 

My boyfriend and I just found out that the Thello night train from Paris to Venice that we planned to take this summer, is out of service during the time we planned to take it (Scheduled Maintinence Aug 11- Sept 2). Now we have a lapse in our itinerary for one night between accomodations in the two cities. Anyone have any ideas on what would be a cheap option for one night? I know Milan and Geneva are about half way but with the train out of service I wasn't sure how that would effect all travel in the area. I looked into extendeding our stay in Paris one night but the hotel is fully booked, and to do so on the Venice end would be far too expensive.

Thank you!!!

Check accommodations in Lyon. Also check train fares quickly as the least expensive options may already be sold out.

Other options would be smaller towns but you need someplace with a schedule that will get you to Venice easily.

Annecy? Or some place in the alps?

The Italian Lakes and Switzerland are expensive.

How do you plan to get between the two now? Flying? Train?

I would check the new route you plan to take. The overnight train is likely to be impacted as perhaps they are doing overnight track work, but that wouldnt impact day travel on the lines (hopefully). So check where your train route will now be through and pick somewhere on that new line.

I would personally fly to Venice using a cheap airline like www.easyjet.com (watch luggage restrictions) and spend the extra for the hotel in Venice. The flight plus hotel for an extra night may end of up being cheaper than the overnight train...

Thanks for the response! We would ideally like to train. But it may not be the best option budget wise so flying may have to be the choice. We just wanted to see what was an option and if anyone had done it before. We had heard going from paris to Interlaken then down to Venice..

>>>>I just found out that the Thello night train from Paris to Venice that we planned to take this summer, is out of service during the time<<<

Are you sure? They are still selling tickets for those dates and the announcement back in May said they were looking for an alternative route.

everytime we go to book from mulitple site we get to the payment page, enter our card and are given the same message of either the train is out of service or call a representative that tells you the train is under construction... If you can point us to somewhere where we can book please do! Rail europe, thello.com. italia rail, eurorail all say the same thing...

The Old Artesia paris to venice overnight train went via Switzerland - is that the route of the New Thello route - if not perhaps that train will be re-routed via Switzerland (or via Milan if it goes thru Switzerland.

But scheduled maintenance sounds like on the train sets itself as track work would not scrap it any more than other trains one would think though often such work is done at night to avoid disruptions of more vital day services.

The message is still there on the Thello website:

En raison de travaux d’infrastructure à Domodossola, la circulation de nos trains selon l’itinéraire habituel n’est plus possible du 11 août au 2 septembre inclus (date de départ).

Nous recherchons actuellement une solution alternative (itinéraire & horaires différents).

They're looking to see if they can divert the train, but they're leaving it late!

The line is blocked on the Lausannne-Milan Simplon route at Dommodossola. I'd go Paris-Zurich and Zurich-Milan, with night in Zurich, to avoid it.