We have friends who are meeting us in Rome in June after they have spent a few days in Paris. They are considering taking the train between the two cities and have asked me to help. Can anyone give first hand information about how this works? Cost? Travel time? How to book this? Thanks!

Send them to

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic/...=cmdHomepageUK

or

www.bahn.de

where they can find schedules. They'll see that it's a 12-14 hr train ride, with all except the overnight train requiring a change enroute.

Or better yet, IMO, tell them to fly. Time, and likely cost will be lower.

Booking for Paris-Rome trains can be done up to 90 days in advance at www.voyages-sncf.com. PREM'S (discount) tickets are available on the night train, but they sell out quickly. To get them, book as soon as the 90-day window opens. They can be as low as E55 for a bunk in a six-person couchette and E60 for a bunk in a four-person couchette. A T3 sleeper is E125 and a T2 sleeper is E140.

Taking the night train saves the cost of a night in a hotel and allows more daylight hours for sightseeing. However, your friends can fly on easyJet (www.easyjet.com) from Orly to Ciampino for as little as E16.99 if they book now. The longer they wait to book on a budget airline, the higher the price.

Although his journeys start from London the actual train to Rome leaves from Paris.

Go to www.seat61.com and on the sidebar click-on 'Italy'.

Also later click-on the 'General Info' link on the sidebar and scroll thru that section for other info.
Regards, Walter

Hope you don't mind me butting in on this one rbnwdln , but question is also relevant to yours.

I just had a look the www.voyages-sncf.com. site and can't see an english button anywhere on the site? Am having a bit of trouble navigating through the site as a result. I myself am looking for a sleeper train between Paris and Milan. Where do you pick up your tickets when booking on this site?

navgator,

Click on the British flag in the lower left-hand corner. For international routes, PREM'S are mailed to an address in France (like your hotel). For other fares, you can choose to pick up your ticket at the station.

Great thanks TimS

looking int onow!