Approximately how much is the cost for 2nd class from Paris to Milan and Paris to Venice? I would like to get an idea on the cost because we're thinking of traveling by train but it's for next summer. I tried to look at SNCF to get an idea of June and July fares but the dates are sold out so I can't check for the fares.
I also checked Trenitalia but can't get fare quotes also.

In addition, can Trenitalia send the tickets by mail to the US? I couldn't find an email address for them to ask.

Thanks.

Second class the basic fare is 102 to Milan and 131 to Venice. Then you add 15 euros for a berh in a 6 berth sleeper, 20 for a berth in a 4 berth couchette, and 55 for a berth on 2 berth sleeper. First class adds fifty percent to each cost, and gives you single sleepers.

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Hi
You can't buy tickets online from Trenitalia outside Italy.

Thanks for the information! I guess I'll have to purchase from SNCF then.

francophile03,

I would fly. Easyjet serves Milan Linate from Orly airport and Volareweb flies from "Paris" Beauvais to Venice. Cheaper and much faster than the train.

By next summer, I think there will probably be flights from Orly to Venice on a discount carrier - too early to tell though.

www.easyjet.com
www.volareweb.com

Hope this helps,
Andre

I would agree with flying, and I think that ryanair.com now has service between Paris and "Milan" (Orio al Serio at Bergamo).

Probably cheaper than a good steak.

Best wishes,

Rex

Rex,

I would still take EasyJet, which flies from the most convenient aiport in Paris (Orly) to the most central one in Milan (Linate), whereas Ryanair flies from far-out Beauvais to far-flung Bergamo.

The time and expense involved in getting to & from these aiports more than negates the small fare difference if tickets are bought far in advance.

Hope this helps,
Andre

Agred. Listed the ryanair offering only for completeness and in case...

easyjet is sold out on the desired dates...

or

the traveler actually WANTS to go to Bergamo, or Sirmione and points further east.

Thanks for the suggestion of flying! It does not matter which mode of transport we choose as long as it's cheap but reliable.

Easyjet is pretty reliable, correct?

By the way how far from Paris is Beauvais airport? I know that taxi fare to CDG is around 45 euro so how much to Beauvais would cost?

Thanks again!

francophile,

1) EasyJet is quite reliable. Flights to Milan leave from ORLY, not Beauvais. Taxi to Orly is probably a little less than CDG, depending on where in Paris you're leaving from (it's closer to the Rive Gauche).

2) If you want to catch a flight with Ryanair or Volareweb at BEAUVAIS, forget about a cab - it's too far. There's bus service from near the Porte Maillot. Info at:
http://www.aeroportbeauvais.com/airport/index_eng.html

Hope this helps,
Andre

OK, I'm traveling via overnight train from Paris to Venice during my three-week trip to Europe in late Sept./ early Oct. We will have a railpass so will only need to purchase our sleeping berths (I think!--is this correct?) for this overnight trip.

Our plan is to do this once we get over to Europe in order to save $$. If I'm reading Mr. Haines info. correctly, it looks like a spot in a 4-berth sleeper is approx. $20? Is that right? Just double checking this figure (making sure it really reflects the actual price in dollars and not pounds or Euros), not in any way second-guessing Mr. Haines knowledge

Assuming that's the right price, can we purchase this reservation in London?(we'll be there prior to going to Paris and if I can get my reservation there, I'd rather. Mostly to avoid any language-based confusion.). If so, where? Or do we have to wait until we get to France?

Any help on this at all would be helpful. But we are committed to taking the train, flying is not an option, so any advice to fly because it's easier/cheaper is appreciated, but won't apply to us.

Thanks so much in advance,
Jennie

TTT . . .

Whatever you decide to do, don't reserve one of the sleepers that sleeps 6 people. Even though it is cheaper, it is miserable to try to sleep in such a small compartment with so many people you don't know. Also, the space is so small it is claustrophobic.

I went from Florence to Paris that way and did not sleep all night. The people in the compartment with my husband and I didn't want the windows open, but we were stifling hot. In fact, it was so hot the smell was awful and the b.o. was unbearable. I have never been claustrophobic in my life, but I felt like I couldn?t breathe. It was so bad, we went and sat in the dining car and did not sleep all night! I swore that I would never do that again.

Also, just so you know, I've always purchased my train tickets when I arrive in Italy without a problem.

You are right to check my 20 dollar figure: it should have been 30 dolars.

Ben Haines, London

Mr. Haines:

Thanks so much for responding. I am grateful for your information. Do you know if I can purchase my sleeper reservations in London? If so, where? Also, is buying them a few days in advance sufficient or is that cutting it too close?

Many thanks in advance,
Jennie

Jennie, If you can afford a bit more $ I highly recommend getting a sleeping compartment for just two people (you said "we" so I assume you are traveling with someone). I've done this Geneva to Venice, and Venice to Paris. It is so VERY nice to have the privacy. Personally I would never be able to sleep with a bunch of strangers in a couchette.

I bought tickets in Europe but don't remember the details (so it couldn't have been too difficult!).