Eibhlin

My 20 year old daughter and I are travelling to Rome in early August. From there we are heading to Florence and then Venice. From Venice, we're off to Paris. A few questions. I'm having difficulty navigating the train reservation sites. Eurail has great prices but awful times. The Trenitalia site doesn't seem to allow reservations. Any help? As well, any suggestions on B&B or small hotels in these cities would also be fantastic. Finally, we are thinking of flying from Venice to Paris. There are some good budget flights, but should we consider a train to Paris? Any comments would be very very appreciated!

marisylvia

We took the train from Milan to Venice, and after reading about the ticket situation, decided the best option was to contact Budget Europe Travel Service, 800-441-2387. I got a lot of useful information, and bought our first class tickets from them. They charged $16 for this service, plus the cost of sending the tickets.
I would not bother getting first class tickets, though. The second class coaches on the Trenitalia Eurostar looked the same as the first class ones. Also, there was no dining car.

J62

Trenitalia is know to not upload their schedules more than about 60d in advance. There is no need to book that far ahead for Rome-Florence-Venice trains since there are many, many trains all day long. You can simply buy your tickets when you get to Rome.

If you want to see schedules just look on trenitalia.com for May. Schedules for August will be basically the same.

ira

Hi Ei,

You can buy your tickets to F and V at any train station in Rome or any TA that has a Trenitalia logo.

For V to Paris, I suggest www.myair.com from Venice VCE to Paris ORY.

Enjoy your visit.

zeppole

You have more of a guarantee of air conditioning in first class. Go for first class.

Eibhlin

Thank you all very much for your insights. I will also try the myair.com. I have seen a flight with Easyjet from Venice to Paris. I know it's a budget airline...any comments?

kybourbon

For budget airlines use either www.whichbudget.com or www.skyscanner.net.

ira

Hi eib,

Easyet flys Venice VCE to Paris CDG.

Check prices and allowed luggage weight,

Alistair_Hudson

Cheap airlines in Europe:

www.bmibaby.com
www.ryanair.com
www.flybe.com
www.easyjet.com

J62

The trains you'd be taking from Rome-Florence (90min, no stops), and Florence-Venice, 3hrs, 2-3 stops along the way are the fast ES trains.

Both first class and 2nd class will have AC.

wessimmons

There is also a sleeper train from Venice to Paris, leaves Venice at 19:57 and arrives in Paris at 08:40 the next day.
The great advantage is that you go from City centre to City centre.
For more information on rail travel in Europe I go to:
http://www.seat61.com/

kybourbon

Venice VCE and Paris Orly by air are basically city center to city center. I dont' see the train advantage as budget air is faster and usually much cheaper.

TravMimi

I love night trains. Sure the flying part is faster, but in the train, I'm asleep so I don't notice. It's like my hotel grew feet while I was sleeping!

summer08bride

we are looking to do nearly the same itinerary! let me know what you decide

kfusto

IME, the bathrooms on the trains in Italy can be pretty nasty (I got to Italy fairly often and travel by first class train most of the time). That alone would put me off of off an overnight train - as well as preferring not to waste the time in transit.