After 3 days in Normandy next fall we will be traveling to Pisa for some time in Tuscany. We'd like to see the countryside without it taking too much additional time. Can you get to Pisa from Paris by train? What are the advantages if there are any?
If flying is the best option, shall we fly out of ORY or CDG? This is our first trip to Europe so I would appreciate your thoughts.
Posted by
Chicago
8166 posts
I would fly direct from ORY there are no direct flights from CDG.
The trains takes too long.
You can look the schedule up online to see
https://m.raileurope.com/?cmpid=PSB020465&msclkid=5a60be3eabe31ba9e8cee5fe0bfba25d
You have to change trains in Nice and go from there.
Also it is not that scenic.
Posted by
Washington DC
28096 posts
For flights within Europe, I generally check skyscanner.com for schedules and fares. I would buy the tickets from the airline you choose.
Posted by
Green Bay
21160 posts
You could go through Switzerland if you want more scenery. And use www.bahn.com, not anything from raileurope. With bahn, you can specify the route by putting in stopover points, even if 0 time. And they show all the trains.
Try with Basel and Milan. Then you will see how long it will take, and decide to fly.
Posted by
stevens point, wi, usa
1194 posts
Hello from Wisconsin,
Last I knew Ryan air flew Beauvais to Pisa. We flew the reverse some years ago for $27 per person + $30 per checked bag. Still, a bargain.
I looked at renting a car, taking a bus, a train, walking. The problem with Pisa, is that there are some serious mountains between it and northern France. I was looking at 36 hours +. The money we paid to Ryan to be treated as chattel or cattle (still not sure which) was worth the speed of getting there.
Usually we are ground travelers so we can see how topography changes. But the time invloved and the cost was just too much.
Check out Ryan Air.
Plus if you rent a car, returning it to Beauvais is a breeze. A bit like parking in a cow field and then walking over to checkin. And there is a bus from Paris Opera to Beauvais and back, non-stop.
It is an easy drive Caen to Rouen to Beauvais.
wayne iNWI
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
If you want a train ride, you are thinking the same way as this site, www.seat62.com which knows everything about trains. Rail Europe is an incomplete source. For European flights, especially one-way, I like www.skyscanner.com
Posted by
Washington DC
28096 posts
Southam made a boo-boo. It's Seat61.com.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10633 posts
Since this is your first experience putting together an European trip, you need to be aware that Ryan Air is a gotcha airlines and Beauvais is difficult to reach compared to Orly and CDG. Additionally, for a period of time Ryan Air has been experiencing many strikes in many European cities by its exploited employees. You need to study the how-to of Ryan Air before using to avoid surprising additional charges. Then you'll be equipped to take advantage of its low cost.