Hi everyone. I'm trying to book tickets from Nice to Venice by train on TGV-europe but unfortunately the only ticket pick up option is "Mail by home." I'm leaving in a few days, so unfortunately that's not an option for me. I also checked trenitalia and while the tickets are about 50% off what tgv states, I can't choose Nice as an origination city. Similarly, on the TGV website I can't select Ventimiglia as our destination city, despite the TGV Nice -> Venice route connecting there. Any thoughts on the best (and cheapest) option in this situation? Thanks!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Actually, it is possible to book Nice-Ventimiglia on tgv-europe.com; but there is no need to do so. Buy your ticket in Nice. The fare is €7.00. You will be taking a regional train, there is open seating, and your ticket will be good on any train. Book Ventimiglia-Venezia Santa Lucia on trenitalia.com.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
You used to be able to do Nice Ville to Venice on Trenitalia but no more. Trenitalia no longer accepts Nice Ville (at least when I try it). What you can do now is buy the ticket from Ventimiglia to Venice now if you can get a good deal or just wait until you get there. Here's a LINK to what I see on July 12. You didn't indicate your travel date. There are some nice fares if you are willing to lock yourself into a specific train and departure time. You should be able to print this ticket out at home.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, California, USA
11 posts
Nigel, that makes perfect sense, thanks for the clarification. And yup, that's exactly the one I'm looking at. Checked db.de and it looks like our options are pretty clear, book Trentimiglia to Venice on trenitalia and buy the regional ticket in Nice when we arrive. Thanks for all the help! Cheers,
Kyle
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, California, USA
11 posts
Perfect, thanks, this is exactly what I was looking to know. Do either of you know if Nice > Ventimiglia, Ventimiglia > Venice is the most efficient Route? Or would, perhaps Nice > Milan, Milan > Venice be more efficient? Right now with the current route (switching in Ventimiglia) it will take 7 hr 45 min. Thanks again, much appreciated.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
You will go through - and probably change trains - in Milan either way.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33452 posts
Kyle, Have you used the Bahn website which clearly shows virtually all trains in Europe? The reason you may not be able to see what you want on TGV's website is that there are no high speed trains on the French side of the border for your trip, and no high speed trains on the Italian side of the border, at least not until Milan. All reasonable itineraries will route you via Ventimlglia (where you will certainly change), Genova (Genoa in English, where you may stay on or change depending on your route), Milano (where you will certainly change) and either direct from Milano to Venezia S Lucia or via Bologna (where you would change). The only reasonable connection taking the 7:45 (the rest are about an hour slower) is the 7:55 from Nice Ville, change Ventimiglia and Milano. Is that the one you are looking at?
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, California, USA
11 posts
All booked -- final question, the tickets are "electronic delivery." That means once I print them, I'm good to go?
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Kyle, you should be good to go. Hope you got a good fare. The important part of your "ticket", which is an 8-1/2x11" piece of paper, is the 6-digit PNR code. The conductors in Italy carry a wireless PDA. They input this code to validate your ticket. Works great.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, California, USA
11 posts
Got it, thanks!