Paris to Rome air vs. train

I like trains, and that would usually be my choice, but not for 11 hours. 4-5 hours might be my limit. I would fly.

I agree with Liz. Anything over 5-6 hours and I'm going to fly. I've flown Paris to Venice before on EasyJet and I would definitely fly Paris to Rome.

Hopefully when you make your airline reservation you'll do an open jaw ticket so you fly in to Paris and home from Rome??

yes open jaw.

Also the numerous transfers between trains worry me with overnight luggage. Five minutes to find the train in a large station is not much. We always had a hard time finding the right track and if you miss a TGV I think you are stuck.

Thanks for the advice

The flight is unlikely to be 'much cheaper'.

The main line from Paris to Milan (for Rome) is currently blocked by a landslide but the diversionary route should be coming in at around €90.
However, when the main line re-opens (slated for March next year) and it becomes a one change 10 hour route again the fare should start at around €60 or €80 in first class if booked direct.

Also a two hour flight is really closer to 6 hours when you include transfer time to and from airports, and check in etc time at the airport.

https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/paris-to-rome-by-train.htm

The flight is much cheaper but the taxi rides will add to the cost.

Alex, if budget is a factor, there are some very comfortable coach buses that service the Roma airports: we've taken one from Rome Fiumicino to Termini (Rome's main train station) for as little as 5 or 6 euro pp. This isn't a bad choice if you're allergic to trains (although we enjoyed the Italian trains very much) so aren't wild about the Leonardo Express, and are staying close enough to walk from Termini.

If you're NOT staying close enough to Termini to walk, then a cab from the airport (55 euro to hotels within the walls) might be your better bet.

Explore your options here: we bought our tickets right at the airport; easypeasy.
https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/pax-fco-bus
Taxi:
https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/pax-fco-taxi

One question, though? Would you be flying into Fiumicino or Ciampino?

I hate flying within Europe, the luggage limitations are very strict and we always have to pay extra for that.

If you can find a sleeper train, that works well. Years ago we did that from Munich to Paris and loved it.

We also hate flying in Europe so have done this trip. I will say, I would prefer stopping for the night in Milan then continuing, but it can be done.

Using Trenitalia I found this solution based on the current schedule

Paris to Geneva dp 8:18, ar 11:29

Geneva to Milan dp 13:27, ar 17:50

Milan to Roma dp 18:30 ar 21:41

All high speed trains with reserved seats, ample time between trains for lunch in Geneva. The train from Milan to Rome should have food service or buy something in Milan to eat on the train. Buy 120-90 days in advance for maximum discount.

It is, IMO, best to use the train company site, not Eurail or another intermediary.

Interesting to see the complaint about seat reservations not being honored in Italy. I guess we've been fortunate in never experiencing such a thing. The conductors on Trenitalia always seemed competent to us.

I like train travel in Europe but I usually avoid trips of over 5 hours especially if you have to change trains. High speed trains also do not take very scenic routes. I have taken a few fast trains in both Italy and France and the scenery is pleasant but forgettable. They have to either avoid mountains or tunnel through them in order to go fast.

So for a long trip like Paris to Rome, I always break up the trip with one or two stops in between. To me that is the true advantage of train travel, the fact that you can visit interesting places that planes simply fly over. But if you do not plan to stop anywhere between Paris and Rome, then I would do prefer to fly.

I like trains. I use them frequently. but for anything over 5 hours I fly. It is cheaper, especially if you price in meals. It's more comfortable as you're confined to a seat for less time. It's faster, and you don't need to be at the airport hours in advance inside the EU. And however you plan to get to the airport, you have to plan the same expense getting to and from the rail hub.

But the major difference is when you have to transfer between trains. I have had delays and missed connections in Switzerland, Germany, and France just in the last month. That's added hours to my trips, and, in one case, totally shot my plans for the day. Air travel is much less likely to be delayed, and if it is you are entitled compensation. Not so much via rail.

however you plan to get to the airport, you have to plan the same expense getting to and from the rail hub.

Not true at all in Paris. I can spend an hour and 56€ or 65€ and a taxi to get to / from CDG (or an hour and a half and €16 or whatever it is on the ReR, plus three trains needed to get there to/from my local metro line) ....while I can go for free (or a visitor can go for €2.50) and get to Gare de Lyon in 10 minutes, GAre du Nord in 25, door to door.

There is absolutely no comparison of what a pain it is to get to/from CDG and getting to/from a "rail hub" in the center of the city

but for anything over 5 hours I fly. It is cheaper, especially if you price in meals.

What short distance European carrier now provides meal service? It is either buy on board now or massively inflated airport prices.

If you eat on the train (the train food) then you aren't eating at your destination, so it's the same cost spent in a different place.

And the train has no restrictions on what food or drink you can bring on board, so bring a supermarket picnic with a nice bottle of wine (or other beverage) if you like.
Whatever the merits of the train scenery may or may not be you see precious little scenery from the aircraft.

For two hours you are shoe-horned into your seat for the duration. On the train you can move around as much as you like.

If you are spending say 50 Euro on a taxi at either end (before the airline fare with all sorts of add-ons) then how can that be cheaper than a 60 Euro train fare?

Smoke and mirrors.