Train Questions

What website were you using to check prices and purchase? If using Rail Europe, try another site like www.trainline.eu.

Checking right now, I see a number of trains are already sold out for June 4th. But if you can go later, I see a fare of 79 Euros (first class!) on a direct train leaving at 14:41, arriving 21:50, on trainline.eu .

Where did you look (hopefully, not RailEurope)? Trainline.eu (easier to manage than the SNCF site) shows a direct connection for €68 pp.

I took a look on SNCF.com/fr.

You did see correctly. You have one train left at 138 euro for the two tickets: one senior and one regular. That's the one that leaves at 14:41 and arrives in Milan at 21:50. The lower-priced tickets for every other train are gone and some trains are completely full with nothing available at any price. If you want to go by train, you had better grab tickets on this train right now. It's a direct TGV with no changes.

I used Loco2 and the one you mentioned. The problem is that we booked our hotels in Milan already on the 4th I just dont want to see $200 go to waste. Looks like I gotta take a plane. So just to make 100% sure, through anyones experience, there is no way they add an additional direct route service?

I guess I don't understand why the train I suggested won't work for you - but if you want to fly, fly. It will surely get you there quicker.

What's wrong with the direct train at 14:41 (2:41 pm) that arrives at 21:50 (9:50 pm) for 68 2nd class or 79 1st class?

There is no way they add additional trains at this short notice. Train times are planned and fixed twice per year (December and June). You need a "path" (space on the track and at the station, like an airport slot but it includes a time on every bit of track), plus a crew (multiple crews), plus of course a spare train fully serviced.

There are almost never more than 3 direct daytime trains from Paris to Italy, departing Paris roughly at 6:30, 10:40, and 14:40. On a few dates, a 12:30 departure is also planned. There's also one overnight. The direct trains don't enter Switzerland. The next-fastest schedules include the transfers in Switzerland and normally will cost more.

FYI, Tickets for your departure date probably opened for sale in December, which is when you'd have access to the deepest discounts. The fact that June 2 and 3 are potential train strike dates in France also makes June 4 more likely to book up, even if this route ends up not being interrupted by the strike on June 2 or 3.

Thank you for all the replies. I couldn't do the late night train because my mother is 86 and she wants to be in bed by 9pm. So I went with a flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Milan Malpensa for $300 It was direct and we will be able to check in at noon and still have the day to look around.
Out of curiosity, If I were to have purchased europasses months ago would I be able to use them on these $600 trains, and not spend any extra money?

@ ChrisF and Laura Thank you for that information that was what I was looking for when I asked my querry.

Sorry when i first read the 2nd train for 160 I thought it was the 6am (The 5th) arrival time train. That is why it replied about a wasted day at the hotel.

In answer to your last question, Eurail passes are accepted on the daytime trains (not the overnight), but with pretty high seat reservation fees required ($40-60 per person). Surprisingly, passholder seat reservations are currently available on the afternoon train on June 4 (at least one seat in each class, which is all I checked), but the other departures are booked up.