I'm looking for either the most direct and/or the most comfortable/scenic way to get from Lyon to Rome (or Naples). I'm open to train, ship, air or bus. Not interested in driving. I'd love an overnight train where you wake up and there you are, but if this train exists, there's none that I can find.
There are many flights from Paris to Rome but would prefer to fly/leave from Lyon rather than Paris if possible. Has anybody travelled this route recently? If so, what mode of transportation did you choose and why? I'd like to hear about your experience, pros and cons.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7052 posts
Most scenic would be by train. Either the easy way with one change in Milan, or some detour via Switzerland. But it takes a while, 10 hours or so. Easyjet also has flights from Lyon to Rome.
Posted by
Treasure Island, Florida, USA
267 posts
Using rome2rio.com, it looks like there are nonstop flights from Lyon(LYS) to FCO. Prices vary wildly according to day, with some under $100..
Rome2rio is only a starting place, as sometimes their info is inaccurate, but it's a great way to get an idea of your options.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1145 posts
Hello mariagambrelli,
EasyJet looks to be the only carrier that flies direct from Lyon to Rome (or Naples) right now, but this is also in season so that's probably it. I personally don't think any flight that connects is worth the time/effort versus the train but that's up to you.
The train is probably 8-9 hours using fast trains - ~4.5 Lyon to Milan, change in Milan and then ~3.5 Milan to Rome. Probably easiest to book TGV in France and the compare Trenitalia and Italotreno fast trains for the Italian part. Fats trains require reservations - including seat reservations - and are cheapest purchased as early as possible.
The train is a pleasant way to travel and the section from Lyon over the Alps is scenic. You could easily break up this travel in any of the major Italian cities along the way if you wanted to but generally you're looking at about a full day of travel via the train.
Hope that helps,
=Tod
Posted by
OP
Bay Area
43 posts
Hi Todd and others,
Yes, this helps and it confirms what I thought. I had looked at Easy Jet and Rome2rio but could find no direct routes. It is also good to know the Lyon to Rome route is scenic and pleasant but also that I should double check any Rome2rio days/times. I just wish there were a direct line with no train change. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ Oh well.
Going up to Paris from Lyon by train and then flying to Rome gives me more choice of flights but seems out of the way unless we stayed a few days in Paris.
So it's probably down to whether we want a train experience this trip or just want to get to Rome asap and fly there.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7052 posts
Probably easiest to book TGV in France and the compare Trenitalia and
Italotreno fast trains for the Italian part.
No, the easiest is probably to book the trip on a single ticket from Trenitalia.
So it's probably down to whether we want a train experience this trip
or just want to get to Rome asap and fly there.
Yes.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1145 posts
@mariagambrelli - When you're crossing both international borders and changing train companies a single through train is too probably too much to hope for. For what it's worth changing trains is not that big a deal - it's a chance to stretch your legs and maybe grab a coffee or something. It is way less hassle than transferring to an airport and traversing airport security.
FYI Best all around site for European train information I know of: https://www.seat61.com/
@Badger - Thanks for the update. It's been a long time since I trained from France to Italy that way. I should have checked to see if Trenitalia was offering that route. It looks like theirs is the only non-stop offering from Lyon to Milan I see. Good to know.
=Tod