Everyone on this forum was AMAZING last year when my husnband and I were planning our honeymoon trip to Italy (our first abroad). So... we just booked a flight to Nice, France where we'll visit a friend. We return home from Rome. Question is: how to get from Nice to Italy (I suppose Genova is first Italy town upon leaving France). Train is my first guess- tips on where to book much appreciated. Looked into a rental car and seem quite pricey- air travel from Nice to Rome was $700 per passenger so not an option. Thanks again!
Posted by
Freedonia
16287 posts
Italy is a big place. Where in Italy do you want to go? Only Rome? Do you want to make stops along the way?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Both the fastest and cheapest train route takes a little over 8 1/2 hours. Leave Nice Ville at 05:23, change in Ventimiglia, and arrive at Rome Ostiense at 14:00 or Rome Termini at 14:14. The fare is around €52. To see all times and fares, go to www.tgv-europe.com. To keep the site in English and to avoid being bumped to the Rail Europe site, choose Great Britain as your country of residence.
Since there are no discount fares on regional trains and no seat reservations are possible, there is no advantage to buying your tickets online. Buy them when you get to Nice.
If you want to stop somewhere in Italy enroute to Rome, buy tickets as you go. For timetables and fares within Italy go to www.trenitalia.com.
Posted by
OP
Austin, TX
41 posts
Thanks! I'll get right on this.
Should have further explained that our plan is to rent a car in Genoa and drive around for 6 days (Pisa, Cinque Terre...) before getting to Rome.
We LOVED driving all over Italy last July and can't wait to take to the roads again! Just want a faster/cheaper way to get to Italy after our 4 days visiting a friend in Nice.
Again, thanks for the advice! This is a great community.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
You didn't say when you're traveling. Overnight parking in most of the Cinque Terre, 6 months of the year, will be a challenge, not car friendly, and so much easier to get around the CT by train. Your trip will be more enjoyable if you can arrange to not have a rental car during the CT part of your trip.
Posted by
OP
Austin, TX
41 posts
Update-
Just went to EasyJet and booked flight Steve suggested- Nice to Rome, 1 hour? 40 Euro? We couldn't pass THAT up!
Thanks to all again, and Kent- I'm now glad we're leaving the Cinque Terre for yet another trip! As Rick Steves says, "assume you'll return".
So... will soon post new topic for new 6-day driving tour starting in Rome. In the meantime, will search the older posts for ideas.
Did I mention this forum is GREAT?!!!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Maria: That's good, best to do the CT sometime when you won't need a rental car for the CT part of the trip. For starting a driving trip in Rome, many people here choose to avoid picking up the rental car within the city of Rome. Popular pick up points are Orvieto (if going north) or the Rome airport, as some have found driving within Rome, even for a short period needed to get out of Rome, unexpectedly challenging.