Nice to Siena by train

patty, While it's certainly feasible, that's an extremely LONG trip to do in one day (about 9-hours). Is there any possibility you could stay at an intermediate point for at least one night (perhaps the Cinque Terre), and then continue on to Siena? That would "break-up" the long journey into more manageable segments. I wouldn't bother booking now, as it's so easy to do in Europe. Where will you be prior to Nice?

We are originating in Nice. We wanted to go to Siena for three days and then Lucca for two days and then back to Nice. Not a very train-friendly schedule, and it also seems quite expensive.

Do you mind getting up early? According to the timetables on the German Rail site, your fastest route (just under 8 hours) is Nice-Ventimiglia-Pisa-Empoli-Siena, departing at 05:23 and arriving at 13:14. Except for the Pisa-Empoli leg which is an IC train for which seat reservations are required (they come with the ticket and are included in the fare), the other legs are all on regional trains (open seating). Buy your tickets in Nice. According to the French Rail site, the 2nd class fare for Nice-Ventimiglia is €6.70. According to the Trenitalia site, the 2nd class fare for Ventimiglia-Pisa-Empoli-Siena is €36.30.

Thank you for your help. Guess I will be getting up VERY early. Hopefully, the ticket prices won't go up too much before we book them. That's what I'm worried about. But a good bottle of Italian (and French) wine will allay all my fears.

Train ticket prices do NOT not increase in price like air line tickets. The only thing you might miss is the mini discounts. A standard, second class ticket is the same price 60 days early or day of travel., Second, it is too early to book for August. Sixty days is about the max so wait until June. If you want to see what your schedule options, use the same of day something next month. It will be the same in August.