Taking the train from London to Venice: A good option to flying?

Posted by mflint22 (Bucks County, PA) on 06/27/24 08:15 PM

https://www.raileurope.com/en-gb/destinations/london-venice-train

Has anyone travelled from London to Venice by train? I’m very tempted by the idea of leaving St Pancras in the early morning to arrive in Venice that night.
I’ve travelled on the French High Speed train from Paris to Bordeaux and it was a very efficient and wonderful experience.
But my travel companions are concerned that any glitch in the three part journey (changing in Paris + again Turin) to Venice, could make for a regrettable start to our trip, and they favour flying instead. I’d really appreciate the forum’s feedback on their experience of this train journey. Thank you!

Posted by Laura

Virginia, USA

06/27/24 08:22 PM

5866 posts

It would not be a good option for me. I like train travel but not 18-hour plus train trips with multiple connections. You will have to switch stations in Paris via metro. Also, have you priced this out? It will definitely cost more than a flight.

Posted by Kim

Paris

06/27/24 08:37 PM

10288 posts

Unfortunately since last August a portion of the rail line between Paris and Turin has been out of service due to a landslide.

(More specifically it's a section just the French side of the border with Italy).

So right now there is only one "rail" service a day between Paris and Turin/Milan -- and you have to get off the train in France, transfer to a bus, go across the Italian border, then transfer back to a train.

So while in normal times the trip as described above might be feasible, it really isn't now, given how much longer the trip takes (what was already normally a nearly six-hour ride between Paris and Turin is now something like 8).

FYI, the line isn't expected to re-open (go back to normal) until December / January (i.e., nearly a year and a half after the landslide).

Posted by mflint22 OP

Bucks County, PA

06/27/24 08:47 PM

4 posts

Thanks so very much for the vital info about the train line being damaged, and thus the time of the journey extended. It’ll have to be the plane after all.
Th/y again.