We are a family of 5 and are going from Paris to Venice. We had hoped to fly but due to the very high cost of flying on the day we need to go (yes even with Ryan and Easy jet $245 E each O/W) we are seriously considering the overnight Thello train. I thought I would book a 6 bed couchette and buy all six beds but have heard that even if we do this the conductor can still resell the 6th bed and I don't get a refund. Does anyone have any experience if this is true and how busy the Thello is in May? Does anyone with experience on the Thello have advice for if I should book 5 or 6 beds in a 6 bed couchette? I really am hoping that someone with knowledge and experience with the Thello will reply. thanks
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15161 posts
€245 pp o/w?
That is hard to believe, What day are you flying?
Have you checked all nearby airports?
RyanAir flies from BVA to TSF. Easyjet from ORY/CDG to VCE. Also consider flying to MXP (EasyJet hub) or to BGY or BLQ (RyanAir focus cities). Vueling flies to BLQ as well.. They aren't that far from Venice. Check all options.
Posted by
California 🦋
5210 posts
Check this website for more flight options: http://www.rome2rio.com/s/Paris/Venice
Click on the green plane icon & you can check all the different airlines that fly to your destination or nearby.
You can also check flight schedules & prices.
Another option...You can fly from Paris to Verona then take train to Venice from there.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
Here is a whole load of info on using the Thello service, including a video, from "The Man in Seat 61" site.
http://www.seat61.com/thello-train-from-paris-to-italy.htm#See%20the%20Thello%20video
Posted by
OP
2 posts
I have checked airfares carefully and it is too expensive. I was really hoping for Thello information from someone who has ridden the train. Does anyone have any experience taking Thello? I have googled Thello extensively on the internet and have seen the man61 information and trip advisor and it is not answering my questions.
Posted by
Henderson
48 posts
We took the Venice to Paris night train on Thello in June 2013 and it was awful. A/C went out, very hot and cramped, breakfast a joke. Couldn't wait to get off. I can't speak for the 6 person couchette but our 2 person compartment was so cramped and practically no where to put luggage. Would not do it again at any cost.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15161 posts
What day exactly are you traveling from Paris to Venice?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
The Thello night train is pretty standard, not fancy, and does get some complaints. I have heard in general terms about booking all 6 couchettes and would expect it to normally work; I don't have any specific feedback about conductors reselling those beds. For a random date of Friday, May 15, Thello tickets for 5 people aged 15 or older add up to 490-575 euros in the 4 or 6-bed compartments. For the same date, EasyJet has evening flights as low as $60 per person ($357 total) and morning flights for about $85 per person.