Train from Rome to Paris in January

For me, the answer would be yes. That's a really long trip, and I would pay for whatever extra comfort is available.

From Rome to Paris is approximately 875 miles by roads. To do the trip on trains is over 10 hours.

Do yourself a favor and fly.

Air France, EasyJet, ITA Airlines, Vueling and Wizz Air all fly that route--and the airfares are very reasonable.

Totally agree with the suggestion to fly. Train is 10 to 12 hours and it’s 1 or 2 changes en route. The 2 hour flight in economy is about 1/2 the cost of 1st class train fares. Unless you upgrade the train tickets, you’ll have less legroom than flying economy. Last week I took two 4+ hour trips standard service on TrenItalia and was very uncomfortable. Then I hopped a two hour TGV from Lyon to CDG 1st class and was super comfortable.

I agree with the boys - If I were going, I would fly.

The fastest train trip I see is 10h 29m with 1 change.

Flying is a 2h 10m; some flights go to Orly.

I join with the 'fly' gang. Should net you at least 6 more hrs in Paris, vs a train trip

I did that trip on night trains a few times from Florence (and back) over 30 years ago. All that jerking prevented me from sleeping. It was 12 hours of hell each way. In the era of low cost air travel many people stopped taking that trip on night trains and opted for flying the two hours instead. As a result there is no longer a night train from Florence (or Rome) to Paris. Now the only option is to take a fast train to Milan, then from Milan you take the fast TGV or Frecciarossa to Paris Lyon station. Fast is somewhat subjective however. The trip from Milan to Paris is almost 7 hours, so not that fast in my book.

Similar reaction to the other posters! As much as I like to minimize air travel, 8 hours or so is my personal limit and Rome to Paris is pushing it. To make it worthwhile, I would spend the afternoon and the night in Milan or Turin - otherwise it's best to just fly.

I’d fly, Rome to Paris Orly. Orly is in the city much closer than CDG. Taxi to lodging. Fixed rate $35.

Vueling, $32, Easyjet $34, Wizz $40 one way. 2H10m.

Thank you all for your quick response. I am taking my daughter for her 50th birthday, on January 13th. We are bringing a friend who has never been out of the US. Leaving from California we are spending 2 nights in NY city, 3 nights in Rome and 4 nights in Paris. I was sorry to read that there are no longer sleeper cars between Rome and Paris. We could take the 8am train to Milan, have 4 hours in Milan for lunch and site seeing and the late afternoon train to Paris. I thought the trip through the Alps would be beautiful but since it is Winter we would not see much.

The advantage of the train is seeing the countryside and the convenience of city to city and no airport security etc. Being winter we will have check in luggage which will increase the price of plane tickets.

If we take the train I would buy the train ticket just below the top tier. But, having read everyone’s suggestions I will look into flying into Orly., and having more time in Paris.

Thanks again for all your savez information,

Safe travels, Kate

I thought the trip through the Alps would be beautiful but since it is Winter we would not see much.

Honestly, the route taken by the Milan-Paris train is not particularly scenic even in the summer. In France you travel at the bottom of the deep Maurienne valley, and it's not the prettiest one in the Alps. It's better on the Italian side, but shorter.
To make that trip scenic, you'd have to go via Lausanne : a slightly longer and usually more expensive route.

Kate, since it’s an intereuropean flight you need to be at the gate 1 1/2 hrs pre flight.

Checked luggage might cost more, but still less than train tickets.

Plus is you gain a partial day in Paris.

For such a short trip I definitely wouldn’t waste the time on a train and time in Milan.

So will chime in here with flying since we just did this exact trip. We took the train from Rome to Milan (late evening - spent the night at a train station hotel) and caught an early morning train to Paris. The route took us through Switzerland which was beautiful, and Lugano and the mountain scenery were absolutely stunning. Our friend had never been overseas, so this was a treat for him. We have been to Switzerland many times, so we knew it would be a hit. We had a change of trains in Zurich which was easy. It was a 35-minute layover which gave us the opportunity to grab a burger at a station restaurant (which was the best burger we ever had - seriously) and then we were on our way to Paris. The scenery from Zurich to Paris was nothing like the Milan to Zurich route. It was a long trip and we were so glad to get off the train. We traveled with a friend on a budget, thus we did 2nd class. If you really want to do the train, do it first class or fly into Orly. Orly is the way to go. We would have flown Rome to Paris but there just happened to be an air worker's strike the day we were to fly, and all flights were canceled. We were going Easy Jet Rome to Paris in less than 2 hours. (Plus you need the two hours prior to departure at the airport.) The train to Milan in 2nd class was packed and I think took 3 hours. The total train time from Milan to Paris was almost 8 hrs. There is a direct train from Milan to Paris, but it was sold out when we traveled due to everyone having to take the train because of the strike. The fastest time is 7 hrs. We did appreciate the break in Zurich to get out and stretch our legs, get a decent meal, and regroup. I suppose if you are not in any kind of hurry, the train would not be so bad. But definitely first class. The last thing you and a friend want to do is book seats in 2nd class and get stuck at a table for 4 as we did. We eventually moved seats but you never know if anyone gets on and you have to move again. (Check out seating maps at www.seat61.com) BTW the Swiss trains from Milan to Zurich were fab. So clean and well laid out.
https://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Milan.htm
https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/paris-to-rome-by-train.htm#rome-to-paris-by-train

The last thing you and a friend want to do is book seats in 2nd class and get stuck at a table for 4 as we did

What was the problem? I'd kill to have a 4- seats table all for me and my travel mate! This way we could always face the "right" direction when the train get reversed in main stations. Did I misunderstand what happened?

Kate I'm sure you know that your group will have to handle their own luggage on trains? If you have a lot, flying and checking it would be easier.

Dario yes. There was a couple across the table from us who kept coughing, trying to put their feet on the seat, and stretching legs into our space. If it were just two of us, you are right - it's awesome. You just never know who could be sitting across or next to you on a crowded train.