Hi everyone. We're planning our next trip to Spain and Italy. I searched the forums but all the posts are really, really old. Looking for more current recommendations on traveling from Madrid to Rome. We're more interested in high speed train, but open to flying. Appreciate any input anyone can share. Thanks!
Posted by
Tampa, FL
632 posts
According to Rail Europe the fastest train trip takes 18 hours with at least two changes. Unless you plan to break up the trip over a day or so, I recommend flying. Searching Google flights will give you many options.
Posted by
Chicago
8178 posts
To echo the above if you are not planning to stop somewhere in eastern Spain or France or in the northwest of Italy than you'd be better off flying; a flight takes 2 hour and 30 minutes.
Posted by
OP
28 posts
Thanks Kathy. That is very long, but depending on where the stops are it could be worthwhile. Something to consider. Thanks again.
Posted by
OP
28 posts
Thanks Jazz+Travels. Appreciate the response.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1144 posts
Fly.
While the trains are fast within individual countries switching between train systems is often slow and not well scheduled.
Renfe has one train a day that will get you from Madrid to Montpellier, France in about 7 hours but that get you in at 19:52 and that's not even as far as Nice. Nice to Rome is an all day affair at best so you would be looking at a minimum of two full days of train travel - realistically probably most of 3 days - crossing 4 countries with no sight seeing, good restaurants just the inside of various trains.
Unless you want to make a thing out of the trip: Madrid to Barcelona with a couple of days there and then onto Avignon or Marseilles or Nice with a couple of days there I think you're setting yourself up for spending your vacation days just getting from country to country.
I hate flying and consider any day with a flight in it at least a mostly lost day because of the airport lead times and city transportation. But one lost day beats three days pretty easily. And with multiple airlines flying that route I bet it will be cheaper than the train as well.
My $.02,
=Tod
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16133 posts
Flying is the only sensible option.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1721 posts
Such a trip by train was never practical, but the interruption of the Frejus tunnel railway due to a landslide needing extensive rebuilding has made it bordering on the impossible.
Posted by
OP
28 posts
Thanks everyone. Greatly appreciate the feedback. Looks like it'll be flying is the best option.