Travel from Paris to Venice

You can probably fly as cheaply (or more cheaply) than taking the train - so how does flying increase your budget (much)?

I would fly. It's a long way by any other means of transport.

Going by bus - are you kidding? Honestly, I wouldn't even consider a train, either (in my experience, a "night train" is 1 sleepless night followed by 3 days of misery as I try to stay awake - because I sure didn't get any sleep at all on that train...).

There's still plenty of time to book an inexpensive flight. Honestly, I see no reason to go any other way.
What's your objection to flying?

I see that when flying I have to book the hotel either in Paris or in Venice and even pay extra for luggage to check-in as been a tourist we might have 2 luggage to check-in. We will be in the tour for around 3 weeks and so there might be some luggage with a family of 3

https://www.google.com/flights/ and search for one-way flights. No need to book a hotel with the flight. Just book the plane tickets. Yes, sometimes you have to pay to check luggage. Some carriers like easyJet offer really cheap fares but no luggage without paying extra. Just factor the luggage cost it into the cost of the airline ticket. Trains aren't free either, and compared to the cost of everything else, flying on one of these budget airlines really isn't going to add a whole lot to the overall cost of your vacation.

Since your night train was cancelled departing Oct 13, arriving Oct 14, you could fly either day. Easy jet has flights on the 14th from both CDG and ORY for 46.80 EUR, and the 13th from ORY for 50.34 EUR. Add seat selection and a 23 kg checked bag and your a shade over 80 EUR. Hardly a budget buster. You will have another hotel room to pay for, but it will be way more comfortable than a bed on the Thello.

...it will be way more comfortable than a bed on the Thello.

This.

Have you (and your travel partners) tried sleeping - all night - on a train before? I have. Several times. Got exactly zero sleep each time, despite what seemed like nearly ideal conditions (private cabin, flat bed bunk, pillows, blankets, etc.). Some people can sleep OK on trains, some can't (due to ear-splitting noise, constant motion, bright lights, and more). If any members of your group are in that group that doesn't sleep on trains, they would consider it a blessing that your train was canceled. Just sayin'.

Thanks guys, let me factor the flight for 3 of us and see if that works out.

If you want to consider the night train option, it can be done if you are willing to be in transit and have the time.

It is a day and night train combination. Night train Venice depart from Munich. You take Paris Est to Frankfurt Hbf on the TGV (I would go 1st class), then Frankfurt to Munich on the ICE, then the Night Jet train to Venice. You have more than ample time to rest in Frankfurt or Munich before boarding the night train. Forget the horror stories.

I took 3 night train journeys on this last trip, all were satisfactory, one could have been better but still not bad.

I show that option as well but it takes quite a lot of time to get to Venice and way much expensive too

The bus will take a lot of time too, and cost the same as an easyjet flight.

https://shop.flixbus.com/search?departureCity=2155&departureStation=11558&arrivalCity=2015&route=Venice-Paris&rideDate=13.10.2018&adult=1&_locale=en_US

Change the date, go into filters, check Venice tronchetto and Paris Bercy.

Your best bet is to fly.

Just checked- Easy Jet flies out of CDG Paris at 9am and gets into Venice 10.45 for 79E. It also flies out of Orly.

If I add up the additional hotel night, flight cost and checked-in baggage then it becomes really expensive then the bus. I do understand it will be faster and will get enough rest but will need to look at the budget as well even though the flight with no frills cheaper

I see your concern about luggage. Most of us travel with carry-on only luggage so we avoid the expense and delays associated with luggage. We do laundry so we do not have to bring a lot of clothes and never more than two pairs of shoes: one to wear and one to pack. Try to lighten up so you can take a flight. You do not want to spend the night on a bus! You will be useless the next day!

Keep in mind that buses in Europe going from city to city, say Frankfurt to Basel, or so are much more comfortable than those in the US, if you are familiar with them. The last time I took a bus (internationally) was in 2009 going from Forbach in Lorraine to Saarbrücken, not much of a ride but comfortable and pleasant, and I could envision myself being on that bus for a journey 10 hours or more. Buses I have taken going from city to city have been in France, Germany, Poland, Sweden...all were satisfactory, comfortable.

The cheapest train fare would be to purchase the discount ticket going from Paris Est to Frankfurt Hbf, (49 Euro in 1st class) and another discount ticket Frankfurt to Munich on the ICE (maybe as low as 29 Euro in 2nd class), and a compartment seat on the Night Jet train Munich to Venice. Paying for a sleeper or couchette is obviously going to be more expensive...I take the Night Jet train sitting in a compartment seat. This day and night train option does require two changes but with more than ample time. You tailor the route and departure times...that's what I do. You can book the Night Jet now for a departure in Oct.

Now, if you prefer going direct if that can be done with the bus, then take the bus. In a way it is simpler, if you don't want to bother with changing trains, stations, etc. Convince the others in your party likewise. There are times I like breaking up the route but that depends, other times I prefer a straight shot, which you get on the night train.

If you have taken night trains in the past and found them disagreeable (noise, sleep, disturbance, whatever) to you, then fly, but that is another luxury, depending if you're to pay for it...I would not. It makes no difference to me whether I sleep on the night train or bus, I know I will, no problems.

Thanks Fred. Can you please suggest some good bus services as I hear lot of negative reviews from people in regards to delay and sometimes not showing up at all

There is only one other bus company that serves that route
https://www.ouibus.com/

I don't read those reviews.

Thanks :) that makes much more sense