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Paris and South Italy back to back. Train question.

Hello everyone,
We'll be taking the 7 day Paris tour in October 1st to 7th of 2023 and the South Italy tour starting October 9 after Paris.
We are thinking of taking the train from Paris to Rome on the 7th. Has anyone taken this train trip and are their any tips you could pass along? Hoping to leave early in the morning on 10/7 as it looks like the train takes 10-11 hours.
Thanks for any information or tips,
David

Posted by
13809 posts

I looked at taking the train from Paris to Milan and decided against it because of the travel time. For Paris to Rome, I'd probably fly on one of the low cost airlines so you are not so travel fatigued for your active South Italy tour.

BTW, that sounds like an excellent combination of tours!

Posted by
4761 posts

Agree with Pam. As much as I like riding trains, this wouldn't be one of them, when I could get there so much faster, and possibly cheaper by flying.

Posted by
11056 posts

It would be much better to fly from Paris to Rome.
You will be tired from your first tour.

Posted by
2168 posts

Have you had a chance to spend much time in Rome? The Southern Italy doesn’t spend a lot of time in Rome, so unless you are adding time in Rome at the end, I’d opt to spend the time in Rome rather than on a train. I also love trains.

Posted by
2923 posts

When I did it, I took a direct overnight train from Rome to Paris and slept in a sleeper car but it appears to no longer exist. Transavia flies nonstop from Rome to Paris Ory (closer to Paris’s city center than CDG and BVA), you can fly for less than $50. To guarantee a low-price pack light and the further out you buy a ticket on a low-cost carrier the cheaper it is. If you need to check a bag pay for it when you buy your ticket.

Posted by
10 posts

Thanks for all of the input. It looks like the consensus is to fly. I just finished booking the flight.
Thanks again.

Posted by
6794 posts

It's a long trip. There are two train companies between France and Italy: SNCF and Trenitalia.
I suggest you use Trenitalia, because that way you will be able to buy your ticket from Paris all the way to Rome in one go at the best price, and you will avoid a change of stations in Milan.
Sales typically open 4 months ahead, and this is when you should book for best rates!

edit: saw that you decided to fly, which makes sense! That's also what I would do - by train I'd draw the line at Milan, or Florence at a stretch, but Rome is pushing it. Still leaving my answer for others' benefit.

Posted by
40 posts

We’re doing the exact same itinerary except we’re spending 5 nights in Paris on our own with friends then will be on the October 9 Southern Italy tour with you! We haven’t even looked at air yet. We did the one week Paris tour a few years ago and loved it!!!!

Posted by
8094 posts

The Alps is between Paris and Central Italy, and they're real. And it's 875 miles on the ground between the two cities.

Air France, EasyJet, Vueling, Wizz Air and ITA Airlines can get you from Paris to Rome very inexpensively in just 2 hours. It's the only way to go.

Posted by
10 posts

"We’re doing the exact same itinerary except we’re spending 5 nights in Paris on our own with friends then will be on the October 9 Southern Italy tour with you! We haven’t even looked at air yet. We did the one week Paris tour a few years ago and loved it!!!!"

We look forward to traveling with you. We will be with my brother and his wife in Paris and with my sister and her husband in Italy. First time with RS Tour for everyone but us. It's our second time to Italy and hopefully not the last.