Horror stories about Artesia true??

I flew Paris to Rome on Vueling,, and it was a nice airline I thought. No snacks included, but it is only 1.5 hrs on the plane. I would fly them again,, and I liked that they use their own new planes and don't buy and refurbish old planes like some discount airlines do.

The Man in Seat 61 is highly knowledgeable about those trains. I have not heard the "horror stories" you refer to. Maybe true maybe not. - Have a look at this link:- http://www.seat61.com/Italy.htm#The night trains from Paris to Italy

Whoa! Have been using Easyjet on that route and others since 2005 and just used them this past May with none of the issues you claim. Could be you were looking at the time of the volcano. There is no way I would spend the time a train takes for that trip. To me, when traveling, time is the most important commodity you have.

Purnima, I'd suggest taking another look at EasyJet. My experience with them has been far different than what you described. I've found the EasyJet staff great and the flights were "on time" as much as any of the other airlines I use. I will have NO hesitation in booking with them in future! For a trip from Paris / CDG to Rome / FCO, the only listing I could find was Germanwings. From other Paris airports to Rome, the options appear to be EasyJet from Paris / ORY to Rome / CIA or Vueling or Air Berlin from ORY to FCO. Cheers!

Purnima, also, BE SURE to read the "terms of service" section carefully. Fares on budget airlines are normally non-refundable and non-changeable once booked. Cheers!

Thanks. Easyjet it is then: Paris-London, London to Rome, back to Paris from Venice. Fares are amazing..

Purnima, fare are amazing if you book as early as possible. The fares rise as you get closer to the travel date.

While I can't say that the horror stories never happen, its pretty obvious that they're not the normal condition of travel. I've taken night trains Amsterdam to Munich and Munich to Rome; both were ok and I'd do it again. If you book in advance, and especially if you're travelling with someone else or a small group, you can get a room on the train with a small bathroom and shower in the same room at a good discount.

Night trains are heading towards extinction here in Europe (84% cuts in last 15 years). Artesia is plagued by major operational disagreements between SNCF and Trenitalia. If you want to travel by train, do it during daytime: a TGV to Torino, then an Italian Frecciarossa AV (high-speed) to Rome. Far more modern, and it will take 8, not 14 hours. Night trains are filthy, incredible slow compared to their daytime companions (they have to adjust to lower cargo night traffic) and so.

Purnima Also note that Easyjet and the like rarely fly into the 'conventional" airports. For example in Rome they fly out of Ciampino...a former military airport. My experience is that its crowded and a challenge to get in and out of..particularly using public transport.