Orvieto to Nice

Catdurn, here's a look at typical train runs from Orvieto to Ventimiglia which is on the border of Italy and France. You would change trains once again at Ventimiglia to get to Nice Ville. On this link, you can see journey times and the different train changes. No such thing as a direct train for this trip. Some runs will take you back to Rome Termini and some will take you to Florence first.

http://gyazo.com/b2b312f324c70ef4a5e2b664a3b7b07a

For flights, www.easyjet.com has a non-stop flight from Rome-FCO to Nice. It would take you about 1.5hrs-2.0hrs to get from Orvieto to the FCO airport.

By all means, take EasyJet.com to Nice. Just don't take more than one carry on bag, or it will be costly.

I love Orvieto, but it may be a little boring without wheels for a whole week. Many of the hotels are at the base of the hill where things are pretty modern. The old Orvieto is up on top of the hill reached by an incline (funicular) from the train station parking lot.

There is a regional (slow) train line running north and south, however. Rome's main train station is 70 minutes away.

You can also catch a bus down to Civita for a day trip.

catdurn,

As the others have mentioned, the easiest way to get from Orvieto to Nice will be via a budget flight from FCO. Travel by train will take about 10.5 hours with a minimum of three changes.

In the same situation, the route I'd use is.....

• Train from Orvieto to Roma Termini and then FCO via the Leonardo Express. That trip will range from 1H:50M to about 2H:20M, depending on which trains you choose.
• EasyJet flight to Nice (flight time is about 1.5H, but of course you'll have to add the usual check-in and security times. As I recall, they're located in Terminal 2. That will be quicker than taking the train. You'll get the best prices by booking your flight early, but be sure to read their Terms & Conditions carefully, especially related to luggage limits. If you think your checked luggage will be over their allowable limit, it's cheaper to pay for the excess at the time of booking. Also note that they allow ONE carry-on item per passenger, and they DO enforce that.

Happy travels!

Regardless of how you go, my recommendation is that you do not use the "large" suitcases you mention. Bring a lightweight 20-22" suitcase, wheeled, and maybe a small shoulder tote or pack. Nothing more. I am younger than you, and comfortable with European trains, and I could not handle getting a large suitcase on and off trains, and up and down stairs, as quickly as is needed at some stations. There are great resources for packing light, including packing lists, on this website and in the RS books. You will enjoy your trip far more with less luggage. Plan to do a little hand laundry as you go, and if you find you need something, plan to buy it.

And on EasyJet, if you do have a suitcase and a purse or tote, you will have to check the suitcase. When they say that only one carry-on item is allowed, a purse counts as that item (unlike on most airlines). And it is MUCH cheaper to pay for that checked bag when you buy your ticket than at the airport.

Sherry is most accurate about the large suitcases. Transferring trains in many medium-sized train stations in Italy requires that you also change platforms. You do this by either going downstairs to a large tunnel that goes between the platforms or you go upstairs to an overhead walkway that does the same. Either way, it's 25-30 stairs down and 25-30 stairs backup at your new platform. Or, visa-versa with the overhead walkway. Elevators? think again. Yes, many stations have them but often times they are out of order. Then, you have the narrow and somewhat steep 3 stairs getting onto and off of the train. These are the same 3 stairs that everybody else uses to get on and off the train. You, with your awesome luggage are in the way. They will go up and over you. They are not being mean. They want on the train to get the best seats available. Often times, some nice man will grab your luggage and put it on the train for you just to get you out of the way. Finally, try and lift your luggage completely overhead onto the nice overhead luggage racks in the Regionale trains. We are older than you and we have seen and experienced this. We travel with just one 23" roller bag that weighs about 35lbs. We can manage these.

Sherry is also quite accurate about EasyJet. One bag for carry on. Your purse is not exempt. One total bag only. Many European budget airlines are the same with this rule.

A couple of other thoughts about luggage on trains. I often get a first-class ticket because the cars are less crowded. That means I can usually keep my luggage on the floor next to me, rather than having to get it on the rack... I am not tall enough to reach the overhead rack, even standing on the seat. First class is not typically that expensive if you purchase the tickets far enough In advance. I also travel with a very light weight retractable cable lock so that, if I have to leave my luggage on the rack at the back of the car, I can attach it to the rack.

And as a final point… People have always been gracious when I've asked them for help.