What's the best way to book a train from Paris to Florence cheaply? We'll be traveling in early October, but I want to start planning. We've thought of taking the train in the morning and arriving that evening. Anybody done this? Any tips?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Sergio, The subject of your thread reads "Paris-Florence," but your note says "Paris-Rome." Are you asking about getting to Florence or to Rome?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
If you are willing to book separately on the national websites, you can get the special prices. For a random date in late July, I see 52 euros on the 8:23 TGV to Basel on TGV-Europe; 23 CHF from Basel to Milan on SBB ( rail.ch); and a mini fare of 19 euros Milan to Florence.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Unfortuantely, there is no "cheap" train from Paris to Rome. You take a TGV from Paris to Milan and then change trains to get to Rome. Regular fare is 246Euros as listed on www.tgv-europe.com. I do see some special non-refundable fares of 201Euros. Journey time is just under 12hrs. You can fly on Easy Jet or other low-cost EU airline for a lot less money and time.
Posted by
OP
Cornelius, NC, USA
4 posts
Oops. I mean Paris to Florence. I'm heading to Rome after my stay in Florence, but I have that pretty much down, I think.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Your fastest route with the fewest connections is a TGV from Paris Lyon to Milano Porta Garibaldi, departing at 07:49 and arriving at 14:55. Take a EuroStar Italia train from Milano Porta Garibaldi to Firenze S.M.N, departing at 15:34 and arriving at 17:30. If you book Paris-Milano well in advance (up to three months allowed) on tgv-europe.com, you can get a Piccolissimo fare as low as €49.00. If you book Milano-Firenze well in advance (up to four months allowed) on trenitalia.com, you can get a Mini fare as low as €9.00.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
Yes, flights will be cheaper than a night train, but that is not what they are considering. As shown just above, if they plan ahead they can get the trip by train for as little as 58 euros.
Posted by
South Central, PA, USA
40 posts
It depends on how many people are traveling. We have four in our group and we found much cheaper FLIGHTS from Paris to Venice than any options on train. I know Venice is farther, and trains are great, but the difference for four people was too great to justify the experience of a night train (even with the savings on a hotel by sleeping on a train). So, maybe check out the air routes as an option before pulling the trigger. Happy travels.
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2092 posts
Sergio, if you do decide that you'd prefer to fly, you might consider flying into Pisa and catching the train at the airport into Florence. We found the reverse easier than the train and it gave us more time to vacation!