Hi there! First time poster and read all the FAQs and couldn't find this topic. Why is a quick EasyJet flight Paris-Rome around $40 and a looong overnight train over $200? We were about to book EasyJet for Sept. but my husband is suspicious. Are there any catches with these budget airlines, like will we be flying in the cargo hold? :)
I will be checking back often. Thanks in advance for your advice! :)
That's what EasyJet and the many other bargain, no frills airlines are known for--cheap flights. They sometimes have flights for >10E (though there are many taxes). Overnight train trips, esp. in northern Europe, are not inexpensive. Easyjet is quite well known and you'll find tons of opinions, travel articles, etc, on them if you google. There's no "catch" but these airlines are in general very strict about baggage weight limits, often don't do seat assignments, tickets are generally non-refundable and non-changable, etc etc. I'd have no issues with these conditions if it means they're flying me across Europe for 40E. Just read the conditions of your ticket and make sure you're okay with them.
Thanks you guys! We love the idea of a overnight train and I'm sure would be fun. But I think we'd rather spend that money elsewhere... and get to Rome quicker!
If you book well in advance (up to three months allowed) at tgv-europe.com, you can get discount fares on the night train. For example, if you're willing to share space in a four-person couchette, the best discount fare is 45 EUR/person. Or you could book all four bunks and have the couchette to yourselves for 180 EUR. The best discount fare for beds in a two-person sleeper is 140 EUR/person. Considering that you save the cost of a night in a hotel and have more daylight hours for sightseeing, even 140 EUR/person isn't out of line. And you reduce your carbon footprint in the bargain.
There are some other things to consider when comparing Air vs Train.
First, consider total cost. The cost of the ticket may be only about $40, but make sure all taxes and fees are included, this could easily add another $40 per ticket. The train price you find is typically all fees and taxes included. Easyjet for instance charges another $12 to process your reservation.
Baggage Fees: As with any airline, plan on paying to check a bag, especially since most Budgets do not allow your big carry on in the cabin. this will be about $15 per bag (Train has no baggage fees) Beware also that you need to stay with the weight limits, or those fees go up very steeply.
Other transport costs: The train will leave from a station a short Metro ride from where you will be in Paris, and arrive in the center of Rome. For the flight, you will need to get to Orly, then in Rome, from Ciampino to your hotel. Someone else may be able to give exact cost, but figure $10 per person to get to Orly and about $25 per person in Rome.
By my estimates, that puts the plane costs from $40 to just over $100 per person, still reasonable, and if you throw in the cost of a hotel, maybe a wash, just make sure you investigate the costs and weight limits.
That said, Easyjet, in my opinion, is one of the better budget carriers with fewer "gotchas" on fees and rules, and if I were making the trip, would lean that way. An overnight train is something to be experienced, once maybe, but figure on a restless night rather than the Orient Express.
Thanks Paul and Tim!
We were wanting a private sleeper for the train, which makes it more expensive.
Good points about EasyJet. I think it's the winning option.
