Wondering if someone can help with advice on what to do? I can see by previous posts that there are some discounts for pre purchasing train tickets. I am traveling in September w/ my 16 yr old daughter. Should I pre book our train travel or just show up at the stations? We are doing Rome- to Florence Florence to Cinque Terre Cinque Terre to Malpensa Airport Arriving in Barcelona on a Friday at 1910 should we take a taxi or train into Barcelona and how much should this cost? Also wondering if we should train it from the Orly Airport to the Marais district on a Monday afternoon? What about leaving Paris to CDG to make a 8:40am flight?
Trying to save a little money for one pair of shoes for myself!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
With regard to Italian travel. By booking on line you may be able to obtain the mini fare which can be substantial. However, the amount of discount varies by time of day, trains, etc. so just check it out at trenitalia.com However, be absolutely certain of your schedule because the tickets are non-refundable if you miss the train. The discount are not available on the regional trains which are slow because of many stops but cheap. And for a short run to CT from Florence a regional train is fine.
Posted by
OP
Elwood, victoria, australia
21 posts
Thanks for that Frank!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
If your hotel in Barcelona is anywhere near Placa Catalunya, the airpport express bus works very well-fast, comfortable, and inexpensive (just over 5 euros a person). They stop right in froont of the terminal. Pay as you board. But make sure your flight arrives at BCN (El Prat) airport, not Girona, which some of the budget airlines use.
Posted by
OP
Elwood, victoria, australia
21 posts
Thanks so much. Yes, going to the right airport and I will try the express bus. We will be staying on Las Ramblas.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
The cheapest way to get from Orly to the Marais is to take the airport shuttle bus to the Pont de Rungis RER station, the RER C to Gare d'Austerlitz, and metro line 5 into the Marais. Transfer to other metro lines as needed to get to your hotel. A faster but more expensive route is to take the Orlyval driverless shuttle train to the Antony RER station, the RER B to Chatelet-Les Halles, and the metro from Chatelet to your hotel. Assuming your 08:30 flight is to Australia, you should be at CDG by 05:30. The first RER B train to CDG originates at Gare du Nord, departs at 04:53, and arrives at 05:30. Take a taxi from your hotel to Gare du Nord.
Posted by
OP
Elwood, victoria, australia
21 posts
Thank you so much!!! I am flying to NYC via Munich from CDG do I need to be there 3 hours early?
Posted by
Minneapolis
1261 posts
Hi Anna. To your last question, no. In my experience, 3 hours is overkill even for the flight to US. For an inter-Europe flight, I would suggest 90 minutes. Enjoy your trip!