TRAINS- 5 countries in 15 days-Help Please

First, you need to plot your trip on a map for you see the distance relationship between cities. For example, it would more sense to go to Paris from Italy, then Amsterdam by train and then back to Brussels and EuroStar to London instead of back tracking to Paris. Second there are some long jumps so you might consider the budget airlines -- Italy to Paris, Amsterdam to London. Venice to CT is best by train. Our bench mark is about six hours by train. Anything over six hours and we will consider flying. But up to six hours or so a train is almost always faster and much more convenient.

italy to the netherlands to france to england in fifteen days??? whew! best of luck with that. i'm sure it can be done, but i'd be overwhelmed (and i'm a crazy over-planner. ask anyone on here, they'll tell you!) the best site i've found to help decipher train travel is seat61.com. also check out the railpasses section of this site. both very helpful. happy planning!

No Rome?! This is a lot, but if you must. Venice to CT by train. Fly EasyJet from Pisa to Paris Orly (€49 - €89). Train to A'dam. A'dam to Brussels by train, Eurostar to London. No need for a railpass, even if you don't fly (Eurostar not covered by rail passes).

leslie, Each of your rail journeys will be relatively easy. For the trip from Venice to the Cinque Terre, there's a train departing Venezia Santa Lucia at 09:27, arriving La Spezia Centrale at 14:19 (time 4H:52M, 1 change in Florence, reservations compulsory for the first leg, current second class fare listed at €52.30 PP). You didn't specify which of the five villages you'd be staying in, but you'll have to transit either through Genoa or La Spezia so this will provide an idea. There are other trains on that route, but some of the others have two changes. For the trip from the C.T. to Amsterdam, budget air would be the best option as it's a VERY long trip by train. Some choices to consider: > use Transavia from Genoa to Amsterdam (* NOTE: these flights only appear to take place on Sunday, and do not operate during July & August). > use Vueling or Transavia from Pisa to Amsterdam. Vueling only appears to operate on Tuesday & Thurdsday (didn't check Transavia schedule from PSA). Travel by train from La Spezia to Pisa Airport will be about 2H. > use EasyJet or Vueling from Milan / MXP to Amsterdam. This will probably be the cheapest option and they appear to operate every day. The trip from La Spezia to MXP will be ~4.5H, but you'd need to leave there at 07:50 in order to make the 14:10 flight (there's an earlier flight in the morning). All the schedules listed above are of course subject to change. The trip from Amsterdam to Paris is very easy by train. My choice would be a direct Thalys (time 3H:19M from Amsterdam Central to Gare du Nord). Some trains on that route have one change in Brussels. Hope this helps? Happy travels!

Leslie, You need to be aware that whether you take planes or trains within Europe, you basically lose most of a day each time you travel long distances. It takes time to get to and from airports or train stations, get to your hotel, check in, and get oriented to your new surroundings. IMO, you would be wise to cut one city so you'll have a better balance between sightseeing days and travel days and you won't feel so rushed. Unless you have your heart set on going there, I suggest that you cut Amsterdam so you'll have more time in both Paris and London. As others have said, fly Pisa-Paris on easyJet. Or fly Pisa-Amsterdam on Transavia if you keep Amsterdam on your itinerary. Book well in advance to get the best fare. If you book well in advance (90 days for Amsterdam-Paris at www.thalys.com or 120 days for Paris-London at www.eurostar.com), you can get good discount fares.

I also think that something needs to be cut out. Keep the Cinque Terre for a return visit to Italy (you WILL want to go back!) Stick with Venice, Amsterdam, Paris and London. Fly a discount airline to either Amsterdam or Paris.
The rest can be easily done by train -- no rail pass.

You have planned way too much for 15 days! You will spend all of your time on the trains, checking in and out of hotels, unpacking and packing, and looking for a place to eat and eating! Where is your time to see/do/enjoy anything?

If you decide to follow Diane's suggestion and skip the Cinque Terre, your cheapest airline for Venice-Amsterdam non-stop is Transavia. You can see all your flight options at www.skyscanner.com.