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Trouble booking night train: Florence-Paris

Posted by (Kirkwood, MO) on

My family will be in Europe for 16 days this July. I was planning to take a night train from Florence to Paris the evening of July 11th. On the Trenitalia website I see the train I want (Euronight Artesia #226, leaves Florence 21:33, arrives Paris Bercy 9:16), and am even able to see some fares. I understand I probably would not be able to purchase tickets from the U.S. at trenitalia.com.

However, I cannot find this same train at the RailEurope website. Does this have something to do with the summer schedules being updated? I'm getting a little worried, because I know these trains are popular. I want to book as soon as I can.

The fare is likely to be expensive through RailEurope (there are four of us), and I'm starting to think about extending our car rental and just drive from Florence to Paris. In the first part of the trip we're renting a car to drive around northern Italy. The last part of the trip is split between Paris and London, so no need for a car. Maybe I should forgo the night train all together?

--Doug--

Posted by
4555 posts

RailEurope now seems to be listing that train, although its disclaimer about Italian rail schedules after June 12th still stands....I guess they aren't as consciencious as Tim! In an event, RailEurope is listing the price of a bed in a 4 bunk cabin as $182 per person for anyone over the age of 11....$73 for kids 4-11. You will, of course, take a big hit for dropping your car off in another country, but based on the RailEurope cost, it might balance out.
You'll have to take a couple of other things into consideration as well.
You'll have to add another night's hotel cost, since you won't be travelling overnight.
You should also understand that it'll burn through one VERY long day of your vacation making that drive....it's about 700 miles from Florence to Paris....about 550 from Milan. You could always break that into two days, but that'll mean another day lost from your itinerary elsewhere.

Posted by
4555 posts

An update.....the Artesia trains (which are a joint venture between Trenitalia and SNCF) have their own website. They list several travel agencies in the U.S. that act as ticket outlets for them. Maybe contact a couple to see what they can do for you. Click here to find them.

Posted by
3 posts

Thanks, it does look like the train information is back up.

Decided to go ahead and book it, so we do have tickets for Florence to Paris! I hope they're able to put all four of us in the same T4 compartment.

--Doug--

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