Venice

[kristengingera]

I plan on taking a night train from Paris to Venice, arriving around 10am on a Saturday.

If the next leg of my journey is to La Spezia and there seems to be a train that would leave around 23:00 (with one change, arriving in La Spezia around 6:30) would it be advisable to catch this train on the Sunday night or Monday night?

I know if I leave on Sunday, it is a little rushed, but Venice is just so expensive! Thoughts?

[me]

that's about how long i had in Venice - just one night. had a night train out, so i had basically one full day plus the afternoon/evening before (got to Venice 2ish the day before i left on a night train.)

so, i didn't see anything outside the core of the city; didn't even see everything in the city.

had Venice been my first Italian city, it really would have frustrated me. but, Rome was *so* impressive to me, that i just took it in stride.

[Eagle]

In reading over your planned Itinerary, I'm wondering why Venice is planned before La Spezia? I'm assuming that the reason for your visit to La Spezia is to travel to the Cinque Terre? If you're travelling from Paris, it would seem more logical to stop in the Cinque Terre first and then proceed to Venice.

Using a night train for this route is certainly one option, however keep in mind there will a minimum of two stops and perhaps as many as five stops, depending on which particular train you choose. It's difficult to get a good night's sleep while changing trains several times during the night (hauling your luggage through sotto passagio's many times)!

I don't know much about your plans from your brief OP. However, I would probably choose a day train, although it's a long trip. If there's some reason you definitely want to travel to Venice from Paris, you might consider a budget airline given the distance and travel time involved.

If it's possible to change the order of cities, there's a train from Paris Lyon to Vernazza at 07:42 (TGV - reservations required), arriving at 19:27 (changes in Milano and Monterosso al Mare). It's a long trip - 11H45M, but certainly shorter than the Paris - Venice trip!

It would help to have more specific information on your plans.

Cheers!

[me]

hadn't thought to look at train possibilities. guess i figured you'd looked at that.

in looking at bahn.de, the most realistic connection is via Munich & Verona Porta Nuova. but, it takes nearly 20 hours & 2 days on a rail pass (if you use a rail pass)! who wants to be on a 20 hr train trip?!?

Edit: must have misread it; but the night train connections all take 15 -18+ hours. not my idea of fun!

there are flights available from CDG to VCE on Vueling (€119.00) or EasyJet (€45.50) [i'd go for EasyJet]. and from ORY to VCE on MyAir (€59.93). any of these would be vastly preferable to such a long train ride. time is money, & vacation time is especially valuable!

- d

[me]

kristengingera said:

I plan on taking a night train from Paris to Venice, arriving around 10am on a Saturday.

found this train. i'd not even looked at current schedules before. train systems change schedules at different times of the year to match demand.

when i searched at bahn.de for such a train on the late April schedule, i didn't see one.

per my suggestion above, it might be best to fly from Paris to Venice. with flights in the mix, you could possibly buy a cheaper rail pass, too.

and, as suggested on another thread, it might be better to go from Venice to Rome, then back North again, flying from Pisa to Alicante, Spain.