The afternoon TGV to Milan about to leave Paris. Find out more... |
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Interactive map: Click a route or destination
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Breakfast in London, lunch in Paris, dinner in Italy...
You can travel to Italy by train in a single day, London to Paris by Eurostar in 2h20 from £78 return then Paris to Turin (5h40) or Milan (7h) by high-speed TGV train from €29 each way, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats, free WiFi, a glass of wine to hand and not an airport security queue in sight. Next morning, a Frecciarossa high-speed train whisks you from Turin to Florence in 3h or Rome in 4h10 from €29.90, or Milan to Venice in 2h27 from €19.90.
Great scenery, room to breath, loads of legroom, no baggage fees, no airport taxes, no seatbelt signs, no 2-hour check-ins at remote airports, under 4s go free and around 80% less CO2 than a flight. See for yourself...
This page explains all you need to know to travel to Italy by train, including the cheapest way to buy tickets either online or by phone.
COVID-19 update: Trains are running between London & Italy. Eurostar is running a much-reduced service London-Paris, but Paris-Turin-Milan TGVs and Italian domestic trains are running almost normally - but check online. See important COVID-19 travel information.
Train times, fares & tickets...
London to
Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples
London to
Turin, Verona, Bologna
London to Pisa, Siena, Lucca, Modena, Ravenna, Livorno
London to Pompeii, Sorrento,
Capri, Ischia, Elba
London to
Salerno & the Amalfi coast
London to Genoa,
Cinque Terre & La Spezia
London
to Civitavecchia for cruise connections...
London to
Rimini, San Marino, Ancona, Pescara
London to Foggia, Bari, Brindisi & Lecce
London to
Palermo, Catania, Siracuse & Sicily
Starting from other UK towns & cities
London to Italy by Venice Simplon
Orient Express
Train travel within Italy..
Train travel in Italy - a beginner's guide
How to make a day trip to Pompeii
Venice Santa Lucia
station guide
City maps showing stations...
Map of Milan Map of Venice Map of Florence
Map of Rome Map of Naples Map of Turin
International trains to & from Italy...
Other European cities
to Italy by train
Florence to other
European cities
Venice to other European cities
Milan to other European cities
Naples to other European cities
Paris to Turin & Milan by TGV
high-speed train
Other useful information...
Country information -
currency, dial code...
General information for European train travel
Luggage on trains &
Left luggage
at stations
How to cross Paris by metro, taxi or transfer
Taking your bike -
Taking your dog
Child age limits & travel with
kids
Eurail passes - the
pass for overseas visitors
Interrail passes - the pass for Europeans
Holidays & tours to Italy by train
Travel insurance,
Curve Card & VPN
Cruises
from Venice &
Cruises
from Rome
Video guides...
London
to Paris by Eurostar video
Paris
to Italy by daytime TGV video
Route map...
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Useful
country information
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Train operators in Italy: |
Trenitalia (Ferrovie dello Stato) www.trenitalia.com (advice on using it). NTV Italo: www.italotreno.it. |
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Buy Italian train tickets: |
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www.italiarail.com or www.raileurope.com in €, £, $ |
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Other useful links: |
Train times for almost any journey in Europe. Eurostar times & fares. Thello website (Paris-Italy sleeper trains). To check for problems affecting trains from Paris to Italy (in French) see www.sncf.com/fr/horaires-info-trafic. Paris métro: www.ratp.fr. Circumvesuviana Railway (Naples-Pompeii-Sorrento): www.eavsrl.it. Bus & metro: Rome Milan. Venice waterbuses: www.actv.it. |
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Railpasses: |
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Beginner's guide to European railpasses Buy a rail pass online |
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Time zone: |
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GMT+1 (GMT+2 from last Sunday in March to last Saturday in October). |
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Dialling code: |
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+39 |
Currency: |
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£1 = approx 1.11 euros Check current exchange rates |
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Tourist information: |
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Hotels & guesthouses: |
Finding accommodation in Italy Escorted tours to Italy by train |
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Motorail & car hire: |
How to take your car to Italy with Motorail Car hire in Italy |
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Page last updated: |
1 February 2021. Train times valid 13 Dec 2020 to 11 Dec 2021, but many still subject to confirmation. |
London
to Italy
Rome... |
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Florence... |
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Venice... |
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![]() Venice Santa Lucia station on the Grand Canal, a stroll from the Rialto Bridge & St Mark's Square. Or take a vaporetto (water bus), or (if you're loaded) a water taxi... |
Which route to choose?
There's a choice of routes from the UK to Italy by train, some fast & direct, some slower but amazingly scenic, some by daytime trains, some by sleeper train. Browse the list below and click on whichever appeals most. By all means go out one way & come back another, or stop off on the way, as each train is ticketed separately.
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Option 1, by Eurostar & TGV high-speed train...
Breakfast in London, lunch in Paris, tea in the Alps, dinner in Turin or Milan...
This is the easiest, cheapest & fastest option. It's a civilised & scenic way to reach Italy using daytime trains with daily departures, shown in dark blue on the route map above.
Take the 09:22 Eurostar to Paris from £52 one-way or £78 return - or take the 08:31 & have lunch at the amazing Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon - then take the 14:43 high-speed TGV from Paris to Turin or Milan from €29 each way. Stay overnight and continue to Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples next day by Italian high-speed train from €19.90 or €29.90 each way.
Alternatively, take an evening Eurostar from London to Paris, stay overnight in Paris, then take a TGV from Paris to Turin or Milan next morning, changing at Turin for a fast train to Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples.
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Option 2, by Eurostar & Thello sleeper train...
The Thello sleeper train from Paris to Milan, Verona & Venice has been suspended since March 2020. It is unlikely to run in 2021, but resumption in 2022 has not been ruled out. Updates will be posted here.
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Option 3, by Eurostar & day trains via the Swiss Alps.
Just as direct, a little more expensive & with an extra change compared to option 1, but with some great views of Swiss & Italian lakes (but if you want the ultimate in Swiss Alpine scenery, see option 4 below). Take an afternoon Eurostar to Paris and an evening high-speed Lyria TGV to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich and stay overnight. Next morning, take a ETR610 EuroCity train to Milan through the Swiss Alps. Change in Milan for an Italian high-speed train to Verona, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome or Naples. This route is marked in orange on the route map above. Daily departures. Click here for train times, fares & how to buy tickets.
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Option 4, by Eurostar & scenic Bernina Express...
This is the ultimate scenic option, meaning UNESCO-listed world class. It's slower than all the other options and takes a bit more organisation, but it's worth it. Travel from London to Zurich by afternoon Eurostar & evening TGV and stay overnight in Zurich. Next morning, take a Swiss InterCity train to Chur and the fantastic narrow-gauge panoramic Bernina Express to Tirano through absolutely breath-taking scenery in the Swiss Alps. An Italian regional train links Tirano with Milan arriving early evening. Why not go out this route, and back by a direct route? See the Bernina Express page for details.
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Option 5, by Eurostar & scenic Brenner Pass...
Take Eurostar & TGV from London to Munich and stay overnight. Next morning, take a comfortable Austrian EuroCity train from Munich to Verona or Venice via the scenic Brenner Pass through the Alps, changing in Verona for Florence or Rome. This route is marked in green on the route map above. Daily departures. Click here for train times, fares & how to buy tickets.
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Option 6, by ferry via Harwich-Hoek...
The ferry alternative... Travel from London or Cambridge to Amsterdam overnight on Stena Line's excellent combined Rail & Sail service, sleeping in a cosy private cabin with en suite shower & toilet and satellite TV. Then take fast trains from Amsterdam to Munich, have dinner in a Bavarian Bierkeller and board the excellent Nightjet sleeper train to Venice. See the London & Cambridge to Italy via Harwich-Hoek section.
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Option 7, by ferry from Newcastle or Hull
If you live in Scotland or the North of England you can take a ferry from Newcastle or Hull to Holland then trains to Italy, see the Scotland & the North of England to Italy section.
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Option 8, by Venice Simplon Orient Express...
The vintage 5-star luxury option - if you can afford the 5-star price! The famous & fabulous Venice Simplon Orient Express runs from London to Venice, usually once a week from March to November. This 24-hour journey in historic restored Pullman cars & Wagons-Lits sleepers costs over £2,000 per person including meals. Expensive, but you will never regret it... See the Venice Simplon Orient Express page.
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Take your car to Italy by train...
If you want to take your car to Italy, you can do this using a special motorail train. First cross from Dover to Dunkirk by car ferry with www.dfds.com. Then drive 3 hours 45 minutes to Düsseldorf for the weekly Urlaubs Express summer motorail train overnight from Düsseldorf to Verona, running once a week June to September. There are no motorail trains from Calais or the Netherlands any more. See the Motorail page for details & online booking.
Option
1: By Eurostar & TGV
Breakfast in London, lunch in Paris, dinner in Italy...
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To Italy in an armchair... A cosy table for two in 1st class on the Paris-Turin-Milan TGV... |
Every day, three high-speed TGV trains run by SNCF French Railways link Paris with Turin & Milan, with connections to Florence, Venice, Rome & Naples. Leave London in the morning, have lunch in Paris, reach Turin or Milan in the evening, stay overnight then take a high-speed train to Florence, Venice, Rome or Naples next day. Or leave London in the evening, stay overnight in Paris and travel from Paris to anywhere in Italy next day. In fact, if you take the early 05:40 Monday-Friday departure, it's possible to travel from London to Florence, Venice, Rome or even Naples in one day.
This route is usually the most inexpensive way to reach Italy by train, as Paris-Milan starts at just €29 each way. It's a scenic option, shown in dark blue on the route map above, see the video guide, although not as scenic as the more expensive route via Switzerland in option 3 or the ultimate scenic Bernina Express route in option 5.
Milan is a great city, with the best onward connections to other Italian cities, but Turin is even better and well worth a stopover. It could be Italy's most under-rated city even if you're not a fan of the 1969 Michael Caine film The Italian Job. Why not take an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before catching your TGV to Italy? Perfect!
Train times in detail southbound
Train times in detail northbound
Summary timetable southbound
London ► Italy |
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Eurostar (30 min check-in): |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
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London St Pancras depart: |
05:40 |
09:22 |
20:01 |
** |
09:22 |
20:01 |
** |
09:22 |
20:01 |
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Paris Gare du Nord arrive: |
09:17 |
12:47 |
23:17 |
** |
12:47 |
23:17 |
** |
12:47 |
23:17 |
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Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV train to Italy... |
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Paris Gare de Lyon depart: |
10:43 |
14:43 |
06:47* |
10:43 |
14:43 |
06:47* |
10:43 |
14:43 |
06:47* |
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Turin Porta Susa arrive: |
16:19 |
20:22 |
12:24* |
16:19 |
20:22 |
12:24* |
16:19 |
20:22 |
12:24* |
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Milan Porta Garibaldi arrive: |
17:50 |
21:50 |
13:50* |
17:50 |
21:50 |
13:50* |
17:50 |
21:50 |
13:50* |
Change in Turin for Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, Verona & Venice, see the Journeys in detail section below.
* Following day, overnight hotel in Paris necessary. Why not book an earlier Eurostar and have dinner in Paris?
** There's no sufficiently early Eurostar connection, but why not take a Eurostar the night before and stop over in Paris?
IMPORTANT: The 05:40 London to Paris Eurostar does not run from late July to early September.
Always check times for your specific date at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, as times can vary.
How much does it cost? How to buy tickets What's the journey like? Paris-Milan TGV video guide Map of Milan showing stations
Summary timetable northbound
Italy ► London |
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TGV: |
Mondays to Fridays |
Saturdays |
Sundays |
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Milan Porta Garibaldi depart: |
06:00 |
08:45 |
14:40 |
06:00 |
08:45 |
14:40 |
06:00 |
08:45 |
14:40 |
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Turin Porta Susa depart: |
07:36 |
10:06 |
16:07 |
07:36 |
10:06 |
16:07 |
07:36 |
10:06 |
16:07 |
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Paris Gare de Lyon arrive: |
13:14 |
16:12 |
22:12 |
13:14 |
16:12 |
22:12 |
13:14 |
16:12 |
22:12 |
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Cross Paris by metro to the Gare du Nord for Eurostar (30 min check-in) |
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Paris Gare du Nord depart: |
15:13 |
18:13 |
07:13* |
15:13 |
19:13 |
08:13* |
15:13 |
18:13 |
07:13* |
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London St Pancras arrive: |
16:39 |
19:39 |
08:32* |
16:39 |
20:46 |
09:30* |
16:39 |
19:39 |
08:32* |
For connections from Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, Verona & Venice, see the Journeys in detail section below.
* Following day, overnight hotel in Paris necessary. By all means book a later Eurostar and have a leisurely breakfast in Paris.
Always check times for your specific date at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, as times can vary.
How much does it cost? How to buy tickets What's the journey like? Paris-Milan TGV video guide Map of Milan showing stations
Train times in detail southbound...
London ► Italy, leaving 05:40 Mon-Fri
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If you can get to St Pancras early enough, remembering Eurostar's 30 minute check-in, you can travel from London to Florence, Venice, Verona, Rome or even Naples in a single day, at least on Mondays-Fridays (and not bank holidays or late July to late August). You can also join the weekday 05:40 Eurostar to Paris at Ebbsfleet or Ashford.
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Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 05:40 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 09:17.
There is no Eurostar early enough at weekends. Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon (2 stops on RER line D). The 05:40 did not run from 29 July to 30 August 2019 or on bank holidays, it probably won't run on similar dates in 2021, always check your date of travel online.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Turin or Milan by TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon daily at 10:43 arriving Turin Porta Susa 16:19 & Milan Porta Garibaldi 17:50.
It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps, see the video guide below. The TGV has 1st & 2nd class seats, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Step 3, take an onward train to your Italian destination...
For Bologna & Florence get off in Turin. A Frecciarossa 500 leaves Turin Porta Susa at 17:50, arriving Bologna 20:07 & Florence SMN 20:50.
For Rome or Naples get off in Turin. A Frecciarossa 1000 leaves Turin Porta Susa at 18:00, arriving Rome Termini 22:10 & Naples Centrale 23:33.
For Verona or Venice, get off in Turin. A Frecciarossa 500 leaves Turin Porta Susa at 17:20 arriving Verona Porta Nuova 19:28 & Venice Santa Lucia 20:42.
For any other destination simply check train times from Turin or Milan at either www.raileurope.com, www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.
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How much does it cost? How to buy tickets Map of Milan showing stations Paris-Milan TGV video guide.
London ► Italy, leaving 09:22 daily
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A civilised mid-morning departure from London and arrival in Turin or Milan in the evening. Stay overnight and take a high-speed train to Florence, Venice, Rome or Naples next morning.
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Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 09:22 daily, arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 12:47.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon (2 stops on RER line D). Why not take an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Turin or Milan by TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon daily at 14:43 arriving Turin Porta Susa 20:22 & Milan Porta Garibaldi 21:50.
It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps, see the video guide below. The TGV has 1st & 2nd class seats, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Stay overnight in Turin or Milan...
I recommend overnighting in Turin as it's only 5h40 from Paris so there's more time for dinner and it's usually an easier same-station change. Turin is also a wonderful under-rated city even if you're not a fan of the 1969 Michael Caine film The Italian Job - allow some time for a wander next morning! If you overnight in Milan you usually need to transfer from Porta Garibaldi to Milan Centrale, though it'll be a shorter onward journey to Florence, Rome or Venice. Your call!
In Turin I suggest the Hotel Torino Porta Susa or Hotel Diplomatic, Best Quality Hotel Dock Milano or small Al Porta Susa B&B, all with good or great reviews, right next to Turin Porta Susa station where the TGV arrives and where your onward train leaves next morning. Alternatively, the excellent Turin Palace Hotel is in the centre right next to Porta Nuova station, a 7 minute taxi ride, 3-stop €1.50 metro ride or 20 minute walk from Porta Susa, but next morning you can board your train to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples at Porta Nuova station where these trains start their journey.
In Milan, the AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350 yards from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.
Step 3, take an onward train to anywhere in Italy...
For Bologna & Florence: If you overnight in Turin, a Frecciarossa 500 leaves Turin Porta Nuova at 07:00 or Turin Porta Susa at 07:10, and arrives Bologna 09:22, Florence SMN at 10:04. But by all means book a later train and have a leisurely breakfast and a look round Turin, or there are earlier trains if you want to arrive sooner. Alternatively, private operator NTV operates its excellent Italo high-speed trains from Turin to Bologna, Florence, Rome Tiburtina and Naples Centrale in competition with Trenitalia, see www.italotreno.it for times, fares and online tickets. If you overnight in Milan, a Frecciarossa 1000 leaves Milan Porta Garibaldi at 07:48 and arrives Bologna 09:07 & Florence SMN at 09:50, or there are earlier or later trains, choose one that suits you at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.
For Rome, Naples & Salerno: If you overnight in Turin, a Frecciarossa 500 leaves Turin Porta Nuova at 07:00 or Turin Porta Susa at 07:10, and arrives Rome Termini at 11:39, Naples Centrale at 13:12 & Salerno (for buses to Amalfi) at 14:06. By all means book a later train and have a leisurely breakfast and a look round Turin, choose one that suits you at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.
For Verona or Venice: If you stay overnight in Turin, there's a Frecciarossa 500 train leaving Turin Porta Nuova at 07:00 or Turin Porta Susa at 07:10, change in Milan Centrale and arrive Verona Porta Nuova at 09:28 & Venice Santa Lucia at 10:42. If you prefer to stay overnight in Milan, the same train leaves Milan Centrale at 08:15. But by all means have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and catch a later train, they leave regularly throughout the day, check train times at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.
For all other destinations simply check train times from Turin or Milan at either www.raileurope.com, www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com. Remember that the TGV from Paris arrives at Milan Porta Garibaldi, a few Trenitalia trains leave from Porta Garibaldi, but most Trenitalia and Italo trains leave from Milan Centrale, a 10 minute €6 taxi ride or 25 minute walk from Porta Garibaldi.
London ► Italy leaving 20:01 daily with overnight stop in Paris...
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This service is useful if you need an evening departure from London after the business day. Stay overnight in Paris and take a morning TGV to Turin or Milan arriving early afternoon, then take an onward high-speed train to Venice, Florence or Rome.
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Step 1, travel from London to Paris on any evening Eurostar you like. The last one leaves London St Pancras at 20:01 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 23:17, or on Sundays there also a 20:31 arriving 23:47.
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Stay overnight in Paris...
Recommended hotels near the Gare de Lyon: Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star); Hotel de Reims (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Turin or Milan next morning by high-speed TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 06:47 and arriving Turin Porta Susa at 12:24 & Milan Porta Garibaldi at 13:50. Or have a leisurely breakfast & take the 10:43 TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon arriving Turin Porta Susa 16:19 & Milan Porta Garibaldi 17:50.
The TGV has 1st & 2nd class seats, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a relaxing, comfortable & scenic journey, passing from France into Italy via Modane in the Alps, see the video below.
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Step 3, change in Turin or Milan for an onward train to anywhere in Italy...
For Bologna & Florence get off the TGV at Turin Porta Susa. If you take the 06:47 TGV from Paris, a Frecciarossa 500 leaves Turin Porta Susa at 13:50, arriving Bologna 16:07 & Florence SMN at 16:50. If you take the 10:43 TGV from Paris, a Frecciarossa 500 leaves Turin Porta Susa at 17:50, arriving Bologna 20:07 & Florence SMN at 20:50.
For Rome or Naples get off the TGV at Turin Porta Susa. If you take the 06:47 TGV from Paris a Frecciarossa 500 leaves Turin Porta Susa at 13:50, arriving Rome Termini 18:35 & Naples Centrale 20:03. If you take the 10:43 TGV from Paris a Frecciarossa 1000 leaves Turin Porta Susa at 18:00, non-stop to Rome Termini arriving 22:10 then Naples Centrale arriving 23:33.
For Verona or Venice: If you take the 06:47 TGV from Paris, get off the TGV at Milan Porta Garibaldi and take a taxi to Milan Centrale, about €6, 10 minutes. A Frecciarossa 1000 leaves Milan Centrale at 14:45 arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 15:58 & Venice Santa Lucia at 17:12. If you take the 10:43 TGV from Paris, get off the TGV at Turin Porta Susa. A Frecciarossa 500 leaves Turin Porta Susa at 17:20 arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 19:28 & Venice Santa Lucia at 20:42.
For all other destinations simply check train times from Turin or Milan at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com. Allow at least 45 minutes to connect in Turin or Milan to allow for any delay, and remember that the TGV from Paris arrives at Milan Porta Garibaldi, a few Trenitalia trains leave from Porta Garibaldi, but most Trenitalia & Italo trains leave from Milan Centrale, a 10 minute €6 taxi ride or 25 minute walk from Porta Garibaldi.
Train times in detail northbound...
Italy ► London, leaving Milan 06:00 or Turin 07:36...
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Step 1, take any afternoon or evening train you like to Turin Porta Susa, you can check train times & prices at either www.italiarail.com, www.raileurope.com or www.trenitalia.com. From Naples, Florence or Rome you can also check competitor Italo's trains at www.italotreno.it.
I recommend overnighting in Turin as this breaks up the journey more evenly and it's an easy same-station change. You can overnight in Milan if you prefer, but remember that most Trenitalia & Italo trains arrive at Milan Centrale, the TGV to Paris leaves from Milan Porta Garibaldi, a 25-minute walk or 10-minute taxi ride away. Here are some examples, by all means take an earlier train and have a leisurely evening in Turin.
From Naples & Rome, a Frecciarossa 500 leaves Naples Centrale at 15:30 & Rome Termini at 16:50 every day, arriving Turin Porta Susa 20:59, or there's a later Frecciarossa 1000 leaving Naples Centrale at 16:55 & Rome Termini at 18:00 arriving Turin Porta Susa at 23:08.
From Florence & Bologna, a Frecciarossa 1000 leaves Florence SMN at 18:10, Bologna Centrale at 18:53 and arrives Turin Porta Susa at 21:08.
From Venice or Verona: A Frecciarossa high-speed train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 17:18 or Verona Porta Nuova at 18:32, arriving Turin Porta Susa at 20:38.
From any other Italian city, check train times to Milan or Turin at either www.raileurope.com, www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com. Allow at least 45 minutes in Milan or Turin to allow for any delay.
Stay overnight in Turin...
In Turin I suggest the Hotel Torino Porta Susa or Hotel Diplomatic, Best Quality Hotel Dock Milano or small Al Porta Susa B&B, all with good or great reviews right next to Turin Porta Susa station from where the TGV to Paris leaves next morning. Alternatively, the excellent Turin Palace Hotel is in the centre right next to Porta Nuova station, where most trains from Naples, Florence, Rome or Venice terminate - next morning it's a 7 minute taxi ride, 3-stop €1.50 metro ride or 20 minute walk to Porta Susa for the TGV to Paris. If you prefer to overnight in Milan, the AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350 yards from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.
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Step 2, travel from Milan or Turin to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi daily at 06:00 or Turin Porta Susa at 07:36 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 13:14. It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing from Italy into France via the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps and Modane. The TGV has 1st and 2nd class seats plus a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals. Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord (2 stops on RER line D).
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Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord daily at 15:13, arriving London St Pancras at 16:39.
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How much does it cost? How to buy tickets Map of Milan showing stations Paris-Milan TGV video guide
Italy ► London, leaving Milan 08:45 or Turin 10:06...
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Step 1, take any afternoon or evening train you like to Turin Porta Susa, you can check train times & prices at either www.italiarail.com, www.raileurope.com or www.trenitalia.com. From Naples, Florence or Rome you can also check competitor Italo's trains at www.italotreno.it.
I recommend overnighting in Turin as this breaks up the journey more evenly and it's an easy same-station change. You can overnight in Milan if you prefer, but remember that most Trenitalia & Italo trains arrive at Milan Centrale, the TGV to Paris leaves from Milan Porta Garibaldi, a 25-minute walk or 10-minute taxi ride away. Here are some examples, by all means take an earlier train and have a leisurely evening in Turin.
From Naples & Rome, a Frecciarossa 500 leaves Naples Centrale at 15:30 & Rome Termini at 16:50 every day, arriving Turin Porta Susa 20:59, or there's a later Frecciarossa 1000 leaving Naples Centrale at 16:55 & Rome Termini at 18:00 arriving Turin Porta Susa at 23:08.
From Florence & Bologna, a Frecciarossa 1000 leaves Florence SMN at 18:10, Bologna Centrale at 18:53 and arrives Turin Porta Susa at 21:08.
From Venice or Verona: A Frecciarossa high-speed train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 17:18 or Verona Porta Nuova at 18:32, arriving Turin Porta Susa at 20:38.
From any other Italian city, check train times to Milan or Turin at either www.raileurope.com, www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com. Allow at least 45 minutes in Milan or Turin to allow for any delay.
Stay overnight in Turin...
In Turin I suggest the Hotel Torino Porta Susa or Hotel Diplomatic, Best Quality Hotel Dock Milano or small Al Porta Susa B&B, all with good or great reviews right next to Turin Porta Susa station from where the TGV to Paris leaves next morning. Alternatively, the excellent Turin Palace Hotel is in the centre right next to Porta Nuova station, where most trains from Naples, Florence, Rome or Venice terminate - next morning it's a 7 minute taxi ride, 3-stop €1.50 metro ride or 20 minute walk to Porta Susa for the TGV to Paris. If you prefer to overnight in Milan, the AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350 yards from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.
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Step 2, travel from Milan or Turin to Paris by TGV, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi 08:45 or Turin Porta Susa 10:06 arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.
The TGV has 1st & 2nd class seats, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing from Italy into France via the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps and Modane.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord (2 stops on RER line D).
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Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 18:13 (19:13 on Saturdays) and arriving London St Pancras at 19:39 (20:46 on Saturdays).
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much does it cost? How to buy tickets Map of Milan showing stations Paris-Milan TGV video guide
Italy ► London leaving Milan 14:40 or Turin 16:07 daily, overnight stop in Paris...
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This service is useful if you need to be in London for the start of the business day.
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Step 1, take a high-speed train to Turin Porta Susa...
From Naples, Rome, Florence or Bologna: A daily Frecciarossa 1000 leaves Napoli Centrale at 08:55, Roma Termini at 10:25, Florence SMN at 12:10 & Bologna 12:53, arriving Turin Porta Susa 15:08. By all means travel earlier and have a late lunch in Turin.
From Venice or Verona: A Frecciarossa high-speed train leaves Venice Santa Lucia daily at 08:18 or Verona Porta Nuova at 09:32, arriving at Turin Porta Susa at 11:38. Have lunch in Turin and explore the city. Later departures are possible if you don't mind an extra change in Milan.
From any other Italian city: You can check train times to Milan or Turin at either www.raileurope.com, www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com. Allow at least 45 minutes in Turin to allow for any delay.
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Step 2, travel from Milan or Turin to Paris by TGV leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi 14:40 or Turin Porta Susa 16:07, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 22:12.
The TGV has 1st & 2nd class seats, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing from Italy into France via the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps and Modane.
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Stay overnight in Paris...
These hotels near the Gare de Lyon get good reviews: Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star); Hotel de Reims (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).
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Step 3, next morning travel from London to Paris Gare du Nord on any Eurostar you like. The first one usually leaves Paris at 07:13 on Mondays-Saturdays arriving London at 08:32. On Sundays the first train is the 08:13 arriving London at 09:30. But by all means book a later one.
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How much does it cost? How to buy tickets Map of Milan showing stations Paris-Milan TGV video guide
How much does it cost?
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London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
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Paris to Turin or Milan starts at €29 each way in 2nd class, €44 each way in 1st class.
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Turin or Milan to Venice or Florence starts at €19.90 each way in standard (2nd) class, €29.90 in business (1st) class.
Turin or Milan to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 each way in standard (2nd) class, €39.90 in business (1st) class.
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Like air fares, fares increase as the cheaper seats are sold, so book early & shop around for the cheapest departure. Check the online booking system to see prices for your date of travel. Children under 4 go free.
How to buy tickets: See below...
What's the journey like?
1. London to Paris by Eurostar...
Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in (10-minutes for business premier) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Paris Gare du Nord station guide. How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.
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A Eurostar e320 at St Pancras. More about Eurostar. |
1st class: Standard Premier or Business Premier. |
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Standard class seats. Larger photo. |
One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9. Larger photo. |
Lunch in Paris at the Train Bleu restaurant?
The trains to Italy leave from the magnificent Gare de Lyon in central Paris. Why not have lunch (or at least a drink in the bar) at the fabulous Train Bleu Restaurant inside the Gare de Lyon (pictured above right) before catching the train to Turin or Milan? Paris Gare de Lyon station guide.
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2. Paris to Turin or Milan by TGV...
SNCF (French Railways) operates three daily 186 mph TGV trains from Paris to Turin & Milan. Previously operated by Artesia, a consortium of Trenitalia & SNCF, they are now operated entirely by SNCF, officially via a new Italian subsidiary, Società Viaggiatori Italia. On leaving Paris they sprint over the high-speed line at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) as far as Lyon St Exupéry, but they then slow right down to meander through the scenic Alpine foothills on conventional lines via Chambéry, crossing into Italy at Modane and heading through Turin to Milan. These TGVs have 1st & 2nd class seats and are fully air-conditioned, with new interiors designed by Christian Lacroix. There's free WiFi, power sockets for laptops and mobiles at every seat, baby-changing facilities and designated spaces for passengers in wheelchairs. There's a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & light meals, or feel free to bring your own food & wine along for the journey. In first class you can order a 3-course meal with wine, served at your seat. You can now buy Paris metro tickets from the bar car, too. 1st class TGV passengers can use the Grand Voyageurs 1st class lounge at Paris Gare de Lyon. Incidentally, SNCF's experienced in-house designer still hasn't forgiven Christian Lacroix for breaking the unwritten rule and using warm colours in 2nd class, cooler colours in 1st class, so see what you think!
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The afternoon TGV to Turin & Milan at Paris Gare de Lyon. There's no check-in, just be on board at departure time... |
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The cafe-bar, serving tea, coffee, beer, wine, hot & cold snacks & microwaved hot dishes. Larger photo. |
The cheese platter bought from the cafe-bar as the mountains swept by... |
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2nd class with a mix or unidirectional seats & tables for 4. Seats are 2+2 across car width. 360 degree photo. |
1st class with a mix of unidirectional seats, solo seats, tables for 2 & for 4. Seats 2+1 across car width. 360 degree photo. |
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The TGV leaves Paris behind & speeds across rural France at up to 186 mph, past fields, woods, pretty villages... |
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...it calls at Lyon St Exupery then slows right down through the Alpine foothills. |
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The TGV crosses the Alps via Chambéry and Modane, passing through the 13.6 km (8.5 mile) long Fréjus Rail Tunnel, also known less accurately as the Mont Cénis tunnel. The tunnel transit takes just 7 minutes, during which the train enters Italy. Opened in 1871, this the oldest of the large tunnels through the Alps, and was the longest tunnel in the world from 1871 until 1882 when the Gotthard tunnel opened on the Zurich-Milan route. |
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More mountains... |
Now we're in Italy, leaving the Alps behind... |
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Scenery between Oulx and Turin... Photos courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com. |
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The train calls at Turin Porta Susa. Photos courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com |
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Arrival at Milan's modern Porta Garibaldi station, a 10-minute €6 taxi ride or 25 minute walk from Milan's main Centrale station. |
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3. Turin to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples by Frecciarossa...
Frecciarossa trains now have not two but four classes: Standard (2nd class), Premium (premium 2nd class), Business (1st class) and Executive (premium 1st class).& Premium & Business classes include snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, Executive includes hot or cold meals and soft and alcoholic drinks. Some but not all Frecciarossas have a restaurant car, though they all have a cafe car and all have free WiFi. See the Frecciarossa information page for more details & a video guide. The new Frecciarossa 1000 trains started entering service from June 2015 and now operate an increasing share of departures on this route, although some departures are still Frecciarossa 500.
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A Frecciarossa 1000 at Milan Centrale. More information on Frecciarossas & explanation of the 4 classes. |
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Standard class, 2+2 across width. Larger photo. |
Executive class, 1+1 across width. Larger photo |
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Business class seats 1+2 across car width, with tables for 2 and tables for 4 and complimentary prosecco. Larger photo. |
In business class you can order a meal at your seat, around €18. More information about Frecciarossas. |
...or try the competition, NTV's Italo.
Trenitalia now has competition. A private company called NTV now runs Italo trains between Milan and Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples, in competition with State-run operator Trenitalia. On Italo there are 3 classes: Smart (2nd class), Prima (1st class) & Club (premium 1st), all with Poltrona Frau leather seats and free WiFi. For more information about Italo, see the Italo page and buy tickets at www.italotreno.it. More information about Italo. See the Italo video guide.
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Smart class (2nd class) on Italo. |
An Italo train at Rome Tiburtina. More information about Italo. |
Video guide: Paris to Milan by TGV...
The video takes you on a journey by TGV from Paris to Turin & Milan, showing you both the train & scenery...
How to buy tickets...
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For hotels...www.booking.com allows you to book your accommodation before train bookings open, at no risk with free cancellation. Any hotel with a review score over 8.0 is unlikely to disappoint. |
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I recommend Raileurope.com for this, www.raileurope.com. It's the former Loco2.com, connecting to the British, French, Trenitalia & Italo ticketing systems so you can easily book all your tickets together in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $, at the cheapest rates with print-your-own or show-on-smartphone tickets. Who are Raileurope.com?
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overseas credit cards no problem: Raileurope.com accepts international credit cards so anyone from any country worldwide can use it.
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There's a small booking fee, a flat fee added when you pay for all the items in your basket. So add each train ticket you need to your basket, then check out and pay for them all together.
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How to book...
Use www.raileurope.com to buy one-way or return tickets in either direction.
On Eurostar, TGV, Trenitalia & Italo, infants under 4 go free with no ticket necessary, children under 12 can travel at the child rate on Eurostar & TGV, under 14s can use a child rate on Trenitalia high-speed and intercity trains.
Tip: Eurostar is best booked as a round trip, because Eurostar return fares are significantly cheaper than two one-way tickets. However, for almost all onward mainland European trains including TGVs and Italian trains, tickets are all one-way so it makes no difference whether you book onward trains as a return journey or as two one-way trips. It's often easier to book one journey at a time.
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Booking opens up to 4 months ahead...
Booking for Eurostar opens up to 6 months ahead, but booking for the Paris-Milan TGVs and most Italian long-distance trains only opens up to 4 months ahead, less than this at certain times of year. However, I strongly recommend waiting until the Paris-Milan TGV opens for sale so you can confirm onward times & prices before you buy a non-refundable Eurostar ticket!
It's useful to know that the big annual timetable change happens on the 2nd Sunday in December, and most years, bookings for dates after this up to and including the Christmas & New Year period open around mid-October, significantly less than 4 months ahead.
See more information about when European train bookings open & why some dates may open later than others. You can always reserve hotel accommodation risk-free before booking your trains if you use a site like www.booking.com with free cancellation.
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Don't book from London to Venice or Florence or Rome or Naples all in one go!
You can get from London to Milan in a day, but not usually to Venice or Florence or Rome. Obvious if you think about it, you need to book like this...
If you're overnighting in Turin or Milan, book from London or your local station to Turin or Milan on day 1 and add this to your basket. Then book from Turin or Milan to your Italian destination on day 2, add this to your basket and check out, paying for all tickets as one transaction.
If you're overnighting in Paris, book from London or your local UK station to Paris on day 1 and add this to your basket. Then book from Paris to your Italian destination on day 2, add to basket and check out, paying for all tickets as one transaction.
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You can book from any station in Britain! www.raileurope.com allows you to book to or from any British station (even Little Kimble), not just from London. It usually does this by adding a ticket from your local station to London International CIV (if available), which gives you travel to London St Pancras (including the Underground if you need it) and the protection of the CIV international conditions of carriage so if your UK train is delayed and you miss your Eurostar, you are entitled to travel on a later one even if you have a non-changeable ticket. In many cases these fares have fewer or no peak-hour restrictions, too, so they allow Monday-Friday peak-time travel at off-peak prices. More explanation here, with the ability to buy a ticket to London International CIV separately if you need to. Little Kimble to Milan? No problem!
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Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead: Fares for Eurostar & TGV are cheaper in advance, more expensive closer to the date of travel, so book as early as you can and search for the cheapest departures. Remember that the cheapest tickets mean no refunds, no changes.
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Tip: To allow time for lunch in Paris, perhaps at the remarkable Train Bleu restaurant, click More options, enter Paris Lyon, select specific duration and enter (say) 2 hours. Adjust as necessary.
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Tip: Upgrade to 1st class on the TGV: Most booking sites won't let you mix & match 2nd class on Eurostar (as 1st class is expensive) with 1st class on the Paris-Milan TGV, which can cost little more than 2nd class and can occasionally be cheaper, because of the way the pricing quotas work. Have a look to see if an upgrade is affordable.
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Tip: After booking you can choose an exact seat on Eurostar from a seating plan using the Manage booking link at eurostar.com, see tips on choosing the best seats on Eurostar.
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Train seat numbering plans: Find Eurostar, TGV & Italian train seat numbering plans here.
Or buy at www.thetrainline.com...
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I also recommend www.thetrainline.com for the same reasons as Raileurope: It connects to the Eurostar, SNCF, Trenitalia & Italo ticketing systems so you can easily book all your tickets in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $ with overseas credit cards no problem. Who are Thetrainline.com?
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Some people prefer www.raileurope.com, others prefer www.thetrainline.com, both are good and should show the same prices, so use whichever you like the look of best. At time I write this www.thetrainline.com charges no booking fee if you use the links on this page.
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Most of the same booking tips in the Raileurope advice above also apply, except that www.thetrainline.com can only sell journeys starting in London, Ebbsfleet or Ashford. But you can easily add a British domestic train ticket separately as explained here. If you want a stopover in Paris, simply book London-Paris and back separately from onward trains.
Or book each train separately...
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Alternatively, you can book each train separately direct from the relevant train operator, with no booking fee. However, it's more effort and more fiddly than booking everything in one place in plain English at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and the actual fares are unlikely to be any cheaper, so if you're new to this I'd stick with www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. If you want to book each train separately, do a dry run on each site to confirm times, prices & availability before booking for real.
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Step 1, book the TGV from Paris to Turin or Milan & back with SNCF's own website en.oui.sncf. It can be used by anyone from any country, it's a little more fiddly than raileurope and it's been known to struggle with some international credit cards, but it gives a full range of seating options and there's no booking fee. If you have any problems, use www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com instead.
Booking usually now opens 120 days ahead for the Paris-Turin-Milan route, although the Europe-wide timetable changes on the 2nd Sunday June and in December can shorten this for dates immediately after the change. You can always reserve hotel accommodation risk-free before booking your trains if you use a site like www.booking.com with free cancellation.
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Step 2, now book a connecting London-Paris Eurostar at www.eurostar.com. Anyone from any country can buy tickets at www.eurostar.com, you simply print your own ticket or can choose to collect it at the station from the e-ticket machines. There's no booking fee.
Booking opens up to 180 days ahead, but I strongly recommend waiting until 120 days ahead when Paris-Milan TGV tickets go on sale so you can double-check the Paris arrival & departure times for the TGV before committing to a non-refundable Eurostar ticket.
By all means choose an earlier Eurostar than the one suggested, or a later one on the way back, if you want to stop off in Paris or if it has cheaper fares available. Just make sure you always allow at least 60 minutes southbound, 90 minutes northbound, to change trains and stations in Paris. Ideally more than this.
Want to choose your exact seat? www.eurostar.com allows you to choose an exact seat from a numbered seating plan. First buy your ticket then after payment use the 'manage your booking' facility to change your seats. See tips on choosing the best seats on Eurostar.
Travelling from outside London? Buy a separate ticket up to London to connect with Eurostar, see the advice here.
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Step 3, now book onwards tickets within Italy.
You can buy Trenitalia tickets from Turin or Milan to other Italian cities at www.italiarail.com (in €, £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in €) or www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $). Which of these to use?
The competing Italo trains between Milan and Florence, Rome or Naples can be booked direct with Italo at www.italotreno.it (no booking fee) or at www.raileurope.com (with small booking fee).
Booking for Italian long-distance trains normally opens 120 days ahead, but the Europe-wide timetable changes on the 2nd Sunday in June and the 2nd Sunday in December often shorten this to around 60 days.
www.italiarail.com is an agency which links directly to Trenitalia's ticketing system. It's easy to use, it's in plain English, seat61 receives some commission if you book this way and they'll refund seat61 users the €3.50 booking fee if you send an email to seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR.
Trenitalia's own site www.trenitalia.com is also now pretty easy to use, although you'll need to use Italian-language place names such as Firenze for Florence and Napoli for Naples, it has a few quirks, especially confusing translations when booking sleepers, so see this advice on using it. However, there is no booking fee and it allows specific seat selection on high-speed trains for a small fee.
All these sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and all offer ticketless travel for high-speed, InterCity & sleeper trains, you simply quote your PNR booking reference on board the train. Simple!
How to buy tickets by phone...
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It's better to buy online, as you avoid phone booking fees and can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey. Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays. However, if you still want to phone someone, here's a list of UK-based train ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.
Let Railbookers arrange your holiday...
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Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a holiday as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers. Their website has a range of suggested tours & holidays by rail which can be varied or customised to your requirements. As you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay. Their most popular trips include UK to Venice via the Alps, UK to Lake Como via the Alps, UK to Florence via the Alps, UK to Rome via the Alps, UK to Amalfi Coast via the Alps, all of which are customisable to add extra nights or extra cities, with train travel on the outward or return journey, or by train throughout with no flying necessary, it's up to you. They now have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.
In the UK call 0207 864 4600,
www.railbookers.co.uk.
In the USA call free 1-888-829-4775,
www.railbookers.com.
Canada call free 1-855-882-2910,
www.railbookers.com.
Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526,
www.railbookers.com.au.
New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or
see
website.
Escorted tours to Italy by train...
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If you'd prefer to go to Italy on an escorted tour with a convivial group of travellers rather than travelling solo or independently, here are the two UK companies which arrange escorted tours by train from the UK to destinations all over Europe on various dates through the year. Both companies are part of the same group.
Rail Discoveries,
www.raildiscoveries.com,
01904 730 727...
Great Rail
Journeys,
www.greatrail.com, 01904 527 120...
Option
2: By Thello sleeper train
Lunch in London, Venice next morning...
COVID-19 update: The Thello sleeper train from Paris to Milan, Verona & Venice has been suspended since March 2020 due to Covid-19. Some reports suggest it has been discontinued permanently, but it's possible it will resume in early June 2021 as it is appearing in certain rail industry data, yet to be confirmed. Updates will be posted here.
Option
3: Via Switzerland
London to Italy via the Swiss Alps...
The Paris-Milan TGVs featured in option 1 are the fastest & cheapest trains between Paris & Italy, and that route is pretty scenic. You can also travel from Paris to Italy via Switzerland, travelling from Paris Gare de Lyon to either Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich by TGV-Lyria high-speed train in 3h10-4h05 from €29, then taking a EuroCity train to Milan Centrale in 3½-4½ hours from €29. Change at Mussolini's magnificent Milan Centrale for Venice, Florence, Rome or anywhere in Italy. You can travel from London to Milan in a day this way, but I suggest breaking up the journey with an overnight stop in Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich.
Travelling via Switzerland is a good option if you want more dramatic scenery, or to stop off in Switzerland on the way, or if engineering work affects the direct Paris-Milan route. It's also a good option to reach Lake Como, as most Zurich-Milan trains call at Como San Giovanni. By all means go out one way and back another, most European trains apart from Eurostar are single-leg ticketed.
Which route through Switzerland?
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The Paris-Lausanne-Milan & Paris-Geneva-Milan routes are just as direct (or more so) as the route taken by the Paris-Milan TGVs. The journey takes only a little longer because of the change of train in Geneva or Lausanne, but there's some superb scenery on the way, especially the last hour of the Paris-Geneva journey over the lovely Haut-Bugey Line via the Cize-Bolozon viaduct over the Ain gorge. The line along Lake Leman & Lake Maggiore on the Geneva-Lausanne-Milan Simplon route is also lovely, past castles and vineyards. In winter snow it's wonderful...
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The Paris-Basel-Milan & Paris-Zurich-Milan routes take 2-3 hours longer, but also have some great scenery. Until recently I'd have said the Paris-Zurich-Milan route marked in orange on the route map above was the most scenic mainline route of all, taking the wonderful Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps where the line spirals to gain height. But in December 2016 the Zurich-Milan EuroCity trains were permanently re-routed through the new Gotthard Base Tunnel and the most wonderful scenic hour of that route is now 20 minutes in a tunnel. It's still a great route with lovely views of Swiss & Italian lakes, see the Milan-Zurich video here - but I'd say the Simplon and Gotthard are now neck-and-neck on scenery.
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If it's ultimate Swiss Alpine scenery you're after, go for option 4, the fabulous narrow gauge Bernina Express, at least in one direction. This is much slower than any of the routes described here, Zurich to Milan on 3 trains in one amazing day instead of one train in 3½ hours - but it's worth it!
London ► Italy
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Day 1, travel from London to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich by Eurostar & TGV-Lyria using any journey shown on the Switzerland page.
For example, leave London St Pancras by Eurostar at 13:31 any day of the week arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 16:47.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, it's just 2 stops on RER line D.
Then take the 18:18 TGV-Lyria from Paris Gare de Lyon arriving Geneva at 21:29.
For the last hour the Paris-Geneva TGVs take the Haut-Bugey Line with fabulous scenery, including crossing the Cize-Bolozon viaduct over the Ain gorge, see the photos on the Switzerland page - depending on the hours of daylight of course.
By all means take the 07:55 Eurostar from London and have lunch in Paris at the amazing Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon, then take the 14:18 TGV to Geneva arriving 17:29 - this will show you the scenery in daylight even in winter and give you an evening in Geneva.
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Stay overnight in Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich.
In Geneva, hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Geneve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare.
In Zurich, for something special book the wonderful Hotel Schweizerhof located right next to Zurich station. One of my favourite hotels, they'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you at the station and carry your bags across the road. For something cheaper but also near the station with great reviews, try the Hotel du Théatre or Hotel St Gotthard. If you're on a budget you can book inexpensive private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel using www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich to Milan by air-conditioned EuroCity train through the Alps and change there for anywhere in Italy. You can check times from these Swiss cities to anywhere in Italy at www.raileurope.com, www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.
For example, the 07:39 from Geneva arrives at Milan Centrale at 11:40, and this particular train runs beyond Milan to Verona Porta Nuova arriving 13:28 and Venice Santa Lucia arriving 14:42. The Geneva-Milan journey takes you along the shores of Lake Leman, through the Simplon Tunnel south of Brig and alongside Lake Maggiore into the wonderful Milan Centrale. There's an elegant restaurant car on board for breakfast and power sockets at all seats.
For Bologna, Florence, Rome or Naples: Travel from Milan to Bologna, Florence, Rome or Naples by Frecciarossa high-speed train. If you leave Geneva on the 07:39 you can connect with a Frecciarossa 500 leaving Milan Centrale at 12:10 and arriving Bologna 13:22, Florence SMN 14:04, Rome Termini at 15:49 & Naples Centrale at 17:12.
For Verona or Venice: The 07:39 from Geneva runs direct to Verona & Venice, on all other routes & services you change in Milan. Trains run from Milan Centrale to Venice Santa Lucia every hour through the day taking just 2h27.
Italy ► London
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Day 1, travel from anywhere in Italy to Milan Centrale, then by EuroCity train from Milan Centrale to Zurich, Basel, Lausanne or Geneva. You can easily check times & prices from anywhere in Italy to these Swiss cities at either www.raileurope.com, www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.
For example, a EuroCity train leaves Milan Centrale at 17:20 arriving Geneva at 21:21. Or there's a later one at 19:20 arriving Geneva at 23:59 (00:09 on some dates), and this particular one starts in Venice Santa Lucia at 16:18, calling at Verona Porta Nuova at 17:32. There's an elegant restaurant car for dinner on both trains and power sockets at all seats.
From Bologna, Florence, Rome or Naples: Trains run to Milan every hour at least. To catch the 17:20 Milan-Geneva you'd leave Naples Centrale at 11:40, Rome Termini at 13:10, Florence SMN 14:55 or Bologna 15:38 by Frecciarossa 1000, arriving Milan Centrale at 16:50 To catch the 19:20 Milan-Geneva you'd leave Naples Centrale at 13:40, Rome Termini at 15:10, Florence SMN 16:55 or Bologna at17:38 by Frecciarossa 1000, arriving Milan Centrale at 18:50. Check times at www.raileurope.com, www.italiarail.com allowing at least 30 minutes in Milan.
From Verona or Venice: Trains link Venice with Milan every hour taking 2h35. There's a direct train to Geneva leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 16:18 and Verona Porta Nuova at 17:32, arriving Geneva around 23:59. Or to connect with the earlier 17:20 Milan-Geneva you'd leave Venice Santa Lucia at 14:18 or Verona at 15:32 by Frecciabianca, arriving Milan Centrale at 16:45.
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Stay overnight in Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich.
In Geneva, hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Geneve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare.
In Zurich, for something special book the wonderful Hotel Schweizerhof located right next to Zurich station. One of my favourite hotels, they'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you at the station and carry your bags across the road. For something cheaper but also near the station with great reviews, try the Hotel du Théatre or Hotel St Gotthard. If you're on a budget you can book inexpensive private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel using www.hostelworld.com.
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Step 3, travel from Zurich, Basel, Lausanne or Geneva to London by TGV-Lyria & Eurostar using any service shown on the Switzerland page.
For example, you can leave Geneva at 10:29 any day of the week by 186mph Lyria TGV arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 13:48. Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord, it's just 2 stops on RER line D. Leave Paris Gare du Nord by Eurostar at 16:13 arriving London St Pancras at 17:39. If you'd like an earlier start, the 08:29 from Geneva will get you to London at 16:39, see the Switzerland page for full details. How about taking the 08:29 from Geneva and having lunch at the amazing Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon, then taking Eurostar home?
How much does it cost?
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London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
Paris to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich by TGV-Lyria starts at €29 each way in 2nd class, €79 in 1st class. You'll find full details of London-Paris-Switzerland fares on the London to Switzerland page.
Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.
Milan to Florence or Venice starts at just €19.90 each way in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class with a Super-Economy fare. Milan to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 in standard class (2nd) or €39.90 in business class (1st).
How to buy tickets...
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You can buy all your tickets together in one place at www.raileurope.com, as it connects to the British, French and Italian train ticketing systems. It's easy to use, in €, £ or $. Anyone from any country can use Raileurope.com as international credit cards are accepted, Eurostar & TGVs have print-at-home or show-on-smartphone tickets and Italian high-speed trains are ticketless, you just quote the booking reference on board. There's a small booking fee.
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When does booking open? Eurostar bookings open up to 180 days ahead, TGV-Lyria opens up to 120 days ahead, but I strongly recommend waiting until TGV-Lyria opens for sale so you can buy all your tickets together and double-check TGV-Lyria's arrival/departure times before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket. Switzerland-Italy EuroCity trains only open for bookings 92 days ahead. Be aware that the 120 or 92 days can be squeezed to as little as 60 days for travel on dates immediately after the European timetable changes in mid-June & mid-December.
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Step 1, go to www.raileurope.com and book from London to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich. Add this to your basket.
Use the Eurostar times on this page as a guide, but feel free to choose an earlier Eurostar from London or a later Eurostar back from Paris if these have cheaper seats available or if you'd like to stop off in Paris. To book London to Zurich with a stopover for lunch in Paris, simply click More options and enter Paris with a duration of however many hours you want.
Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris southbound, at least 90 minutes northbound (as northbound you have to allow for the 30 minute Eurostar check-in).
If you are returning, London-Paris is best booked as a round trip because Eurostar return fares are significantly cheaper than two one ways. Beyond Paris, all the onward trains are one-way ticketed so a return is simply two one-ways and it makes no difference how you book. You may find it easier to book one direction at a time.
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Step 2, still at www.raileurope.com, now book from Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich to your chosen Italian destination for the following day, add it to your basket and check out. Raileurope.com now connects directly to Trenitalia's ticketing system so can sell all of Trenitalia's cheap economy & super-economy fares. Both trains offer ticketless travel, you just quote your booking reference on board.
Other ways to buy tickets...
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You can of course buy tickets from each of the relevant train operators' own websites. This is more work, involving multiple bookings on different websites, the prices should be exactly the same, but there's no booking fee. I recommend doing a dry run on all websites before booking for real.
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Step 1, book your London-Paris tickets at www.eurostar.com. You can print out your own ticket, collect it at London St Pancras or load it into the Eurostar app to show on your smartphone.
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Step 2, book your Paris-Switzerland tickets at the French Railways website en.oui.sncf & print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone.
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Step 3, book tickets from Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich to anywhere in Italy at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in plain English, they'll refund seat61 users the €3.50 booking fee if you email seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian-language place names and has a few quirks so see this advice on using it, no booking fee). Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both offer ticketless travel for mainline trains, you simply quote your booking reference on board the train.
How to buy tickets by phone...
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It's cheaper and in many ways easier to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees. Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays. However, if you still want to phone someone, here's a list of UK-based train ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.
Let Railbookers arrange it as a package...
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Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or holiday for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers. Their website shows a range of suggested tours & holidays by rail which can be varied or customised to your requirements. As you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay. They get very positive reviews.
UK call 0207 864 4600,
www.railbookers.co.uk.
US call free 1-888-829-4775,
www.railbookers.com.
Canada call free 1-855-882-2910,
www.railbookers.com.
Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526,
www.railbookers.com.au.
New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or
see
website.
What's the journey like?
1. London to Paris by Eurostar...
Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in (10-minutes for business premier) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Paris Gare du Nord station guide. How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.
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A Eurostar e320 at St Pancras. More about Eurostar. |
1st class: Standard Premier or Business Premier. |
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Standard class seats. Larger photo. |
One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9. Larger photo. |
2. Paris to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich by TGV-Lyria...
All TGV-Lyrias are now double-deck TGV Duplex as shown here, with 3 classes: Standard class (2nd), standard premiere (1st class) and business premiere (1st class with hot meal & drinks included in the fare). There's a cafe-bar car selling drinks & snacks. There are power points for mobiles & laptops at all seats in all classes. Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways, see the TGV-Lyria page for more information. Paris Gare de Lyon station guide.
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TGV-Lyria euroduplex train at Paris Gare de Lyon. These 320 km/h double-deck trains now operate all TGV-Lyria services. |
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The cafe-bar on the upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes... |
2nd class seats, this is upper deck seating. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo. |
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1st class on the upper deck, with a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360º photo. |
A TGV-Lyria for Geneva, boarding at Paris Gare de Lyon. You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck. |
3. Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train...
Trains from Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich to Milan are operated by smart bullet-nosed Astoro trains, now joined by Swiss Railways' latest Giruno trains. Both types have with air-conditioning, restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, a pleasure to travel on. See more information about these EuroCity trains. Geneva station guide. Zurich HB station guide. Milan Centrale station guide.
The Gotthard route: The Zurich-Milan EuroCity trains take the Gotthard route through the Alps. You'll pass through the World's longest rail tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the transit only takes 20 minutes. You'll see plenty of mountains either side including great views of Lake Lugano (below).
The Simplon route: Geneva-Lausanne-Milan trains take the Simplon route, via the famous Simplon Tunnel opened in 1906. You'll see pretty Swiss villages & vineyards. The Swiss keep their wine a closely-guarded secret and export very little, give it a try and you'll understand why they keep it to themselves. Once in Italy, there's great views along Lake Maggiore.
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A Swiss-owned ETR610 about to leave Zurich HB with a EuroCity train to Milan. More information about these EuroCity trains. |
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2nd class seats, arranged 2+2 across car width. |
1st class seats, 2+1 across car width. Larger photo. |
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The restaurant car on an ETR610... |
Lunch in the diner? |
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Lake Lugano, seen from a Milan to Zurich train on the Gotthard route. On the Zurich-Milan Gotthard route you'll also pass the Zugersee & the Vierwaldstattersee in Switzerland, and if it's a train routed via Como, you'll glimpse Lake Como too. |
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Lake Maggiore... The Geneva-Lausanne-Milan Simplon route runs alongside Lake Leman, and once in Italy it runs alongside Lake Maggiore, pictured above. This photo was taken from the dining-car of the northbound 11:25 Milan to Basel over an excellent lunch of salmon tagliatelle & Swiss wine. I left Milan at 11:25, changed at Basel onto the 16:34 TGV to Paris, caught the 21:13 Eurostar and was back in London at 22:36, reaching Aylesbury at 23:59. No airports, no flights, and wonderful scenery! |
Option
4: Via the Bernina Express
This is a much slower option than the others, but you can still leave London on day 1 afternoon, arriving Milan on day 2 in the afternoon, after a slow and fabulous journey on the narrow-gauge Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano through the Swiss Alps.
See the Bernina Express page...
Option
5:
Via Munich
London to Italy via Munich & the scenic Brenner Pass...
You may prefer some German and Austrian efficiency on your way to Italy, as well as some great scenery, see the Brenner route video. Travel London to Munich by Eurostar & TGV on day 1, stay overnight, then travel through the Brenner Pass to Italy on day 2. It may look like a long way round on the route map above, but cheap fares and high-quality German and Austrian-run trains now make this an attractive option.
London ► Italy
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Day 1, travel from London to Munich by Eurostar to Paris and TGV to Munich, leaving London St Pancras at 10:24 (13:31 on Saturdays), changing trains and stations in Paris and arriving Munich Hbf at 21:36 (23:55 on Saturdays).
Other services are available via Brussels & Cologne, and an earlier option via Paris on Saturdays if you'd like more of an evening in Munich, see the Germany page for details.
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Stay overnight in Munich. I recommend the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (budget) the Pension Locarno, all right next to the station with good or great reviews. If you're on a budget you can book inexpensive private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Verona or Bologna by Austrian EuroCity train, leaving Munich Hbf at 09:34 & arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 14:58 & Bologna at 16:19.
An Austrian restaurant car is available serving drinks, snacks & affordable full meals, so treat yourself to lunch as the scenery drifts by! The scenery through the Brenner Pass is wonderful, see the Brenner route video. For the best views find an unreserved seat on the right hand side of the train. All seats have power sockets for charging mobiles, laptops or cameras. Change in Verona for Venice, change in Bologna for Florence or Rome, using www.trenitalia.com to find a suitable onward connection. Allow at least 45 minutes for connections in Verona or Bologna.
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Alternatively, have a look round Munich, then take a direct EuroCity train leaving Munich Hbf at 11:34 and arriving Venice Santa Lucia 18:25, also travelling via the scenic Brenner Pass - this direct train is usually a cheaper option, as one ticket gets you all the way from Munich to Venice from as little as €39.90. This train also features a restaurant car.
Italy ► London
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Day 1, travel from Venice or Verona to Munich by Austrian EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 13:35 or Verona Porta Nuova at 15:01, arriving Munich Hbf at 20:26.
Enjoy the scenery in the Brenner Pass through the Alps, see the Brenner route video. Arguably the best views are from the left-hand side of the train. An elegant restaurant car is available for dinner, so treat yourself! All seats have power sockets for charging mobiles, laptops or cameras. Coming from Rome or Florence, look for a train to Verona using www.trenitalia.com, allowing at least 45 minutes in Verona for the connection, to allow for any delay.
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Stay overnight in Munich. I suggest the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (budget) the Pension Locarno, all right next to the station with good or great reviews. If you're on a budget you can book inexpensive private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to London by TGV to Paris and Eurostar to London, leaving Munich Hbf around 09:46, changing at Stuttgart and Paris, arriving London St Pancras at 19:39. Other services are available via both Paris and Brussels/Cologne, see the Germany page for details.
How much does it cost?
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London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
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Paris to Munich by TGV starts at €39 each way in 2nd class, or from €69 in 1st class.
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Munich to Verona, Bologna or Venice by EuroCity train starts at €37.90 each way in 2nd class, €69.90 in 1st class.
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On both the Paris-Munich and Munich-Verona legs, accompanied children under 15 go free if you book at www.bahn.de.
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Onward tickets from Verona to Florence start at €19.90 each way 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class. Verona to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 each way 2nd class, €39.90 in 1st class.
How to buy tickets...
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To book the easy way with all your tickets booked together in one place, in €, £ or £, use www.raileurope.com.
Step 1, book London-Paris then Paris-Munich at www.raileurope.com.
Step 2, book from Munich to anywhere in Italy at www.raileurope.com.
Add each leg to your basket, then checkout and pay. International credit cards are accepted and you print your own tickets or can show them on your smartphone. For Italian high-speed trains it's ticketless, you just quote the reference number on board. There's a small booking fee.
If you are returning, London-Paris is best booked as a round trip because Eurostar return fares are significantly cheaper than two one ways. Beyond Paris, all the onward trains are one-way ticketed so a return is simply two one-ways and it makes no difference how you book. You may find it easier to book one direction at a time.
Important tip: www.raileurope.com will easily book the direct trains from Munich to Verona, Venice or Bologna on a direct train. But if your journey involves a change of train within Italy, for example to Florence, Rome or Naples, add a via station like this: Before running the Munich to Italy enquiry, click More options, enter Verona (any station) as a via station, enter duration of 45 minutes to ensure a robust connection. The 09:34 from Munich goes direct to Bologna, so if you want the 09:34 use Bologna Centrale instead of Verona if you're going to Florence, Rome or Naples.
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You can also book each train separately. It shouldn't make any difference to the price and it's more work, but there's no booking fee:
Book London-Paris at www.eurostar.com, then book Paris-Munich at www.bahn.de and Munich-Verona/Bologna/Venice as a second transaction at www.bahn.de. You print your own tickets or can show them on your smartphone.
Note that www.bahn.de will only book the direct EuroCity trains from Munich to Verona, or the once-daily direct trains to Bologna or Venice. If you want to travel to Venice or Bologna with a change of train in Verona, or to Florence or Rome with a change of train in Verona or Bologna, you should use www.bahn.de to book the direct EuroCity train from Munich to Verona or Bologna, then use either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in plain English, they'll refund seat61 users the €3.50 booking fee if you email seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian-language place names and has a few quirks so see this advice on using it, no booking fee) to book the onward train from Bologna to Florence, Bologna to Rome or Verona to Venice and back.
What's the journey like?
1. London to Paris by Eurostar...
Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in (10-minutes for business premier) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Paris Gare du Nord station guide. How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.
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A Eurostar e320 at St Pancras. More about Eurostar. |
1st class: Standard Premier or Business Premier. |
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Standard class seats. Larger photo. |
One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9. Larger photo. |
2. Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex. See the TGV Duplex video
Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views. The TGV has power sockets for laptops & mobiles at all seats in both classes, and a cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes. First class passengers on this route are given a simple but tasty meal box with a small bottle of beer or wine served at their seat, included in the fare. The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods and farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region. After an hour or two, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg. On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower. Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart and Munich. Paris Gare de l'Est station guide. Munich Hbf station guide.
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TGV Duplex at Paris Est. These impressive 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris & Munich, a relaxing journey with reading book & glass of wine. Book an upstairs seat for the best views... |
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Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.... |
2nd class seats on the upper deck. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.. |
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1 st class on upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360º photo. |
A TGV Duplex. The red near the door indicates 1st class, pale green indicates 2nd class. |
3. Munich to Verona by EuroCity train...
These spacious and comfortable EuroCity trains are run by the German & Austrian railways using Austrian carriages. There's an elegant Austrian restaurant car serving affordable drinks, snacks and meals. There are power sockets at most though not all seats. The highlight is passing through the superb scenery of the Brenner Pass between Innsbruck & Verona, with mountains either side of the train, see the video below. More photos & information about the Brenner Pass EuroCity trains.
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A EuroCity train at Innsbruck, en route for Verona & Italy. You don't need to book a table in the restaurant car, just go along and sit down. Dining on the move as the scenery glides by is one of the pleasures of travelling on trains like this. More photos & information about these EuroCity trains. |
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The elegant restaurant car. See larger photo. |
Lunch with wine on board... |
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Mountains on the Brenner route. More scenery photos on the Brenner Pass EuroCity page |
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More mountains on the Brenner route, between Brixen and Bolzano. |
Watch the video: Through the Brenner Pass...
Option
6: Via Harwich - Hoek
The ferry alternative...
If Eurostar fares are expensive, or if you want to avoid the Channel Tunnel, for example if you suffer from claustrophobia, you can travel by train & ferry instead. At first glance, the obvious route seems to be Dover-Calais, and if you want to travel this way, see the London to Paris by train & ferry page. Once in Paris you can pick up any of the routes to Italy shown above. However, I don't recommend this route unless you live near Dover as it lacks integrated ticketing and involves awkward bus or taxi transfers between train & ferry on both sides of the Channel.
Instead, I recommend the Harwich to Hoek van Holland route, marked in black on the route map above. This is the best ferry route to use, with integrated ticketing and trains arriving directly at the ferry terminal. It's also a great option if you live in East Anglia, with a direct train connection from Cambridge to Harwich connecting with the overnight ferry. Indeed, you may simply prefer a relaxing cruise overnight on the Stena Line superferry in a luxury en suite cabin with shower, toilet, satellite TV & free WiFi, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page & watch the video.
London, Cambridge & Harwich ► Italy
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Day 1, travel from London to Amsterdam overnight on the Stena Line Rail & Sail service.
You leave London Liverpool Street station at 19:32 or Cambridge at 19:47 by train to Harwich International.
At Harwich, the station is right next to the ferry terminal and you walk off the train into the terminal, check in at the Stena Line desk and walk straight onto Stena Line's luxurious overnight superferry Stena Britannica to Hoek van Holland.
The ferry sails at 23:00 and arrives at Hoek van Holland at 08:00 next morning, Dutch time.
All passengers travel in cosy private cabins with en suite toilet & shower & satellite TV. Deluxe Comfort class & Captains class cabins are also available, and there's free WiFi in the lounges, restaurants & bars on 9 deck. You can get on board the ferry around 9pm, have a late dinner in the restaurant and settle into your cabin.
This is a fully-integrated train & ferry service with special fares from London to Any Dutch Station which cover the train to Harwich, the ferry and onward train to anywhere in the Netherlands, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details. The same special fare from London is valid from any Abellio Greater Anglia station, for example Norwich, Cambridge, Romford, Ilford, Ipswich.
Next morning, take the frequent metro train from Hoek van Holland Haven to Schiedam Centrum and a Dutch Intercity train from Schiedam Centrum to Amsterdam Centraal arriving 10:25. See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.
At Amsterdam Centraal, have a coffee at the delightfully retro Cafe 1e Klas and give my regards to the cockatoo on the bar.
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Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Munich on ICE trains, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, changing at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & arriving Munich Hbf at 20:14. The comfortable ICE trains have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
In Munich, there's time for dinner while waiting for the sleeper, for local Bavarian food and a beer or two I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Venice by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Munich Hbf at 23:20 & arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 08:34 next morning.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
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Day 3, catch an onward train from Venice to Florence, Rome or Naples, allowing at least an hour between trains in Venice.
Italy ► Harwich, Cambridge & London
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Day 1, catch a connecting train from Naples, Rome or Florence to Venice. I'd allow at least an hour between trains in Venice.
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Day 1, travel from Venice to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:05 & arriving Munich Hbf at 06:10 next morning.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Amsterdam on ICE trains, leaving Munich Hbf at 07:45, changing at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 15:28. The ICE trains have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to London overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail service.
You leave Amsterdam Centraal at 18:34 by Dutch intercity train to Schiedam Centrum and change onto the frequent metro to Hoek van Holland Haven. At Hoek, the metro station is next to the ferry terminal. Check in at the Stena Line desk and walk up the gangway onto the luxurious Stena Line superferry Stena Hollandica and sail overnight to Harwich in a cosy private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV.
The ferry sails from Hoek van Holland at 22:00 and arrives at Harwich International at 06:30 next morning (day 3), UK time. Day 3, take a train from Harwich to London Liverpool Street arriving around 08:54, or from Harwich to Cambridge arriving 09:42 (10:39 on Sundays). See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.
How much does it cost?
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London to Amsterdam by Rail & Sail starts at £55 per person each way, plus cabin.
Cabins start at £34 for a single berth cabin or £45 per cabin for a 2-berth, and are compulsory on the night sailing. The fare covers the train from London to Harwich, the ferry, and onward Dutch metro & trains from Hoek van Holland Haven to any station in the Netherlands, for full details of fares and cabin types and costs, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.
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Amsterdam to Munich starts at €37.90 each way in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.
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Munich to Venice by Nightjet sleeper train starts at €59.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.
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Venice to Florence starts at €19.90 each way. Venice to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 each way.
How to buy tickets...
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Step 1, buy a Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket from London to Any Dutch Station online as shown on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page. This covers the train from London to Harwich, the Harwich-Hoek ferry, and the metro/train from Hoek to Amsterdam. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, book the train from Amsterdam to Munich at www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket.
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Step 3, book the sleeper from Munich to Venice at www.thetrainline.com or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at & print your own ticket.
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Step 4, book onward tickets from Venice to anywhere in Italy at either www.thetrainline.com or www.trenitalia.com.
Alternatively, stay in Munich & take a daytime train next day...
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Instead of taking the Munich-Venice sleeper, you can stay in a hotel in Munich and take a EuroCity train through the scenic Brenner Pass to Verona & Italy next morning with lunch in the dining-car. See the Munich to Venice Brenner Pass page for photos, video, tips & information.
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Recommended hotels near Munich Hbf include the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, 25 Hours Hotel Royal Bavarian, Hotel Excelsior, Eden Hotel Wolff, Drei Loewen, or InterCity Hotel.
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A EuroCity train leaves Munich Hbf at 07:34 every day for Verona Porta Nuova, going direct to Venice Santa Lucia on Saturdays & Sundays arriving 14:28. Another EuroCity train leaves Munich Hbf at 09:34 every day for Verona Porta Nuova & Bologna Centrale. A third EuroCity train leaves Munich Hbf at 11:34 every day for Verona Porta Nuova & Venice Santa Lucia arriving 18:25. All go via the Brenner Pass, take your pick!
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Fares start at €37.90 each way in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Book at www.bahn.de & print your own ticket.
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It works in the return direction too. A EuroCity train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 13:35 every day, calling at Verona Porta Nuova then travelling via the scenic Brenner Pass to Munich Hbf arriving 20:26. Stay overnight in Munich, then travel to Amsterdam as shown above.
What's the journey like?
1. London to Amsterdam by train & ferry...
A train takes you from London's Liverpool Street station directly to the ferry terminal at Harwich. You walk off the train, into the terminal, get your boarding card & cabin key at the Stena Line check-in desk and walk straight onto the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland. The superferry Stena Britannica is the largest ferry of its kind in the world. All passengers travel in private cabins with shower, toilet & satellite TV. There's a self-service restaurant and a la carte restaurant if you want a late dinner, and there are cafes and bars. There's free WiFi in the public areas on 9 deck. The journey from London to Holland is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page. See the video...
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Captain's Class cabin on the Harwich-Hoek ferry with double bed, complimentary minibar with sparkling wine, tea & coffee making facilities, hairdryer. Larger photo. |
Boarding the Stena Britannica at Harwich. She's a floating hotel to Hoek van Holland, with easy rail connections on either side of the Channel. Restaurants, bars, shop, kennels, cinema... |
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Dinner before bed? Metropolitan à la carte restaurant. |
Standard outside cabin. Larger photo. 360º photo. |
2. Amsterdam to Duisburg & Duisburg to Munich by ICE...
ICEs are German Railways' premier trains, with 1st & 2nd class, a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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An ICE3M to Frankfurt at Amsterdam. More information about ICE... |
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2nd class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
1st class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
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Food is served on proper china with metal cutlery. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! See current month's menu. |
Restaurant car: This is the small 12-seat restaurant on an ICE3M. ICE3 classes 403 & 407 have a larger restaurant area. Larger photo. |
3. Munich to Venice by Nightjet sleeper train...
This modern sleeper train is a pleasure to travel on, whether in the privacy of your own sleeper or in economical couchettes. There's time for dinner in Munich before boarding at a local restaurant, I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.
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The Nightjet sleeper train from Munich, arrived at Venice Santa Lucia. More photos & information about Nightjet trains. |
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Sunrise as the Munich-Venice Nightjet crosses the causeway over the lagoon into Venice. Courtesy of Andreas Wiedenhoff. |
Option
7: By ferry from
Newcastle or Hull
You can take a train up to London and travel from London to Italy as described above, of course, and this is often the easiest and fastest option. If you want to do this, read this advice on buying connecting train tickets up to London. But DFDS Seaways run an excellent daily overnight cruise ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, and P&O Ferries sail overnight from Hull to Holland. Then there's a Nightjet sleeper from Cologne to Innsbruck for onward EuroCity trains through the scenic Brenner Pass to Italy. So why not by-pass London, and have a day in Amsterdam into the bargain before travelling on to Italy?
Newcastle & Hull ► Italy
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Day 1, take a train to either Hull or Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for where you live. Transfer to the P&O overnight cruise ferry from Hull to Rotterdam or the DFDS Seaways cruise ferry from Newcastle to IJmuiden, the port of Amsterdam. Both ferries have bars, restaurants & comfortable en suite cabins, arriving next morning. For details of timetables, port transfers, fares & how to buy tickets for travel to Amsterdam via each of these ferry routes, see the UK-Netherlands page.
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Day 2, spend some time in Amsterdam, then leave Amsterdam Centraal by Nightjet sleeper train at 19:30, arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 09:14.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 or 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
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Day 3, take a EuroCity train through the scenic Brenner Pass to Verona & Italy. The 11:24 from Innsbruck arrives Verona at 14:28 and Bologna at 16:19. Change at Verona for Venice. Change at Bologna for Florence, Rome and Naples. You can check times & prices at either www.raileurope.com or www.bahn.de.
Italy ► Hull & Newcastle
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Day 1, travel from anywhere in Italy to Innsbruck via the scenic Brenner Pass. You can check train times at www.bahn.de, I'd allow at least an hour between trains in Innsbruck. For example, the 13:35 from Venice Santa Lucia arrives Innsbruck Hbf at 18:36.
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Day 1, take the Nightjet sleeper train leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 20:44 and arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 09:58 next morning.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 or 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Spend some time in Amsterdam, left luggage lockers are available at Amsterdam Centraal.
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Day 2, travel overnight by cruise ferry either with P&O Ferries from Rotterdam to Hull or with DFDS Seaways from IJmuiden (near Amsterdam) to Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for where you live. Next morning (day 3) transfer to the station and take a train home. For full details of train & ferry times and how to buy tickets for each of these routes, see the UK-Netherlands page.
Fares & how to buy tickets...
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To check ferry prices & book the ferry online, go to www.dfds.co.uk (Newcastle-Amsterdam) or www.poferries.com (Hull-Rotterdam). I recommend doing this first.
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To check train fares and buy train tickets to Hull or Newcastle, use www.raileurope.com (no booking fee for British domestic tickets) or any train operator website such as www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk.
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To check Amsterdam-Innsbruck sleeper train fares & book online, use www.thetrainline.com - look for the direct Nightjet train with 0 changes. Fares start at €59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €69.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself, all per person per berth.
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Add Innsbruck to Verona or Bologna from €39 at either www.bahn.de or www.thetrainline.com.
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Then book trains within Italy at either www.thetrainline.com or www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com, looking for cheap super-economy or economy fares from Milan to Florence, Rome, Naples or Venice from just €19.90 upwards. Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both usually offer ticketless travel, you simply quote your PNR on board the train. However, Italiarail.com is in plain English and happily accepts English place names, whereas Trenitalia.com requires Italian-language place names, for example 'Roma' for Rome, 'Napoli' for Naples, 'Firenze' for Florence, 'Venezia Santa Lucia' for Venice and has a few quirks, although one advantage is that it allows you to select specific seats.
What's the journey like?
You sail overnight by cruise ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam (DFDS) or Hull to Rotterdam (P&O), with private en suite cabins, restaurants, bars, cinema, a floating hotel. If travelling with DFDS from Newcastle, a transfer bus takes you from IJmuiden ferry terminal to Amsterdam Centraal station next morning. If travelling with P&O from Hull, a transfer bus takes you from Rotterdam Europoort ferry terminal to Rotterdam Centraal, from where frequent Dutch trains run to Utrecht.
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DFDS Seaways Princess of Norway (now Princess Seaways) about to sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam. The ferry also has deluxe Commodore class cabins with minibar, satellite TV, shower & toilet. See the video... |
A standard Seaways class cabin with shower & toilet on DFDS Princess of Norway from Newcastle to Amsterdam. |
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P&O Ferries Pride of Rotterdam at Rotterdam Europoort. The ferry also has deluxe class cabins with minibar, satellite TV, shower & toilet. |
A standard outside cabin with shower & toilet on P&O's Pride of Rotterdam from Hull to Rotterdam. |
Option
8:
By VSOE
See the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express page...
This is the luxury option, from London to Verona or Venice aboard the fabulous Venice Simplon Orient Express. It's not cheap, but yes, it's definitely worth it if you have the money - London to Venice costs around £2,365 per person one way including sleeper and excellent meals, wine extra. The VSOE usually runs once weekly from March until October leaving London on Thursday mornings. Passengers travel in restored 1920s or 1930s British Pullman cars from London to Folkestone with lunch, wine and champagne included in the fare. At Folkestone, passengers are taken by coach to Calais via the Channel Tunnel. Beautifully restored 1920s sleeping-cars then take passengers from Calais to Venice via Paris, the scenic Arlberg Pass, Innsbruck, the equally scenic Brenner Pass & Verona, arriving in Venice in the evening the day after leaving London. For more details of the journey including departure dates, timetable, advice & photos, see the Venice Simplon Orient Express page.
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A sleeping-car attendant greets passengers outside his 1929-built LX-series Wagons-Lits. |
Take the train to Lake Como...
Como is such a popular lakeside destination!! Como San Giovanni is the mainline station on the Zurich-Milan main line, also linked to Milan Centrale by frequent regional train. On the other hand, destinations on the eastern side of Lake Como, such as Lecco, Varenna (for the ferry to Bellagio), and Bellano are on a local line linking Milan Centrale with Tirano near the Swiss border.
To reach Como San Giovanni there are two basic options:
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Option 1, take a morning Eurostar to Paris around 09:22, then the 14:43 TGV from Paris arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 21:50 as shown in the London to Milan section above. It's quite a scenic route. A regional train then leaves Milan Porta Garibaldi at 23:09 arriving Como San Giovanni at 00:08, fare €4.80, buy at the station in Milan. This is the fastest option, London to Como in a day.
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By all means stay overnight in Milan and see a bit of the city next morning. Regional trains link Milan Centrale and Como San Giovanni every hour throughout the day, fare €4.80, use www.trenitalia.com to find train times. No reservation is possible or necessary for these regional trains, just buy a ticket and hop on the next train.
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Option 2, take an afternoon Eurostar and evening TGV-Lyria to Zurich HB, stay overnight and take a direct EuroCity train through the Alps via the wonderful Gotthard route to Como San Giovanni. You'll find times, prices, and how to buy tickets from London to Como via this route in this section above. This takes a little longer and requires an overnight stop, but this breaks up the trip and the journey through the Swiss Alps is lovely.
To reach Lecco, Varenna (for ferry to Bellagio), Bellano:
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Option 1, first travel from the UK to Milan by Eurostar & TGV as shown in the London to Milan section above, stay overnight in Milan (or Turin if you prefer), then take a regional train from Milan Centrale next morning. You can check times for these regional trains at www.trenord.it.
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Option 2, Bernina Express: It may be slower and a bit more expensive, but it's the ultimate scenic route from the UK to Bellano, Varenna or Lecco. You take Eurostar & TGV from London to Zurich on day 1, stay overnight, on day 2 you take the fabulous Bernina Express Swiss panoramic train to Tirano and a connecting regional train from Tirano to these Lake Como destinations. See the Bernina Express page for details.
For Lake Como ferry services, including the ferries to Bellagio & excursions, see www.navigazionelaghi.it
London
to Lake Garda
London to Desenzano or Peschiera...
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The station for Lake Garda is either Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione or Peschiera del Garda. Both stations are on the Milan-Verona main line. As well as regional trains, some fast Milan-Verona-Venice Frecciabianca trains call at Peschiera or Desenzano.
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Option 1: Take a morning Eurostar to Paris leaving around 09:22, then take the 14:43 TGV from Paris to Milan as shown in the London-Milan section above, a nice scenic ride, arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 21:50. If you're on time, take a taxi (10 minutes, €6) to Milan Centrale for the 22:25 regional train to Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione arriving at 23:47. If you miss it, the next one is at 00:15 arriving 01:50. You can check times at www.trenitalia.com.
You may prefer to stay the night in Milan and travel on next morning, in which case you could also consider stopping in Turin instead. Turin is one of Italy's most under-rated cities - even if you're not a fan of the film The Italian Job. You'd reach Turin just after 8pm on day 1, in time for a late dinner, have a leisurely breakfast next morning and perhaps an hour or two looking around the city, then take a direct Frecciabianca from Turin to Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano, you can find times and buy cheap tickets online at www.trenitalia.com.
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Option 2: Take the scenic route from London to Verona via Munich, as shown in the London to Italy via Munich section above. You take Eurostar to Paris, a high-speed TGV from Paris to Munich, stay overnight then take a EuroCity train through the lovely Brenner Pass to Verona. Then take any local regional train the short hop from Verona to Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione, you can find times for this at www.trenitalia.com.
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For Lake Garda ferry services, including excursions, see www.navigazionelaghi.it
London
to Pisa, Siena, Lucca,
Modena,
Ravenna, Livorno
![]() One of Trenitalia's modern Minuetto local trains used between Florence & Siena. |
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![]() The beautiful main square in Siena. |
Pisa is famous for its leaning tower, Siena for simply being a fabulous city in the heart of Tuscany. They are easy to reach by train from London, no flight necessary...
London ► Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Livorno
Travel from London to Florence using any option shown in the London to Florence section above.
By all means stop off in Florence for a few hours, there's a left luggage office in Florence costing only a few euros, see left luggage opening hours & prices.
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For Pisa, regional trains link Florence's main Santa Maria Novella station (SMN) with Pisa Centrale every hour taking 1h20. The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is a 2 km 30 minute walk from Pisa Centrale station, taxis available.
Tip: If you are travelling to Pisa for the leaning tower, Pisa S. Rossore station (one stop beyond Pisa Centrale) is only 5-10 minutes walk from the tower. Some trains from Florence go direct to Pisa S. Rossore, others require a change at Pisa Centrale. Map of Pisa showing tower & railway stations.
For Siena, there are regional trains from Florence's main Santa Maria Novella station (SMN) to Siena every hour or so through the day, taking 1h30.
In Siena, the station is at the foot of the hill and it used to be a steep trek up to the old town. However, there's now a series of modern escalators and moving walkways that ferry you painlessly to the top of the hill, from where it's just a minute or two walk to the Porta Camollia at the entrance to the old town. From the Porta Camollia it's a pleasant 15 minute stroll to the famous Pizza del Campo.
For Lucca, regional trains run from Florence SMN throughout the day taking around 1h20.
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For Livorno, regional trains link Florence's main Santa Maria Novella station (SMN) with Livorno Centrale at least every hour taking around 1h14.
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You can check times & fares for any of these regional trains at www.trenitalia.com.
No reservation is necessary or even possible on these local trains, you just turn up, buy a ticket from the Trenitalia self-service ticket machines (which have a touch screen with English language facility) or the ticket office, and hop on the next train.
If you buy a hard-copy ticket at the station, remember to validate it in the grey-green validation machines at the entrance to the platform.
London ► Modena, Ravenna
Travel from London to Bologna using any of the options shown in the London to Bologna section above.
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Frequent trains link Bologna with Modena in less than 30 minutes, and trains link Bologna with Ravenna every hour or two in around 1h25.
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You can check times & fares for any of these regional trains at www.trenitalia.com.
No reservation is necessary or even possible on these local trains, you just turn up, buy a ticket from the Trenitalia self-service ticket machines (which have a touch screen with English language facility) or the ticket office, and hop on the next train.
If you buy a hard-copy ticket at the station, remember to validate it in the grey-green validation machines at the entrance to the platform.
Fares & how to buy tickets...
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See the London to Florence & Bologna section above for fares from London to Florence or Bologna and buy tickets as explained in that section.
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Don't worry about the onward ticket from Florence or Bologna to Sienna, Pisa, Lucca or Ravenna as you can easily buy a ticket at the station when you get to Florence or Bologna. No reservation is necessary as these are regional trains, you just buy a ticket and hop on. You can buy local tickets from the ticket office or from the many self-service ticket machines (quicker & easier than going to the ticket office). The ticket machines have a touch screen with an English language facility and they accept euros coins and notes, or credit cards.
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Train travel in Italy is cheap: The fare from Florence to Pisa is around €8.70 each way, Florence to Siena around €9.50 each way. If you buy a hard-copy ticket for a regional route at the station, don't forget to validate it in the grey & green validation machines at the entrance to the platform before boarding the train.
London
to Pompeii, Sorrento,
Capri, Ischia, & Elba
![]() The Circumvesuviana Railway links Naples, Herculaneum, Pompeii & Sorrento every 30 minutes, see www.eavsrl.it. |
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![]() Up Pompeii! The Circumvesuviana train from Naples arrives at Pompei Scavi Villa di Misteri. The entrance to the ruins of Pompeii is just across the road, for visitor info see www.pompeiisites.org. |
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![]() The ferry from Naples, arrived at Capri. For ferry information, see www.snav.it |
Sorrento, Pompeii & Herculaneum...
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Travel from London to Naples using any of the options shown in the London to Naples section.
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Then take the Circumvesuviana Railway (www.eavsrl.it) from Naples to Herculaneum (Ercolano), Pompeii or Sorrento. These little narrow-gauge electric suburban trains run every 30 minutes throughout the day, no reservation necessary (or even possible), you just buy a ticket at the station and hop on.
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The Circumvesuviana trains leave from Naples Garibaldi station, downstairs from Naples Centrale where your mainline train arrives. Just follow the signs to Circumvesuviana, it's round a corner at the side of the concourse, along a passageway and the Circumvesuviana platforms are half-underground round the back. Don't follow signs to Piazza Garibaldi as this is another set of mainline platforms in the same triple-station complex, it's Circumvesuviana you want.
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Naples to Pompeii costs around €3.20, journey time 40 minutes. Naples to Sorrento €4.50, journey time 55-65 minutes.
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The Circumvesuviana trains are old and have no air-con, but some new air-conditioned trains are now in service. You'll get great views of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius on the way to Sorrento. Outside the weekday rush hours it's not usually crowded, there are lots of seats, frequent trains and it's very easy to use. Luggage just goes on the floor.
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You can check train times on the Circumvesuviana Railway website www.eavsrl.it, and can check fares at public transport website www.unicocampania.it -if you can work out how to use it! Note that the Circumvesuviana is a private railway, separate from Trenitalia, so railpasses and ordinary Trenitalia tickets are not valid. For the same reason you won't find train times & fares to Pompeii or Sorrento on www.trenitalia.com, although there's another (less convenient) Pompeii station on a regional route run by Trenitalia, but this is further from the ruins.
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For more information about visiting Pompeii by train, see the seat61 Pompeii page. That page also explains how to take a bus to the summit of Vesuvius.
Capri...
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First, travel from London to Naples using any of the options explained in the London to Naples section.
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Then take a taxi or walk (about 25 minutes on foot) from Naples Centrale to Naples Beverello ferry quay. Fast ferries taking just 45 minutes link Naples Beverello with Capri every hour or two between 07:00 &18:00, see www.snav.it for times & fares.
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The ferry costs around €20.10, plus a euro or two for each item of large luggage. No pre-booking is necessary for the ferry, just turn up and buy a ticket.
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Alternatively, you can take the local Circumvesuviana Railway to Sorrento (www.eavsrl.it), from where there are regular ferries to Capri, crossing time about 25 minutes, fare €18.10. Just be aware that it's a longish steep walk from Sorrento Circumvesuviana station down the hill to the ferry terminal.
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Ferries from both Naples & Sorrento arrive at Capri's busy Marina Grande, there's a funicular railway up the steep hillside to Capri town itself. Bring plenty of money to Capri, even a small beer costs over €7!
Ischia...
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First, travel from London to Naples using any of the options explained in the London to Naples section.
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Then take a taxi or walk (about 25 minutes on foot) from Naples Centrale to Naples Beverello ferry quay.
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Sail from Naples to Porto Ischia with either www.caremar.it (sailings every hour or two, crossing time 45 minutes by fast ferry or 90 minutes by conventional ferry) or www.alilauro.it.
Elba...
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First, travel from London to Florence using any of the options explained in the London to Florence section.
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Then take a local train from Florence SMN to Piombino Marittima via Pisa and Campiglia. www.trenitalia.com will give you train times. Moby Lines (www.moby.it) sail every hour or so from Piombino to Portoferraio on Elba, crossing time 1 hour, foot passengers €12 one-way.
London
to Salerno & the Amalfi coast...
![]() Amalfi, see from a bend in the winding Amalfi coast road. SITA buses (www.sitabus.it) link Amalfi with both Salerno & Sorrento... |
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Step 1, travel from London to Naples using any of the options explained in the London to Naples section. Many of the Frecciarossas from Turin or Milan to Naples continue beyond Naples to Salerno, so try booking it to Salerno.
You can check train times & fares and buy tickets from anywhere in Italy to Salerno at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com. Private train operator Italo also goes direct from Milan or Florence to Salerno several times daily, buy tickets at www.italotreno.it.
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Step 2, regular SITA buses link Salerno with Amalfi, running every hour or better between 06:00 & 22:30 on Mondays-Saturdays, slightly less frequently on Sundays, journey time 1h15, fare about €2.20 one-way, you simply buy a ticket on the bus.
To check bus timetables, see www.sitasudtrasporti.it (in Italian only, click Orari then Campania). To check fares, you'll need to use public transport site www.unicocampania.it, click English top right then Fares & Tickets.
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Alternatively, a nicer option is to take a ferry from Salerno to Amalfi or Positano, see www.coopsantandrea.com. These small coastal ferries sail from Salerno's Concordia dock, a 650m 8-minute walk from Salerno railway station, journey time 35 minutes to Amalfi , or 70 minutes to Positano. This is a pleasant way to go and in summer it avoids the heavy traffic on the coastal road.
At time of writing, they had departures from Salerno at 08:40, 09:40, 10:40, 11:40, 14:10 and 15:30, , with additional sailings at 13:00, 16:40 & 18:00 via Cetara/Maiori taking 60 minutes to Amalfi, but check www.coopsantandrea.com for current timings. Fare around €9 Salerno to Amalfi or €14 Salerno to Positano, large luggage €2 extra.
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Alternatively, regular buses link Sorrento (see above for how to reach Sorrento) with Positano, Praiano & Amalfi, with the occasional bus direct from Naples, also operated by SITA, see www.sitasudtrasporti.it (in Italian only, click Orari then Campania). Sorrento-Amalfi takes 1h40, buses run hourly or at times half-hourly, fare around €2.90. The journey along the coast road is dramatic, the bus hugging the cliff and it rear end swinging out precariously at every hairpin bend, with regular stand-offs where the bus cannot pass oncoming traffic on the narrow roads without someone backing up!!
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Private transfer from Naples Centrale station to Praiano, Positano or Amalfi hotels? If cost is no problem, a private transfer from Naples Centrale railway station to Positano or Praiano costs around €95 one-way for up to 3 people, or around €110 to Amalfi. Try www.amalfishuttle.com or www.positanoshuttle.com (it's the same people - click 'transfer' at the top). I have not had any reports about them yet, so feedback would be appreciated. They will also do transfers from Sorrento Circumvesuviana station, which would reduce the cost.
London
to Genoa, Cinque Terre
& La Spezia
You can travel via Paris & either Milan or via Nice. Both options are shown here, though the route via Nice is probably more scenic, possibly cheaper, and you won't have to get up as early! You can also travel by daytime trains with an overnight hotel stop in either Milan, Turin, Paris or Zurich.
Option 1: By Eurostar & TGV...
This is the cheapest, fastest and most comfortable option from London to Genoa. The whole journey can be done in just one day.
London ► Genoa, Cinque Terre, La Spezia
Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 09:22 every day, arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 12:47.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D. Or take an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon.
Step 2, travel from Paris to Turin by high-speed TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:43 and arriving Turin Porta Susa at 20:22.
It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps, see the video guide. The TGV has 1st & 2nd class seats and a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & hot dishes.
In Turin, transfer by taxi, local train or 25 minute walk from Turin Porta Susa to Turin Porta Nuova station.
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Step 3, travel from Turin to Genoa by regional train, leaving Turin Port Nuova at 21:30 and arriving Genoa Piazza Principe at 23:30.
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For Cinque Terre & La Spezia, stay overnight in Turin, and continue the next day. You can check train times from Turin to La Spezia or Monterosso or any of the other 4 Cinque Terre villages at www.trenitalia.com.
La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Genoa ► London
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Step 1 from Cinque Terre or La Spezia, take a train to Turin and stay there overnight. You can check train times from Turin to La Spezia or Monterosso at www.trenitalia.com.
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Step 1 from Genoa, travel to Turin by InterCity train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 06:56 every day arriving Turin Port Nuova at 08:45. Transfer by taxi or by local train or 25 minute walk from Turin Porta Nuova station to Turin Porta Susa station. Check times for your date at www.trenitalia.com.
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Step 2, travel from Turin to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Turin Porta Susa at 10:06 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:12.
It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from Italy into France via the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps and Modane, see the video guide. The TGV has 1st and 2nd class seats plus a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord (2 stops on RER line D).
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Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord on at 18:13 (19:13 on Saturdays), arriving London St Pancras at 19:39 (20:46 on Saturdays).
How much does it cost?
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London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
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Paris to Turin starts at €29 each way 2nd class, from €44 in 1st class.
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Turin to Genoa costs €11 by regional train, fixed-price, no reservation necessary or possible, or €18 by InterCity train, reservation necessary.
How to buy tickets
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If you're going to Genoa, you can book from London to Genoa all in one go at www.raileurope.com. Use the Eurostar times on this page as a guide, but feel free to choose an earlier Eurostar from London or a later Eurostar back from Paris if these have cheaper seats available or if you'd like to stop off in Paris. To book London to Turin with a stopover for lunch in Paris, simply click More options and enter Paris with a duration of however many hours you want. There's a small booking fee. You'll get print-at-home, show-on-smartphone or ticketless tickets.
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If you're going to La Spezia or Cinque Terre, step 1 is to go to www.raileurope.com and book from London to Turin and add this to your basket. To book London to Turin with a longer stopover in Paris for lunch, simply click More options and enter Paris with a duration of however many hours you want. Step 2, now use www.raileurope.com to buy a ticket from Turin to Monterosso or La Spezia for the following day, add this to your basket and check out.
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Alternatively, you can book the London to Paris Eurostar online at www.eurostar.com and print out your own ticket. Then buy a TGV ticket from Paris to Turin at en.oui.sncf (a bit fiddly, has been known to reject some overseas credit cards, but no booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com (small booking fee), again with a print-at-home or show-on-smartphone ticket. Then book from Turin to your chosen Italian destination at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com. Regional trains require no reservation, so you may as well buy this ticket at Turin station when you get there, but InterCity trains require a reservation and have cheaper fares if you pre-book, so book this up to 90 days ahead at either www.italiarail.com or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com.
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To buy tickets by phone: It's cheaper and in many ways easier to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees. Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays. However, if you still want to phone someone, here's a list of UK-based train ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.
Option 2: By Eurostar and TGV via Nice...
Train times London ► Genoa
Day 1, travel from London to Nice by Eurostar & TGV, using any option shown on the London to France page.
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Stay overnight in Nice.
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Day 2, travel from Nice to San Remo & Genoa by Thello train. There are normally 3 departures per day to choose from, see the timetable here. For example the 07:57 from Nice reaches San Remo at 09:21 and Genoa Piazza Principe at 11:05, check times at www.raileurope.com. The scenery between Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo & Ventimiglia is wonderful, as the railway runs along the coast past villas, rocky inlets and yacht-filled harbours.
Train times Genoa ► London
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Day 1, travel from Genoa or San Remo to Nice by Thello train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 16:58, San Remo at 18:42 and arriving Nice Ville at 19:59, see the timetable here and check train times at www.raileurope.com.
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Stay overnight in Nice.
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Day 2, travel from Nice to London in a day by TGV & Eurostar, using any option shown on the London to France page.
How much does it cost?
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London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
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Paris to Nice by TGV starts at €25 each way if you book well in advance.
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Nice to Genoa by Thello train starts at €15 each way.
How to buy tickets...
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Step 1, go to www.raileurope.com and book from London to Nice and back. Add this to your basket
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Step 2, still on www.raileurope.com, book a suitable train from Nice to Genoa, add this to your basket and check out. There's a small booking fee.
How to buy tickets by phone...
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It's better to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees. Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays. However, if you still want to phone someone, here's a list of UK-based train ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.
London
to Civitavecchia
Take the train not plane to your cruise ship at Civitavecchia...
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Civitavecchia is the cruise port just north of Rome, often used as a starting point for Mediterranean cruises. It's also a departure point for ferries to Sardinia. Civitavecchia is on the main Genoa-Pisa-Rome rail route, just 81 km (51 miles) north of Rome. Frequent Frecciabianca, InterCity and regional trains link Rome Termini with Civitavecchia, and you'll also find direct trains from Genoa & Pisa to Civitavecchia. The InterCity trains from Rome take 50 minutes and cost €10, the Frecciabianca trains take 40 minutes and cost €14, but Frecciabianca & IC trains only run every couple of hours and require a reservation. The regional trains take 49-68 minutes but run at least once per hour, often up to 3 times an hour, costing only €5 one-way, no reservation necessary, buy a ticket and hop on the next train.
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For travel from the UK to Civitavecchia, it's usually easiest and fastest to travel to Rome, then back north to Civitavecchia by regional train. See the London-Rome section above, then use www.trenitalia.com to find train times and fares from Rome to Civitavecchia. Buy tickets as far as Rome in advance, but it's just buy your Rome-Civitavecchia ticket at the station on the day, using the Trenitalia self-service machines which have a touch screen with English language facility. No reservation is required or even possible for regional trains, you just buy a ticket and hop on the next train. Don't forget to validate your local ticket in the little grey & green validation machines at the entrance to the platform before boarding.
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In Civitavecchia, the station is an easy 10 minute walk from the port entrance, though if you have heavy bags you may prefer to use a taxi.
London
to Rimini, S.Marino, Ancona, Bari, Brindisi
London ► Rimini, Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, Lecce
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Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar then Paris to Milan by high-speed TGV, leaving London at 09:22 and arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 21:50, as shown in the London to Milan section above.
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Stay overnight in Milan. Hotels in Milan. the AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350 yards from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.
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Day 2, an air-conditioned Frecciabianca train leaves Milan Centrale at 07:35, arriving Rimini at 10:38, Ancona at 11:31, Pescara at 12:44, Foggia at 14:20, Bari Centrale at 15:27, change for Brindisi & Lecce. Check times for your date online as they may vary. By all means take a later train, they leave regularly, check train times using www.trenitalia.com.
Lecce, Brindisi, Bari, Ancona, Rimini ► London
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Day 1, an air-conditioned Frecciabianca train leaves Lecce 12:06, Brindisi 12:30, Bari Centrale 13:30, Foggia 14:36, Pescara 16:10, Ancona 17:25, Rimini 18:17, arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 20:47. Check times for your date online as they may vary.
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Stay overnight in Milan. The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350 yards from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.
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Day 2, take either the 06:00 or 08:42 high-speed TGV from Milan to Paris and a Eurostar from Paris to London, arriving in the evening, as shown in the London to Milan section above.
How to reach San Marino...
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For San Marino, take the train to Rimini. Buses to San Marino leave from outside Rimini railway station every hour or so between 08:10 & 19:25 in winter, between 06:45 & 20:30 in summer, less frequently on winter Sundays, journey time 50 minutes, fare around €5 one-way.
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You can check bus times & fares at www.bonellibus.it (Italian only).
On board the Frecciabianca train...
Frecciabianca trains are fully air-conditioned, with a refreshment trolley and sometimes cafe counter, but no restaurant car - feel free to take your own picnic and maybe bottle of wine along. Seat reservation is compulsory on Frecciabianca trains, so everyone gets a seat. All seats in both classes have power sockets for laptops & mobiles (2-pin, 220v).
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A Frecciabianca at Milan Centrale. Frecciabiancas link Milan with Rimini, Ancona, Bari, Brindisi & Lecce... |
2nd class seat, most with a power socket for laptops or mobiles. There's a small bar and a refreshment trolley. Larger photo. |
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1st class, more spacious. All seats have power sockets and there's a complimentary coffee from the trolley. Larger photo. |
A Frecciabianca at Milan Centrale. A strange train - two modern power cars sandwich former intercity carriages. This shows the new colour scheme. |
How much does it cost?
Fares for the London-Milan part of the journey are shown in the London-Milan section above.
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Milan to Bari by train: |
Booked online at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com: 2nd class fares from €29.90 each way. 1st class fares from €39.90 each way. |
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Milan to Ancona by train: |
Booked online at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com 2nd class fares from €19.90 each way. 1st class fares from €29.90 each way. |
You can check these fares & fares for other journeys using www.trenitalia.com. Advice for using trenitalia.com.
How to buy tickets...
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Step 1, go to www.raileurope.com, book from London or any station in Britain to Milan for day 1 and add this to your basket. All international credit cards are accepted, and you'll get either print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets. If you want a stopover in Paris for lunch, simply click More options and enter Paris with however many hours you want. There's a small booking fee.
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Step 2, still on www.raileurope.com, now book from Milan to Rimini, Ancona, Bari or wherever for day 2, add this to your basket and check out, paying for all tickets as one transaction. www.raileurope.com now connects directly to Trenitalia's ticketing system as well as the French system, so can sell all of Trenitalia's cheap advance-purchase tickets with print-at-home ticket delivery.
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Alternatively, you can book the Eurostar at www.eurostar.com and the Paris-Milan TGV separately at either en.oui.sncf (a bit fiddly, has been known to reject some overseas cards, but no booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com, making sure you allow at least 60 minutes to cross Paris between trains southbound, 90 minutes northbound (as this must include the 30 minute Eurostar check-in). Both sites give print-at-home tickets and accept all international credit cards. You can then book your onward trains from Milan to Rimini, Ancona, Bari, and so on online at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com, looking for cheap super-economy or economy fares. Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both usually offer ticketless travel, you simply quote your PNR on board the train. However, Italiarail.com is in plain English and happily accepts English place names, whereas Trenitalia.com requires Italian-language place names, for example 'Roma' for Rome, 'Napoli' for Naples, 'Firenze' for Florence, 'Venezia Santa Lucia' for Venice and has a few quirks, although one advantage is that it allows you to select specific seats.
How to buy tickets by phone...
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It's cheaper and in many ways easier to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees. Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays. However, if you still want to phone someone, here's a list of UK-based train ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.
One of Italy's most historic and under-rated cities...
Along with Turin, I'd say Trieste is one of Italy's most under-rated cities, figuratively left out in the cold when it comes to the Venice, Florence, Rome tourist trek. Which is a shame, as like Turin it's a wonderful city to visit with a significant history.
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Travel from the UK to Venice using any of the options suggested above.
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Regional trains then link Venice and Trieste every hour, journey time 2h05, fare around €14.50 each way. No reservation is necessary or possible, tickets cannot sell out, and you can simply buy a ticket from the Trenitalia self-service machines at Venice Mestre or Venice Santa Lucia and hop on the next train.
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You can check Venice-Trieste train times at www.trenitalia.com. Tip: Some Venice-Trieste trains take 3h via a longer & more expensive route, so look for one taking 2h05 or so.
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There are a couple of direct Milan-Trieste Frecciabianca trains every day, you can also check these at www.trenitalia.com.
London
to Sicily
UK to Sicily by train? No problem. You can travel all the way by train, experiencing one of Europe's last train ferries where the train is shunted onto a ship for the short sea voyage across the Straits of Messina to Sicily, or you can use an overnight cruise ferry to Sicily from either Genoa or Naples. Each of these three options is explained below.
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Gently does it... The Milan to Palermo Intercity Notte sleeper is taken off the ferry at Messina. Yes, the trains to Sicily really are direct, and really do get shunted onto a ferry to cross the straits from Villa San Giovanni to Messina. Photo courtesy of David Smith. |
Option 1, London to Sicily in 48 hours...
This is the fastest option: London to Milan by Eurostar & high-speed TGV on day 1, an overnight hotel in Milan, then Milan to Sicily on day 2. By all means spread it out more by stopping off in Paris, Milan, Rome or Naples on the way, or travel one way using this fast option and the other way using more leisurely option 2. It's your call!
London ► Sicily
Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 09:22, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:47.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D. Why not take an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?
Day 1, travel from Paris to Milan by high-speed Paris-Italy TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon daily at 14:43 and arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 21:50.
The TGV has 1st and 2nd class seats plus a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals. It's a relaxing and comfortable journey: After a high-speed dash across France the train slows right down and meanders through the Alps, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel, see the video guide.
Stay overnight in Milan. The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350m from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews. In the morning it's a 25 minute walk or 10-minute €6 taxi ride to Milan Centrale.
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Day 2, travel from Milan to Naples by Frecciarossa high-speed train, leaving Milan Centrale at 08:10 and arriving Naples Centrale at 13:12. Standard, premium, business & executive classes with free WiFi & cafe-bar.
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Day 2, travel from Naples to Sicily by air-conditioned InterCity train, leaving Naples Centrale at 13:45 arriving Palermo 23:05, Catania 21:37 & Siracuse 22:50.
Yes, all this InterCity train really is direct from Naples to Sicily (in fact, it starts in Rome). It's a lovely run, along the Italian coastline often just feet from the water. When the train reaches Villa San Giovanni at 18:05, the whole train is shunted onto a ship and ferried across the Straits to Messina, see video & more information about the trains to Sicily. The crossing takes about 20 minutes, and you can either remain on board the train in the ferry's hold, or get out and go up on deck for some fresh air - although as from 2017 they may insist you get off and use the ferry accommodation decks. Travelling on both a train and a ship at the same time is a fascinating experience! The train has no catering car, so remember to take your own picnic and bottle of wine for the journey.
If you want to stop off in Rome or Naples, you'll find two daytime InterCity trains and an overnight sleeper linking Rome and Naples with Sicily, see the Trains to Sicily page.
Sicily ► London
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Day 1, travel from Sicily to Naples by air-conditioned InterCity train, leaving Siracuse daily at 07:32, Catania at 08:41 or Palermo at 07:00, arriving Naples Centrale at 16:17.
This InterCity train is shunted onto a train ferry to cross the Straits of Messina, a fascinating experience in itself, see video & more information about the trains to Sicily. It's a lovely run, along the Italian coastline often just feet from the water. The train has no catering car, so remember to take your own picnic and beer or bottle of wine for the journey. The train continues to Rome, but you should get off in Naples.
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Day 1, travel from Naples to Milan by Frecciarossa 1000, leaving Naples Centrale at 18:30 and arriving Milan Centrale at 23:00. Standard, premium, business & executive classes with free WiFi & cafe-bar.
There's also an earlier 17:25 train from Naples, but it's best to allow longer to change trains in case the InterCity from Sicily is late. In Milan it's a 10 minute €6 taxi ride from Centrale to Porta Garibaldi.
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Stay overnight in Milan. The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350m from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.
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Day 2, travel from Milan to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi daily at 08:42 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:12. There is a café-bar serving drinks, snacks & light meals. It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from Italy into France via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps, see the video guide above. Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord, 2 stops on RER line D.
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Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 18:13 on Mondays-Fridays arriving London St Pancras at 19:39 or at 19:13 on Saturdays arriving London St Pancras at 20:46.
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Alternatively, you can travel earlier if you don't mind an early start: Travel from Milan to Paris on the earlier high-speed TGV leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 06:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 13:16. There is a café-bar serving drinks, snacks & light meals. Then travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord daily at 15:13, arriving London St Pancras at 16:39.
How much does it cost?
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London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return.
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Paris to Milan starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €44 each way in 1st class.
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Milan to Naples starts at €29.90 each way in standard class, €39.90 each way in business class.
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Naples to Catania, Siracuse or Palermo starts at €19.90 each way in 2nd class, €29.90 each way in 1st class.
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All these fares vary like air fares according to demand and how far ahead you book.
How to buy tickets...
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All these trains can be booked in one place in plain English at www.raileurope.com, in €, £ or $. If you are making a round trip, Eurostar is best booked as a return journey because return fares are significantly less than two one-ways. All the other trains are one-way ticketed so can be safely booked as one-way journeys one at a time and added to your basket, it makes no difference to the price.
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Step 1, book from London to Milan on day 1 at www.raileurope.com and add this to your basket. Booking usually opens 120 days ahead, and you'll get print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets for both the Eurostar and the TGV. If you want a longer stopover in Paris, perhaps for lunch, simply click More options, enter Paris and enter however many hours you want. There's a small booking fee.
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Step 2, still on www.raileurope.com, now book from Milan Centrale to Messina, Palermo, Catania or Siracuse for day 2. I recommend using the specific station name 'Milan Centrale' here rather than 'Milan (any station'). www.raileurope.com now connects directly to Trenitalia's ticketing system so sells all of Trenitalia's cheap economy & super-economy fare. It's ticketless, you just need to quote the booking reference on board the train). Add to basket and check out.
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Alternatively, you can book the Eurostar at www.eurostar.com and the Paris-Milan TGV separately at either en.oui.sncf (a bit fiddly, has been known to reject some overseas cards, but no booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com, making sure you allow at least 60 minutes to cross Paris between trains southbound, 90 minutes northbound (as this must include the 30 minute Eurostar check-in). Both sites give print-at-home tickets. You can then book your onward trains from Milan to Sicily at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com, looking for cheap super-economy or economy fares. Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both offer ticketless travel, you simply quote your PNR on board the train. However, Italiarail.com is in plain English and happily accepts English place names, whereas Trenitalia.com requires Italian-language place names, for example 'Roma' for Rome, 'Napoli' for Naples, 'Firenze' for Florence, 'Venezia Santa Lucia' for Venice and has a few quirks.
How to buy tickets by phone...
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It's better to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees. Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays. However, if you still want to phone someone, here's a list of UK-based train ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.
What is the InterCity train like?...
These InterCity trains are composed of older carriages, but comfortable and fully air-conditioned with 1st & 2nd class in open-plan carriages, 2+2 across the car width in 2nd class, 2+1 in 1st class. There may be a refreshment trolley, but take your own picnic & wine. Seat reservation is now compulsory on all InterCity trains. 1st class has power sockets for laptops, 2nd class usually doesn't.
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This is the Rome-Sicily Intercity train on board the ferry for the voyage across the Straits of Messina. You can leave your heavy luggage on the train while you go up on deck for some sea air and a cappuccino... Courtesy Discoverbyrail.com. |
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2nd class on the Rome-Sicily Intercity. Larger photo. |
1st class on the Rome-Sicily Intercity. Larger photo. |
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Vesuvius & the Bay of Naples, seen from the Intercity train soon after leaving Naples. Courtesy Discoverbyrail.com. |
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Yes, the train really does go onto a ferry! Courtesy Discoverbyrail.com. |
Option 2, using the Milan-Sicily sleeper...
This is a longer more leisurely 2-night option, with 1 night in a hotel in Paris and one night aboard the Milan-Sicily InterCity Notte sleeper train, an epic journey in your own private room from Northern Italy to the toe of Italy, then over the Straits of Messina to Sicily on board a train ferry - a unique experience. There's some truly great scenery on the way, through the Alps on the TGV and along the Italian coastline on the sleeper in daylight. By all means travel one way using this option, the other way using option 1.
London ► Sicily
Day 1, travel from London to Paris on any Eurostar you like. The last one leaves London St Pancras at 20:01 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 23:17, or on Sundays there also a 20:31 arriving 23:47. But by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Paris.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D.
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Stay overnight in Paris. Recommended hotels near the Gare de Lyon: Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star); Hotel de Reims (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star). Dinner at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Milan by high-speed TGV, either leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 06:47 arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 13:50, or the later one leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:43 arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 17:50.
The TGV has 1st and 2nd class seats plus a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals. It's a relaxing and comfortable journey: After a high-speed dash across France the train slows right down and meanders through the Alps, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel, see the video guide above.
Transfer by taxi or local train or walk from Milan Porta Garibaldi to Milan Centrale. Have an early dinner in Milan, I recommend the excellent and typically Italian restaurant Noblesse Oblige, 5 minutes walk from Milan Centrale, see www.ristorantenoblesseoblige.com & See map showing walking route.
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Day 2, travel from Milan to Sicily overnight by direct InterCity Notte sleeper train, leaving Milan Centrale at 20:10 every day, one portion arriving next day at Palermo at 16:55, the other portion arriving at Catania Centrale at 14:32 and Siracuse at 15:48.
It's the longest sleeper ride in Italy, and one of the longest in Europe. The train has sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and 4-berth Comfort couchettes, see the photos below. There's no restaurant car, so take your own supplies and maybe a bottle of wine, although in the sleepers the attendant will serve you morning tea or coffee, included in the fare.
The train travels overnight out of Milan, then by daylight all along the coast of southern Italy to Villa San Giovanni, often just a few feet from the water's edge. At Villa San Giovanni, the train is shunted onto a ferry for the sea crossing to Messina in Sicily, a unique experience. On the sleeper train you should have the option to remain on the train on the ferry's train deck, or to leave the train and go up on deck for some sea air and those sea views. It's a great experience!
Sicily ► London
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Day 1, travel from Sicily to Milan by direct InterCity Notte sleeper train, leaving Palermo at 12:35 every day, another portion leaving Siracuse at 13:35 & Catania Centrale at 14:54, arriving at Milan Centrale at 11:25 next morning.
The sleeper train travels along the coast of Sicily, then crosses the Straits of Messina from Messina to Villa San Giovanni aboard a train ferry, a unique experience. The train then travels by daylight all along the coast of southern Italy, often only feet from the sea with some lovely views before travelling through the night to Milan. In Milan, transfer by taxi or local train or walk from Milan Centrale to Milan Porta Garibaldi.
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Day 2, travel from Milan to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 14:40 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 22:12.
The TGV has 1st and 2nd class seats plus a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals. It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, crossing directly from Italy to France via the via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel, meandering through the Alps before a last dash over the high-speed line to Paris, see the video guide above.
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Stay overnight in Paris. Recommended hotels near the Gare de Lyon: Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star); Hotel de Reims (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star). Next morning, transfer by taxi or metro to Paris Gare du Nord.
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Day 3, travel from Paris to London on any Eurostar you like. The first one usually leaves Paris Gare du Nord at 07:13 on Mondays-Saturdays arriving London at 08:32. On Sundays the first train is the 08:13 arriving London at 09:30. But by all means book a later one.
How much does it cost?
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London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return.
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Paris to Milan starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €44 each way in 1st class.
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Milan to Catania, Siracuse or Palermo starts at €39.90 in a 4-berth comfort couchette, €49.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €59.90 in a 2-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a single-bed sleeper. Prices are per person per bed.
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All these fares vary like air fares according to demand and how far ahead you book.
How to buy tickets...
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All these trains can be booked in one place in plain English at www.raileurope.com. If you are making a round trip, Eurostar is best booked as a return journey because return fares are significantly less than two one-ways. All the other trains are one-way ticketed so can be safely booked as one-way journeys one at a time and added to your basket, it makes no difference to the price.
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Step 1, book from London to Paris and back at www.raileurope.com and add this to your basket. Booking for Eurostar opens up to 6 months ahead, but I strongly recommend waiting until booking is open for the onward TGV and Italian trains before investing in a non-refundable Eurostar ticket, the onward trains usually open 120 days ahead. More about when booking opens.
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Step 2, also on www.raileurope.com, book the TGV from Paris to Milan for day 2 and add to your basket.
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Step 3, still on www.raileurope.com, now book from Milan Centrale to Messina, Palermo, Catania or Siracuse also for day 2. I recommend using the specific station name 'Milan Centrale' here rather than 'Milan (any station'). www.raileurope.com now connects directly to Trenitalia's ticketing system so sells all of Trenitalia's cheap economy & super-economy fare. It's ticketless, you just need to quote the booking reference on board the train). Add to basket and check out.
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Alternatively, you can book the Eurostar at www.eurostar.com and the Paris-Milan TGV separately at either en.oui.sncf (a bit fiddly, has been known to reject some overseas cards, but no booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com, making sure you allow at least 60 minutes to cross Paris between trains southbound, 90 minutes northbound (as this must include the 30 minute Eurostar check-in). Both sites give print-at-home tickets. You can then book your onward trains from Milan to Sicily at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com, looking for cheap super-economy or economy fares. Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both offer ticketless travel, you simply quote your PNR on board the train. However, Italiarail.com is in plain English and happily accepts English place names, whereas Trenitalia.com requires Italian-language place names, for example 'Roma' for Rome, 'Napoli' for Naples, 'Firenze' for Florence, 'Venezia Santa Lucia' for Venice and has a few quirks.
How to buy tickets by phone...
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It's cheaper and in many ways easier to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees. Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays. However, if you still want to phone someone, here's a list of UK-based train ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.
What's the Milan to Sicily sleeper train like?
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The Milan to Sicily sleeper train, at Milan Centrale. Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry. |
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Room with a view... The Milan to Sicily sleeper travels by night across northern Italy, then runs along the coast of Italy next day, often just feet from the water. While you travel in a private sleeper that converts to a private sitting room. Remember that picnic & bottle of wine! Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry. |
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Sleeper set up as 1st class 2-berth (double or doppio). Larger photo |
Sleeper in day mode, beds folded away, washstand closed. Larger photo |
Standard Italian sleeping-car on the Milan-Sicily Intercity Notte with 12 compartments, each configurable as 1st class Single, 1st class Double or 2nd class 3-berth. Courtesy Marco Bereth |
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A Comfort couchette car in the new red & blue colour scheme, the economical choice, ideal for families. Each car has nine 4-berth compartments. Courtesy of Marco Bereth |
4-berth Comfort couchettes. Sheets, pillow & blanket are provided. It converts to seats by day. Courtesy Suzanne Veerman. Larger photo. |
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Train on a ferry... The Milan-Sicily sleeper train is ferried across the Straits of Messina on a ferry. Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry. |
Travellers' reports...
Traveller Andrew Clayton reports: "We took the daytime InterCity train from Naples to Siracuse, having first loaded up with essential supplies (water, bread, cheese, wine etc.) as there is no catering on the train. Rather than buy at Naples Centrale where there's only limited food shopping, we went out of the station and found nearby shops that sold all we needed – at much lower prices. There was attractive scenery - sea and mountains - almost all the way to Villa San Giovanni where the train is loaded onto the ferry to Sicily in two sections. We were in the last coach and discovered that, if you went to the end, you could look through a glass door to see the coaches go onto the ferry and be tied down. It is safe to leave large luggage on the train during the crossing when most people go up on deck."
Traveller Kathryn Vale reports: "Our train trip to Palermo was a success: London to Paris by Eurostar, TGV to Toulon then local train to Monte Carlo (all stops to visit family!). Then Ventimiglia-Genoa and Genoa-Palermo all for €68 including 4 bed 'couchette promiscuo' with juice and newspaper on waking (although no food to buy on board) AND the amazing train on the boat to Messina. We had blue sea on our right shoulder from daybreak in the couchette and all round the coast and some lovely interior trips within Sicily by train too. The trains were great, the time keeping fine (except the Genoa train which was 40 minutes late, but we caught up on the next day), the staff were helpful - even with not much English/Italian between us!"
Traveller Steve Hutchinson reports: “We picked up the Rome to Sicily sleeper after having arrived in Rome earlier that morning on the DB sleeper from Munich, enabling an interesting comparison between overnight trains! We had a T3 3-berth sleeper on the Sicily train, which was very comfortable with ample room for our luggage. Despite it being around 30c on departure at 2120 the air conditioning was working quite well, so a comfortable night’s sleep was assured. We woke in the morning as the train was running along the Calabrian coast with amazing views of mountains in the distance. The train then arrived at Villa San Giovanni around 06:00 where it was shunted onto the train ferry. It was effectively split into two portions to fit on the boat. The crossing took about half an hour. We all got off the train and went to the upper deck of the ship to see the views of Sicily on the approach and to get some coffee, which was very welcome! After arriving at Messina the two portions of the train – one for Palermo, the other for Catania and Siracuse - were hauled into the station. This gave the opportunity for anyone who’d got on the wrong portion in the hold of the ferry to change over! There were excellent views of Mount Etna as the Siracuse portion ran along the east coast of the island. The whole journey was amazing; you felt you’d actually travelled and arrived, rather than being delivered in a sterile aircraft. On the return a week later we boarded the sleeper train at Siracuse after an excellent meal at a restaurant round the corner from the station. Arrival at Rome was the following morning around 10:00, after a good night’s sleep”
Traveller Edward Rolands reports: "We took the overnight train to Sicily, booking a 4 berth “comfort” couchette. Booking in advance at www.trenitalia.com meant it only cost €34. It had a lot more space than the 6 berth variety and the air conditioning was functioning a lot more effectively too making for a much better nights sleep. We woke up in the morning as the train was pacing along the Calabrian coast with some lovely views of mountains in the distance and cliffs dropping in to the sea. The train then arrives at Villa San Giovanni where it’s shunted on to the ferry, a process which takes about half an hour. You may be shunted on to the ferry, then shunted off again, then shunted back on again, as the train is broken up so that it fits! The crossing takes about half an hour and you can get off and go on deck to enjoy the view - and get some basic refreshments. On arrival at Messina it takes about half an hour to reconstruct the train which will now be in two bits, one for Palermo, one for Catania & Syracuse. Our Siracuse section was shunted into the platform at Messina Centrale first, 5 minutes before its departure time. However it was held there until the other section was reconstructed and shunted in to another platform, so we ended up leaving over 20 minutes late. The final section along the Eastern coast of Sicily has some great views of the mountains in the distance and of course Mt Etna. The train arrived at Taormina only 15 minutes late - the staff seemed keen to make up more time as it didn’t hang around before carrying on it’s journey South. Overall the journey was brilliant and much better than any flight!"
Option 3, by cruise ferry from Genoa.
London ► Sicily
This takes 2 nights from London to Palermo, not 1, but it's a more leisurely option with a cruise thrown in.
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Step 1, travel from London to Genoa as shown above. Allow plenty of time - hours, not minutes - between train and ferry in Genoa.
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Step 2, sail from Genoa to Palermo on Sicily on the daily Grandi Navi Veloci cruise ferry, leaving Genoa at 22:00 and arriving Palermo around 18:00 next day. A range of comfortable cabins, bars & restaurants are available. Book the ferry online at www.gnv.it.
One traveller reports the ferry as "Superb, like a cruise ship with cars. We booked a cabin with a double bed in the prow of the ship, breakfast served in our cabin, swimming pool in the day, a very civilised way to travel!"
Sicily ► London
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Step 1, sail from Palermo to Genoa on the Grandi Navi Veloci cruise ferry, the ferry leaves Palermo at 22:00 and arrives Genoa at 18:00.
Option 4, by overnight ferry from Naples...
London ► Sicily ► London
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Step 2, sail from Naples to Palermo by overnight cruise ferry. Two companies run daily ferries with comfortable cabins with en suite showers, sailing around 20:00 and arriving around 07:00, in both directions. See www.tirrenia.it & www.snav.it for times, dates, fares & online booking.
London
to Sardinia
![]() A Tirrenia Line ship arrives in Sardinia... |
London to Sardinia by train & ferry...
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Getting from the UK or mainland Europe to Sardinia without flying is easy, as there are a whole range of ferries to Sardinia, from both France (Toulon or Nice) and Italy (Genoa, Civitavecchia, Livorno & others).
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From London, you can travel by train to Toulon or Nice and then take Corsica Ferries from to Porto Torres in Sardinia. Start by checking sailing dates and times using the Direct Ferries website or at www.corsica-ferries.com. Then check train times to connect using the London to France page allowing at least 2 hours between train & ferry, preferably more to allow for taxi transfer to port, check-in time, and for any delay.
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The ferries from France aren't the most frequent, so you might prefer to travel via Italy. Grandi Navi Veloci and Tirrenia Lines have overnight sailings from Genoa to Porto Torres in Sardinia on most nights of the year, as well as sailings from other Italian ports. Another ferry company with regular sailings to Sardinia from Civitavecchia near Rome is Sardinia Ferries. Start by visiting the Direct Ferries website which can book most ferry routes and operators, or see each ferry company's own website to confirm sailing dates, times and fares. Then see the London to Genoa or London to Rome sections above to arrange trains to connect. Remember to allow several hours for a safe connection between train and ferry, to include ferry check-in time, transfer from station to port, and to allow for any delay.
How to buy tickets...
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Book the ferry first. You can book the ferry online at the Sardinia Ferries, Grandi Navi Veloci or Tirrenia Lines websites, or by phone with the ferry company's UK agents. The UK agent for Grandi Navi Veloci is Viamare Travel on 020 8343 5810, for Tirrenia Lines it is SMS Travel & Tourism, 020 7244 8422, for SNCM it is Southern Ferries, on 020 7491 4968.
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Then book the train from London to Genoa or Rome as shown on this London to Italy page, or from London to Marseille or Toulon as shown on the London to France page.
Trains between major towns in Sardinia: See the train travel in Italy page...
The
Train Bleu
restaurant
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If you've time for lunch or dinner at Paris Gare de Lyon...
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I highly recommend eating at the famous and remarkable Train Bleu restaurant inside the Gare de Lyon, on the main concourse, see the Train Bleu restaurant page for more details.
...or at the Gare du Nord, try the Brasserie Terminus Nord...
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If you'd like a decent meal near the Gare du Nord rather than the Gare de Lyon, try the typically French Brasserie Terminus Nord (www.terminusnord.com), just across the road from the front of the Gare du Nord. It's good quality French cuisine in classic Parisian brasserie surroundings, and so handy for Eurostar. Main dishes cost around €18-€20.
Holidays & tours to
Italy by train
Custom-made tours, holidays & short breaks...
The following companies can arrange a short break, tour or longer holiday to your own specification, either within Italy or from the UK to Italy by train, leaving on any date you like. As you're effectively booking a package, not travelling independently, another advantage is that they'll look after you if anything goes wrong, for example a strike or major delay...
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0207 864 4600 (UK) 1-888-829-4775 (USA) 1-855-882-2910 (Canada) 1300 971 526 (Aust) 0800 000 554 (NZ) |
Railbookers tours, holidays & breaks to Italy by train...
Railbookers are an experienced train travel specialist who custom-make tours, holidays or short breaks to travellers' own specification, with train travel, transfers & hotels all arranged. If you tell them what you want, they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you.
Their most popular trips include UK to Venice via the Alps, UK to Lake Como via the Alps, UK to Florence via the Alps, UK to Rome via the Alps, UK to Amalfi Coast via the Alps, all of which are customisable to add extra nights or extra cities, with train travel on the outward or return journey, or by train throughout with no flying necessary, it's up to you.
UK call 0207 864 4600,
www.railbookers.co.uk.
US call free 1-888-829-4775,
www.railbookers.com.
Canada call free 1-855-882-2910,
www.railbookers.com.
Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526,
www.railbookers.com.au.
New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or
see
website.
Escorted tours...
If you prefer to travel with a group of like-minded fellow travellers with a professional tour guide taking care of you, the following companies organise tours by train from the UK to Italy and other European countries, with regular departure dates throughout the year...
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01904 730727 |
Great Rail Journeys, www.greatrail.com, 01904 527 120...
GRJ is the established market leader in escorted tours to Europe by train. They offer five-star inclusive escorted tours to Italy, with 1st class train travel and 4* or 5* hotels. Tours include a 14-day Grand Tour of Italy to Florence, Venice & Rome, a tour to the Bay of Naples, Capri & Amalfi, and to Lake Garda, all with travel from London to Italy and back by train. Great Rail Journeys also offer holidays by train to other European countries. Check the tour details & prices online, then call 01904 527120 to book or use their online booking form.
Rail Discoveries, www.raildiscoveries.com, 01904 730 727...
Rail Discoveries is a sister company of Great Rail Journeys, offering similar train-based escorted tours to Italy, but with 2* or 3* hotels and travel by Eurostar and high-speed TGV in 2nd class. For example, they offer a 9-day tour to Florence, Venice and Tuscany or an 8 day tour to Lake Garda. Check details & prices at www.raildiscoveries.com and book online or call 01904 730 727.
European Rail Timetable & maps

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The
European Rail Timetable (formerly the Thomas Cook European
Timetable)
has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus
currency & climate information. It is essential
for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for
armchair travellers. Published since 1873, it had just
celebrated 140 years of publication when Thomas Cook decided
to pull the plug on their entire publishing department, but
the dedicated
ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and resumed publication of the
famous European Rail
Timetable in March 2014. You can buy it online with worldwide shipping
at
either
www.stanfords.co.uk or
www.europeanrailtimetable.eu.
More information
on what the European Rail Timetable contains.
A Traveller's Railway Map of Europe covers the whole of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south. On the back are detailed maps of Switzerland, Benelux & Germany, plus city plans showing stations in major cities. Scenic & high-speed routes highlighted. Buy it online for £14.50 + postage worldwide (UK addresses £2.80) at www.stanfords.co.uk/Continents/Europe-A-Travellers-Railway-Map_9789077899090.htm or (in the Netherlands) for €13 + €5.50 postage from www.treinreiswinkel.nl.
Guidebooks
Highly recommended: The Lonely Planets & Rough Guides...
If you have a decent guidebook you'll see so much more and know so much more about what you're looking at. It's a sound investment when you remember what you're spending on the whole trip! I think the Lonely Planets or Rough Guides are the best ones out there for the independent traveller. My own book is an essential handbook for train travel to Europe based on this website called "The Man in Seat 61". Published in June 2008 and revised April 2010, it's available from Amazon.co.uk with shipping worldwide.
Click the images to buy at
Amazon.co.uk
Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website, from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.
Find hotels
in Italy...
AirBnB: www.airbnb.com...
www.airbnb.com began in 2008 when two designers who had space to share hosted three travellers looking for a place to stay. AirBnB is a platform which connects hosts with guests, so you can now book a room in people's homes, or an apartment, flat or house which people want to rent out. It can be nicer than a hostel, cheaper than many hotels.
Budget backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com...
www.hostelworld.com: If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels. Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.
Car hire
Compare
50 different car hire companies:
www.carrentals.co.uk
The award-winning website www.carrentals.co.uk compares many different car hire companies including Holiday Autos, meaning not only a cheapest price comparison but a wider choice of hire and drop off location.
Travel insurance & VPN...
Always take out travel insurance...
Never travel without travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer. It should also cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy myself. However, don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here. Here are some suggested insurers, Seat61 gets a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback is always welcome.
In
the UK, reliable insurers include
Columbus Direct.
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If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, see www.JustTravelCover.com - 10% discount with code seat61.
You
can use
www.confused.com to compare prices & policy features across
major insurance companies.
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If you live in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the
EU, try
Columbus Direct's other websites.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
Get a Curve card to save on foreign transaction fees...
Banks often give a poor exchange rate, then charge a currency conversion fee as well. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this. The balance goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards. And you can get a Curve card for free.
How it works: 1. Download the app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to most European addresses including the UK. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, just like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance onto whichever of your debit or credit cards you choose. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I use a Curve Blue card myself - I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I'm recommending it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card - they'll give you £5 cashback through that link, too.
Get a VPN for safe browsing. VPNs & why you need one explained...
When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. A VPN means your connection to the internet is encrypted & always secure, even using unsecured WiFi. In countries such as China where access to Twitter & Facebook is restricted, a VPN gets around these restrictions. And lastly, you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geographic restrictions which some websites apply - for example one booking site charges a booking fee to non-European visitors but none to European visitors, so if you're not located in Europe you can avoid this fee by browsing with a UK IP address using a VPN. VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy and I use it myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription, and I get a small commission to help support this site.






















































































































