Using the train in Europe

[SpanishFry]

Anyone with knowledge to share is appreciated.

I'll try to sum this up in the most concise way.

Going to Italy in April for honeymoon. 12 days Italy / 2 days in Paris

Fly into Rome, use train to get to -> Naples/Pompeii -> Florence

Here is my dilemma. Do I use an all-encompassing Eurail pass and get access to ALL of the train lines? i.e. we would use Pompeii as a base to travel to Naples, Sorrento, Positano, etc. and that is a local line. Does the Eurail pass cover that? Should we go straight to a local line and buy tickets?

How should we get from Florence to Paris? Train or Plane?

 

[Farang]

In my experience the advantage of Eurail is its flexibility. If you have an itinerary and generally know when you are going place to place, it may not be the best solution. I can't offer advice on your specifics, though. Check Ryan Air and Easy Jet for Florence - Paris options.

 

[LS21]

try Jetstar...probably cheaper than Train and could be faster

 

[KMFJD]

Depends on how many different countries you will be going to, if your just staying in Italy just get a national rail pass.

 

[allisolm]

A train ride from Florence to Paris is probably 12 hours. I think there is a cheap flight from Pisa to Paris on easyjet.

 

[davestar]

Originally posted by: SpanishFry
Anyone with knowledge to share is appreciated.

I'll try to sum this up in the most concise way.

Going to Italy in April for honeymoon. 12 days Italy / 2 days in Paris

Fly into Rome, use train to get to -> Naples/Pompeii -> Florence

Here is my dilemma. Do I use an all-encompassing Eurail pass and get access to ALL of the train lines? i.e. we would use Pompeii as a base to travel to Naples, Sorrento, Positano, etc. and that is a local line. Does the Eurail pass cover that? Should we go straight to a local line and buy tickets?

Naples, Sorrento, Positano, Pompeii, Herculanium, etc are all on the Circumvesuviano which is a local (non-Eurail) line.

How should we get from Florence to Paris? Train or Plane?

Plane will be quickest and cheapest. I'd spend more than 2 days in Paris.

 

[LS21]

Originally posted by: allisolm
A train ride from Florence to Paris is probably 12 hours. I think there is a cheap flight from Pisa to Paris on easyjet.

ah yeah easyjet thats what i meant. fly = win...probably 50$ USD

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Eurail passes are a good deal if you are traveling in multiple countries, using multiple travel days (for example, 5 travel days in a month).

As long as a route on a particular railway is covered under Eurail, you can ride as many trains as you want on a given "travel day". These can include both slow and high-speed trains.

Check Eurail's website to see if they have an Italy-France regional pass for the number of travel days you would be using. I'm guessing it will be cheaper to fly, but it's worth researching.