Night Train to Rome

We will be travelling from Paris Bercy to Rome in late August.

How far in advance should I book? We are hoping to get a 1st class double compartment. We really wouldn%26#39;t want to be travelling with strangers. So I want to make sure we are in the excelsior double cabins. Are they still using the Excelsior carriages?

Is there much room for luggage? We will have 2 large suitcases becuse we are taking a cruise from Rome.

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Fly...EasyJet

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we did this the opposite way in June 3 years ago and booked about two weeks in advance but I would advise more lead time than that. there are a limited number of cabins. we did it precisely because we had huge amounts of luggage i.e. 70 pounds of books alone plus other luggage. Easyjet as someone else mentioned would cost an arm and a leg with lots of luggage. Intra European luggage limits are very low even on regular carriers.

there is plenty of room for luggage in the cabins although you may sacrifice floor space if you have large suitcases that don%26#39;t stow in the racks above.

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I only have a safety call out.

Apparently there are thieves that get on these night trains and take advantage to steal valuables while people are sleeping. The doors are easy to open and they work as a team so there is a look out guy and another who does the dirty work.

Just a warning for you to protect your valuables like passports, wallets and purses while your sleeping.

Recently a TA user had an incident, you may want to search the forums.

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I agree w/ the earlier poster who said fly using EasyJet... there are several cheap European airlines that can get you from Rome to Paris for under 50 euro. EasyJet, Ryan Air, Air Lingus, these are all cheap European airlines. Google them and check their websites to see if they do the Rome/Paris trip.

I found this just now on RyanAir%26#39;s website:

Adult Reg Fare 34.99 EUR

Sat, 21 Apr 07

Flight FR9632

09:15 Depart Paris Beauvais (BVA)

11:15 Arrive Rome Ciampino (CIA)

So you can%26#39;t really beat that. My husband and I took a night train from Milano to Paris Bercy in Sept 06 and long story short, our 2nd class car turned into a human smuggling compartment. If you are going to do it, go 1st class. You can make your reservations at any SNCF agency in Paris, booking in the US can be done via www.eurorail.com.

Good luck!

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I would definitely fly EasyJet (NOT Ryanair) from Paris to Rome. A friend and I flew Ryanair because at the time (2 years ago) Easyjet didn%26#39;t have Paris %26gt; Rome service. Getting to the airport was such a pain in the you-know-what. First a taxi to Porte Maillot early in the morning (before the metro starts running), then a crowded bus to Beauvais airport which costs 15E and takes over an hour. Just fly EasyJet. Cheaper and faster than the train and it leaves out of Orly -- relatively easy and quick to get to from the city.

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I would totally disagree with anyone who says fly, especially with a low cost airline, just try and get some help when it goes wrong.

The train to Rome has 2 bed sleepers, these are very comfortable and despite the previous posters comments, you can lock the door, its easy. The restaurant car is excellent also. There is ample baggage room above the window and door. I have used this service many times and have not been a victim of crime yet. Also you can use the VIP lounge at Paris and Rome if you are in a sleeper

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FatChris,

Thank you soo much!!!! Now I can%26#39;t wait. 30 more days before I can book my ticket..

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we didn%26#39;t have any security problems but we also headed warnings about not leaving valuables near the doors -- sure they are locked -- but the lock is flimsy - it can be opened with a master key that I assume every thief in the world has -- we just kept purse type items over the window at the foot of the top bunk and I slept with the money belt in bed with me

very comfortable trip -- and we had no problems -- and the dining car was not half bad although it is certainly not a culinary highlight of Europe (certainly better than the Hilton at CDG where we had the worst meal we have ever had in Europe -- only ate there because of a late arrival from the south of France -- too tired to run into town and had an early flight next morning -- big mistake)

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Last year I took the overnight train from Rome to Paris. We had tickets in first class. The compartment was large enough to have two large suitcases and two carry ons. I made the reservations here in the US. The previous year, I took the overnight train from Venice to Paris and waited until I was in Venice to make reservations. First class was all booked by that time and we had to share a compartment with 4 other people. One who snored all night.

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Thanks again, Does anyone know if they are still using the Excelsior carriages?

Are the washrooms in the actual compartment or are they shared at the end of the car?

The excelisor sounded so much nicer....