France to Italy by Rail?

Question

I need some assistance before I buy my ticket, please. I will have a full Eurrail Pass. I am trying to leave the Provence area of France (Avignon or Nice?) and get to Italy (whatever's closest: Siena, Florence, Milan, Rome, whatever). A night train is acceptable. The travel date around May 24th, a Saturday, 2008. What are my options? Is this doable, or do I need to rearrange travel plans? I've checked the numerous rail websites and I am just getting more and more confused. Rick Steves suggests going from the Provence area of France to Cinque Terre or further into Italy, but he doesn't advise which routes to take.

Answer 1

The route is very simple. Just get to Genoa from either Avignon or Nice and take the local train that goes to La Spezia and stops at all stations on the way (ferma in tutte le stazioni) or take an express train to La Spezia and back track.

While planning ahead is always a good idea let me suggest that you have made one and possibly two errors.

First, you are taking that glorified  tour bus operator Rick Steves seriously. I don't know if you have been in Italy before but if you haven't then heading to a group of villages which are crammed to the rafters with PBS viewers and other people clutching their copy of "Europe through the back door" rather than Firenza or Roma is a serious mistake.

Second, the decision to buy a Eurail Pass should be delayed until you have fully planned your itinerary and checked the rail fares. The pass is not the deal it once was and may cost you more than the individual components of the trip. The fare from Nice to Genoa, for example is less than 25 euros.

Answer 2

Hi there,

Have  you visited SNCF official website (French Railroads)?

http://www.voyages-sncf.com

At the bottom of the page, you will find a link with an  English version. However, I think you are planing your trip very early. I don't think French railroads are as prudent as you!

Answer 3

www.trenitalia.it

I believe there is version that is in English.

Answer 4

Go to www.sncf.com for the French Rails, here you'll also be able to find out when the Eurorail trains pass through! Any major city in Italy will be possible,