Should I buy point to point tickets or Eurail Pass France - Italy?

Question

Hi

I am going to France and Italy in December and I am trying to work out which would be cheapest. I have tried to work it out myself but got confused. There will be 2 adults going so we could get the saver pass. I have used it before and I just remember having to reserve every time we went on the train and it added up. I am travelling to the following place:

Paris - Tours return day trip

Paris - Grenoble

Grenoble - Turin

Turin - Borgosesia via Novara i think

Borgosesia - Florence

Florence - Rome return day trip.

If anyone knows the costs of these individual or if I am better off with the pass I would appreciate the help. It will be winter so not sure if it makes any difference in the price.

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Generally, you're better off with point-to-point tickets unless you're doing a lot of long distance international travel.

The fares (2nd class per person) here in Italy right now are:

Turin - Borgosesia (via Novara) 8.30 euro.

Borgosesia - Florence 38.10 euro (connecting in Novara and Milano Centrale)

Rome - Florence 33 euro on Eurostar each direction or 26.40 if there are seats available at the Amica rate

The winter train schedules go into effect on the 9th of December. The changes are not yet available on the Italian train website http://www.trenitalia.com/en/orari_bigli... but there usually aren't many major changes.

The Paris - Tours trip is 28.90 euro to 38.40 euro per person each direction depending on which train you take. It's more expensive if you reserve seats.

Paris to Grenoble is 43 or 56 euro depending on the train.

Grenoble to Turin (with a change in Cambery) is 44.90 euro per person in 2nd class.

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic/_SvH...

Answer 2

If your under 26 and have at least 3 weeks to a month I'd buy a EuroRail Youth pass.  It is expensive but the best way to hop on an off on a moments notice. I am of Piemontese ancestry of which Turin is the Capital.  I would take the train to Turin, the hop on the Inter-Train line to Asti.  Great wine tasting especially further into the region.  A very french presence in this part of Italy.