Train travel options between France and Italy

Regional train to the Italian border (Ventimiglia) – No reservations

If you don't want to take the TGV high-speed train from Paris to Nice, or if the seat allocation for that route is full, take this route and reach the Italian border without having to pay any extra reservation fees. Plus, you have the chance to stop off and visit some of France's top cities oalong the way: Lyon, Marseille and Nice!

• Pass validity: Eurail pass should be valid in France and Italy. View passes.

Back to top of page ↑

Direct TGV train to the Italian border (Ventimiglia) – Fastest

This fast route takes you through the French Alps and past the stunning azure water of the Mediterranean. From Ventimiglia on the Italian border, connect to domestic trains to cities across Italy, including Milan, Genoa, Venice and Rome. TGV trains have a limited seat allocation for Eurail pass holders and during the busy summer months these trains can be full.

• Pass validity: Eurail pass should be valid in France and Italy. View passes.
• Make reservations up to 3 months in advance.

Back to top of page ↑

Other routes from Paris, France to Italy

Here are other routes from Paris, France into Italy. For some of these routes your pass must be valid in other countries in addition to France and Italy:

• High-speed direct to Turin or Milan (Italy) ↓ 
• High-speed to Geneva (Switzerland) + high-speed to Milan (Italy)  ↓
• Regional train to Lyon (France) + regional train to Geneva (Switzerland) + high-speed to Milan (Italy) ↓
• Night train to Munich (Germany) + high-speed to Verona (Italy) ↓
• Night train to Munich (Germany) + night train to Rome (Italy) ↓
• Thello night train (not covered by Eurail) to Milan or Venice ↓
  

   

High-speed direct to Turin or Milan (Italy)

Take the TGV from Paris to Turin (Torino) or Milan (Milano) and get the chance to see some pretty French scenery on your way to Italy. This TGV train transports you from France to Italy at the speed of light, however the reservation fee is particularly high. Most travelers prefer to take one of the other train options to save money.

• Pass validity: Eurail pass should be valid in France and Italy. View passes.
• Make reservations up to 3 months in advance.

Tickets for the TGV route between Milan and Paris cannot be bought at Italian train stations. There's a RailEurope office close to Milan Central station (Milano Centrale). Here you can book the TGV from Milan to Paris or get help finding alternative routes. Address: Via Viturvio 1. 20214 Milano. Phone number: +39 0229 54 4904.

The office is a 15-minute walk from Milano Centrale train station.

Back to top of page ↑

High-speed to Geneva (Switzerland) + high-speed to Milan (Italy)

This scenic route cuts through the beautiful Swiss Alps when leaving France. For this route your pass must also be valid in Switzerland.

• Pass validity: Eurail pass should be valid in France, Italy and Switzerland. View passes. If your pass is not valid in Switzerland, buy a separate ticket for that part of the journey.
• Make reservations up to 3 months in advance.

Back to top of page ↑

Regional train to Lyon (France) + regional train to Geneva (Switzerland) + high-speed to Milan (Italy)

This is a great route to get you from Paris into Italy while avoiding TGV high-speed trains. Connect in 2 beautiful cities along the way, Lyon and Geneva (Genève). Either spend a day or two in each of the cities, or store your bags in the luggage lockers at the train station while you spend a few hours exploring the city, before returning for your next train.

• Pass validity: Eurail pass should be valid in France, Italy and Switzerland. View passes. If your pass is not valid in Switzerland, buy a separate ticket for that part of the journey.
• Make reservations up to 3 months in advance.

Back to top of page ↑

Night train to Munich (Germany) + high-speed to Verona (Italy)

Take the night train from Paris to Munich (München) and if you feel like spending a few hours exploring one of Germany's top cities, drop your bags in the luggage lockers at the train station. From Munich travel to Verona and experience the breath-taking scenery of the Austrian Alps. Once in Verona it's just a 4-hour train ride to Rome (Roma). For this route your pass must also be valid in Germany and Austria.

• Pass validity: Eurail pass should be valid in France, Germany, Austria and Italy. View passes.
• Make reservations up to 3 months in advance.

Back to top of page ↑

Night train to Munich (Germany) + night train to Rome (Italy)

This route enables you to get a taste of Germany before you reach Italy. Take the night train from Paris to Munich (München) and experience the comfort of traveling with City Night Line. Spend the day in Munich and take the next night train directly to Rome.

• Pass validity: Eurail pass should be valid in France, Germany, Austria and Italy. View passes.
• Make reservations up to 3 months in advance.

Back to top of page ↑

Thello night train (not covered by Eurail)to Milan or Venice

The Thello night train was introduced at the end of 2011, to replace the Artesia de Nuit night train (route: Paris – Florence – Rome). This new route connects Paris to Milan (Milano) and Venice (Venezia) . Thello is operated by a private company which has not yet joined the group of railway companies that make up Eurail.

This means that in order for you to be able to travel between Paris, Milan and Venice with the Thello you must buy a separate ticket. You can book online, on the Thello website (French only); by phone: + 33 1 83 82 00 00 from 10:00 to 21:00 or at the Thello office in the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris (open 10:00 to 21:00).

• Pass validity: Eurail pass should be valid in France and Italy. View passes.
• Make reservations up to 3 months in advance.

Back to top of page ↑

Need some help planning an alternative route between France and Italy? We’re happy to help! Email us your questions and comments to: alternativeroutes@eurail.com.