European Ferries

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

DS16 really wanted to go to Poland this summer but I think I have talked him out of it. I would have done it but I have a July exchange to Nice France. Making that work with Poland is just too difficult. I think. Too many trains?

As luck would have it I picked up the following week in Zambrone, Italy. It is currently on hold but I must make a decision today or if I confirm today by tomorrow.

I remember fondly the high speed Dolphins in Greece and am thinking, if possible, that ferry service could be used for part or most of the transition from costal France to coastal Italy. It seems less daunting than multiple trains and transfers in countries that I won't know the languages. Any input?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Also look at one way flights out of the international airport of Nice...you hop on the bus by the resort and it takes you right to the airport, you see it from the beach ...DD and I did do the fast train from Paris to Nice and loved it but it was 5.5 hours....I am not saying there is not a ferry but the Med is REALLY wide !!! I know there is a fast ferry from Nice or the town just north that goes to Corsico.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Here ya go....

Ferry to Italy - Book a Ferry to Italy simply and securely with Ferry Travel.com

It sems you can go from Nice to Corsico and from Corsico to various areas of Italy....I know we all like to save money - but in this case, saving a tremendous amount of time could over ride $$$.

When I was in Nice, there were mud slides blocking the rail (cleaned up before I left) but we could have flown Nice to Paris for $66-89 depending on day/time.

Flying could be the way to go.
Nice International Airport - Nice, France
The following airlines currently provide service to Nice France:

Air Berlin
Air France
Alitalia
American Airlines
BLU express
Easyjet
German Wings
Sterling Airlines
Virgin Express
For current flight information, please visit the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport website.
Aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur : Gateway to the mythical French Riviera
Try this one...
Flight Times and WHERE do we fly - Aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur : gateway to the mythical French Riviera

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

It wasn't at all about the money I was looking for simplicity. Trains to Nice and back and then down the entire length of Italy was making me very nervous because of all the connections that were sure to be involved.

I just saw a decent fare for my exact dates non-stop RT CDG $922. I'm sure I can use easy jet or someone for Nice and Zambrone.

Tempted to buy but would have to go thru Vayama and the airline is XL Airways France ??? If this is France's version of Ryan Air I don't think I could stand being on one for 8 hours...

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

What is RT in and out of Nice?
Unless you want to visit Paris, this could be the way to go - and there are non-stops there, too. I think Delta or American...

I understood what u meant about the train - my point was while u could do the ferry and it would probably be a bit cheaper then flying (or maybe not!) that flying would just be so much more convenient then two ferries and then a train/bus on the other side.

[Fern Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fern]

Remember, though, that many of the European regional carriers have very strict weight limits, especially on carryons. I remember that one that I was on had a limit of 5.5 kilos for carryon (about 11 pounds). And they aren't kidding, they weigh the stuff! If you have a camera and a laptop, you're probably there with your wallet. Trains and ferries don't do that.

Fern

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Well I just booked. I'm sticking to Nice and then 4 days paris. Air was $800RT pp. THAT is not going to get any better for a July non-stop from NYC. We'll take the train down and back. Pat you'll be hearing from me about the train....

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Well I just booked. I'm sticking to Nice and then 4 days Paris. Air was $800RT pp. THAT is not going to get any better for a July non-stop from NYC. We'll take the train down and back. Pat you'll be hearing from me about the train....

Fabulous!!!!
and great airfare!

This is the discounted train site - same as regular train, they have several cars of the train just for their customers...very different then anything I am used to.

iDTGV - Billet de train sur iDTGV

start checking how far into the future you can book now but I believe they do so at the 4 month mark - and u have to be quick, otherwise it sells out.
And Irene might not agree, but I felt the few euros more for 1st class was worth it. more room - we had seats facing each other with a table in between....1 seat (1 facing 1) on our side and 2 seats (2 facing 2) across the aisle....so much nicer then the 2 and 2 we did on the way home.

[Fern Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fern]

Lawren,
If you can at a reasonable cost, get a map of roughly where you'll be travelling by train. That way when you look out the window you'll have some idea of where it is. That's how we discovered that when we were looking out the window and saw tons of marble, it was Carrarra.

Fern

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Remember, though, that many of the European regional carriers have very strict weight limits, especially on carryons. I remember that one that I was on had a limit of 5.5 kilos for carryon (about 11 pounds). And they aren't kidding, they weigh the stuff! If you have a camera and a laptop, you're probably there with your wallet. Trains and ferries don't do that.

Fern

On the other hand, at least one LCC, EasyJet, is the most generous on carryon weight limit. The only requirement on wieght is that one person has to be able to heft the carryon by themselves into the overhead.