From France to Italy overnight with Thello
Trenitalia and a private French rail company have combined forces to create Thello (pronounced tell-OH), which operates overnight long-haul trains between Paris and Venice, with six stops in between. Thello is a high-quality, fairly high-speed train, travelling 680 miles in about 12 hours, at speeds up to 250 km/h (180 mph), depending on the type of tracks on various segments of the route.
BUY A GLOBAL EURAIL PASS TO 28 COUNTRIES
Thello schedules
Thello trains depart from Paris at 7:59 p.m. and arrive the following day in Venice at 9:35 a.m. Other stops in Italy are Milan (6 a.m.), Brescia (7:10 a.m.), Verona (7:54 a.m.), Vicenza (8:43 a.m.), and Padova (9:06 a.m.). In the other direction, Thello trains leave Venice at 7:20 p.m. and arrive in Paris the following day at 9:30 a.m.
Couchettes and sleeper cabins
There are both couchette compartments and sleeper cabins available.
Couchettes come in either 4-bunk or 6-bunk options and do resemble the bunk beds of childhood memories. Couchettes with other passengers, unless you're traveling with a larger group of 4 or 6 people, in which case you can book an entire couchette for your group. They are less expensive than sleeper cabins, and much more comfortable than trying to sleep in a conventional train seat.
Sleeper cabins have 1-3 beds, so if you are traveling with one or two other people, you can each purchase a bed, or berth, in the same sleeper compartment and enjoy your privacy. Sleepers are a bit like a compact hotel room on rails, complete with locking door and amenities. The cabin has a washbasin with hot and cold water, a real bed, and a complimentary toiletry kit. On arrival, you will receive a welcome drink, and in the morning the attendant brings a continental breakfast and the newspaper of the day in the dining car (both included in the cost of your ticket).
Dining
Each Thello train has a restaurant car, which all passengers are welcome to use, and of course you can have a DIY picnic in your compartment with Italian or French snacks that you may purchase before boarding the train and bring along.
Discounted fares
Terms for pass holders booking at Special fare:
- The Eurail Pass must be valid for Italy and/or France
- The pass must be valid on the departure date
- Flexible passes: No need to fill in the date box in the travel calendar of the pass
- 1st class passes: can book both sleepers and couchettes
- 2nd class passes: can book couchettes only
Availability note:
- “Special” fare seats are usually available on Thello. Availability may be restricted on high season as Fridays, Sundays and Bank Holidays in Italy and France.
* When you board your Thello train the conductor will ask to see your Eurail pass as well as your electronic ticket for your special fare.
Booking Rules & Conditions:
- There is a no smoking policy the train
- Children up to 15 years of age qualify for a child fare
- Night trains run through Switzerland: customers must show a valid ID card with their passport and any required visas
- Train tickets are personal and valid only with an ID card; they must be booked in the same name as the reservation
- Pets under 11 pounds travel for free with owner; pets from 11 - 110 travel for a surcharge of $65; restrictions and rules apply