Train to Italy

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

Wondering if anyone has ever got the train to Italy from the UK with children?
We’re staying near Lake Maggiore in summer with our 3 - 4 7 and 8 year old. We’re debating trying to use the train and break the journey in Paris for a few days then get the sleeper train to Milan. I’ve looked online but hard to figure it all out.
Is it feasible? Would a return be double the cost (in which case we’d fly the leg home as will be tired by then than adventurous!) or cheaper like a return in England? What’s a sleeper like with kids? Are we mad?

Perfectly feasible, but prepare for it to cost a bit more than flying.

You need to look at The Man in Seat 61, and the LOCO2 websites.

www.seat61.com

Thank you - that’s one area I’m struggling is costing it up. If it’s horrifically more then it’s unfeasible for us to do but I do like the idea of it. We’d see so much more than if we fly there

I got the sleeper train to Venice and back last November.

There were plenty of children on it. If you can get a couchette (I think they sleep 4 or 6) that's cheaper.

Look on the Thello site for as far in advance as you can to get an idea of prices. It's basically double the price for a return.

We got delayed by 2.5 hours on the way back due to Swiss border control checking all the cabins in the middle of the night. On the way to Italy the conductor just took our passports for the night and gave them back in the morning.

We got the sleeper train to Venice last Easter. It's wonderful arriving in Venice across the water. So beautiful. We then got the terrain to Verona, Como and Milan. Italian trains are excellent - on time, clean, comfortable.

Use the Thello website for ticket info.

Enjoy!

Ooh thanks! Love the idea of the sleeper