TO get to Versailles you take the RER, Paris’s commuter rail system. I’d definitely take the train from Venice to Rome. It’s less than four hours, so you’d spend more time overall flying, and flying is much less relaxed. Paris to Venice depends on your travel style/preferences; overnight train is fine for some, but if you don’t like the idea then fly. Whether or not to buy a pass depends on your itinerary. Is your Anniv2 trip final?

Definitely take trains within Italy. They’re fast and comfortable. I don’t particularly care for overnight trains, so I’d look for a cheap flight from Paris to Venice. However, sometimes an overnight train turns out much better than a flight. Check the exact airports involved (some of the airports used by low fare airlines are up to 2 hours by bus from the city), the schedule (flight in the early afternoon kills an entire day for sightseeing)and the total cost (baggage fees, credit card fees, check-in fee, taxes, cost to get to/from airports) and then decide which is best for your specific situation.

RER line C to Versailles RG (Rive Gauche) is the best way to get to Versailles. There are about 5 trains per hour and the station in near the palace. The Versailles-Chantiers station on the same line is farther from the palace. Do not take the regular main-line train, as that Versailles station is not near the palace.

P.S. Decide which, if any, train pass after you figure out which legs you intend to fly.

Thanks for your advice. The trips on here are not the ones I’m following.. I’ve quickly realized plans change when you’re planning a trip to Europe, and i’m sure they’ll change again once I get there. But so far my itinerary is 3-4 days in London, then take a train into Paris for about a week, and then fly (?) to Venice, and from then on to Rome.

Which ticket is the best to get from London to Paris? I heard it’s an easy train ride but unsure of which website to order the tickets through and should I get them in advance or wait till I get to London?

There is only 1 train between Paris and London: Eurostar, the chunnel train. Eurostar runs about every hour, although some of the trains go to Brussels as opposed to Paris. Eurostar is priced like an airline as opposed to a train. Trains in the middle of the day during the middle of the week are usually cheapest. Look for cheap leisure fares and other specials at www.eurostar.com Book any good fare you find as soon as you are sure of your travel day as the special fares sell out and the price goes up.

If you can’t find a good fare for your date look at flying. If you’re an adult (over age 25) AND end up buying a railpass that covers France, the special “passholder” fare occasionally saves money as it will be honored on days when there might not be cheap special fares available. It probably won’t be enough savings over regular fare to be worth buying (or expanding to cover France) a railpass if the pass won’t save money for the rest of your trip, but that’s worth checking if you can’t find a good fare for your travel day. If you’re a youth, passholder fare is almost exactly the same price as regular youth fare so not worth it.

Thanks for you help, I found a cheap ticket for $68pp to Paris. Another question.. From Paris to Prague, is it a good idea to take a bus? I found an overnight bus ticket from Eurolines for $53pp. Or should I look into train rides? If so, any recommendations?
Thank you so much!

I’d never take an overnight bus, but if you want to, it’s appears to be cheap. This does not seem to be a good route for an overnight train. I’d look for a cheap flight, or preferably, work out an itinerary that doesn’t require a trek of this length.

Fly. 14-16 hours on a bus would never be my choice, and train isn’t too much shorter and requires at least two changes if you want to go overnight. You can fly Smart Wings for $60, leaving Paris at 08:30 and landing in Prague around 10:05. Look for flights here:
http://www.skyscanne…

Thanks for your advice. I discussed it with my husband and it probably would not be a good idea to take the bus. We’re going with the flight, thank you!

One more question, is purchasing an international student card worth it? on statravel they offer it for $22 and advertise that it will save you money when in Europe. Opinions? Experience?

Honestly, a student car is something I’d bring over if I had one. In many cases, your regular university/college card will suffice to gain the discounts in the decreasing number of premises that offer them.