RailEurope Savings for France-Italy Train Passes for the Whole Family

Our ideal spring vacation begins with a Eurail France-Italy Pass that grants your family members -- anywhere from two to five people traveling together, even nannies or BFFs -- big savings on unlimited train travel in France and Italy.

As you may know, the celebrated 21-countries-in-1-month Eurail Pass, long a staple of backpacking students, has evolved into a broad array of single and other multi-country combination passes for trains around the European continent. You m ay have heard about the nightmarish delays on the Eurostar train between London and Paris over the winter holidays, so we think you should stay clear of that route. Instead, follow our spring break trip or get help with an upcoming European family vacation at Rail Europe, an American Eurail Pass specialist, where you can find current specials and pricing from their agents.

In our dream itinerary, you can hop the rails first in either France or Italy and, according to your preference and budget, spend from four days to two months to complete your journey, as the passes come in increments of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 days of rail travel to be used within a 2 month period, consecutively or not. You can also travel in first class or economy seating and pay more for a sleeper car, though it shouldn't be necesary when traveling between these two relatively small countries.

Interested in crepes or gelato? Or do you want to parler Francais or croon buongiorno alla bambina each morning? Admire the Mona Lisa or Michelangleo's Sisine Chapel? Look through FTF's choice of stories about Traveling Italy with Kids or Traveling France with Kids and we're sure you can come up with an ideal France-Italy itinerary that will suit your family's interests.

The two-country Train Pass with a SuperSaver group rate means you'll get unlimited travel on the national rail networks of France and Italy. If your group of two to five people travel altogether, you can realize savings of about 15% on what's already a good value in railroading.

For example, to travel by train on four days over a two-month period (and for spring break, we figure you'll go from the airport to town #1, then hit three other major French and Italian cities, then depart from the airport in the town #4) families can purchase a Group Saver pass valid in second class for US$295/adult or $145/child. Children from ages 4 up to 11 in your group are eligible for the child rate. Children up to age 3 who go with you travel free when sharing an adult passenger's seat or bed.

There are many variations on these passes, so if you were traveling with a student, for example, under age 26, it would be cheaper to get them a Student Pass ($US 265) than the group rate, that is, if you already have enough rail-hounds in your party to qualify as a group. The only Group Saver restriction is that you must begin using your pass within 6 months of the date of purchase. Passes must be validated prior to boarding the first train, prices are per person and are subject to change, so buy now if you're counting on a spring break in France and Italy.

There are many, many other rail pass options offered by a variety of European rail operators, including the famous Eurail Pass.  We know it's hard to decide if  this type of travel will work for you, so we want to share the wisdom of author David Wilkening, who analyzed the European train system and did a great Q&A for FTF about what to expect.

For more information, contact your travel agent, or research and book the options online at Rail Europe, (toll free 888/382-7245 in US or toll free 800/361-7245 in Canada).