Paris and Rome are two of the most popular cities to visit in Europe. Paris, the city of love and light, is the most visited city in Europe due to its famous Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and the Louvre. Rome is also a major player thanks to the Colosseum and its delicious Italian food. Although they are 880 miles apart, the two cities are easily combined for a European vacation, especially in the peak summer season when there are more flights and train schedules. Or, you can take a road trip and stop at some of the sights along the way (Lyon, Milan, and Florence).
Paris to Rome by plane
Of course, the fastest way from Paris to Rome is by plane, which takes just two hours if you fly directly. However, don’t worry about spending the budget on airfare; You will be surprised how cheap flights are in Europe. For the route between Paris and Rome, the most affordable carriers include Ryanair, easyJet and Vueling, with Iberia being a mid-cost option. Just be sure to read the fine print because some of these low-cost airlines fly from smaller airports that are outside the city center and further away than the larger hubs.
There are four airports around Paris, some closer to the French capital than others, while there are two main airports in Rome. So, for example, Ryanair may have direct flights starting at $ 45 round trip, but it will travel from Beauvais – Tillé Airport (75 minutes north of Paris) to Ciampino – GB Pastine International Airport (half an hour southeast of Rome), and you will have to take into account the cost of public transport to / from the airports. Meanwhile, EasyJet and Vueling fly nonstop from Paris Orly Airport to Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, Rome’s main international airport, for just $ 89 roundtrip.
Note that these are base rates, which means that you may be charged extra for reserving seats or checking luggage (and carrying luggage, in the case of Ryanair).
Paris to Rome by train
The fastest route by rail is Trenitalia or SNCF, the national railway company of France. Both trains can take you from Paris to Rome in about 11 hours, with two transfers in Turin and Milan. Another option is Thello, the night train from Paris to Italy. It departs from Paris from Gare de Lyon, one of the city’s six main stations, and takes about 15 hours, including a train transfer in Milan. If you have a France-Italy Rail Pass, you will pay less. Many people like this option, although even with a rail pass it tends to be more expensive than a budget airline.
All passengers on night trains from Paris to Italy must reserve a berth to sleep in a sleeper car or a cheaper couchette car (four or six berth beds). You cannot reserve a seat on these trains, although the beds are converted to a seat for the morning.
Paris to Rome by car
The driving distance between Paris and Rome is 880 miles (1,420 kilometers) and takes about 14 hours. The quickest way to do this is on the French Highway to the Italian Autostrada, which has a higher speed limit but will have to pay tolls. From Paris, travel south through Lyon and cross the Franco-Italian border in the direction of Turin; Here the paths open up to breathtaking views of the Alps in northern Italy. Then, head east to Bologna and turn south to Florence, where you’ll cruise through the vineyards and countryside of Tuscany before finishing in Rome three hours later.
The advantage of driving is that you have the flexibility to make detours or stops to see some of the best sights, cities, and landscapes in France and Italy. If you can, extend your stay to get the most out of your road trip.
Paris to Rome by bus
The bus is the least convenient option, as it takes about 22 hours, has multiple transfers, and tends to be somewhat expensive (between $ 100 and $ 300 round trip). Eurolines is the main bus company serving routes between Paris and Rome, but it is slow and relatively expensive. Compare other bus routes on sites like GoEuro and FlixBus.
