Paris - Bologna - Florence - Rome (Artesia Sleeper Train)

The Palatino overnight sleeper train between Paris, Bologna, Florence and Rome is operated by Artesia. The journey from Paris to Rome takes a total of 16 hours, with single fares starting as low as €76. The journey is comfortable and relaxing, and allows you to arrive in the heart of France or Italy rested and relaxed for the day ahead. If you don't like the idea of a sleeper train, an alternative option would be to catch a TGV service between Paris and Milan and an Alte Velocite service between Milan and Rome.

Artesia Sleeper Trains:

Artesia services link France and Italy. All passengers have full access to the restaurant car where passengers are able to have dinner and breakfast served at the table. Passengers are able to bring two pieces of luggage on board each, and bicycles are permitted as long as they are in a bicycle bag (counts as one piece of luggage). Small domestic animals in pet carriers are permitted on board free of charge.

Passengers travelling overnight with Artesia have the choice of a sleeper car or couchette. Couchettes are the cheaper option, but still comfortable (and definitely better than a reclining chair).

Sleeping Cars:

Artesia sleeping cars offer a choice of single, double and three berth cabins. Each cabin option has a washbasin with shaver point and free toiletry case. Cabins are fully air conditioned, and the onboard staff are on hand to set up beds. All sleeping cars are same sex unless passengers are travelling together.

Overnight, train staff will collect passports and tickets so that they can be checked without disturbing your sleep. In the morning, you will be given a wake up call, at which point your tickets and passports will be returned to you.

Breakfast is included in the fare, and is served in your cabin. Breakfast includes a hot drink, croissant and fruit juice, as well as a daily newspaper. 

Couchettes:

Passengers have a choice of four berth and six berth couchettes, all of which are fully air conditioned. Couchette cars are mixed sex, except for two women only four berth couchettes which are available on each train. Couchette passengers receive a free bottle of water. 

There is one overnight service in each direction per day. A daytime option is also available, but requires a change at Milan or Turin.

Trains run daily, full details and pictures available here.

Passengers catching this sleeper train have a range of accommodation options. The cheapest way to reserve a bed is by taking a berth in a six bed compartment, whilst the most expensive is a one-bed room. Discounts on standard reservations are available to rail pass holders, although it is worth checking if there are any promotional fares available which may end up cheaper or the same price as a railcard supplement.

All prices are per person. Further pricing details are available from the Artesia website.

• Flexi = change your ticket whenever you want
• Standard (Switch) = buy up to 7 days before departure (couchettes), 14 days for sleeper cars
• Depart + (Go) = buy up to  14 days before departure (couchettes), 45 days for sleeper cars
• Child = Aged between 4 and 12 on day of departure (under 4s - no seat required)
• Pass 1 = Rail pass covering BOTH France and Italy
• Pass 2 = Rail pass covering EITHER France OR Italy