Short answer: for comfort and city-center arrivals, take high-speed trains (TGV/Frecciarossa) via Lyon/Milan or Paris/Milan. For Riviera scenery, hop TER along the Côte d’Azur and connect to Italian Regionale at Ventimiglia. Flights make sense for long jumps when time is tight.

Who this is for: travelers finishing a France trip (Paris, Lyon, Nice/Provence, Alsace) and continuing to Italy (Milan, Turin, Genoa, Venice, Florence, Rome).

Best Options at a Glance

• High-speed, city-center to city-center: Paris ↔ Milan (TGV INOUI / Frecciarossa), Lyon ↔ Milan/Turin.
• Scenic coastal combo: Nice/Antibes/Cannes ↔ Ventimiglia (TER) → Ligurian coast & Cinque Terre (Regionale/IC).
• Quick flight: Nice/Lyon/Paris → Rome/Venice/Florence when rail times don’t line up.

High-Speed Trains (Fastest City Hops)

• Paris → Milan (or reverse): ~6h45–7h30 depending on service. Book early for best fares.
• Lyon → Turin/Milan: slightly shorter than Paris–Milan; good option if you’re in Rhône-Alpes.
• Where to book (official): SNCF Connect (TGV/TER) | Trenitalia (Frecciarossa).
• Classes: TGV (2nd/1st), Frecciarossa (Standard/Premium/Business/Executive). 2nd/Standard is fine for most.
• Tip: Avoid tight onward connections in Milan/Turin if you hold separate tickets—leave 30–45 minutes.

Coastal Route: Côte d’Azur ↔ Liguria (Most Scenic)

Perfect if you’re ending in Nice/Antibes/Cannes and heading to Ventimiglia, Sanremo, Genoa, or the Cinque Terre.

• Step 1 (France): TER to Ventimiglia — check times/book on SNCF Connect.
• Step 2 (Italy): Regionale/IC to Sanremo/Imperia/Genova/La Spezia — buy on Trenitalia.
• Frequency: frequent local trains; coast views the whole way.
• Seats & tickets: TER/Regionale often have open seating; keep tickets handy and validate paper tickets if required.

From Paris/Lyon/Provence → Italy (How to Connect)

• To Milan/Venice/Florence:
  • Paris → Milan (HS) then Milan → Venice/Florence/Rome (HS Frecciarossa/Italo).
  • Book France legs on SNCF; Italy legs on Trenitalia or Italo.
• To Cinque Terre/Ligurian Coast:
  • Nice → Ventimiglia (TER) → Ventimiglia → Genoa/La Spezia (Regionale/IC), then local trains between the Cinque Terre villages.
• To Turin (fast gateway): Paris/Lyon → Turin Porta Susa (HS), then Italian HS/Regionale onward.

Flights (When They Make Sense)

• Use-cases: Paris/Nice/Lyon → Venice/Rome when rail times are long or sold out.
• Airports: CDG/ORY, NCE, LYS → FCO, VCE, FLR, MXP/LIN/BGY.
• Time math: compare door-to-door (hotel → airport → security → transfer) with city-center trains.

Sample Routes (With Typical Times)

• Paris → Milan: ~6h45–7h30 (HS). Continue Milan → Venice (~2h) / Florence (~1h45) / Rome (~3h).
• Lyon → Turin: ~5h–6h (HS/intercity mix depending on date/timetable).
• Nice → Ventimiglia → Genoa: Nice → Ventimiglia (~1h TER), Ventimiglia → Genoa (Regionale/IC ~2h–2h30).
• Nice → Cinque Terre (La Spezia): Nice → Ventimiglia → Genoa → La Spezia (allow 5–7h with connections).

Tickets, Seats & Luggage Basics

• QR e-tickets (HS): show on phone; no stamping. Screenshot coach/seat details offline.
• Paper Regionale/TER: validate in station machines if required before boarding.
• Luggage: overhead racks and coach-end shelves; pack light for stairs and crowds.

Border & ID

• France and Italy are in Schengen—no routine border checks, but carry a passport/ID for spot controls.
• Leave a buffer at cross-border points (Ventimiglia/Milan/Turin) in case of delays.

Coastal or High-Speed? How to Choose

• Choose coastal if you’re aiming for Riviera towns and Liguria/Cinque Terre with sea views.
• Choose high-speed if you want Paris/Lyon to Milan/Turin quickly and comfortably.
• Mix & match: do France → Nice (coast), hop to Italy via Ventimiglia, then HS onward from Genoa/Milan.

Common Mistakes (Easy Fixes)

• Tight Milan/Turin transfers: if tickets are on different bookings, keep 30–45 minutes between trains.
• Skipping validation on paper tickets: stamp Regionale/TER paper tickets where required.
• Assuming night trains: no classic nightly Paris–Venice; plan daytime HS or fly.
• Overpacking: large bags are awkward on TER/Regionale and station stairs—go lighter.

Where to Book (Official Links)

• France (TGV/TER): SNCF Connect
• Italy (HS/IC/Regionale): Trenitalia | Italo
• Optional aggregator: Trainline (convenient UX, small fees)

FAQs

Can I reserve specific seats?
Yes on HS (TGV/Frecciarossa/Italo). TER/Regionale usually have open seating.

Do I need to print tickets?
No—mobile QR is standard on HS. Keep screenshots offline.

Which side has better views on the coast?
Varies by segment; on many Riviera stretches, sit on the sea-facing side if available (often right-hand leaving Nice towards Italy).

What if the HS train I want is sold out?
Split the booking (e.g., Paris → Lyon, Lyon → Turin/Milan) or route via the coast and continue by Italian HS.

Quick CTA

Ready to roll? Check SNCF Connect for your France legs, pick your cross-border HS or coastal hop, then secure Italian segments on Trenitalia or Italo. Screenshot ticket QRs and coach/seat info—stress saved.