Paris to Rome: Picnics & Pizza (Self-Launched)
7 days · Paris to Rome via Interlaken, Switzerland
G Adventures charges £1,110
No-markup version: ~£765 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Crisscross three countries on this self-launched whirlwind adventure from Paris to Rome. Spend three days soaking up the galleries, cafes and iconic landmarks of the City of Light, hop on the train into the jaw-dropping Swiss Alps for a slow few days in Interlaken, then wind your way down through Milan to the eternal city of Rome — all for a fraction of what the group tour operators charge. Trains, hostels and freedom included.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Paris & ease in easy
Paris, France
Check into a sociable hostel in a central arrondissement and drop your bags. Spend the evening wandering neighbourhoods like Le Marais or Canal Saint-Martin, grab an affordable falafel or bistro dinner, and if the mood strikes, take a self-guided stroll to see the Eiffel Tower lit up after dark. No group leader required — your hostel common room will fill that role nicely.
🚌Metro/RER from airport or Gare du Nord to your hostel, ~£10
🛏Sociable hostel dorm in central Paris (e.g. Les Piaules or The People Paris Marais), ~£30/night
- →Free walking tour of Le Marais
- →Evening Eiffel Tower lights viewing from Trocadéro
Paris icons, picnics & Montmartre
Paris, France
A classic Paris day done your way. Grab baguette, cheese, fruit and wine from a local market and picnic on the grass beneath the Eiffel Tower at Champ de Mars. Opt to climb the towers or visit the galleries, then take the metro up to Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur for sweeping views before wandering the cobbled artists' streets.
🚌Metro day pass / walking, ~£8
🛏Same hostel in Paris
- →Eiffel Tower picnic at Champ de Mars
- →Climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower (pre-book skip-the-line via GetYourGuide, ~£30) or visit a museum
- →Explore Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre
Train to the Swiss Alps
Paris → Interlaken, Switzerland
Take an early TGV/Lyria train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Basel, then change for the scenic Interlaken Express or Bern route into the heart of the Swiss Alps. Watch the landscape shift to lakes, peaks and waterfalls from the window. Settle into your alpine hostel and take an easy riverside walk at golden hour.
🚌Train Paris→Basel→Interlaken, ~£95
🛏Alpine hostel or budget guesthouse in Interlaken (e.g. Balmers Hostel, ~£35/night)
- →Scenic Interlaken Express rail journey
- →Golden-hour riverside walk through Interlaken
Adrenaline & alpine orientation
Interlaken, Switzerland
Get your bearings with a self-guided orientation loop around Interlaken's two lakes. In the afternoon choose your adventure: book canyoning, whitewater rafting or paragliding through local outfitters (or via GetYourGuide/Klook), or go low-key with a swim in crystal-clear Lake Brienz. Save energy — the evening is a classic hostel Big Night Out in Interlaken's backpacker bars.
🚌Local bus / walking around town, ~£6
🛏Same hostel in Interlaken
- →Canyoning or whitewater rafting day trip (pre-booked, ~£70)
- →Boat trip or swim on Lake Brienz
Free day in the Alps
Interlaken, Switzerland
A full free day to go deep into the surrounding mountains. Take the train up to Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe — for epic glacier views (pricey but unforgettable), ride the funicular to Harder Kulm for panorama snapshots, or take a cable car into Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen for waterfall trails through the valley. A picnic of Swiss bread, cheese and chocolate makes it perfect.
🚌Regional trains/cable cars (~£35–60 depending on chosen excursion)
🛏Same hostel in Interlaken
- →Harder Kulm funicular for panoramic views (~£25)
- →Optional train/cable car excursion to Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen
- →Hike or picnic among alpine waterfalls
Alps to Rome via Milan
Interlaken → Rome, Italy
A big travel day as you say goodbye to the Alps. Take the train from Interlaken towards Milan (via Spiez/Bern and through the Gotthard route), squeeze in a quick wander around Milan's cathedral square if your connection allows, then catch an onward high-speed Frecciarossa or Intercity train down to Rome. On arrival take a self-guided evening orientation walk past the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps.
🚌Train Interlaken→Milan→Rome, ~£110
🛏Central Rome hostel dorm (e.g. The Yellow or Alessandro Palace), ~£28/night
- →Brief stopover wander in Milan
- →Evening walk past Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Spanish Steps
Rome's ancient wonders & departure
Rome, Italy
Make the most of a final morning (or a full final day if your transport allows). Book skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, and grab your last proper pizza and gelato before departing Rome at any time.
🚌Local metro / walking
🛏Depart today
- →Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill skip-the-line ticket (~£35)
- →Pizza & gelato crawl through Trastevere
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£765 | £1,110 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £345 per person (31%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£765
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Paris to Rome: Picnics & Pizza (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £765 per person for 7 days in Paris to Rome via Interlaken, Switzerland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,110 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £765 — a saving of roughly £345 (31%) per person.
How long is the Paris to Rome via Interlaken, Switzerland trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Paris to Rome via Interlaken, Switzerland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a city-breaks, culture, foodie trip through Paris to Rome via Interlaken, Switzerland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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