Essential Europe Self-Launched: Rome to Paris in 9 Days
9 days · Rome to Paris (Italy, Switzerland, France)
Globus charges £2,850
No-markup version: ~£830 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of Globus's Essential Europe tour follows the same iconic route — Rome, Florence, Venice, Lucerne, and Paris — at a fraction of the cost. Swap the guided coach tour for trains, trams, and your own two feet. Book skip-the-line tickets independently via GetYourGuide or direct, stay in well-rated budget hotels or hostels in each city centre, and travel between cities on Italy's fast Trenitalia network and a standard-class TGV to Paris. All the same highlights, same cities, same magic — just on your own terms. Costs below are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Rome
Rome, Italy
Fly into Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and take the Leonardo Express train direct to Roma Termini (~£14, 32 mins). Check into your centrally located budget hotel or hostel near Termini or Trastevere. Spend the evening exploring the neighbourhood, grab a classic Roman aperitivo, and treat yourself to dinner at a local trattoria — try cacio e pepe in its home city. This is your welcome dinner, self-organised.
🚌Leonardo Express train from FCO to Roma Termini (~£14 one-way)
🛏Budget hotel or hostel near Termini or Trastevere — e.g. The RomeHello Hostel or similar (~£25–40/night)
- →Arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport
- →Take Leonardo Express train to Roma Termini (~£14)
- →Check in to budget hotel or hostel
- →Evening stroll and welcome dinner at a local trattoria in Trastevere or Campo de' Fiori
Rome: Vatican, Colosseum & the Ancient City
Rome, Italy
Rome's headline sights in one epic day. Book skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in advance via GetYourGuide or the official Vatican website (£20–28). Then walk to St Peter's Basilica (free entry) and St Peter's Square. After lunch, take the Metro Line B to the Colosseum — pre-book timed entry with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill included (~£18 via the official Colosseo site). Round the afternoon off with a wander through the Jewish Ghetto and a stop at Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Rome's streets are endlessly walkable — get lost.
🚌Metro Line B (Termini to Colosseo, ~£1.50 per ride) or walking
🛏Same as Day 1
- →Visit Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (pre-booked skip-the-line ticket, ~£20–28)
- →Explore St Peter's Basilica and St Peter's Square (free)
- →Walk along Via della Conciliazione and view Castel Sant'Angelo (exterior free)
- →Visit Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill (combined ticket ~£18)
- →Stroll through the Jewish Ghetto
- →Visit Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (free)
- →Try a traditional kosher pastry in the Jewish Ghetto (~£3)
Rome to Florence: Renaissance City
Florence, Italy
Catch an early Trenitalia Frecciarossa (high-speed train) from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (~£25–40, 1.5 hrs — book in advance for best prices). Check your bags into your accommodation near Santa Croce or the Oltrarno district. Pre-book a timed entry to the Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's David (~£12 + booking fee via GetYourGuide or direct). Then take a self-guided walk through the historic centre: the Duomo (Cathedral, free exterior; dome ascent ~£20), Giotto's Bell Tower (~£15), the Baptistry Gates of Paradise (~£5), and Piazza della Signoria (free). Florence is very walkable — everything in the centre is within 15 minutes on foot.
🚌Trenitalia Frecciarossa: Roma Termini → Firenze SMN (~£25–40, ~1.5 hrs)
🛏Budget hotel or hostel near Santa Croce or Oltrarno — e.g. Plus Florence Hostel or similar (~£28–42/night)
- →High-speed Frecciarossa train from Rome to Florence (~£25–40, book in advance)
- →Pre-booked timed entry to Galleria dell'Accademia — Michelangelo's David (~£12)
- →Self-guided walk through Florence historic centre
- →Visit Florence Cathedral exterior and Giotto's Bell Tower (~£15)
- →See Baptistry Gates of Paradise (~£5)
- →Stroll through Piazza della Signoria and see the Palazzo Vecchio (free exterior)
Florence to Venice: Canals, Glass & Gondolas
Venice, Italy
Take a Trenitalia high-speed train from Florence to Venice Santa Lucia (~£20–35, ~2 hrs). From the station, the Grand Canal is literally on your doorstep. Take Vaporetto Line 1 (water bus, ~£7.50 for 75 mins or ~£20 for a 24-hr pass) along the Grand Canal for a scenic, budget-friendly alternative to a private boat. Walk to St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) for an orientation wander — entry to the Basilica is free, though the museums require a ticket (~£5–8). Head to Murano island by vaporetto to watch a free glassblowing demonstration at one of the furnaces. For the gondola experience on a budget, take a traghetto (standing gondola) across the Grand Canal for just ~£2. Dinner at a bacaro (Venetian wine bar) with cicchetti (Venetian tapas) is the local way.
🚌Trenitalia: Firenze SMN → Venezia Santa Lucia (~£20–35, ~2 hrs); Vaporetto 24-hr pass (~£20)
🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Cannaregio or Santa Croce district — e.g. Generator Venice or similar (~£30–45/night)
- →High-speed train from Florence to Venice Santa Lucia (~£20–35)
- →Vaporetto Line 1 ride along the Grand Canal (~£20 for 24-hr pass)
- →Orientation walk to Piazza San Marco and Basilica di San Marco (free entry)
- →Vaporetto to Murano island — free glassblowing demonstration at local furnace
- →Traghetto gondola crossing of the Grand Canal (~£2)
- →Evening cicchetti and Aperol Spritz at a Venetian bacaro (~£12–15)
Venice to Lucerne via Bellinzona, Switzerland
Bellinzona & Lucerne, Switzerland
Take a morning train from Venice to Bellinzona, Switzerland (~£50–70, ~3.5–4 hrs with a change at Milan — book via Trenitalia or Rail Europe). Bellinzona is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its three medieval castles. Visit Castelgrande (elevator ride to the courtyard is free; castle museum ~£5) and have lunch at the courtyard café enjoying local Swiss-Italian specialties. Then take a regional train on to Lucerne (~£15–20, ~1.5 hrs via Lugano or direct). Arrive in Lucerne in the late afternoon and check in near the old town.
🚌Train: Venice → Bellinzona (~£50–70 via Milan); Bellinzona → Lucerne (~£15–20)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Lucerne Old Town — e.g. Backpackers Lucerne or Hotel Luzernerhof (~£35–55/night)
- →Morning train from Venice to Bellinzona (~£50–70, with change at Milan)
- →Visit Castelgrande — elevator to the courtyard (free), castle grounds
- →Lunch at Castelgrande courtyard café with local specialties (~£18–22)
- →Scenic train through the Swiss Alps to Lucerne (~£15–20)
- →Check in to hostel or budget hotel in Lucerne Old Town
- →Evening stroll along the River Reuss waterfront
Lucerne: Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument & the Alps
Lucerne, Switzerland
Spend a full day in one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Start with a self-guided walk through Lucerne's Altstadt (Old Town): the 14th-century Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) and its water tower are free to walk across and explore. The Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal) is a short walk away and always free to visit — Mark Twain called it 'the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world'. For mountain views, take the cable car up Mount Pilatus independently (~£35–40 return via Kriens cable car + cogwheel railway — book direct at pilatus.ch for best prices). Alternatively, take a 1-hour Lake Lucerne cruise (~£15–20 via Lake Lucerne Navigation Company). Both are optional but highly recommended.
🚌Walking within Lucerne; cable car to Mount Pilatus if taken (~£35–40 return)
🛏Same as Day 5
- →Self-guided walk through Lucerne Altstadt (Old Town) — free
- →Walk across 14th-century Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) — free
- →Visit the Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal) — free
- →Optional: Mount Pilatus ascent via cable car and cogwheel railway (~£35–40 return, book at pilatus.ch)
- →Optional: 1-hour Lake Lucerne sightseeing cruise (~£15–20)
- →Dinner in Lucerne Old Town (~£18–25)
Lucerne to Basel to Paris by TGV
Basel, Switzerland → Paris, France
Take a regional Swiss train from Lucerne to Basel (~£20–25, ~1 hr). Basel sits right on the Rhine at the borders of Switzerland, Germany, and France — worth an hour's wander along the Rhine riverside before heading to Basel SBB station. From Basel, take the TGV Lyria high-speed train direct to Paris Gare de Lyon (~£40–80 in standard class — book well in advance on Rail Europe or SNCF for the best fares; no need to pay for first class as the Globus tour includes). Arrive in Paris in the early afternoon. Check in near République, Bastille, or Montmartre for a great base. Spend the evening exploring a neighbourhood — the Marais or Montmartre on foot.
🚌Train: Lucerne → Basel (~£20–25); TGV Lyria: Basel → Paris Gare de Lyon (~£40–80 standard class)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel near République, Bastille, or Montmartre — e.g. Generator Paris, St Christopher's Inn, or similar (~£35–55/night)
- →Regional train from Lucerne to Basel (~£20–25, ~1 hr)
- →Short walk along the Rhine riverside in Basel (free)
- →TGV Lyria from Basel to Paris Gare de Lyon (~£40–80 standard class, book in advance via Rail Europe or SNCF)
- →Check in to Paris hostel or budget hotel
- →Self-guided evening walk through the Marais or Montmartre neighbourhood (free)
Paris: Icons, the Seine & City of Light
Paris, France
A full day to take on the City of Light. The Paris Metro is your best friend (single ticket ~£2, day pass ~£8.65 via Navigo Jour). Spend the morning at your own pace — visit the Eiffel Tower (book timed entry online in advance, ~£18–28 depending on floor), or simply admire it for free from the Trocadéro. Stroll through an iconic Parisian quarter — the Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or Le Marais are all excellent on foot. For your self-launched 'farewell dinner cruise', book an independent Seine river cruise with dinner via GetYourGuide or direct with Bateaux Parisiens (~£60–75) — the same style of experience as the Globus farewell, on your own schedule. Views of the Eiffel Tower at night are included.
🚌Paris Metro Navigo Jour day pass (~£8.65)
🛏Same as Day 7
- →Paris Metro day pass (~£8.65)
- →Visit Eiffel Tower (pre-booked timed entry ~£18–28) or admire from Trocadéro for free
- →Self-guided walk through an iconic Paris quarter — Le Marais, Saint-Germain, or the Latin Quarter (free)
- →Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral exterior (free; interior re-opened 2024)
- →Self-booked Seine dinner cruise (~£60–75 via GetYourGuide or Bateaux Parisiens direct)
- →Views of Eiffel Tower illuminated at night from the Seine (included in cruise)
Departure from Paris
Paris, France
Final morning in Paris — grab a café au lait and a croissant at a neighbourhood boulangerie (budget £4–6). If your flight is afternoon or evening, spend the morning at the Louvre (book timed entry in advance ~£17, or free for EU under-26s), the Musée d'Orsay (~£16), or simply wander along the Seine. Take the RER B train from Gare du Nord or Châtelet to Charles de Gaulle Airport (~£11.50, ~35 mins), or the Orlybus/RER B to Orly (~£10). À bientôt!
🚌RER B to CDG Airport (~£11.50) or Orlybus to Orly (~£10)
🛏Check out — departure day
- →Final morning croissant and café au lait at a local boulangerie (~£5)
- →Optional: Louvre Museum visit (~£17, pre-book timed entry) or Musée d'Orsay (~£16)
- →Optional: Final stroll along the Seine or through the Tuileries Garden (free)
- →RER B train to Charles de Gaulle Airport (~£11.50) or Orlybus to Orly (~£10)
Self-launched vs. Globus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Globus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£830 | £2,850 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,020 per person (71%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Globus-style trips? Check them out here.~£830
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 Essential Europe Self-Launched: Rome to Paris in 9 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £830 per person for 9 days in Rome to Paris (Italy, Switzerland, France). 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 Globus?+
Yes — Globus charges around £2,850 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £830 — a saving of roughly £2,020 (71%) per person.
How long is the Rome to Paris (Italy, Switzerland, France) trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Rome to Paris (Italy, Switzerland, France).
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 culture, city-breaks, backpacker trip through Rome to Paris (Italy, Switzerland, France), 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?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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