First Class or Second Class on Trains in Italy?

[bevrun]

We will be spending an extra five days in Italy after our cruise. We have decided to travel by train from Venice to Florence, then from Florence to Rome. We have decided to go first class with reserved seating from Venice to Florence because it is a 3 hour trip. Does anyone have any experience with the Florence to Rome train? The travel time is less than 2 hours. Is is worth going first class? Can you request non-smoking in second class? Is there room for luggage in second class? Thanks for your help!

[Aussie Gal]

We did a similar trip to you a few years ago and our TA bought us some sort of pass eg. Italian train pass or something like that. It was much cheaper than buying individual tickets and we had reserved seats all the way.

We went first class. We do only travel that way on trains, so I cannot tell you about second class.

Two years ago we went from Naples to Rome on second rate train and I was glad it was first class. I hate to think what second class was like. The Eurocity trains are good, but the rest are very ordinary.

The next cruise is always the best!

3RD OCTOBER, 2004 PRINSENDAM
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[cruzisme]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] we went at Spring break time. Travelled second class all the time but on Eurostar trains (the fastest) No problems being on second class. There is no smoking on any Italian trains now (new law).
We just bought tickets as we needed to (called point-point tickets) ie Rome to Naples, Florence to Rome, etc. Carry on luggage fits in the bins overhead; if your luggage is larger, you store it at the entrance way to the train car. I would suggest you have a cable lock to secure it to a post (this is from Rick Steve's travel board) We learned to do what the Italians do: take your own lunch and drink! Most trains do have a car where you can purchase goods to snack on. When you buy your tickets, you ask for seats facing each other, versus side by side. (unless you want to sit side/side!) You can buy tickets at any travel agency that displays the F/S sign. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

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[bevrun]

Thank you both for the info. It's great to know about the no smoking rule. That was our major concern. So what are the benefits of buying the first class ticket? Larger seats?

[Live the good life]

We will be taking a train from Venice to Milan, spend a day, then taking a train to go from Milan to Lake Como/Bellagio. Planning to buy first class ticket for Venice to Milan. (1) Should we buy the ticket ahead of time or can we buy it the day before travel in Venice (so that there is more flexibility in travel plan)? (2) Any advantage for first class in terms of luggage storage(we have one carry on and one 20 inches suitcase each)? (3) Any tips on train from Milan to Bellagio and Bellagio back to Milan? Thanks!

[Live the good life]

A little bump...

[Hornblower]

First class is the choice on Intercity and Eurostar trains. On all other regional trains there is no option but Second class, but that is not important since Venice-Florence, Florence-Rome and Milan-Venice lines have the first mentioned trains.

First class keeps you away from the riff-raff, in other words undesirables.

For Eurostar your seats are reserved and it is always best to purchase them ahead of time. The seats all face each other and there are some compartments (lounges) on Eurostar. When issued a seat number you are usually side by side, but you can ask for seats facing each other. With Intercity trains you are in most cases in compartments. You can also reserve seats in these compartments if you wish. You can also buy the tickets online at the website of [url="http://www.trenitalia.com/"]Trenitalia.[/url] It is a ticketless system. Inquire with your TA or book online.

Check on the website for any surcharges (supplements) for reserving seats on Eurostar and Intercity trains. Also ask your TA for info on any special tickets such as the new Trenitalia Pass issued to people living abroad.

Currently there is a promotion on Intercity trains, First class - two for the price of one. Offer ends June 30th, 2004.

Luggage areas on Eurostar are found at each end of the carriages as well as overhead for the smaller items. On Intercity trains you have overhead storage in the compartments, which may not be good if you have plenty of large suitcases.

For more info on Eurostar trains in Italy see: [url="http://www.trenitalia.com/home/en/vv/viaggi_eurostar.html"]Eurostar Italia[/url]

and for Intercity trains see: [url="http://www.trenitalia.com/home/en/vv/viaggi_intercity.html"]Intercity national trains.[/url]

These two links give you all the details.

As for Milano-Bellagio, there is no train line to Bellagio on Lake Como. I guess you will have to catch a ‘Regional’ train out of Milan to either Como or Lecco and from there a bus or a cab.

Cheers

[jody]

I believe you take a ferry from Como or Lecco to get to Bellagion. I've heard it runs every 20 minutes from Como. (I'm off to Milan for a two week work trip the end of the month and have been researching a weekend in Bellagio.)

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