For a family of 4, Italo offers a special deal on the 4 person train compartments in the Club Executive level from Venice to Rome. Cost goes from $160 for Smart to $250 for the private compartment. Has anyone encountered these deals before or traveled in Club Executive? Is it worth the extra $$?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16235 posts
That is up to you. I have never splurged that much since even second class is plenty of luxury for me (especially when you compare it to air travel), but if the price is right and want to splurge here are some clues of what to expect...
http://www.seat61.com/italo.htm
(note that in the description of Club 1st the above article says to refer to the pictures above, when it actually should say below (it must be a misprint). The salotto is a 4 seat compartment pictured on the bottom right picture in the article.
I guess now it's called Club Executive, but the layout is the same.
https://www.italotreno.it/en/train-offers/Club-Executive
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I have not, and personally, I'd rather spend that money on lunch. Maybe 3.5 hours on a train sounds long to some, but I think it will fly by.
Posted by
OP
34 posts
Good point. That's a nice meal somewhere!
Posted by
278 posts
Seats are nice leather and comfortable. We booked adjacent seats to the salotto's so ours were not enclosed but were in that train section. We used this on our first trip for quiet, privacy and, there was a place for a large(30inch)suitcase, supposedly. When I got on they had stacked magazines there and had to move them. There was someone who offered beverages during the ride. I had hot tea served in a papercup and not good. So it depends on your budget and personal preferences. I booked this again for our up coming trip just for the change from one destination to the next.. For day trips I do not use club executive. The day we took a frecce train to Bologna we used standard seating and though it was packed we were fine. We were on there with business people , laptops and business suits. One younger guy sprawled out sleeping across two seats(in a business suit) he moved when the woman asked. She was impatient with him but he did move. One guy who got on challenged our seats, saying they were ticketed to him but a train conductor looked at his tickets and corrected him. So what I am saying is you may have more interaction with fellow travelers or you may not but the seating and experience were just fine in either class. Personal preference really. I also prebook these tickets as I know I am already in country and not on a flight that could be delayed. For day trips I wait until I am there for flexibility. I will however not be taking a 30 inch suitcase ever again. Still learning to pare down and live with less.