We will be traveling one way Rome to Padua in May. There are plenty of direct trains on both Italo and Trentalia on the date and time window for our trip. What are the pros and cons of each? Which would you select, and why?
Also, the Italo website is showing what appears to be a sizable senior discount for business class. Do you know what documentation we would need to obtain this discount?
Is it best to book asap for a better fare or can we wait another few weeks?
Thanks!
In my experience, Italo has newer trains with airplane seating and free WIFI. Trenitalia has generally older trains with varied seating and no WIFI that I’m aware of. They both get you from A to B, and so I usually take whichever one has either the schedule or the price or both that works for me.
I believe both pricing structures have lower prices when they release fares and they go up as the allocated tickets get bought, so earlier you buy them the better. The multiple locations on the Italo website that I checked didn't note any particular method of age identification, but since you will have your passports with you, that's as official as you can get. The conductor may ask to see them if absolutely necessary, which I doubt (there aren't any other places I could see them being able to check, unless you have to pick up your tickets at a counter). I would agree with the previous poster for the likelihood of getting a newer train, and I had forgotten about the wifi!
I went in 2015 to Italy and I did all trenitalia except from Salerno-Venice because we didn't have to change trains, as I felt comfortable booking either one, but more or less went with the one that the schedule/price worked best for us. My last trip in 2019, none of the Italo destinations or timetables worked for us.
Both Italo and Trenitalia have senior discounts, but on Trenitalia you need to be registered with a special card. I do not know about Italo, but it looks like it can be booked directly (only in advance).
About the trains, they are about equivalent. It is not true Italo has newer trains, as Trenitalia's Frecciarossa1000 are still newer and can also travel a little faster; but on such a trip you won't see any difference. Both offer WIFI, usually after a registration (and Italo is simpler to register only with your ticket number). Sometimes Italo may be cheaper.
A concern to business travelers is that Italo has usually fewer runs, so if anything happens and you have to board a later train (if your ticket allows it), generally you will have to wait a longer time with Italo.
I generally prefer Italo. The tickets are easy to purchase, the staff is (generally) friendly, and the trains are usually clean. They're pretty reliable, too.
@Iachera - Yes, Trenitalia does have new trains, but again, in my experience they generally have older trains, especially in the south.
