First time in Italy this June and traveling from Milan to CT and CT to Venice. What should I expect from the rail service?
Is there a cap on luggage, or do you just keep all your bags with your in your seat? Any difference in seats (first class\coach) and if so, should I upgrade for the longer trips?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
If you spent a little of your time scanning this site most of your question would have been answered. It a train, you get on it. There are luggage bins by the door for larger luggage. Carryon size bags will fit easily on the overhead rack and sometimes in the area behind the seat. 2nd class on the train is lot like business class on an airplace and first is only slightly bigger. Most people find 2nd more than adequate for all travel. Second class sits four across (2x2) and first class is 3 (1x2(
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Rail service in Italy is quite good. As Frank explains, 2nd class is just fine. Fare prices do vary depending on the type of train you are on. The Regionale trains are the least expensive. In fact, on some runs, its really cheap. But, they take longer as the trains stop at every stop. You can expect the fares on the Regionale to be about half that of a Eurostar on the same tracks. Next up is the Inter-City Plus trains (ICPlus). They are a bit more expensive and get you there faster. Best are the Eurostar-class trains. These are the fastest and most expensive.
On luggage, as much as you are crazy enough to carry. Plenty of storage on the trains. On the runs that you describe above, you won't have the opportunity to ride too many Eurostars. Very few into and out of the CT. On the CT to Venice, if you take the 7:52am run from La Spezia Centrale, you start out on a Reginales but change to a Eurostar in Bologna.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Ciao Danny,
Frank and Larry are the Rail Pro's... they've answered ALL your questions. For some pictures on 1st versus 2nd class (and I agree with them - go 2nd class!) here's a posting on Riding Trains in Italy: CLICK HERE
Posted by
Florence, OR, US
267 posts
Considering I threw my back out getting too much luggage on and off the trains, I'd give this nugget of advice: don't take too much luggage! Overall, we found the storage to be inadequate; we rode Eurostars and regionals and the best storage we came across was a storage area near the doors. But so many OTHER people had a lot of luggage that it quickly filled and some people had to keep their large bags next to them in the aisles. We had to actually just about sit on two of our bags once (tried to stow it under our table in first class, but it wouldn't fit there either). Usually there's enough room in the rack above your head, as long as you can heft them up there.
The double decker trains don't have good storage in the upstairs portion; small bags only will fit above your head.
The aisles and most doorways are not wide, either, so trying to get bags up the steps, through the doors, and down an aisle was stressful me for cuz I was trying to go fast and not impede others' progress.
We didn't find first class to be a whole lot better than 2nd, overall.
Get an Intercity train when you can; they are faster and don't stop as much. (It'll say "IC" next to it on the Trenitalia site)
But MOST IMPORTANTLY: VALIDATE YOUR TICKET before you get on the train!!! Put one end into the little yellow (or red) machines that look like a time clock. Failure to do so will result in a 50 euro fine that must be paid to the conductor right there.
Have a great trip!