Train - 1st or 2nd class recommended for seniors going from Venice to Florence?

It is strictly personal preference. We are probably more senior than you and ride second class all the time unless we can get a deal for first class that is cheaper than second. Second is very close in comfort to business class on the airlines. Not like economy on the airlines. The first class seats are only slightly bigger - a couple inches at most - but the first class will be quieter because it is used mostly by business travelers. And sometimes, but not always, a beverage service may be available. No food service unless a cart is making the rounds.

I've always been happy enough in 2nd class, and my parents also were in our recent travels. For a long ride (like 6 hours), we would have liked a little more lumbar support in the 2nd-class seats, but the Venice-Florence trip takes under 2 hours.

I always travel First class if available. I am 68, travel alone, and I always meet plenty of people my age on First class who are there for the same reasons.

I always have the seat I reserved available to me. Even when I can reserve a seat on 2nd class, my reserved seat is often already occupied. True I reserve the single seat at either end of the car. I know those seats are coveted because There is space for luggage on the floor next to the seat. But I never get used to asking a fellow traveler to give up a seat. Often they have to stand for the whole trip. In First class I don't have to deal with that.

First class always has a place for my luggage. There are "A" spaces in between the seats where luggage can be placed away from the aisle. If my suite is empty, i bring my luggage inside my suite. There are luggage racks high above the seats but I don't have to use them. If I do have to use the racks, the other First class travelers are vigilant and will get up to hoist my bags up on the rack and get them down for me too.

Not so on reserved 2nd class and regional trains. I am just Not able to lift my bags up to the luggage rack. I have had my bags fall on my face and knock me to the floor. Some coaches don't have storage at the ends of the car, or the spaces are all taken. The young travelers bounce up the coach steps and throw their duffels up on the racks like a slam dunk. That's not the case for me.

And First class is more comfortable, bigger seats, more space, tables for your laptop, and sometimes WiFi. I travel First class for sure when it is available. There are plenty of times when I have to go reserved 2nd class or Regional train. I treasure and enjoy my First class train when I can get it.

boomers,

I'm also somewhat of a "senior" (60+) and often travel solo, and find that second class is perfectly comfortable. Keep in mind that the trip from Venice to Florence will probably be via Freccia high speed train, and the second class seats on those are very comfortable. I don't feel the extra cost provides much (any?) benefit.

You may find it helpful to have a look at the excellent Man In Seat 61 website. Scroll down for information on the various types of trains and watch the FrecciaRossa video.

It sounds like you'll be in a Regionale from Florence to Lucca and that will be a big difference in decor from second class on the Freccia trains. With Regionale trains, DON'T forget to validate your ticket prior to boarding the train on the day of travel (otherwise hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!).

The only reason I would consider a 1st class ticket is if it's a very busy travel time like Friday afternoon, maybe early morning with commuters. Then 2nd would be full and there may not be much luggage or leg room.

We had a six hour trip yesterday so opted for first because I got the tickets incredibly cheaply anyway. What Sandra says about first is exactly right on. Her descrition is accurate. If the price is nearly the same, I get first class.

Additionally, yesterday the conductor reached down to the platform and hoisted up my bag for me. Way to go!

Either will be fine, but I would definitely recommend purchasing them as soon as available for best prices. We've ridden in both 1st & 2nd, depending on price difference. If you're less mobile, you may want the 1st class; otherwise you should be fine.

We just made this journey and went first class on Italo the private train line. We pre booked from the states and got our tickets at sale prices that were really reasonable not much more than 2nd class and the Italo trains were really great. Happy travels.

We've always gone 2nd class, and always will unless we get the same or better price for a 1st class. There's very little difference, really. Our bags (except for carryons) may have to be stowed front or back of the carriage but that doesn't bother us.

You can disagree all you like but there is little physical difference. The first class seats are bigger by being wider (2x1 vs 2x2) and maybe an inch or two more between seats for legroom but the difference in my opinion is not significant. Certainly not the difference you find between economy and business on the airplane. With fewer seats the perception of great space is real. The biggest difference, as previously stated, is that the car is quieter because of fewer passengers. Rode in first class one time when we were the only passengers and another time when there was only one other passenger. First class is never crowded.

I once travelled first class from Florence to Orvieto and the American women who were in the compartment with me had so much luggage for a 2 week trip that some of it had to stay in the isle! I don't have that many clothes in my entire closet! I am 68 and always travel solo and second class, and whichever country I'm in, I've never had to try and put my suitcase up on a rack, someone always bounces up to do it for me. I can speak 4 languages well enough that I can carry on a conversation and thereby interact mostly with the natives in second class. I've had some wonderful experiences travelling this way and I travel to Europe for 3 months every year. Like RS says first and second class travel at the same speed!