Hi fabulous forum followers! My husband and I will be travelling to Italy and taking trains from Rome to Florence (1.5 hr)then from Florence to Venice (2hr)-my questions: We will each have luggage & small day/totes for computers). 1. Should we get first class? 2 Is it safe to store bags-how can I find seats close to bags to keep an eye on it- is there some kind of lock/cable we can buy? worried about theft.
3. Any differences between Trenitalia & Italo train companies-both high speed & similar in prices. Thanks, Holly
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
I can answer the first two. 1. There is no need for 1st class unless you want near total peace and quite. 1st class has a little more room but train seating is FAR more generous than airplane seating. You are usually given a small meal or snack on longer 1st class trips. All high speed trains will have reserved seats in all classes. 2. Small bags can be stowed in the overhead racks above your seats. Large bags go in bins at the end of each car. Sometimes opposite facing seats have enough room behind them to stow larger bags. Reasonable caution should be used on trains but theft is not a significant issue. I never leave my computer or camera at my seat or in my bag when I walk away, but I don't worry about my bags in general. At station stops I keep an eye on my big bag in the bin; some people use a flexible bike lock to secure it to the bin. I always use zipper locks so no one can riffle through the bag, but that is unlikely on a train.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
1. It is personal preference. 2nd class seating is very similar to business class on airlines. If normal size to slightly bigger the seat space is more than adequate. It is very rare for us to use 1sr class unless we get a special deal on the ticket. It is quieter because so few people use first class. 2. Luggage theft is often discussed, like pickpockets, so that you think the probability of theft is near 100%. It is rare. The overhead rack will hold a carryon size bag. Anything bigger will have to go in the luggage bins/storage near the car entrance. We do use a light weight, retractable, combo, cable lock to secure our bags to something. If something is not available then the bags to each other. The idea is that if someone grabbed one of our bags, they would be surprise when the came along with it. However, my observation is that only Am tourist are locking their bags. The locals just throw their bags in the bins and sit down. 3. Italo is a start up rail company using italia rails. The service level appears to be the same. However, Italo does not always use main train stations but it the schedule is OK and the price the same, I would use Italo.