1st vs. 2nd class trains in italy?
 

is there a big difference in 1st and 2nd class train travel in italy?

One is about a few hundred yards distant from the other.

First class costs about 50% more. Has modestly roomier seats, and a more "first class" crowd. Which means slightly fewer Europeans, students, ordinary folks.

The difference is real to some, disdained by others.

Best wishes,

Rex

On Eurostars, there is slightly more leg room in 1st class, and if you are very tall (like my spouse and I) we take the higher fare on any trip longer than 2 hours or so.

grazie... 2nd class sounds just fine.
we'll save our $ for more gelato!

It's sometimes possible to book 1st cl for 2nd cl prices. You can find tickets ES trains for 29E on some routes.
http://www.trenitalia.com/en/promozi.../eurostar.html