eab

Dear Fodorites,
I have a question for the experienced train-travelers: I looked on Trenitalia for the shortest time for our trip from Santa Margherita Ligure to Venice, and it was on a EuroCity train. I have traveled on the EuroStar, but I don't know anything about the EC trains. I expected the EuroStar to be faster. Are the ES and EC trains comparable in comfort, etc. or is there an advantage to one over the other (besides time)?
Many thanks!
Ellen

rkkwan

The only portion you may be on a ES train is between Milan and Venice. Difference is 2:35 vs 3:00 on an IC/EC. However, more important is your connection from S. Margherita Ligure to Milan. On some itineraries, you also need to transfer at Genoa as well. Therefore, there are other factors involved besides ES vs IC/EC.

GeoffHamer

The most important factor is whether there's a train going at the time you want to go: there's no point in waiting around at a station for a train of a particular type. A Eurocity train is the same as an Intercity, but makes an international journey. The difference in comfort between an Intercity, a Eurocity and a Eurostar is negligible.

GAC

IF the EC train uses Italian equipment, there is NO difference from an Italian IC train.

Some EC trains within Italy utilize German equipment (e.g. Verona to Munich), which has a different interior layout, more like the new ICplus trains.

kfusto

My husband has a bad back so we normally opt for Eurostar, because the seats are more comfortable for him. We took an IC in January for a 90 minute journey and he was in pain afterwards.

I think comfort is a matter of one's priorities.

I also prefer ES and we try to book these whenever possible.

eab

This is very helpful -- thanks to all of you! We're traveling to Italy in April with several other couples. Most of them have never been to Italy, so I'm trying to simplify the arrangements as much as possible in advance. Thanks so much!
Ellen