sanped

Hi again and as always thanks for all your informative advice and feedback. I was checking the trenitalia web site for times and costs and I found a huge difference in price between the two. i.e. June 30th departure from Venice to Florence with the Eurostar train is 40 euros per person and the intercity train is 25 euros. I thought maybe it was because the Eurostar gets there faster but the time difference is minimal. Can anyone explain why or am I missing something.

Thanks as always

yk

Hi sanped-

I suppose you are looking at the 1st class tix.

1. ES is 15mins faster
2. ES trains are nicer (though I'm not sure what the difference is between the two 1st class cars)
3. ES tix includes seat reservation. IC tix doesn't.

If cost is an issue, would you consider riding 2nd class?
ES 2nd class € 26,60
IC 2nd class € 18,75

Also, I think ? GAC recently had a post mentioning new IC trains? Or I could be hallucinating...

ellenem

Chances are Eurostar 2nd class would be nicer and than IC first class.

yk

Found it! The thread about new IC trains. I knew I wasn't hallucinating!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34473995

ira

Hi sanped,

The major difference is that the ES* trains actually do run on time (more or less).

The IC schedules are guidelines.

GAC

The distinctions between Eurostar Italia and Intercity trains in Italy will significantly change as "new" intercity rail cars are brought into service. These "new" railcars on Intercity trains will be nearly identical to the current railcars on Eurostar Italia trains: pullman-like open seating (no individual compartments), 4 across in second and 3 across in first class, with a central corridor. Currently, there are only a few "new" Intercity trains (you can find out which ones are "new" on the Trenitalia website). Most Intercity trains continue to have individual compartments with the corridor on one side of the railcar.

Eurostar Italia will always cost a little more because the fare includes a seat reservation, and Eurostar trains are given absolute priority in track routing privileges. Also, Intercity trains typically make more intermediate stops, which slows them down a little.

Eurostar Italia trains, as well as "new Intercity trains, are COMPLETELY non-smoking. "Traditional" Intercity trains continue to have one dedicated smoking rail car in each of first and second class.

In first class on Eurostar Italia trains only, there is complimentary coffee, beverage, sweet and salty snacks and Italian newspaper service. If you are brazen and ask for a serving of everything (with a big smile, of course, and complimenting the attendant), you can "get your money's worth"!!!

sanped

Thanks once again to everyone who replied.
yk, thanks for pointing out the difference in prices. Does anyone know the difference between ES first and second class? 26,6 euro pp seems a lot more reasonable than the 40 euro pp.

Thanks as always

yk

sanped-

ES 1st class is € 39,25
www.trenitalia.com/en for schedules & prices.

kismetchimera

Usually when I take the Eurostar, I always travel second class...However, if i take the Intercity, especially in the summer, I go first class. Much better, the AC works , much much quieter.

sanped

Hi Kismetchimera,
Does ES 2nd class have air conditioning? Do you know what the major differences are between first and second class or a link where I can get the information?

Thanks

yk

Here is the website for ES Italia trains:
http://www.trenitalia.com/en/vv/viaggi_eurostar.html

kismetchimera

sandped,

if you like to know more about the train, just type , Eurostar, Italy..
There are a lots of good informations about this train, how it started, how fast is going ..etc..,

I find the second class very comfortable and yes it does have a good AC..
Buon viaggio..
kismet

sanped

Thanks for all your assistance yk and kismet.

ira

Hi sanped,

For the short ride from Florence to Venice, 2cl on the ES* will be fine.

Yes, it has AC.

sanped

Thanks ira.