I'm trying to decide whether I should buy first class or second class train tickets?
How bad/good is second class in trains in Italy?
We will be travelling to Rome, Assisi, Florence, Venice and Milan.
Thanks

Second class on Italian trains is fine. I'm not sure of your routing, but try to get Eurostar trains if you can.

Second class is absolutely fine, it's what most people take. If you can stand coach on airplanes, 2nd is usually nicer than that.

Hi IL,

2cl on ES* trains is quite accceptable.

1cl provides wider seats, snacks (sometimes), a little more room.

2cl on IC trains, is usually quite acceptable, for the newer trains.

1cl on R trains is little better than 2cl.

Second class is fine, sometimes better than first. In first you go into a small cabin sometimes and are confined with up to 6 others if the train is crowded.

Second class is more wide open, has tables. I usuall stick with second class. And since your rides wont be so long its not a big deal.

second class is (for obvious reasons, usually) more crowded

If you want to be a Tourist, go 1st Cl.If you want to blend in and be an Insider, go 2ndCl.

There are very often questions asked here "how bad" or "how good" is x or y or z, but the questioner never indicates what is the yardstick, nor what are the units of measurement, for badness or goodness.

On a scale of 1 to 2, where 1 is the lowest, and 2 is the highest, 2nd class rail travel is a "1". 1st class travel is a "2".

Best wishes,

Rex

We take 1st for trips of any length - since there are usually empty seats and you can spread out and get comfy - esp important since the beau is 6'3". But we have done 2nd class for shorter trips and it was fine - much better than coach on a plane.

I would disregard the comment about being "a tourist.

Many folks are willing to pay for the additional room which First Class often affords and I can tell you that not everyone riding in First is a "tourist" but rather simply persons who are willing to pay the extra amount.

Second usually fills up faster because it is cheaper and since a goodly number of "tourists" want to save money on transportation, you'll find many of them in that section.

I usually find that 2nd usually reaches the station a couple of seconds after 1st so the additional cost for 1st is not worth it...

Muck

Well, if your only goal is getting there at the same time and you have NO concern for comfort, then perhaps you could just grab on to the back of the train and let it drag you there, Mucky!

I had heard that in 2nd class, the seats are not reserved as they would be in 1st class... so if it's a fairly long trip one might want to be assured of having a place to sit, rather than stand... I'd love to know if my information is correct...

Great idea Neopolitan, you ever travelled by train in the UK?

1st and 2nd has little difference here, except the cost of course.

Muck

Yes, I have traveled by train in the UK, a fair amount. Some trains have first class that wouldn't pass for second class in many other countries. Some of the southeast trains were nothing short of appalling in either class if there were even two classes offered -- sometimes not! But the train from Cardiff to London was beautiful in first class and dramatically nicer than second class. The same on the train from London to York (and on to Scotland). I loved the idea of the cell phone free car too, but I don't know if they also offer that in second class.

Trophywife: not at all true, you can make reservations for either class (or not, as you please). Some trains have mandatory reservations (a few may have mandatory for 1st but not 2nd, not sure), but on all the trains that take reservations, you can make them for either.

Thanks, grsing!

Hi Neopolitan.
That was a rare treat, the 1st Class from Cardiff to London is usually the same as 2nd but the guard smiles..lol

Muck