Will be traveling in a couple of weeks from Milan to Rome. ES train first class fares seem to be about $110 each way when all the charges are added up! Is second class significantly worse to save a few dollars? Is there a discount on the second ticket? We are two women traveling for the first time in Italy. Need advice

First Class may be less crowded than 2nd and part of that may be due to seat configuration with fewer seats in the same space. Otherwise, they get there at exactly the same time. You'll probably get a lot of conflicting opinions on this..Rick Steves would tell you that first is never worth it...I personally disagree but to each his or her own. Enjoy your trip regardless.

I have always booked first class seats for any trips over 1 1/2 to 2 hrs, as I find I like my comfort and a bit more leg room and it gives the kids room to stretch out and nap if need be.

if it is your first trip to italy, and the extra cost will not break you- go for it.

Have fun!!

I've ridden in both 1st and 2nd class on Eurostar trains, and find there's very, very little difference between the two.

Where are you seeing such a high price for 1st class tickets? On the Italy rail site ( http://www.trenitalia.com ), 1st class Eurostar between Milano Centrale and Roma Termini is €67,14; 2nd class is €46,48.

I find 2nd class on ES trains to be fine.

Personally, I prefer 1st class over 2nd class on longer train rides because they tend to be more comfortable and less crowded/less noisy. However, I think it would depend on your budget. We took several train rides on 2nd class while in Italy and they were fine; I just prefer 1st class for the longer rides.

I agree that there's little difference between 1st and 2nd class, if any, on this type of train. When you buy your ticket, be sure to reserve seats or you could find yourself sitting in the aisle. We ran into that problem going from Rome to Naples.

First class is nicer but not significantly so--not like, we'll say, staying at the Ritz and staying at a Fairfield Inn. Your two tickets will cost the same; no 2nd ticket discount. Our rule of thumb is to save buying first class for the long hauls of over two hours. It's a little splurge that makes the trip more comfortable. Seats are slightly plusher, windows cleaner, and less crowded.

Save moneys and travel second class. The ES is quite comfortable..No discount for two people travelling together, sorry..

2nd class on trains are great! There is nothing substantially different unless you like paying more for your seat and perhaps having a more plush seat. 2nd class travel has always been the way I have traveled for years (as a single person, now as a mom) and it is fine. There is not a discount on the 2nd ticket. Every penny saved is a penny earned.

That price does seem a bit high!

I found each ES train to be somewhat different. They aren't strictly standardized. But, in general, we found the 2nd class ES to be perfectly fine, and took one for the route you mention....left Termini in the early evening and arrived in Milan Centrale around 10:30 pm or so. Our car had seat configurations with a table between opposing seats of 2 each.

On the other hand, we also took 2nd class ES from Ancona to Rome. In THAT train, our car had "regular" double sets of seats all facing one way throughout the car. The individual seats were roomy and comfortable, and there was plenty of leg room for my 6'3" companion. The floor had carpeting.

With both of these ES trains, we were comfortable in 2nd class. There was A/C, but it wasn't strong. No surprise there.

We did opt for 1st class and seat reservation for the IC train run from Milan-Verona-Venice, and were very glad we did!