We will be in Italy during the month of June and plan on purchasing the Italian Rail flexipass. Is it ok to go 2nd class or is it worth the extra money to go 1st class?

Hi there
Trains in Italy are gen crowded in August.You should be fine to travel in June second class.......
have a great time...

2nd class is fine. However, if you are traveling any great distance, i.e., Rome-Florence, Florence-Venice, etc., it is a good idea to purchase a seat reservation at least a day ahead of time. You cannot buy a 2nd class reservation on the day of travel. It only costs $2 or $3 and guarantees you won't have to stand or sit in the aisle for a couple of hours. Sometimes the ticket agent will tell you if it is a train where you really don't need a reservation. It is always a good idea to have them on a weekend or holiday. The 2nd class coaches and compartments are perfectly comfortable.

Carol, you don't say which part of Italy you will be visiting, but we always travel with the Italing Rail FlexiPass - the best way to travel. Buy 1st class tickets if you are travelling to the south of Italy - these traines can be crowded at times. Make sure that you hop on the IC (intercity) - these trains run on all the major lines and are much more comfortable and have air-con. Snacks are also available (at a price!) Also check out the website for Italy's railway timetables (address: www.pcfs3.ibm.it) These timetables provide you with all the relevant detail to plan a trip. (train number, time of departure and arrival, as well as travelling time, stops and connections!) It is in Italian - shout if you need help!

I'd easily vote for 1st class - it's not that much more expensive. Also, it's more convenient in terms of reservations and finding a seat(or two.. together). The second class cars were more crowded in comparison. Also, you'll get extra rest, if needed, in 1st class (some cars have glass enclosed compartments) buffering the noise from the train and others.