Is there a huge difference between first and second class on trains in Italy?

For short trips, second class is fine. We did prefer going first class on longer trips, such as the train from Venice to Rome.

No !

Hello italybound, I always leave the train decisions to my Italian friends in Italy and they also get second class tickets. I have always found that to be just fine.

If you are talking about the Eurostar I agree with the others that there is not that much difference between 1st and second class. The more local trains may be another matter.

Normally 2nd class is much more crowded.

Just got back and traveled on both 1st and 2nd class ES trains. First class has seats that recline, shades on the window, and they bring you a free "snack". I agree that it may be worth the extra comfort for longer trips (over 4 hours) but not a big difference. Small detail: The seats "recline" by scrunching down and forward, not back, so you have the relaxation of reclining, but your legs are in the space of the person across from you...

on an overnight train without a doubt i would say first class. Sometimes second class sleeping cars are not air conditioned and you have to keep the windows open which is really loud. The beds on first class are wider and nicer and there are 4 ppl to a car rather than 6.

Sleeping cars are neither first nor second class. Couchettes carriages are first or second class. If you're travelling overnight, there will be a variety of fares for different types of sleeping accommodation, but for daytime journeys, trains normally have two classes of seat. I always find the second class seats quite acceptable.

No huge difference between the two. In fact, some of the trains (mostly IC), there is virtually no difference at all.

The BIG difference is that 1st class is much less crowded. They actually do kick people out who don't have the right tickets.

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http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...rences+between