I am about to purchase train tickets on line for travel from Verona to Venice. I am looking at the "Mini" fares. My husband is concerned that with these less expensive fares we will not be in a comfortable train car. He is also concerned about keeping our luggage with us and not leaving it in a communal area of the train.

Can anyone enlighten me before I purchase the tickets?

Thank you!

The mini fares are for regular tickets. Buying a mini fare does not put you in a different train carriage. If you buy first class, mini or not, you are in a first class carriage. If you buy second class, mini or not, you are in a second class carriage.

It is worth noting that some trains for this route may be Regionale trains (R) which are not usually as nicely appointed as the faster trains. I don't think you can get mini fares on R trains since they are already so inexpensive.

The best way to be sure you luggage can be stored near you is to use a suitcase no bigger than a standard 22-inch rolling bag, which will fit into the overhead rack or between the seats.

Agree with what ellenem says above. DH and I travelled by train to many cities and never had a problem with luggage getting lifted. That being said, our vital stuff was always in bags we could stow above/keep near.

Also, the fewer the stops between towns, the less opportunity there would be for someone to lift your luggage-not to mention, the faster the trip!

We never never never found a train in Italy that wasn't comfortable and clean. Others may have different views. We did travel 1st class a few times but decided the difference wasn't great enough to justify the cost. Although 1st class on Eurostar was wonderful!

The train from Veron makes a grand total of 2 stops en route. If your husband is concerned about roving bands of thieves hopping on the train for the 2-3 min stops in Padova or Vicenca, tell him to stand guard over the luggage at those stops and fend them off mano a mano.

Has your husband ever BEEN on a train in Europe or anywhere for that matter? There are a LOT of people who have never ridden a train and have no idea what to expect is why I am asking.

The information you have received above is, in my own many experiences, totally accurate in terms of your husband's particular concerns.