We will be in Italy in June/July and wonder about the difference between 1st and 2nd class trains. Are 2nd class trains ok? Are reserved seats necessary. Do we need to book single trips ahead? We have noticed that the booking fee on the web is rather high? Thanks!

Somewhere recently, but I can;'t remember where except to note that it seemed like a place that offered good advice, I read that Italian trains are especially crowded in second class during the summer, and this book (or web site) recommended first class for visitors, and reservations. <BR>BAK

If you know for sure when/where you're going, definitely make reservations. 2nd class has always been fine for me but if 1st class doesn't cost much more, might as well go for it. How much is the booking fee? A 2nd class seat reservation in Germany is only about 6dm ($3) so I would think that in Italy it would be cheaper than that.

We have been to Italy a week ago and we took the 1st class and had seat reservation for the first leg of our trip ahead of time. I got the others on our departure from the first city. I don't know if the 2nd class has seat reservation. But for us, its very convenient travelling in the first class with seat no. especially we arrived there and somebody took our seats but showing our tickets they immediately left our seats. The cost of seat reservation in the first class in Italy is bout $6 unlike in rail europe which is $15. Hope this helps. <BR>

Thanks so much all of you! The booking fee on the web was $10-$11 per ticket, which can add up. Do you buy all your tickets at the train station when you arrive? Were there long lines for tickets? <BR> <BR>Diane

Diane, it would help to know your probable itinerary ... <BR> <BR>In Italy, there are basically 5 types of trains: Eurostar Italia (ES), Intercity (IC) or Eurocity (EC), InterRegional (IR), Regional (R) and Express (E). <BR> <BR>On ES trains, reservation is mandatory and the ticket price is all inclusive. On IC and EC trains reservation is optional and costs Lit 5,800 (about US $3) per seat (both in 1st and 2nd class). IR, R and E trains don't normally offer seat reservation service. <BR> <BR>ES trains are the most expensive. IC/EC trains are in the intermediate range and IR/R/E trains are the cheapest. Some of the latter offer only 2nd class service. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>If you use the FS site you may get online info on scehdulles and ticket prices (and figure out in which trains you may or may not reserve). Plug in the departure and arrival stations name (in Italian) and the departure time/date (a couple of hours before you intend to travel the particular leg). Choose your train and hit the lefthand side arrow. Take it from there. <BR> <BR>http://orario.fs-on-line.com/fsbinx/fsqueryx?lang=en <BR> <BR>If you have any problems using the site, I'll be glad to sort it out ... but, please, lay down your plans <BR> <BR>In summer, the Napoli-Roma-Firenze-Venezia (or Milano) trunk is usually very crowded and I would recommend to reserve. The Milano-Verona-Venezia trunk may be crowded ON WEEKENDS. In principle, I wouldn't care to reserve seats on legs other than the above. <BR> <BR>I would buy my tickets overseas on arrival. Personally, I like flexibility. I don't like reserving, say, from Venice to Florence a week ahead of time (once in Venice, specially if I haven't been there before, I would like to leave my options open and eventually take a later train that I intended originally). Anyway, if you're firm with respect to your travel times, you may go about the reservations at the time you purchase the tickets. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Last year, we purchased EuroPasses and made reservations before leaving for Italy. All our travel was on EuroStar service from one large city to another. Our experience in late June and early July was spotty. We missed a connection and had no problems boarding the next train. On the other hand, we tried to leave Florence a day early only to discover that there were no seats available on any train. <BR>Some trains seemed virtually empty and other trains were packed. <BR>You should find a travel agent who is familiar with train travel in Europe and have him advise you on whether to buy a Pass or buy individual tickets and definitely have him make reservations. <BR>Keep administrative overhead to a minimum when you travel. Train stations tend to be crowded and chaotic. Most of the agents don't speak much English. It's often hard to tell where to go and the worst thing is to be told, after standing in a long line, that you've been standing in the wrong line. Making reservations in the US makes a lot of sense, even if it costs a little more. This is especially true if you're traveling in a group. If you don't reserve your seats early, you may find yourselves spread out all over the train. Also, if you wait to make reservations you may find yourself in the wrong smoking, non-smoking section of the train. Yes, smokers still rule in Europe. <BR>Just as with first class air travel, first class seats on trains are a bit wider and the atmosphere is more serene. Of course, if you're young and looking for contact with other young people, you'll be happier in second class. First class is populated by older folks and families. <BR>If you're making connections, give yourself some leeway. When you miss a connection, it's bad when you discover that the you have to wait until morning to catch the next train. <BR>Visit the local merchants before you board the train. There's nothing better to picnic on Italian meats, cheeses, fruits and wine while you watch the glorious Italian landscape whiz by. <BR> <BR>

We just returned from 10 days in Paris, Florence and Rome. We took the train from Paris to Florence, Florence to Rome. It is a good idea to go first class, even if it costs more. This is especially true in Italy. We had second class tickets, never again. Also be aware that if you purchase certain tickets, you may have to pay a supplement if you board Eurorail trains. Some second class tickets are valid only for not express trains.

FYI, when we went to Italy a couple of months ago, we were able to change our reservations for an earlier train a couple of times, at no charge. <BR>

I used trains all around Italy every weekend from mid-April to mid-July a couple of years ago, always 2nd class, never made reservations. Between Florence and Rome it was so crowded that I had to sit on the corridor though, along with a hundred of other people... basically, it depends on how much comfort you want and how much money you have. I really don't think it would be necessary to book anything ahead through the net, I'm sure it'd be enough to do it at the station a day or two before departure (or even on the same day for many journeys). Just always remember to validate your ticket before getting on the train!

Diane, you ask about 1st and 2nd class trains. The super deluxe intercity express trains in Italy are called "EuroStar". The EuroStar has both 1st and 2nd class cars. The essential difference is that each passenger has more room in 1st class, and this is the only difference. You must pay a supplement to use these trains in both 1st and 2nd class. Unlike non-EuroStar trains, you must have an assigned seat. There is no sitting in the aisles. <BR> <BR>There is a very detailed explaination of costs and policies on the official website: <BR> <BR>http://www.fs-on-line.com/eng/eurostar/euronews.htm <BR> <BR>You'll find that travel on EuroStar is a lot faster and more comfortable. Unless you are really on a tight budget, EuroStar is the only way to go.

Diane, <BR>We will be travelling from Rome to Venice in just 10 days. I booked my train tickets through AAA(I am not a member, did not matter) We chose to go 2nd class and did make reservations, also paid a suppliment because we chose the Eurostar train.This train shortened the trip by 45min. We will be travelling with children and felt it was necessary to eliminate the "unknowns". <BR>The ticket cost through AAA was reasonable - the charge for reservations & suppliments was $16pp. I know this may seem costly but I appreciated the convience of having it all done before hand.

Just back from AMEX rail tour of Italy. It worked great -- they made all the reservations in 1st class on the ES or IC trains and reminded us to validate our tickets at the yellow boxes near the trains before we got on. American Express offices will book or change rail tickets (sometimes for a fee, depending). We tried to change 2 legs to slightly later. From Florence to Venice midweek it was booked. From Venice to Milan on Friday afternoon, no problem. We noted that several Eurail passengers with 1st class tickets were given a hard time because they had not made reservations and seats were reserved -- I think they were sent to 2nd class. If over 30, I recommend 1st class.

Traveled in Italy in June with my family of 4. Had no trouble getting seat on train. Tuscany area(Pisa,Siena,Cinque Terra,Lucca). No need for reservations on short runs. Tickets were very inexpensive. No problems at all. Traveled 1st class when it was available, but 2nd class was OK too. Neither was caliber of Germany or Swiss trains, but certainly adequate transportation.

My husband and I will be traveling on the night train (nonstop) from Florence to Zurich in September..Has anyone been on this particular route??If so, what have been your experiences??Any hints, etc. greatly appreciated. This forum provides a wealth of information. <BR>Thank you