emcash

We are traveling to Italy in late August for a big birthday celebration. We need to get from Venice to como and at first I thought we would just take a car service. The trip seems to be about 5 hours and I started having second thoughts, thinking a train might be more pleasant. I thought we might take the train to Milan and then get a driver to Como from there.

Wondering if people have any information or opinions about this- we will be 2 adults and a 10 yo with 3 pieces of luggage. Is it worth purchasing a premium fare- easier on and off with large bags? Would it just be easier and more pleasant to get a car service?

Thank you!

PalenQ

Car service obviously the easiest choice but could be pricey - trains are easy - Venice Santa Lucia to Milan Centrale then change in station for frequent trains to Como - no need for a driver from there - catch a taxi at the Como station.

1st class is always more relaxed on trains and especially more room to easily stow luggage - www.trenitalia.com is the booking site - you can get train-specific discounted tickets in either first or second class if you book in stone for that one train and won't change months in advance to get those limited in number discounted tickets. Get a ticket from Venice Santa Lucia to Como.

for lots of good info on Italian trains check www.seat61.com- great info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Trains are very easy and comfy and should cost a few hundred euros or so less I'd say -not sure.

bvlenci

"Premium" is one of the fare classes on Trenitalia trains, but I don't think you mean that, because the trains between Venice and Milan don't have that fare class. There are first and second class on those trains, but getting your suitcases on and off the train is the same in both classes. There are also different prices for each class, unless you buy at the last minute, but the seats are the same at the different prices; what changes is the possibility of changing your ticket.

Traveling with large bags is always somewhat problematic. After several early experiences, I learned to prune my luggage to the essential. I even went to my daughter's wedding with carry-on luggage only, and that included an antique mantel clock.

bvlenci

I agree that it's easy to change in Milan for a train to Como. There are several stations in Como, though, and different trains depending on where exactly you're going. If you're actually going to somewhere else on the lake, there are also trains to Varenna. For Bellagio, you can take the train to Varenna, then a short walk to the boat dock, and a boat to Bellagio. We made the trip very easily, but we didn't have three large suitcases and a child.

emcash

Thank you for your replies. When i go on the website, and I search our routeit shows "Standard" "premium" "Business" "Business Salottino" ect. I thought "Premium" was first class? Am I looking at this incorrectly? It then on the other side lists "Base, economy and super economy".

Jean

Is your final destination the town of Como or elsewhere on the lake?

PalenQ

Base, economy and super economy".>

This I believe refers to the type of ticket- the bigger discount would be super economy

There are two types of first class and two of 2nd class - you can tell which is which by how much tickets cost- Standard premium is I believe a bit fancier 2nd or standard class. Business regular first class and the latter even a more plush first class.

Now bvlenci or bourbon or other Italian rail experts can correct me if wrong -not totally sure.

emcash

Thank you PalenQ, that makes more sense to me now.

I dont mins splurging for the business class (about double the price of premium under their super economy fare) if it will be a little easier and less hectic with our luggage. We are a heavy luggage family and I don't see that changing before August ;-) I greatly admire those who can pack lightly!

Dukey1

I think you need to realize that your luggage is not going to be any easier for you to carry onto the train if you are in Business Class. Basically, the luggage should be stored at the end of the car; don't drag it down the aisle if you don't have to.

Now, one way to make your life easier is this: get yourself onto the platform before the train is backed into the station, if possible. IOW, be there so you can be one of the first to board and you will have access to the maximum amount of luggage space at the end of the car.

I do not understand why you are taking a car service from Milan to Como when you could take the train. You are going to have to get off the train from Venice regardless of what you do so why would you haul the luggage unless you arrange for that car service person to meet you at the head of the platform. Or perhaps i am not understanding your actual plan.

Your questions sound l=as if they are from someone who is not at all familiar with taking trains anywhere, much less in Europe. That is not unusual but once you know how things actually work you'll feel a lot more comfortable.

emcash

Thank you Dukey, I am familiar with taking trains, but it's normally getting on Amtrak to go to NYC. It's been quite a long time since I've had anything but a carryon on a train and you hear stories on how hard it is traveling with big luggage in Europe on trains- thus my question.

Thinking of taking a car from Milan to Como bc I'm going to have to get a car anyway once I get to Como to get to my hotel, I don't want to get off one train with luggage and wait for another and I just want to make it as easy as possible.

NYCFoodSnob

I have never changed trains when traveling Venezia-Milano. There was a time when Frecciabianca was your only choice for high speed. The pricing categories depend on which train you choose. You have more seating options on the Frecciarossa trains. Selection depends on what time you prefer to catch your train.

I have never taken the Frecciarossa to Milano from Venezia, so I can't personally address the differences between Premium, Business, Executive, etc., on that line. The English page has "info" icons, but they seem glitchy, depending on your browser. The code writers at trenitalia are famous for incompetence. When the icon works, the drop-down window explains each price classification.

I have experience with First and Second Class on Frecciabianca trains. There's only a slight difference in the perception of quality. The luggage storage areas are in the center of these trains.

No matter what you pay for your ticket, I'd be surprised if luggage assistance is ever mentioned. It's always been very difficult to find "official" people willing to help with luggage. You'll have no problem finding hustlers.

There's no denying, stepping into a Mercedes from the train and driving straight to your destination is glamorous. It's a service for those who can afford it. Otherwise, transferring to the Regionale for a one-hour ride, and exiting at Varenna is a cheap piece of cake to do. I almost feel guilty when I go by car service, because it seems like an extraordinary waste of money. But if I really feel the need to pamper myself, I do not hesitate.

emcash

Thanks NYCfoodsnob. There are both frecciarossa and frecciabianca choices for this route- depends on the times but it looks like we can take either.

This is a big birthday and a very special trip,also a relatively short one, so the car service is probably the way we will go. We had actually priced it out from Venice to Como, which was quite steep, so this total trip will seem reasonable in comparison!

Many thanks for the info.

emcash

Also, as an aside to Dukey, part of my inquiry was about the difference between the different classes (which is what I thought premium stood for, but doesn't as I now know). I was wondering if one purchased first class on a train if the experience w luggage was better- not an unreasonable question i don't think. It appears it isn't but one might reasonably think it might be.

Huuhu

Your daughter is turning eleven! Wow!

NYCFoodSnob

"I was wondering if one purchased first class on a train if the experience w luggage was better- not an unreasonable question i don't think. It appears it isn't but one might reasonably think it might be."

For a newbie, the question is not unreasonable. When it comes to certain aspects of "service," Italy is still a Third World country. I don't enjoy saying that but it's true.