Can someone please tell me what the A under Train Category means? It looks like a fancy scripted A, and the time I'm looking at is considerably faster than a Eurostar. It's also non-stop. Is this a new train?

Yes, a new and faster train. The name escapes me. Alero?

Ah! Thank you, Jean.

Eurostar Italia Alta Velocita. Same train sets as the Eurostar, but at least part of its routes include the highspeed lines between Rome and Naples, or between Milan and Turin.

I just asked my daughter this question today as hubby and I are traveling into Milan in Nov. and down to Florence where she lives. She said just look at the length of the trip for the ES (eurostar) and the new A. Whichever is faster, take that one. We have done both 1st class and 2nd and both are fine. With 1st you get assigned seats and a drink and cookies.

Between Rome and Milan, makes no difference which type you take. Same route, same time, same trainsets.

For example, northbound Rome to Milan is hourly service. 6:30a, 7:30a, 8:30a, 12:30p, 2:30p are ES*; 9:30a, 10:30a, 11:30a, 1:30p are AV; and so on. All take 4:30, all stop at Florence and Bologna.

The reason why they're labelled differently are that the AV trains come up from Naples via the highspeed line, while the ES* trains originate from Rome.

Now, according to Trenitalia's site, AV passengers can use a lounge at some stations and may have free drinks onboard. I am not sure if that applies to the route like Rome-Milan that are shared with other non-AV, regular ES trains.

Anyways, just pick the train based on your schedule.