Classic italy by rail tour trailfinders the travel experts. Italiarail italy train ticket and rail pass experts. Luxury train travel packages luxury vacations by rail. For a while i booked first class to travel from maidenhead or reading to london, thinking it would provide me with peace and quiet to work and read. Eurail passes are not valid for travel by european residents. Second class is where the majority of italians travel, so its louder and more crowded, with more people yakking on cell phones and getting on and off at each station.
Select your preferred class business 1st or standard 2nd in the service menu. Sleeper plus class, economy class and touring class. Since most swiss local passengers travel in 2nd class, the cars can get quite crowded at times on certain routes. Despite the great benefits of first class travel, people still tend to avoid it due to the price tag. First class rail travel from london to rome and return via zurich and montreux standard premier service on eurostar 6 nights hotel accommodation in 4 star hotels with breakfast each day, including 4 nights in a double room in rome, plus overnight stays in double rooms in zurich and montreux, or in turin and milan. On some local trains the first class may only be a segment of. Heres what you can expect if you choose to upgrade some, or all, of your journey. Rail pass italy rail europe rail travel planner europe. The rule is with a first class pass you can sit in either first or second class, with a second class pass you can only sit in second class. As with travel in general, its always important to know what youre paying for. Classic italy by rail experience the charm and beauty of italys most famous cities.
Find and book your highspeed train tickets online with rail. First class also has wider seats and aisles, and is more likely to have amenities such as airconditioning and power outlets though outlets are still rare on europes trains, in any class. From swiss mountains and lakes to the italian countryside. If youre using the rail europe network to travel extensively around europe then first class is worth it. Yes, its possible to book cheap first class train tickets in advance. Italy train guide how to travel italy by train the savvy.
The eurail italy pass is the perfect way to uncover italys rich history, amazing food, and vibrant culture by train. Eurail italy one country pass travel to italy by train. This short clip is from inside the trenitalia first class cabin. For my needs, this is a much more efficient way for me to get across northern italy than taking flights. Standard eurail passes are refundable, minus a 15% cancellation fee. If you have first class tickets, you will have access to the first class lounges if there is one at your departure station which can provide free food and drink including alcoholic beverages. Sleep, connectivity, food and comfort levels are worth the extra price. While first class is less conducive to conversation, its more conducive to napping.
Train travel in italy, a beginners guide tickets from 9. If you enjoy immersing yourself in the hustle and bustle of italian culture, then you. Most highspeed and night trains require a seat reservation fee. Acela first class also features all assigned seating for more peace. First class passengers receive a warm or cold welcome drink, along with a sweet or savoury snack. Travel between popular destinations like rome, venice, florence, and milan. Most seat in first class recline and some even have retractable foot rests. The cars that are dedicated to firstclass seating are less cramped since there are fewer passengers per. Can anyone shed any light on what services are available when buying a business class rail fare within italy. Simply bid to upgrade your seat, and get exclusive access to the best seats sent straight to your mobile. The frecciarossa in italy is a nice way to travel, especially in business class.
We will be taking the train from venice to rome in october, and i am trying to choose between italo and trenitalia. Step aboard rail cars from the golden era of train travel that have been lovingly restored to their original luster. Second class seats are narrower than first class, and may even be benchlike seating on older or slower trains. Passes must be validated before first use at the train station ticket office and within 11 months of issue date.
Of course, you can buy any italian train ticket from any train station either from. The fare includes a complimentary welcome drink of coffee, soft drink or prosecco, and there are power. Compared to business class and economy class, it offers the best service and most comfortable accommodation. Im spending seven hours on one of germanys superfast ice intercity express trains, writing and enjoying every moment because for me, theres very little thats better than stretching out in a firstclass quiet car, blitzing through germany, while massaging my. The frecciarossa, frecciargento and frecciabianca trains have 8. Swiss rail travel first class or second class whats.
Book italy train tickets online with italiarail the italian train travel specialists. All passengers have access to the onboard bistrobar, located in the centre of the train. Can my family sit together if i have a first class rail pass and my child has a. First class is usually occupied by business travelers and foreigners with rail passes. Purchase etickets with preferred payment methods for trains worldwide like vienna budapest train tickets, vienna prague trains, lisbon porto, oslo bergen trains. The number of seats available is limited and subject to day of travel, trains and class or service. Agreed i travelled the length and breadth of italy by train last year, mostly in second class, but i went from rome to bologna in first got a free cup of coffee and maybe a little more space, but really not worth the extra money. With the high speed comfort of italian rail and the ease of rail travel, travelers will breeze on italys trenitalia trains from rome to florence in a mere ninety minutes or from milan to venice.
My personal opinion from having ridden dozens of italian trains over the years, mostly in second class, is that first class is not worth the difference. The best one in terms of timing is a trenitalia frecciarossa train departing venice at 10. The economy fare is available up to trains departure, for all trains in 1st and 2nd class and for business, premium and standard service on frecciarossa trains. But a rail pass for italy is not controversial unless youre doing something like going from florence to venice every day, its not a good deal.
If youre feeling the pinch, youll be pleased to know that most train companies release their first class tickets as. Rail europe special offer on italian high speed rail travel. Be flexible with travel times and, where possible, dates and you can make considerable savings. I will be going to italy for the first time in a couple of weeks. Find out what to expect when upgrading to first class rail travel. Railways were introduced in italy when it was still a divided country the first line to be built on the peninsula was the naplesportici line, in the kingdom of the two sicilies, which was 7. First class train tickets buy cheap first class tickets. Is business class in frecciarossa trains equivalent to 1st. With a firstclass pass you can travel in a secondclass car, although. But frankly i would have been happy if the trip was 4 more hours. First class passengers enjoy priority boarding, premium amenities, complimentary onboard food and beverage services and privileged access to station lounges in boston south station, new york penn station, philadelphia 30th street station and washington, dc union station. Only noneuropean residents can travel with a eurail pass. Italian rail business class italy forum tripadvisor. With an obb ticket for first class, you get to enjoy even more comfort and services in our longdistance trains.
Firstclass train to the netherlands rick steves travel. Europe first class trenitalia italy train question hello all, this is my first time posting at this site, i hope someone can help. A typical eurail pass costs maybe 55 per day for first class travel, thats 65 once you add the 10 fast train reservation fee. First class train tickets can also cost a lot less than you probably think, as long as you book up to 12 weeks in advance and youre prepared to put in a little bit of internet leg work. Find out which trains in italy require reservations, and how you can book them. First class seating is available exclusively on acela. An extraordinary journey awaits you when you embark on a luxury train tour. Frecciarossa business class, italys highspeed train. There may be two firstclass seats taking up the same amount of space as three, second class seats. If you wish to travel in first class and the rail pass you are interested in does not offer a first class youth option, you will need to purchase an adult pass for your youth traveller.
Use our best fare finder widget to check out your options and. Is a first class ticket worth it when travelling with rail. But first class is like a magnet to those generally ticketless youngsters who want to bait the train staff and make a racket. Romanian rail companies have invested heavily to make sure all trains are nice and comfortable. Everything you need to know about traveling italy by train. The big difference between first and second class on italian trains is the level of chaos. First class trenitalia italy train question fodors. Having completed the germany guidebook research stretch of my trip, im heading for amsterdam to meet the film crew. Its tragic that there is talk of getting rid of firstclass train travel this is the only chance most of us ever have to feel properly posh sun 12 jan 2014 01. The easiest way to spend more than you should when travelling by rail in romania is to book a firstclass ticket because you feel you have to. First class is the most luxurious and most expensive travel class of seats and service on a train, passenger ship, airplane, bus, or other system of transport.
This is a nice place to spend time eating a tasty warm or cold snack, along with a hot or cold drink. No doubt train is a great way to travel in italy but with a 20 kg case there are shortcomings. A friend said that we would get access to a lounge facility prior to our trips venice rome and then rome florence if we have a. Lets first take look at where and how early to buy tickets.
Dont think there is any difference in safety as the trains are very safe. There are a number of rail apps but we like the eurail. Upgrading your train travel can be a great way to add a little luxury and make your holiday even more special. From the imposing history of rome, to the renaissance capital of florence and the romantic waterways of venice, while italys highspeed trains provide a leisurely way to travel, arriving into the heart of each city. A pointtopoint ticket from rome to florence is only 65 1st class fullprice bought on the day at the station with reservation included, and. Enjoy the height of luxury on board the orient express bound for the italian city of venice and then return through the pictureperfect swiss alps. Travel italy in style italian executive1st class train. If youre a european resident you can travel with an interrail pass. This can be a major benefit if you prefer to arrive at the station early or need to check out of your hotel a bit early.
If you have a standard class ticket other than a season ticket, no standard class accommodation is available, and ticket staff on that train give their permission, then you may travel in first class accommodation or the equivalent where this is available without extra charge. Connect with via on facebook connect with via on twitter. In first class you may find yourself nearly alone, with plenty of room for luggage. Speak to one of our travel consultants on 020 3780 2222 for details on your. Firstclass seats are typically wider and offer more leg room.
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