The return IIRC from Venice to Rome starts at 10am. Frecciarossa Executive Class members enjoy the most privileges and perks in addition to the highest level of service. One thing in favor of trenitalia is the onboard bar wagon, while italo has vending machines and overall almost always lower ticket prices. Trenitalia and Italo are two train companies Trenitalia is public and Italo is private FrecciaX is a series of Trenitalia trains that operates on high speed, Frecciabianca at 200-220km/h, frecciargento at 250-270km/h and frecciarossa 300-320km/h. The only thing I can think of TrenItalia being better is they leave (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Yes, most high-speed trains in Italy, such as Italo and Frecciarossa, offer free WiFi for passengers. Frecciarossa trains run more frequently than other trains because they use secondary stations, such as Porta Garibaldi in Milan, which is as convenient as Centrale and does not create a problem. These aren't normal times so prices are higher than usual. Executive Frecciarossa. Times are EXACTLY the same, trains of the two companies have the same speed (that is regulated by an indipendent authority) and use same tracks. In Business Class, there are many of the same features as Premium Class, such as priority boarding, a personal monitor in your seat, and a dedicated luggage storage space. NTV, Italos predecessor, only offered trains at a slower rate, but it has since introduced Smart (second class) and Club (first class) classes. Italo Started in 2012, the Italo trains are operated by the NTV company. One person has a clear preference for the Italo train, but the timing is not as good, and the arrival station is Tiburtina, not Termini. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. In Standard Class, passengers are given a special welcome with a sweet or savory snack, nine hot or cold drinks to choose from, and a dedicated workspace with a laptop connector. Both carriers ignore an opportunity to promote regional travel. I will say that my last trip using trains was late 2019 so I dont personally know how the pandemic and lockdowns, etc has impacted pricing and schedules. The seats are lounge-type and there are only three of them across the width of the train. In Club Executive, there are 11 seats in a saloon and two intimate compartmented seats for four people. There are many classes, with different comforts and prices. This service was created to meet the needs of the top managers of big companies but I can tell you that it also caters to mine. We will be traveling from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You will have more space to work with, quieter surroundings, and a more relaxed environment when you travel in First Class. This allows them to enjoy a number of benefits, including access to the first class lounge, priority boarding, and a , Exploring The Pros And Cons Of First-Class Travel When You Have No Class, American Eagle Does Not Fly First Class To Dallas, First Class Travel With TD First Class Travel Points, The Cheapest Way To Send A Letter In The United States. The seating is only 3 across the train (2 on one side and a single seat on the other) compared to four across in premium. When you arrive in Italy, you can purchase train tickets before boarding the train. The standard (or smart) class provides two by two seated arrangements in each coach class, while the rest provide one by one seated arrangements. It is far more spacious and comfortable to board a Intra-Europe train than on most other trains. Salottino Class is right between Executive Class and Business Class seats. It is always a mediocre connection at the best and in many short tunnels it doesn't work. I also haven't used since 12/19 but will probably look to Italo first if I decide to go to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We'll be coming from Florence to Rome, and not sure which train to choose. Now, before you red staters start to cheer, let me introduce two other relevant facts. Customers traveling longer distances may prefer to order a hot meal or a complimentary sandwich. Reservation options for IC trains are available. It also provides more privacy and comfort while traveling long distances, making it an excellent choice for people traveling alone or in groups. It's perfect if you hate to talk to or even be near other people because the person sitting closest to you sits far across the aisle. There is a lot of open space, and it feels like you are in a very private place. Eataly and then disappointing. Privacy is guaranteed as seats are 1.5 meters from each other. Once on board, the differences are not as stark as they are between first class and coach on a plane, so dont automatically assume first class is worth the extra cost. Italo operates two types of trains: the AGV and the EVO, both with similar classes and facilities. Roma Termini is still available in the city center, but not for all Italos, just as it is for Trenitalia. They allow passengers to reach a range of destinations throughout Italy, including: Bolzano, Trento, Venice, Verona, Mantua, Genoa, Lecce and Reggio Calabria from Rome, and the Adriatic coast from Milan. Each class of service offers amenities such as spacious cars, an optional cinema section with personal touch-screen TVs, Illy espresso, drinks, and snack vending machines, and luggage racks for storing your bags. The two men in our group are 71 and 78 and are the ones with touchy backs. Furthermore, the Site uses third-party profiling cookies to provide and propose services in line with preferences. It is much easier for me to take IC first class than second class. The connection is good and available throughout the ride. Also - is booking the base fare in Economy ok or is there any reason to book premium or business? So car 18 is the same as car 8 on the seating plan. Some Italian trains offer preferential treatment to passengers who choose to sit in first class or second class. Where are you checking train information? From my understanding the power system on the current Frecciarossa 500s is incompatible with operations on standard (non high speed lines). Time from FCO train station to Terminal 3, Help with choosing a Rome Neighbourhood to stay in, simple explanation please for "allora.alora ". Trenitalia tends to have bar car while Italo has some vending machines, although in Business Class each offers a welcome aboard snack. TrenItalia uses announcements. Now that NTV holds a 35% market share on Turin-Milan-Verona-Venice routes, it has expanded its reach. On Time Fess Up: Slight advantage Italo. 1. Am I asking the right questions? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Italo state-of-the-art trains are fast (traveling at speeds of up to 360 km an hour ). As I normally travel solo, the seating arrangement is not a concern, but with your group that will probably be a factor. Laura. I arm waiting for the others to weigh in on the choice. Passengers receive a newspaper and an insignificant drink and snack. The first class environment is much quieter, with no interruptions, while the second class environment is much more lively, with people chatting and sharing their lunch boxes. Italian society is divided into several types. There are four seats in each room. It appears the OP is correct and that she has not misread the trenitalia website. I am excluding the lowest (standard) and highest ( Executive). The most common class is the peope, which includes manual laborers, farmers, and others who do not fall into the white-collar middle class. Time from FCO train station to Terminal 3, Help with choosing a Rome Neighbourhood to stay in. On the day of travel, you can also buy tickets at the station from one of their 9 ticket offices or at self-service ticket machines. For maximum entertainment on your journey. Italy by 300 km/h Frecciarossa.. Trenitalia is Italy's national train operator, and their premier train is the Frecciarossa. Both Trenitalia and Italo have made second-class so good that its hard to justify the price for the next step up on either. It compares favorably to the intermediate 'Premium' Class on Trenitalia's Frecciarossa and Freciarossa 100' trains. First class on a train usually includes larger and more comfortable seats, more legroom, and sometimes complimentary food and drink. Italo recommends that you do not bring luggage larger than 75 x 53 x 30 cm or 35 x 35 x 15 inches with you. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Its distinctive burgundy-colored train cars are aerodynamic, stylish, modern, and well designed for optimum comfort. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Also note that both the AV trains and the Italo trains have taken to giving new names to first and second class, which means you may see different titles for both. Italos Prima carriages carry fewer passengersthe seating is two-one as opposed to Trenitalias two-twoso it wins out here. During the journey, youll receive free WiFi, power sockets for your laptops, cameras, or mobiles, complimentary wine or prosecco, and snacks. But dont fall for Italos Rogoredo option on Milan-Florence, even though the travel time is often the shortest and the fare the lowest. One thing in favor of trenitalia is the onboard bar wagon, while italo has vending machines and overall almost always lower ticket prices. First class is very spacious. There is no definitive answer to this question as different trains operated by different companies may have different class options. The Smart, Prima and Club Executive ambiences meet every travel need. . By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Youll notice the main difference between first class and second class even before you get on a train in Italy first class, naturally, costs more. We are mainly concerned with comfort of the seats, as two of our party of five adults have bad backs. There are 4 seats in a row either way (with the aisle in the center), so no difference in size or comfort. We'll be doing this trip for the first time in Oct. and want to make sure that we make the right choice. I agree with others. Trenitalia, the national train service, used to be the only game in town. Maybe I will just book the 11:25 Frecciargento in First and not have to worry about Premium versus Business class! Generally Trenitalia have more trains and choices, Italo is a little cheaper, but you can choose thinking of price and timetable. Executive Class seats in first class are large and include meals. The Site uses first-party (ITALO) and third-party technical cookies: these technical cookies guarantee normal navigation on the Site . Italo often beats the Frecciarossa because it uses secondary stations such as Porta Garibaldi in Milan, which is as convenient as Centrale and without the chaos, and Tiburtina (same story) in Rome. Frecciarossa trains operate at speeds of up to 300 km/h (190 mph). That's it. As the others explained, very little difference. The Trenitalia website states for any date I pull up in October that it is a frecciarossa service NOT a frecciargento service and I do know how to correctly read their website. Tables, USB charging points, and power outlets are included. I doubt they sustain Frecciarossa speeds beyond Bologna, but it would be the better equipment. Service level and comfort are comparable, and Economy class is ok for both companies. Be sure you know which station to arrive at in Roma. Whatever the name, youll know which is considered second class because itll almost always be the cheapest option. Bottom Line: Finally you have a choice, says Italos website. Missed Opportunity: As we hurtled south from Rome on Italo, I was mesmerized by the rugged landscape and the hill towns mortised into the mountainsides. There is a big difference between Italo first class and second class. The Super Economy fare is from 10 to 18 more for the Executive Class ( which appears to be difficult to find---they seem to sell out the day they are released). We'll be doing this trip for the first time in Oct. and want to make sure that we make the right choice. Basically the time of travel remains the same (since the line is still standard speed) but they charge you more because you now sit on a leather seat. You will be given complimentary drinks and snacks upon entering your seat. In this trains you will find the better quality, and in freccia rossa the best (like the exclusive in your picture). Rather than first/second, the differences are more pronounced among train types. The Frecciarossa 1000, is a high-speed train operated by Italian state railway operator Trenitalia.It was co-developed as a joint venture between Italian rail manufacturer Hitachi Rail Italy (initially AnsaldoBreda) and multinational conglomerate Alstom (initially Bombardier Transportation).Both design and production work were divided between the two partner companies. Italo vs. Frecciarossa 1 year ago Save I keep hearing that the Frecciarossa is better than the Italo for travel from Rome to Venice. Alcohol is not permitted during the complimentary breakfast offer. Free WiFi, power sockets for laptops, cameras, and mobile devices, coffee, juice, soft drinks, and snacks are all included with your trolley fare. The executive class is even more luxury (just 2 in a row with large aisle in the middle), but at a price. Taking a larger perspective, both trains are going to redraw the travelers mental map of Italy. Some say the enthusiasm and popularity that Italo enjoys has forced Trenitalia to improve its services and undergo upgrades, especially on its high-speed Frecciarossa line. 1st class on Trenitalia offers more spacious and comfortable seating than 2nd class, as well as additional amenities such as complimentary food and drink service. In one corner is Trenitalias Frecciarossa, Italys state-owned TGV, and in the other, the privately owned Italo, which launched in April. We used Italo and enjoyed that ride a lot. Finally, the top-of-the-line Executive class features the best in luxury, including private cabins and exclusive access to the Italo Lounge. Frecciarossa High-Speed Train Operated by Trenitalia and called "Red Arrow" in English, the Frecciarossa train is an absolute legend of high-speed rail in Italy. Trenitalia figured out another way to get more money out of travelers since the Frecciarossa has fewer seats at the lower Standard price. The catering service on board includes: a paid offer, Italo Selection, with a wide selection of sandwiches, focaccia and piadine and drinks; Snack Area with vending machines for coffee and drinks in each of our trains, for a pleasant break during your trip; a Welcome Service, free of charge, reserved for customers travelling in Ambiente Prima; a catering service dedicated to customers travelling in Ambiente Club Executive. But I will stand corrected if anyone knows otherwise. Frecciarossa means red arrow, and they can reach 300 km/h (186 mph) on Italy's new high-speed lines.Nobody flies between Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples now: Milan to Rome takes as little as 2h55 by train, Rome to Florence as little as 1h23, Rome to Venice just . The Italo high-speed train connects Rome to Florence via a network of 13 major Italian cities, making it one of the most popular means of transportation. Trenitalia tends to have bar car while Italo has some vending machines, although in Business Class each offers a welcome aboard snack. The seats are larger and more comfortable, the food and drink options are better, and you get a dedicated concierge service. Traveling by train is one of the best ways to see Italy from the rugged Dolomites to the sparkling waters of the Amalfi Coast. Italo offers 4 different types of ticket tiers: Smart, Prima, Club Executive and Salotto. Does one company have better service than the other? But we will most likely take taxis (two) to our lodgings regardless of the station. Italo Railway provides a limited number of services due to its size. Seats: Big advantage Italo. I think. It is just a short run to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Should I also consider a Frecciargento train which offers First class? FRECCIAROSSA 1000 - EXECUTIVE CLASS | Milan to Paris FlyingDryden 18K views 10 months ago Almost yours: 2 weeks, on us 100+ live channels are waiting for you with zero hidden fees Dismiss Try. The breakfast options consisted of microwaved, plastic-wrapped pastry that arrived with the wrapper puffed up like a blowfish from the heat. We have experienced, and heard other travelers complain about slow or non-existent WiFi on some Italo trains, though free WiFi is one of its featured amenities. Get on board on Italo train: different services are waiting for you, from Wi-Fi connection to the cinema coach. As of 2018, routes have been expanded to serve Venice, Padua, Milan, Turin, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, Salerno, Ancona, and Reggio Emilia. Dalle Valle and Mr. Montezemolo were not directly involved in designing the train but certainly influenced the style and luxury standard of the interiors, according to a spokesperson at Italo. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. This ride was about 3 hours. 83 reviews. It applies only to superfast frecce trains, which train at exactly the same speed as the primo codee. Even the "Smart" (basic") car of the Italo Treno looks pretty, well, smart I felt a little guilty, at first, even thinking of booking a ticket with Italo Treno. {{totalPassenger}} Find out more about the the necessary safety measures we have adopted in order to offer our customers a safe and tranquil travel experience. On the price window for a given route, the headings are Economy, Comfort, Premier, and the more information box on the Economy seat is headed Second Class Smart Seat. Ragazzi, if youre going to invent a seat vocabulary, then stick to it. Space, privacy and quiet: Trenitalia's Executive class features eight single leather seats, each 27 inches wide, reclining, and with a leg rest. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-102520558', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Rome to Florence and later in the week from Florence to Venice and I'm curious if one train company is preferred over the other? Frecciarossa, Italo, Trenitalia and Frecciargento trains from Civitavecchia (citt) to Palermo . Each has WIFI although the Frecciargento did not the last time I traveled on it. To me this is another marketing ploy to increase revenue. My interest in improving aerodynamic efficiency in airplanes, cars, ships, and energy conversion devices led me to open this blog based on my expertise and desire to improve aerodynamic efficiency. This travel is on a different level of quality. Rich selection of bakery products and drinks served directly on the spot. First class passengers receive a free "welcome drink" which can be a soft drink or coffee, a snack, and a newspaper upon boarding. . The modern Frecciarossa 1000 train, which connects the main Italian cities of Turin, Milan, Florence, Rome, Naples, and Salerno, is the fastest train to reach that speed in the country. Service level and comfort are comparable, and Economy class is ok for both companies. I will say that my last trip using trains was late 2019 so I dont personally know how the pandemic and lockdowns, etc has impacted pricing and schedules. Besides avoiding the stress of highway driving or spending hours going around in circles looking for a parking space, on a train you can sit back and relax while watching the gorgeous Italian countryside go by. I prefer the former. There is another one shown in the evening. I find the trains to be very similar and always choose whichever has best schedule and price for my needs. NTV (Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori), a private company, operates the bullet trains for the Italo. Frecciarossa, Italo, Trenitalia and Frecciargento trains from Ancona (citt) to Nice . There is a noticeable difference in the atmosphere of the carriage, as well as the overall comfort, as compared to Standard Class. The one that leaves at the best time for you. In first class on trains, its a treat to be able to sit in the first row. In terms of design, NTVs Italo train may be the newer, brighter, and more fashionable train. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-102527064', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Florence so IMO not worth upgrading to business/premier. Italo's prices are competitive, and often cheaper than Frecciarossa, especially if they're running a sale. Italo tends to arrive at Tiburtina or Ostiense., although that is changing too. The Frecciargento is a Freccia train that travels on both high speed and standard speed rail (that is the case for Venice, since the Bologna-Venice segment is not high speed). The next level up is the Comfort class, which offers more amenities and space. I often jump on a train to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Frecciarossa trains all have: Air conditioning Power outlets at each seat Does one company have better service than the other? Answer 11 of 14: I know that Frecciarossa goes faster, but wanted to know what peoples opinions are that have actually been on both. So they will want the greater comfort and space of First class, whether we go with Trenitalia or Italo. Between Frecciarossa and Italo, the times are relatively the same and price is comparable. Along with train travel perks, Italo offers a range of services to make your entire journey a breeze, partnering with ferry companies, taxi and parking apps, airport transfer and rental car companies, and hotel booking sites. But. Wi-Fi has been upgraded. As someone said, the only difference between 1st and 2nd class, with respect to luggage, is that 1st class has, usually, 1/3 fewer seats. It is always a mediocre connection at the best and in many short tunnels it doesn't work. Some Italian trains may have a first class option while others may not. The Business class (formerly 1st class) is a step above, in the sense that you have 3 seats in a row (with aisle in the middle), therefore seats are a bit wider. In fact you have a very good choice. The Italo Vs. Frecciarossa Train Debate In most cases, both Italian high- speed trains have comparable travel times. Italo seats, covered in Poltrona Frau leather, are like a firm mattressthe seatbacks are even slightly ribbedwhereas the Frecciarossas are soft and yielding. On AV trains, first class has been divided into two Executive and Business and second class has been split as well Premium and Standard. Passenger But the schedules I have looked at for September and October, all show a Frecciarossa train ( 9419) departing Venice Santa Lucia at 10:25 am and arriving in Rome at 14:10. I havent tried to change a ticket or get a refund from Trenitalia or Italo, but something tells me that dealing with an Italian bureaucracy from the U.S. spells frustration. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Can You Serve Process Via First Class Mail In Federal Court? High-class entrepreneurs, managers, politicians, and self-employed individuals constitute the bourgeoisie. I assume it is Frecciarossa equipment which travels at slower speeds than usual because of the track. Apparently the Frecciarossa ETR 500 were used only on high speed rail because they were more expensive and therefore they were more efficiently utilized in high speed segments where they could reach speeds of 360 km/h. She has also written for Frommer's, The Washington Post, Travel + Leisure, and more. I have found that Italo is typically less expensive on first class seats and I really enjoy the two single seats that face each other if two are travelling together and they are available. TO FOLLOW ME: You must open an account at forbes.com, and the best way to do that is at forbes.com rather than via a social media site.