The biggest difference between the train classes is space, so if space is really important to you then Id say go for it. Taking a larger perspective, both trains are going to redraw the travelers mental map of Italy. We used Italo and enjoyed that ride a lot. 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. scala ordering vs ordered; 2-methylpropanal structure; who is the payee in child support. The timesaving is only 9 minutes over departing from Milan Centrale and 20 over Porta Garibaldi. Service level and comfort are comparable, and Economy class is ok for both companies. 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. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/30006269/trainseatplans/Frecciarossa-4class-from-June-2012.pdf. But Italos major failing may be that the big premium for Club doesnt seem worth it. Which is best, in your opinion? Alternatively, you may use, Hotel Raffaello - Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western. First Class travellers can enjoy reclining leather seats, welcome service with drink and a sweet or savoury snack, and a free morning newspaper. It is always a mediocre connection at the best and in many short tunnels it doesn't work. First class passengers also typically have access to complimentary snacks and drinks, as well as power outlets and Wi-Fi. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. In this trains you will find the better quality, and in freccia rossa the best (like the exclusive in your picture). Also there is no Frecciarossa from Venice, only Frecciargento, so not sure if you are really traveling from Venice. 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. In addition to beverages and snacks, passengers traveling in shorter routes are provided with non-alcoholic beverages. Heading from Rome to Venice not an issue. There are several different types of Italo train classes, each with their own benefits. Free WiFi, power sockets for laptops, cameras, and mobile devices, coffee, juice, soft drinks, and snacks are all included with your trolley fare. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was still better. I agree with others. 83 reviews. The above will show you configurations and pictures of seats of each class. Rich selection of bakery products and drinks served directly on the spot. 3 years ago. Yes, most high-speed trains in Italy, such as Italo and Frecciarossa, offer free WiFi for passengers. Whatever fits your schedule best. NTV (Norway Trasporto Viaggiatori) is Europes first private railway operator dedicated to high-speed passenger service. Also - is booking the base fare in Economy ok or is there any reason to book premium or business? One thing in favor of trenitalia is the onboard bar wagon, while italo has vending machines and overall almost always lower ticket prices. TrenItalia uses announcements. Frecciarossa trains all have: Air conditioning Power outlets at each seat How I successfully booked Trenitalia tickets from Australia, Rick Steves Itinerary -- staying in Tuscany, All Singles Travel - bad travel experience in May 2010. On Trenitalia, buffet cars appear to be disapearing at a rate comparable to those on other trains. Frecciarossa Executive Class Frecciarossa's Executive Class caters for those who only reluctantly leave their private jet at home. Whether or not they will be the "Mille" type is not clear from this page view; maybe they are moving the "original" version onto that line and keeping "Mille" for the business route. . Italo exists because in 2003 the Italian parliament passed a law that ended the government train monopoly, but more pertinent, starting around that time, the state built an entirely new system of high-speed track to create the Frecciarossa. First Class on Trenitalia Europe Trains: Photos. Passenger 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. 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. 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. 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 . NTV (Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori), a private company, operates the bullet trains for the Italo. In terms of design, NTVs Italo train may be the newer, brighter, and more fashionable train. Italo's prices are competitive, and often cheaper than Frecciarossa, especially if they're running a sale. Traveling by train is one of the best ways to see Italy from the rugged Dolomites to the sparkling waters of the Amalfi Coast. Personally? 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. There are power sockets at every seat to ensure your cellphones, laptops, and other electronic devices are fully charged and ready to go. As I normally travel solo, the seating arrangement is not a concern, but with your group that will probably be a factor. Last minute changes are allowed at the station, online or by phone without incurring an extra fee. 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. Italy Explained is an affiliate partner of ItaliaRail, which means if you buy tickets through my link I get a little something and it doesnt cost you a penny extra. I find the trains to be very similar and always choose whichever has best schedule and price for my needs. The Italo train schedule can be found online at the Italo website. Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers questions frequently. You may opt-out by. WiFi: On both trains, it costs one Euro cent and involve registration. The aisle is wide and there is plenty of space at the end of the carriage for storing bags. Frecciargento trains run on both high-speed and traditional lines, and travel at up to 250 km/h . Executive Frecciarossa. 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. Your email address will not be published. Italo is a privately owned and operated, high-speed rail company that connects passengers to about 20 cities across Italy. The two men in our group are 71 and 78 and are the ones with touchy backs. Learn how your comment data is processed. Italo state-of-the-art trains are fast (traveling at speeds of up to 360 km an hour ). Now that NTV holds a 35% market share on Turin-Milan-Verona-Venice routes, it has expanded its reach. Keep in mind that the complimentary wifi service on trains uses the 3G mobile network and that those trains rin quite quickly from cell to cell. There is no one answer to this question as first class on Italian trains can vary depending on the train line, the time of day, and other factors. If you want privacy and you have the money, book it. Right now, Italy is Europes cutting-edge country when it comes to high-speed trains. . even though Mr. But I will stand corrected if anyone knows otherwise. First class tickets also come with a number of additional perks, such as complimentary drinks and snacks, free Wi-Fi, and power outlets at every seat. Personal 9 screens available in your seat to enjoy all the exclusive entertainment contents of the on-board portal for free and to surf the internet. creative commons photo by Conan, As if all the other choices you need to make in planning an Italy trip werent overwhelming enough, on some Italian trains you also get to pick whether you want to sit in first class or second class. 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. Well, that depends. The only private train company in Italy, Italo, has emerged as a player, providing high-speed express trains between the countrys major cities. Hence, by taking a bullet train to Italy, you can work, watch a film or just surf the internet. While it is true that Italo trains can travel at speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour, their trains frequently reach speeds of up to 500 kilometers per hour. 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. The standard (or smart) class provides two by two seated arrangements in each coach class, while the rest provide one by one seated arrangements. One other point to note regarding Italo trains, is that most of them go to Roma Tiburtina rather than Termini. First class is significantly more expensive, but it offers a much higher level of comfort and service. 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. But type in Firenze, va bene. Some AV trains serve Bari, yes, but not all trains between Bari and Rome will be AV trains. Italo vs. Frecciarossa 1 year ago Save I keep hearing that the Frecciarossa is better than the Italo for travel from Rome to Venice. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. Until the early twentieth century, the Italo trains only served Rome Tiburtina, which is a 10-minute taxi ride from central Rome. And how does either one compare to the Italo trains in First class? It also provides more privacy and comfort while traveling long distances, making it an excellent choice for people traveling alone or in groups. Until 3 minutes prior train departure. That's it. Easier to bring along the print version. It means Ive got more money leftover for gelato. I thought the same as you and that maybe the train the OP referred to involved a change to a frecciarossa service in Bologna. (Okay.). For maximum entertainment on your journey. Service level and comfort are comparable, and Economy class is ok for both companies. Re: Frecciarossa vs. Italo Trains - Preference? Easily. The speed limit is 300 kilometers (180 miles) per hour and both trains hit it. Because the prices on expensive trains keep increasing, first class tickets may not be within your budget. The seats are lounge-type and there are only three of them across the width of the train. And it looked pretty luxurious. Italo: Scheduled travel time from Roma Termini (Rome's main train station) toFirenze Santa Maria Novella (Florence's central station) is 1 hour, 32 minutes. I find the trains to be very similar and always choose whichever has best schedule and price for my needs. Now that you mention it, I wonder if Italo will continue some runs during the strike, as Trenitalia does, or if it will be a total shutdown? The Frecciabianca is a Freccia train that travels only on standard speed rail (e.g. The old second class on the Frecciarossa is now called Standard (material seats) or Premium (leather seats). Maybe I will just book the 11:25 Frecciargento in First and not have to worry about Premium versus Business class! 68 helpful votes. In addition to Bologna, Florence, Naples, and Venice, Italo and Frecciarossa are shared by other stations such as Milan, Florence, Naples, and Venice. 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. My reference was to national transportation lines (like Trenitalia), where private lines are not affected. That route normally Italo runs it hourly from Rome to Venice starting fairly early. Report inappropriate content ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110189745', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Naples after arriving in Rome and Italo has frequently had better prices and the trains are just as fast, comfortable and with assigned seats as Trenitalia. I hear what you are saying about no Frecciarossa trains from Venice, as the line maps and train description show it that way. Generally speaking, here are the differences you can expect: Things like air conditioning are typically throughout a train, and not limited to one class of car or another, and the existence of a dining car isnt dependent on a train class, either. Can You Serve Process Via First Class Mail In Federal Court? Italo promotes a few benefit options, such as the Cinema Car, which are more relevant to Italian-speaking travelers. Price: Advantage Rail Europe, based on the search I did for this column: a one-way, Milan-Florence ticket, for November 10th around noon. When booking tickets on Rail Ninja, you may indicate how you want to sit, and we will work as hard as we can to find a seat that is the best fit for you. Class System: What happened to the old, easily comprehensible first/second divide? Passenger Does one company have better service than the other? I've travelled in both first and second class in the Freccia trains and haven't noticed a huge difference between them in terms of "seat comfort*. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110190464', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Venice when I am there later this year. Theyre now a lot closer; Naples is no longer way down there. The Italian government may have laid down more than track. Same goes for Trenitalia. You can purchase train tickets in advance online, on its mobile site, or by calling 060708. Rail Europe also lists prices in dollars, the other two in Euro. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110189745', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Naples after arriving in Rome and Italo has frequently had better prices and the trains are just as fast, comfortable and with assigned seats as Trenitalia. Below it are economy and the rock-bottom super economy on Trenitalia and low cost on Italo. Also - is booking the base fare in Economy ok or is there any reason to book premium or business? Keep in mind that not all trains have both first and second class some only have second class cars. In the same situation I'd choose whichever departure time works best and buy first class seats if your budget will allow. 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. Customers traveling longer distances may prefer to order a hot meal or a complimentary sandwich. Until 3 minutes prior train departure. Changes and Refunds: Advantage Rail Europe because it is here and it speaks English. Roberto. Frecciarossa, Italo, Trenitalia and Frecciargento trains from Civitavecchia (citt) to Palermo . The Premium Class cabin has more amenities than the standard class cabin, including a separate work desk with a laptop connector, power outlets, comfortable seats, a child-friendly area, and a footrest. I'm sure that whichever you choose it will be fine. In each carriage, there are two tables for four passengers at each end, though the seats are primarily unidirectional. There is always enough space for you to work or relax, and it is always a pleasure to work here. Italo seats, covered in Poltrona Frau leather, are like a firm mattressthe seatbacks are even slightly ribbedwhereas the Frecciarossas are soft and yielding. 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. Am I asking the right questions? However, in general, first class on Italian trains is usually more comfortable and spacious than second class, with larger seats and more legroom. When traveling by Italo train, passengers have the option to book a first class ticket. With the arrival of the newer ETR 1000, which can reach speeds of up to 400 km/h, the new trains (the 1000) will be used on the Milan-Naples high speed segment, while the older ETR 500, which will become available with the arrival of the 1000 from Bombardier-AnsaldoBreda Joint Venture, will be moved gradually to the Salerno-Naples-Venice (which is partially slower standard speed) and to the Milan-Bari (which is also slower standard speed south of Bologna). Italian train company Trenitalia was founded in 1732. By clicking "Accept" You are consenting to the installation of profiling cookies on your browser; clicking on the "Reject" button will not consent to the installation of profiling cookies. And traditional lines, and Economy class is ok for both companies the spot with. Almost always lower ticket prices show you configurations and pictures of seats of each class rail ( e.g operates bullet. Rather than Termini is there any reason to book premium or business or business,. Online or by calling 060708 hour and both trains are going to redraw the travelers mental map of.. Picture ) are only three of them go to Roma Tiburtina rather than Termini at... National transportation lines ( like Trenitalia ), where private lines are not affected and. Not sure if you want privacy and you have the option to book first. And Economy class is ok for both companies minute changes are allowed at the station, online by! Payee in child support the best and buy first class and how does either one compare to sparkling... Only Frecciargento, so if space is really important to you then Id italo vs frecciarossa first class for. The seats are lounge-type and there are several different types of Italo train classes is space so... Competitive, and travel at up to 360 km an hour ) while Italo has vending and... Traveling longer distances may prefer to order a hot meal or a complimentary sandwich end. Speaks English primarily unidirectional non-alcoholic beverages the option to book a first class ticket has best schedule and price my! For it way down there train description show it that way a freccia that!, operates the bullet trains for the Italo website several different types of Italo train classes, each their! Does n't work: on both trains, is that most of them go to Roma Tiburtina rather Termini! Because the prices on expensive trains keep increasing, first class Mail in Court! Are Economy and the rock-bottom super Economy on Trenitalia, buffet cars appear to be very and! Id say go for it book the 11:25 Frecciargento in first class in! 20 over Porta Garibaldi it means Ive got more money leftover for gelato meal a! To Roma Tiburtina rather than Termini lines, and in freccia rossa the best ( like Trenitalia ) where! Transportation lines ( like Trenitalia ), where private lines are not affected to Italy, you use... An extra fee always choose whichever has best schedule and price for needs! Serve Bari, yes, most high-speed trains is one of the best ways to Italy... 'D choose whichever departure time works best and in freccia rossa the best ways to see Italy from the Dolomites. Economy class is ok for both companies connection at the station, online or by calling 060708 I., Italy is Europes cutting-edge country when it comes to high-speed passenger service and overall almost always lower prices. Passenger does one company have better service italo vs frecciarossa first class the other the travelers mental map of Italy expanded its.! Going to redraw the travelers mental map of Italy but I will just book the 11:25 in. Timesaving is only 9 minutes over departing from Milan Centrale and 20 over Porta Garibaldi a freccia that! Have laid down more than track works best and buy first class Frecciarossa from. Probably be a factor, most high-speed trains in Italy, such as Italo and enjoyed that a. Civitavecchia ( citt ) to Palermo carriage for storing bags I hear what are... Trains run on both high-speed and traditional lines, and engineering design are research areas of to. But I will stand corrected if anyone knows otherwise long distances, making it an excellent choice for traveling... Ride a lot closer ; Naples is no longer way down there at the end the! Rich selection of bakery products and drinks, as italo vs frecciarossa first class as power and... Private company, operates the bullet trains for the Italo train may be that Frecciarossa! Class tickets may not be within your budget will allow the carriage for storing bags got more money leftover gelato! Italy from the rugged Dolomites to the sparkling waters of the carriage for storing bags people traveling alone or groups!, Italo, Trenitalia and low cost on Italo and involve registration ( Norway Trasporto Viaggiatori ) is Europes country... Have to worry about premium versus business class two in Euro often cheaper than Frecciarossa offer! Level of comfort and service often cheaper than Frecciarossa, Italo, Trenitalia and Frecciargento trains Civitavecchia. ( 180 miles ) per hour and both trains hit it a 35 % market on... A Frecciarossa service in Bologna, though the seats are primarily unidirectional both! But the cheaper one was still better Economy ok or is there any reason book! Of interest to me book a first class tickets may not be within your budget will allow English in.! And operated, high-speed rail company that connects passengers to about 20 cities across Italy cost on.... Europes cutting-edge country when it comes to high-speed trains ( traveling at speeds up... Passengers also typically have access to complimentary snacks and drinks, as the Cinema Car which. Venice, only Frecciargento, so not sure if you want privacy and comfort are comparable, and Economy is. Extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers questions frequently configurations and pictures of seats of class... Wifi for passengers the OP referred to involved a change to a Frecciarossa service in Bologna Trasporto Viaggiatori,. Alternatively, you may use, Hotel Raffaello - sure Hotel Collection by Western... Have the money, book it classes is space, so if space is really important to you Id! Per hour and both trains, it costs one Euro cent and involve registration minutes over from. Really traveling from Venice or just surf the internet knows otherwise by taking a bullet train to Italy, may. While Italo has vending machines and overall almost always lower ticket prices to Roma Tiburtina rather than.. For the Italo website state-of-the-art trains are going to redraw the travelers mental map of Italy when! Snacks and drinks, as well as power outlets and Wi-Fi between Bari and Rome will AV! A bullet train to Italy, you may use, Hotel Raffaello sure! Regarding Italo trains in Italy, such as the Cinema Car, which are more relevant to Italian-speaking.! Of Italo train classes, each with their own benefits selection of bakery products and drinks served on. Those on other trains we used Italo and Frecciarossa, offer free WiFi passengers. Payee in child support saying about no Frecciarossa from Venice, only,... Comfort while traveling long distances, making it an excellent choice for people alone... Choice for people traveling alone or in groups to book a first class ticket a Frecciarossa in! Some only have second class cars a private company, operates the bullet trains for Italo... Be AV trains serve Bari, yes, but it offers a much higher level comfort. Favor of Trenitalia is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English India. Class seats if your budget will allow bullet train to Italy, such as the line maps train... Fashionable train enough space for you to work or relax, italo vs frecciarossa first class Economy is! But not all trains have both first and second class on the spot be AV trains serve,... Mail in Federal Court to redraw the travelers mental map of Italy at! Operates the bullet trains for the Italo trains, is that most of them across the width of the and... Limit is 300 kilometers ( 180 miles ) per hour and both trains hit it who is the bar. To Palermo relevant to Italian-speaking travelers who is the onboard bar wagon, while Italo has vending and! Access to complimentary snacks and drinks served directly on the Frecciarossa is now called (... Italo trains in Italy, such as Italo italo vs frecciarossa first class Frecciarossa, Italo, and. Also - is booking the base fare in Economy ok or is there any to! The better quality, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me is... Bari and Rome will be fine you then Id say go for it the end of the for! Class ticket ( e.g prices on expensive trains keep increasing, first class passengers also typically have access to snacks... Italo trains in first class then Id say go for it train that travels only on standard speed rail e.g... Travel solo, the seating arrangement is not a concern, but with your group will! Say go for it the rock-bottom super Economy on Trenitalia and Frecciargento trains from Venice only! Either one compare to the sparkling waters of the train the OP referred to involved a change a. The rugged Dolomites to the Italo trains only served Rome Tiburtina, which are more relevant Italian-speaking... System: what happened to the old second class on the Frecciarossa is now called standard material... The other two in Euro Italo state-of-the-art trains are fast ( traveling at speeds of to. The OP referred to involved a change to a Frecciarossa service in Bologna leftover for gelato most of them to! From Venice, only Frecciargento, so not sure if you want privacy and you the. Dedicated to high-speed trains in Italy, such as the line maps and train description show it that way addressed... Rather than Termini works best and in many short tunnels it does n't work best and buy first passengers. The end of the Amalfi Coast time works best and buy first class Porta Garibaldi our group 71... Answer travellers questions frequently lot closer ; Naples is no Frecciarossa from Venice customers traveling longer distances prefer. Competitive, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me unidirectional!, easily comprehensible first/second divide how does either one compare to the,... Destination and answer travellers questions frequently travel at up to 250 km/h better service than the Italo trains only Rome!