Space, privacy and quiet: Trenitalia's Executive class features eight single leather seats, each 27 inches wide, reclining, and with a leg rest. Below it are economy and the rock-bottom super economy on Trenitalia and low cost on Italo. One thing in favor of trenitalia is the onboard bar wagon, while italo has vending machines and overall almost always lower ticket prices. 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. Get answers to your questions about Italy, Thinking of renting a car? As the others explained, very little difference. At the end of each car is a digital crawl that tells you the status. That is what prompted my question---If we want this train I need to decide on which class. I opt for second class every time. But. cars in the first set are numbered 1-8, the second 11-18. Trenitalia's FR1000 have an higher top speed and a better acceleration, since the Italian high speed netweork is plagued by too many intermediate stops and tunnels (where trains are forced to slow down), when Trenitalia's FR1000 trains are late those trains can catch up more easier than Italotreno's. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Italo is a privately owned and operated, high-speed rail company that connects passengers to about 20 cities across Italy. I keep hearing that the Frecciarossa is better than the Italo for travel from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Read this first. 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 Executive Class members enjoy the most privileges and perks in addition to the highest level of service. The two men in our group are 71 and 78 and are the ones with touchy backs. Among those who do not belong to the white-collar middle class, 73% of the working population is proletariat, which includes manual laborers, farmers, and others. Italy Tourism Italy Hotels Italy Bed and Breakfast Italy Vacation Rentals We will be traveling from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Time from FCO train station to Terminal 3, Help with choosing a Rome Neighbourhood to stay in, simple explanation please for "allora.alora ". Having said that, the prices on the expensive trains keep going up, so first class tickets may be outside your budget. If you'd prefer to arrive at Termini, then Freccia trains would be your best choice. I also haven't used since 12/19 but will probably look to Italo first if I decide to go to Venice when I am there later this year. In effect, Montezemolo and Dalle Valle said to Trenitalia, see you and raise you one.. 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. I am excluding the lowest (standard) and highest ( Executive). A trend on newer trains is to have electrical outlets at each seat, which are available in both first and second class. Italy's first high-speed private rail service, with stops at major cities including Naples, Florence, Rome, Milan, and Venice, it was competitively priced. Italo offers 4 different types of ticket tiers: Smart, Prima, Club Executive and Salotto. The Italo, which was named after the famous Italian train, was introduced to much fanfare in 2012 due to its bright red exterior and plush leather seats. Also there is no Frecciarossa from Venice, only Frecciargento, so not sure if you are really traveling from Venice. 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. 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. 68 helpful votes. In Italy, you must differentiate between first and second class even before boarding the train. And how does either one compare to the Italo trains in First class? Little or nothing between the two train companies. Between Frecciarossa and Italo, the times are relatively the same and price is comparable. Drinks of all types will be available all day on our trolley, and we will serve them from our seats. Back in the summer I found a 19 Euro super economy Milan-Florence fare on Italo. Generally Trenitalia have more trains and choices, Italo is a little cheaper, but you can choose thinking of price and timetable. Italo has a better wifi, at least it was better on the trains I have taken over the years. Get on board on Italo train: different services are waiting for you, from Wi-Fi connection to the cinema coach. Roberto, The Frecciarossa to/from Venezia and Roma was just added a week or 10 days ago. There are also several lounges on trains that offer coffee and drinks as well as relaxing activities. I solve the key hotel mystery: Which rooms are best? First class on a train usually includes larger and more comfortable seats, more legroom, and sometimes complimentary food and drink. 6.8K views 5 months ago ROMA TERMINI Having just reviewed Trenitalia's Frecciarossa 1000 in Standard, Premium, and Business class, I concluded that Business Class was the way to go. Where waiting for the train becomes a pleasure, Assistance passengers with reduced mobility. (the seating is 2 x 1 in Comfort class on Italo, compared to 2 x 2 in 'Premium class on the Frecce trains). Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. The Frecciarossa trains have 4 classes of service, Executive, Business, Premium and Standard. NTV (Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori), a private company, operates the bullet trains for the Italo. They began competing with state-owned Trenitalia on the Milan-Florence-Rome-Naples route in 2012, shortly after taking off from Milan. You will be given complimentary drinks and snacks upon entering your seat. Service level and comfort are comparable, and Economy class is ok for both companies. I think. 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. It is usually preferable to fly first class because there are more reclining seats and footrests. Italo competes with TrenItalias Frecciarossa on the countrys two major trunk routes: Milan to Naples and Turin to Venice. We'll be doing this trip for the first time in Oct. and want to make sure that we make the right choice. Required fields are marked *. Generally speaking, here are the differences you can expect: First Class on Italian Trains Wider aisles and seats Fewer people More luggage storage space Free newspapers (on some trains) Free snacks and beverages (on some trains) Other passengers - primarily Italian business travelers, American and other Western tourists We'll be coming from Florence to Rome, and not sure which train to choose. Italo plays up speed with a digital speed readout on the crawl. First class is unquestionably the most cost-effective way to travel. However: The Italo website doesnt use the lingo consistently. 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. Maybe I will just book the 11:25 Frecciargento in First and not have to worry about Premium versus Business class! Clearly the sports car culture of Ferrari and the leather sourcing of Tod's played a role here. 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. So they will want the greater comfort and space of First class, whether we go with Trenitalia or Italo. A pair of seats is usually located on either side of the aisle. On Trenitalias website, the base price was $65 and $78. We'll be doing this trip for the first time in Oct. and want to make sure that we make the right choice. First Class travellers can enjoy reclining leather seats, welcome service with drink and a sweet or savoury snack, and a free morning newspaper. Connect to free Wifi on board and, directly from your smartphone, start surfing or discover the best of entertainment with an incredible selection of films, TV series, books, podcasts and magazines available on the Italolive on-board portal. If thats the case, dont worry second class on the high-speed trains is perfectly lovely. 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. 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. But I will stand corrected if anyone knows otherwise. Now that NTV holds a 35% market share on Turin-Milan-Verona-Venice routes, it has expanded its reach. To accommodate all students, Southeastern will be moving First Class to another location on Saturday, December 10th. Punctuality: In my experience, its a draw. As you might expect, passengers want to sit in the middle of the train, as well as the wagons: they are both located in the middle of the train. Instead of telling you that there are no tickets on a given itinerary, Raileurope.com tells you that it cant find the itinerary, even when its Milan-Florence. Both Trenitalia and Italo have made second-class so good that its hard to justify the price for the next step up on either. Until 3 minutes prior train departure. I agree with others. Four of us at a table for four and one in the single seat across the aisle. Whatever fits your schedule best. Is the train that runs between Bari and Rome an AV train? 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. Keep in mind that not all trains have both first and second class some only have second class cars. Italo does not serve all cities in Italy, although it runs between most of the top cities visited by tourists. However, in general, first class on Italian trains is usually more comfortable and spacious than second class, with larger seats and more legroom. Below, we look at some pros and cons of traveling with Italo vs. Frecciarossa. Whatever the name, youll know which is considered second class because itll almost always be the cheapest option. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I think. It is much easier for me to take IC first class than second class. On Time Fess Up: Slight advantage Italo. On AV trains, first class has been divided into two Executive and Business and second class has been split as well Premium and Standard. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. This ride was about 3 hours. Until the early twentieth century, the Italo trains only served Rome Tiburtina, which is a 10-minute taxi ride from central Rome. This train, which can travel at speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour (186 mph), has a very short journey time. However, 2nd class isn't usually full, and a fair. The 10:25 Trenitalia train from Venice I am looking at for October clearly indicates it is a Frecciarossa and offers four classes of service. Italo promotes a few benefit options, such as the Cinema Car, which are more relevant to Italian-speaking travelers. The most common class is the peope, which includes manual laborers, farmers, and others who do not fall into the white-collar middle class. Italians are fond of saying that there are two Italys, one north of Rome and the other south. . Be sure you know which station to arrive at in Roma. Italo vs. Frecciarossa 1 year ago Save I keep hearing that the Frecciarossa is better than the Italo for travel from Rome to Venice. 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. It offered Italos Smart (2ndclass) for $42 and Prima (business) for $101, and the same set on Trenitalia for $70 and $99, respectively. Executive Frecciarossa. The main difference is that it is the diff. If the price is close -- and it often is -- I go for the schedule I like best. Until 3 minutes prior train departure. That means you get the best fares and most updated availability without having to translate your itinerary from English. Easier to bring along the print version. Italo provides self-service ticket vending machines and a large number of on-site Italo employees at major stations. But type in Firenze, va bene. Travel Time: Pretty much a draw. Jet Blue economy is technologically more sophisticated. There is a big difference between Italo first class and second class. Heading from Rome to Venice not an issue. High-speed trains do exactly the same as interregionali, but they're faster and, obviously, more expensive. 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. Also - is booking the base fare in Economy ok or is there any reason to book premium or business? Depending on the train line, first class may also offer other amenities like Wi-Fi, power outlets, and access to a lounge car. 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. Its distinctive burgundy-colored train cars are aerodynamic, stylish, modern, and well designed for optimum comfort. 83 reviews. During the journey, youll receive free WiFi, power sockets for your laptops, cameras, or mobiles, complimentary wine or prosecco, and snacks. Italo, in contrast, has three price classes and Trenitalia six, and both offer three variations of each. 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. Customers traveling longer distances may prefer to order a hot meal or a complimentary sandwich. Niente. There are two reclining chairs in this room, and there are other seating options, such as couches and coffee tables. In one corner is Trenitalias Frecciarossa, Italys state-owned TGV, and in the other, the privately owned Italo, which launched in April. Italo's prices are competitive, and often cheaper than Frecciarossa, especially if they're running a sale. Frecciargento has only 1st class (3 in a row) or 2nd class (4 in a row). 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. A Prima Class member also enjoys reclining leather seats, fast track access and queue, a welcome drink, and individual power sockets, among other things. Price Structure: Advantage Rail Europe. Seats: Big advantage Italo. Find out the other features of Frecciarossa 1000 The exterior of the train 4 levels of service Executive Passengers receive a newspaper and an insignificant drink and snack. In Club Executive, there are 11 seats in a saloon and two intimate compartmented seats for four people. The seats are larger and more comfortable, the food and drink options are better, and you get a dedicated concierge service. Your exchange rate will be higher so these fares will be, too.). Before you board, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The health and safety of our employees and customers remains our top priority. Right now, Italy is Europes cutting-edge country when it comes to high-speed trains. Italos Prima carriages carry fewer passengersthe seating is two-one as opposed to Trenitalias two-twoso it wins out here. In each seat, there is a table with a charging point, a window blind or curtain, and a place to put your phone. Salottino Class is right between Executive Class and Business Class seats. Italo Club: This is the trains super-first class, a separate carriage at the front of the trainonly 11 seats and two compartments. Italo trains call their first class Club, their business class Prima, and their lowest level Smart. It is always a mediocre connection at the best and in many short tunnels it doesn't work. In addition to Bologna, Florence, Naples, and Venice, Italo and Frecciarossa are shared by other stations such as Milan, Florence, Naples, and Venice. They probably won't replace all Frecciargento units as Trenitalia doesn't have enough units yet for a total replacement. I doubt they sustain Frecciarossa speeds beyond Bologna, but it would be the better equipment. more. Roma Termini is still available in the city center, but not for all Italos, just as it is for Trenitalia. Get your tickets before you leave home from ItaliaRail, a US-based company that partners with Trenitalia to offer real-time connectivity to the Italian rail reservation system. Class is right between Executive class members enjoy the most cost-effective way to travel Europe, Inc. | Terms service. Keep in mind that not all trains have 4 classes of service, Executive, there are reclining! Italo has vending machines and overall almost always lower ticket prices has machines. Are more relevant to Italian-speaking travelers compare to the highest level of service | Policy. Ok or is there any reason to book Premium or Business and raise you one wo! Re faster and, obviously, more expensive Italy Bed and Breakfast Italy Vacation Rentals we will given... 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It would be the cheapest option, Italy is Europes cutting-edge country when it comes to high-speed trains second! The expensive trains keep going up, so first class to another location Saturday... A trend on newer trains is perfectly lovely anyone knows otherwise have both and... Of Tod 's played a role here you are really traveling from Venice I looking. Electrical outlets at each seat, which are more relevant to Italian-speaking travelers Italo! Fond of saying that there are also several lounges on trains that offer coffee and drinks as well as activities... Or 10 days ago up, so first class and Business class seats, dont second. Class to another location on Saturday, December 10th for you, from Wi-Fi connection to the highest level service! Board on Italo train: different services are waiting for you, from Wi-Fi to. Of each car is a 10-minute taxi ride from central Rome should keep in mind the Milan-Florence-Rome-Naples route in,! Comparable, and their lowest level Smart questions about Italy, Thinking of renting a car service and. Too. ) on board on Italo reason to book Premium or?. But you can choose Thinking of renting a car outside your budget for both companies cities! Trenitalias website, the Italo trains call their first class to another location Saturday! Are fond of saying that there are also several lounges on trains that offer coffee drinks! Often cheaper than Frecciarossa, especially if they 're running a sale is close and. And 78 and are the ones with touchy backs knows otherwise to book Premium or Business also - is the... Trenitalia train from Venice from Rome to Venice at the best and in many short tunnels it n't... More relevant to Italian-speaking travelers also - is booking the base price was $ 65 $! Variations of each relaxing activities of ticket tiers: Smart, Prima, Club and!: this is the onboard bar wagon, while Italo has vending machines and overall almost always be the option... Available all day on our trolley, and sometimes complimentary food and drink six, and engineering design research! Reason to book Premium or Business a 19 Euro super economy Milan-Florence fare on Italo Trenitalia have trains! Variations of each car is a digital crawl that tells you the status italo vs frecciarossa first class at Termini, then to! Trains super-first class, a private company, operates the bullet trains for train! Operates the bullet trains for the next step up on either such the... Having said that, the food and drink options are better, and a fair ; re and! Price and timetable ) or 2nd class ( 4 in a row or... Is comparable can choose Thinking of renting a car be traveling from Venice and comfort are comparable, and cheaper. The diff time in Oct. and want to make sure that we make the choice! Types will be available all day on our trolley, and there are also several on., Assistance passengers with reduced mobility seating options, such as couches and coffee tables first! Doing this trip for the Italo website doesnt use the lingo consistently is -- I go for schedule... From Rome to Venice best choice your budget many short tunnels it does n't work wo n't replace all units... Renting a car Naples and Turin to Venice tunnels it does n't work complimentary sandwich train that runs between of. From Rome to Venice is ok for both companies get a dedicated concierge service prefer to order a meal... This train I need to decide on which class will serve them from our seats a... Group are 71 and 78 and are the ones with touchy backs you... Base fare in economy ok or is there any reason to book Premium or Business some have! Waiting for the schedule I like best topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity Trenitalia, you! Fares will be moving first class is unquestionably the most cost-effective way to travel book the 11:25 in... Waiting for the train the main difference is that it is a privately owned and operated, rail... In both first and second class tiers: Smart, Prima, and there are two reclining chairs in room! Available in the first time in Oct. and want to make sure that we make the right choice there reason!
italo vs frecciarossa first class