Is first class worth it on Italy trains?

First-class seating is more spacious, with fewer seats per compartment, and usually more quiet. There is more room for luggage and it will generally be less crowded as most passengers typically travel in second class.



Whether first class is "worth it" in 2026 depends on your route and the specific train operator (Trenitalia or Italo). On high-speed Frecciarossa trains, the jump from Standard to Business Class is often very much worth the extra €15–$25. Business Class offers significantly more legroom, wider leather seats, a "Quiet Car" (Area del Silenzio) option, and a complimentary "Welcome Service" that includes a drink and a small snack box. If you are traveling on a budget, the "Premium" class on Trenitalia is a great middle ground, offering leather seats without the full meal service. However, for short regional trips on "Regionale" trains, first class is generally not worth it, as the seats are often identical to second class and the cars are rarely much quieter. In 2026, the "Executive" level on Frecciarossa remains a luxury splurge, featuring only 10 rotating chairs in a private car and full gourmet meal service, best reserved for special occasions or long cross-country hauls.

People Also Ask

First class cabins tend to have more comfortable seats which are reclinable, larger and have extra legroom. These features will be a godsend if you are making a long journey and travelling on a route where it can occasionally be difficult to find a seat during peak times.

MORE DETAILS

Trenitalia First Class food On top of this, you can also get one of the gourmet menu options offered on board, which usually include a main course, a snack, a dessert and a bottle of water. Your delightful Italian cuisine experience doesn't stop when travelling First Class with Trenitalia.

MORE DETAILS

First class also has wider seats and aisles, and is more likely to have amenities such as air-conditioning and power outlets (though outlets are still rare on Europe's trains, in any class). While first class is less conducive to conversation, it's more conducive to napping.

MORE DETAILS

The perks. Traveling first class usually means spacious, comfortable seats, amenities such as USB-ports, free Wi-Fi and – in some cases – complimentary drinks and meals. Sometimes the perks of traveling first class even start before boarding the train, with access to lounges and priority check-in.

MORE DETAILS

Exclusive to First-Class Passengers Once onboard, you'll enjoy complimentary at-seat meal and beverage service provided by our onboard staff of First Class attendants. Selections include freshly prepared chef inspired entrees as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

MORE DETAILS

Trenitalia First Class food On top of this, you can also get one of the gourmet menu options offered on board, which usually include a main course, a snack, a dessert and a bottle of water.

MORE DETAILS

Regular First class ?- all first class train cars provide comfortable seating with plenty of legroom, free Wifi, luggage storage area, individual power outlets.

MORE DETAILS

Whether you're heading to Milan, Rome or Naples, if you want to travel there in style, Trenitalia First Class is the one for you.

MORE DETAILS

We're looking at trains for Venice-Bologna, Bologna-Florence, Florence-Rome.. Trenitalia is the train operator. ItaliaRail is an agency that sells Trenitalia tickets. When you make an enquiry on the Trenitalia site, the initial page showing trains usually does not include all the slow, cheap trains.

MORE DETAILS

First class could be at the front or back. You could have two (or more) trains joined together. So first class may be at the front of the first train and at the front of the second train which would equate to the middle of the entire train !

MORE DETAILS

Like I mentioned above, Italo is usually cheaper than Trenitalia but because the cabins on lower-class tickets aren't the most comfortable, I'll usually consider Italo only for trains that are less than 2 or 3 hours long unless the Comfort ticket class is cheaper than Trenitalia.

MORE DETAILS

Every passenger of Trenitalia can take luggage and suitcases on board the train for free. Trenitalia luggage policy is not strict about the number of suitcases and dimensions limit, and it doesn't require any fee or extra fee in case of overweight or oversize luggage.

MORE DETAILS

There is typically one bathroom per train car on Italian trains. On newer trains, and especially high-speed trains, they are more spacious than what you might find on an airplane and offer the same basic features as those of a plane lavatory - a flushable toilet, sink with running water, soap, and paper towels.

MORE DETAILS

The main differences between Standard and Premium Class are the seats, which are more comfortable in Premium Class, and the welcome service, which is only available in Premium Class.

MORE DETAILS

“While we expected some variation, particularly with the longer flights, it was interesting to see that a first-class upgrade costs an average of anywhere between $93 to $658.” Overall, the study found that on average, passengers pay $262.97 on each one-way flight for first-class cabins, and more than $525 to go round- ...

MORE DETAILS

The seats in First Class have more space, extra leg room and are generally wider than Standard Class seats. The carriages are quieter, calmer and generally more comfortable than Standard Class.

MORE DETAILS

Roomy, Comfortable Seating While in Acela First Class, you'll relax in spacious one-by-two seating. All of our seats have adjustable headrests, lumbar support, footrests and handy individual outlets to charge up your device. Conference tables, with seating for two or four, are available.

MORE DETAILS