I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (2023)

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I recently traveled around Italy and Switzerland by train and tried business and first-class cars in hopes of having luxurious, comfortable travel experiences. First, I took a 4-hour business-class train from Venice to Rome, which covers 327 miles, according to Italia Rail. A few days later, I rode in first class on a 3.5-hour train from Milan to Zürich, which is about 135 miles, according to The Trainline. I booked both trains through Trenitalia, the largest operator in Italy that runs several different fleets. I thought that the trains provide varying experiences for premium classes like business and first. Here's how they compare. For my business-class experience, I rode a train from the Frecciarossa series, which is one of the fastest fleets of trains Trenitalia runs, with a max speed of 190 miles per hour, according to Italia Rail. For my first-class ride, I was on EuroCity, a collaboration with several European train companies including Trenitalia. EuroCity trains are only used for international connections and travel about 60 miles per hour, according to the same source. To travel by train in Europe, I bought a Eurail pass for $477, which gives access to most European trains for a set number of days. Some trains and classes only require a Eurail pass to ride, while others incur an additional discounted price. For my business-class Trenitalia trip, I paid an additional $10 to upgrade my Eurail ticket. For my first-class ride, I paid an additional $13 to upgrade. Without the Eurail pass, both tickets would have been about $100 each, according to a search on Trainline for three months ahead of booking. After comparing every aspect of each trip from departure to arrival, I was surprised to find that the business-class ride on the Frecciarossa gave me a more luxurious experience than the first-class ride on the EuroCity train. On both trains, the configuration was two seats on one side of the aisle and one seat on the other. Most single-row seats faced each other with a table in between, while most double-row seats faced another row of two seats. On both trips, I sat across from my partner, who I was traveling with, in a row of single seats. On the business-class ride, I thought we had adequate legroom, with 31.5 inches each, according to the train booking site ACP Rail International. I'm not sure exactly how much legroom I had for the Eurocity ride, but it felt like less to me. EuroCity didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on legroom. In business class, I sat in what I thought was the most comfortable train seat I've ever experienced. It was 25 inches wide, according to ACP Rail International, with a curved headrest and reclining function. It felt like a small couch. I thought the first-class seat was similar in size, but less comfortable. It didn't seem to recline and to me felt thinner and stiffer than business class. EuroCity didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on the seat. I thought both train cars provided adequate overhead bin storage for luggage. The business-class car also had space to store luggage between each seat. It was large enough to fit my backpack. While the first-class ride had less space for luggage underneath seats, there was additional storage at the end of the car. On this ride, I used the overhead bin to store my backpack. On both trains, the seats had a table in the middle that folded out on either side for additional space. In business class, I thought it gave enough room to eat, drink, and work. Although I don't know for certain, I thought the table on the first-class ride were smaller since mine wasn't large enough to fit my laptop. EuroCity didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment about the tables. I thought the first-class trash can was tiny. It was already full when we sat down, and as it was underneath the table, opening it intruded on legroom. EuroCity didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment about the trash can. Both trains also had working outlets to charge devices at each seat. After the business-class train departed, train attendants greeted passengers with complimentary snacks and drinks. They came by once more towards the end of the trip with more trail mix and beverages. On the first-class ride, attendants only came by at the beginning of the ride to collect tickets. Like me, other first-class passengers I spoke with thought that our ticket included a meal, but no one came by to take orders or serve food. After a couple of hours of waiting for someone to take my order, I went to the cafe car instead and purchased snacks. EuroCity didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for confirmation about whether the first-class ticket includes meals. In business class, I thought the bathroom felt spacious and clean with blue lighting and a large mirror above the sink. On the first-class ride, I didn't notice anything special about the bathroom. EuroCity didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment about the bathroom. I ultimately decided that the elevated bathroom, couch-like seat, and attendants serving snacks and drinks in business class on Trenitalia's Frecciarossa train made me feel more like a luxury traveler. I was also impressed that the Frecciarossa train took me more than twice the distance as the EuroCity train for the same price. It made me feel like the business-class ride was a stronger value. At the same time, I was surprised to find that my first-class ride on Trenitalia's Eurocity train didn't feel much different from coach experiences I've had, save for the larger seats. A representative from Trenitalia told Insider that premium tickets on Eurocity and Frecciarossa trains are two different products "linked by the attention given to the passenger and the offer of a convenient and comfortable journey." "The categories cannot be compared to those used in other sectors, such as the airline industry," the representative said, adding that "each travel class is characterized by different peculiarities and comforts." Next time I'm in Italy upgrading to a premium train class, I'll make sure I book a Frecciarossa business-class train for a truly luxurious experience.

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Joey Hadden

2023-01-29T17:16:39Z

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (1)

I recently rode a Trenitalia Frecciarossa train from Venice to Rome in business class.
A few days later, I rode a Trenitalia EuroCity train from Milan to Zürich in first class.
Both rides cost about $100 each, but I thought the business-class train was faster and more luxe.

I recently traveled around Italy and Switzerland by train and tried business and first-class cars in hopes of having luxurious, comfortable travel experiences.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (2)

Read more: I only had 48 hours to spend in Switzerland. These 18 photos show why I regret not staying longer.

First, I took a 4-hour business-class train from Venice to Rome, which covers 327 miles, according to Italia Rail.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (3)

Source: Italia Rail

A few days later, I rode in first class on a 3.5-hour train from Milan to Zürich, which is about 135 miles, according to The Trainline.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (4)

Source: The Trainline

I booked both trains through Trenitalia, the largest operator in Italy that runs several different fleets. I thought that the trains provide varying experiences for premium classes like business and first. Here's how they compare.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (5)

Source: Trenitalia

For my business-class experience, I rode a train from the Frecciarossa series, which is one of the fastest fleets of trains Trenitalia runs, with a max speed of 190 miles per hour, according to Italia Rail.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (6)

Source: Italia Rail

For my first-class ride, I was on EuroCity, a collaboration with several European train companies including Trenitalia. EuroCity trains are only used for international connections and travel about 60 miles per hour, according to the same source.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (7)

Source: The Trainline

To travel by train in Europe, I bought a Eurail pass for $477, which gives access to most European trains for a set number of days. Some trains and classes only require a Eurail pass to ride, while others incur an additional discounted price.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (8)

Read more: I've spent more than 100 hours riding the rails in the US and Europe. Here are 8 differences I noticed between train travel in each place.

For my business-class Trenitalia trip, I paid an additional $10 to upgrade my Eurail ticket. For my first-class ride, I paid an additional $13 to upgrade.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (9)

Without the Eurail pass, both tickets would have been about $100 each, according to a search on Trainline for three months ahead of booking.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (10)

Source: The Trainline

After comparing every aspect of each trip from departure to arrival, I was surprised to find that the business-class ride on the Frecciarossa gave me a more luxurious experience than the first-class ride on the EuroCity train.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (11)

Read more: 5 of the biggest travel trends coming in 2023, from train rides to wellness retreats

On both trains, the configuration was two seats on one side of the aisle and one seat on the other. Most single-row seats faced each other with a table in between, while most double-row seats faced another row of two seats.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (12)

On both trips, I sat across from my partner, who I was traveling with, in a row of single seats.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (13)

On the business-class ride, I thought we had adequate legroom, with 31.5 inches each, according to the train booking site ACP Rail International.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (14)

Source: ACP Rail International

I'm not sure exactly how much legroom I had for the Eurocity ride, but it felt like less to me. EuroCity didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on legroom.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (15)

In business class, I sat in what I thought was the most comfortable train seat I've ever experienced. It was 25 inches wide, according to ACP Rail International, with a curved headrest and reclining function. It felt like a small couch.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (16)

Source: ACP Rail International

I thought the first-class seat was similar in size, but less comfortable. It didn't seem to recline and to me felt thinner and stiffer than business class. EuroCity didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on the seat.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (17)

I thought both train cars provided adequate overhead bin storage for luggage.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (18)

The business-class car also had space to store luggage between each seat. It was large enough to fit my backpack.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (19)

While the first-class ride had less space for luggage underneath seats, there was additional storage at the end of the car. On this ride, I used the overhead bin to store my backpack.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (20)

On both trains, the seats had a table in the middle that folded out on either side for additional space. In business class, I thought it gave enough room to eat, drink, and work.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (21)

Although I don't know for certain, I thought the table on the first-class ride were smaller since mine wasn't large enough to fit my laptop. EuroCity didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment about the tables.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (22)

I thought the first-class trash can was tiny. It was already full when we sat down, and as it was underneath the table, opening it intruded on legroom. EuroCity didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment about the trash can.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (23)

Both trains also had working outlets to charge devices at each seat.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (24)

After the business-class train departed, train attendants greeted passengers with complimentary snacks and drinks. They came by once more towards the end of the trip with more trail mix and beverages.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (25)

On the first-class ride, attendants only came by at the beginning of the ride to collect tickets. Like me, other first-class passengers I spoke with thought that our ticket included a meal, but no one came by to take orders or serve food.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (26)

After a couple of hours of waiting for someone to take my order, I went to the cafe car instead and purchased snacks. EuroCity didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for confirmation about whether the first-class ticket includes meals.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (27)

Read more: I ate my way through 3 European countries. Here are the 8 best things I tasted, from kebab in Vienna to cannoli in Rome.

In business class, I thought the bathroom felt spacious and clean with blue lighting and a large mirror above the sink.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (28)

On the first-class ride, I didn't notice anything special about the bathroom. EuroCity didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment about the bathroom.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (29)

I ultimately decided that the elevated bathroom, couch-like seat, and attendants serving snacks and drinks in business class on Trenitalia's Frecciarossa train made me feel more like a luxury traveler.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (30)

I was also impressed that the Frecciarossa train took me more than twice the distance as the EuroCity train for the same price. It made me feel like the business-class ride was a stronger value.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (31)

At the same time, I was surprised to find that my first-class ride on Trenitalia's Eurocity train didn't feel much different from coach experiences I've had, save for the larger seats.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (32)

A representative from Trenitalia told Insider that premium tickets on Eurocity and Frecciarossa trains are two different products "linked by the attention given to the passenger and the offer of a convenient and comfortable journey."

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (33)

"The categories cannot be compared to those used in other sectors, such as the airline industry," the representative said, adding that "each travel class is characterized by different peculiarities and comforts."

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (34)

Next time I'm in Italy upgrading to a premium train class, I'll make sure I book a Frecciarossa business-class train for a truly luxurious experience.

I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference but the cheaper one was better. (35)

Read more: I booked the cheapest sleeper accommodation on an overnight train in Europe. I got zero rest and wouldn't do it again.