After a few enjoyable nights on the Bulgari Resort Milan, we had been off to Courchevel, France. The best strategy to get there was to take the prepare from Milan, Italy, to Chambery, France, after which to take a automotive service from there.
On this case we took Trenitalia govt class, and oh my gosh this was by far my finest prepare expertise ever. This was each bit as pleasing as a fantastic worldwide top quality flight, minus the $200 champagne and caviar. đ However significantly, Iâm going to make some extent of searching for out this expertise sooner or later, as a result of it was simply so enjoyable.
Reserving Trenitalia govt class tickets
The prepare journey from Milan to Chambery takes round 3.5 hours, and there are two day by day frequencies. That is a part of the Milan to Paris prepare route (which takes round seven hours), and Chambery is roughly the midway level.
There are a selection of pricing choices (costs within the screenshots beneath are for 2 individuals):
- You may guide the usual cabin for 45 Euro per individual
- You may guide the enterprise cabin for 69 Euro per individual
- You may guide the chief cabin for 145 Euro per individual
Clearly govt class is much more costly than enterprise class, however the expertise can be completely totally different. Somewhat than being in a cabin with dozens of different individuals, youâre as an alternative in a cabin with a complete of simply 10 seats (and a convention room!), with a devoted attendant, and limitless meals & drinks.
Milan central prepare station & lounge
Our prepare was departing from Milano Centrale (Milanâs fundamental prepare station) at 6:25AM. We remembered how enormous the station was on arrival from Venice, so arrived unnecessarily early, at round 5:45AM. Milanâs prepare station is an architectural masterpiece.
We headed as much as the departures degree, which first required going by way of a temperature verify. Sadly the observe for our prepare wasnât but listed.
There wasnât an entire lot happening on the station on the time. Whereas thereâs the Freccia Lounge that weâd in concept have entry to, sadly it wasnât but open for the morning.
So as an alternative we did some prepare recognizing (I assume thatâs a factor, like aircraft recognizing?).
I donât know the very first thing about trains, however theyâre nonetheless enjoyable to have a look at!
Along with Trenitalia, thereâs additionally italo, which is Italyâs personal rail operator, and has a connection to Ferrari. Whereas itâs not what we had been taking, the trains do look even sleeker, in my view.
Trenitalia govt class cabin & seats
At round 6:10AM the departure observe was posted for our prepare, and we headed over to trace 4. Our passports had been checked on the tracks, which I discovered attention-grabbing, since that didnât occur on the final prepare. Is that as a result of that is a global prepare (even when itâs throughout the European Union), orâŚ?
We had been seated within the very first automotive (on the finish of the observe), and as we walked there I popped my head into the totally different courses. The usual cabin appeared fairly snug, with a 2-2 seating association.
Then the enterprise class cabin appeared even nicer, and was in a 1-2 configuration, just like what we had on our journey from Venice to Milan.
Then lastly we arrived on the first automotive⌠are you prepared for this?! Okay, perhaps Iâm just a bit too excitedâŚ
The chief class cabin has simply 10 seats, in a 1-1 structure. WOW. In so some ways this jogged my memory of an outdated worldwide top quality cabin, and I simply thought this was so superior.
I assigned us seats 1A & 1D, as thatâs what was accessible on the time that we booked. Not solely are the seats as such fairly massive, however they characteristic an countless quantity of legroom.
The seats have a swiveling characteristic whereby they are often turned in both path. The exception is when youâre seated within the first row, the place you possibly can solely be confronted towards the opposite seats. Ideally when youâre touring with somebody youâll wish to choose seats behind each other (like 1A & 2A) so you possibly can face each other when youâd like.
Thankfully it labored out for us, because the individuals in 2A & 3A plus the individuals in 2D & 3D had been touring collectively, in order that they confronted each other. That meant nobody was dealing with us within the first row.
Whereas the seat doesnât go absolutely flat, it does recline considerably, and likewise has a legrest.
Seat features might be managed through a panel to the facet of the seat.
The swiveling characteristic might be managed by a button on the reverse facet of the seat.
Beneath the seat and to the facet had been AC and USB energy shops, plus an uncovered storage space the place you would place a laptop computer or different merchandise.
The seat additionally had a tray desk, very similar to what youâd discover on an airplane.
Baggage might be saved within the overhead racks, or in any other case might be positioned within the convention room.
Wait, a convention room?! Yep, the chief class automotive has a convention room with seating for 5, accessible for company. I discover this to be such a hilarious characteristic, provided that there shall be at most 10 passengers. Only for enjoyable I ended up sitting right here for some time with my laptop computer, as a result of why wouldnât I?! It nearly jogged my memory of âThe Foyerâ on the Etihad A380, again when that was a factor.
The chief class automotive additionally had a personal rest room, which is a pleasant characteristic when you think about how a lot use the opposite loos on trains usually get, and the way there generally is a queue.
There was even a fairly swanky galley within the govt class automotive, which jogged my memory of an airplane galley. There was even an Illy espresso machine.
The chief class automotive initially had six passengers, however then two boarded throughout later stops, for a complete of eight passengers.
Trenitalia govt class meals, drinks, and repair
The chief class automotive had a pleasant attendant who launched herself shortly after boarding. About quarter-hour after departure she introduced out some fundamental snacks, together with cookies and olive crackers, plus sanitizing towels and napkins.
At that time the primary beverage service was carried out. I ordered an espresso and a few water â the water got here in a glass, whereas the espresso was served in a paper cup.
We had been then introduced with the menu for the prepare journey. It was defined that we may order no matter we needed (from the breakfast, lunch, or dinner menu) at any time when we needed. That is fairly superb â itâs like a dine on demand idea on a global flight!
You will discover the menu and drink checklist beneath.
The attendant was nice about conserving us hydrated, and provided a number of drink refills.
To be trustworthy, I want we had been hungrier, however we had room service breakfast at our resort within the morning, and thereâs solely a lot I can eat. Round half-hour earlier than our arrival in Chambery I figured we needed to take one for the workforce and order one thing. Although it was solely shortly after 9AM, I needed to order a lunch choice, provided that I had been up for therefore many hours.
After putting our orders, we had been first introduced heat towels.
I made a decision to order the salmon and zucchini risotto. I used to be provided a bread basket to go together with it, plus additionally a Coke Zero.
This was even introduced with correct cutlery.
Ford ordered the couscous with hen and greens, together with a glowing water.
Was it essentially the most gourmand meals ever? No. But it surely was fairly tasty, and we loved it. Let me as soon as once more emphasize that you would be able to order no matter you need (together with meals, alcoholic drinks, and so on.), and itâs all included with an govt class ticket.
Trenitalia govt class Wi-Fi
Trenitalia affords complimentary Wi-Fi, which is straightforward to connect with and fairly quick. With restricted exceptions, we had wonderful connectivity all through the journey.
A punctual arrival at Chambery prepare station
There have been overhead screens always offering an up to date standing of our progress. The prepare was punctual, and we arrived at Chambery proper on schedule.
It was snowing fairly exhausting after we arrived, which you wouldnât normally count on for early April. Thatâs superior for snowboarding!
I loved this prepare journey greater than I can clarify
Admittedly on the subject of transportation, Iâm extra of an aviation geek than anything. Nevertheless, I additionally actually get pleasure from a pleasant prepare journey, and this could be my favourite prepare journey Iâve ever taken.
Planes and trains have lots in frequent, within the sense that thereâs little I get pleasure from extra in life than sitting in a cushty seat on my laptop computer and watching the world go by. If somebody is taking care of me and providing me limitless espresso and water, Iâm a good happier camper.
This was simply such a beautiful journey, by way of having the ability to watch the world go by, having fun with the dawn, and so on. And in some ways taking the prepare is so a lot better than flying â prepare stations are nearer to metropolis facilities, you donât should take care of most of the hassles of airports, there aren’t any safety checks, seating is rather more snug, and so on.
Although the prepare from Milan to Paris takes seven hours, Iâd completely take a prepare over flying in a heartbeat. I work when touring, and thereâs no higher âworkplaceâ than one thing like this.
Backside line
Whereas the premium for Trenitalia govt class is important, that is such a enjoyable strategy to journey to & from Italy. Between the snug seats, the customized service, and countless meals & drink choices, that is most likely the least nerve-racking and most pleasing method Iâve gotten round Europe.
Having now taken Trenitaliaâs govt class, Iâm viewing attending to & from Italy from different locations in Europe in a totally totally different method. Iâd gladly take a protracted journey on this cabin over flying. You probably have the possibility to expertise Trenitaliaâs govt class, I canât advocate it sufficient.
In the event youâve taken Trenitalia govt class, what was your expertise like?