Which first-class high-speed rail service between Milan and Paris is best?

If you watch our YouTube channel, you’re probably used to seeing us jump on planes and take the occasional jaunt on the rails. However, we’ve never pitted two train services against each other — and luxurious ones at that.

This week at TPG, though, we’ve been diving into the unforgettable experiences that luxury trains provide all over the world.

On the business route between the two financial capitals of Milan and Paris, for example, there is now some healthy competition. From France, the TGV inOui service operated by SNCF runs three times per day between these two cities. Italian operator Trenitalia, the newer train on the block, runs two of its Frecciarossa services each day.

Advance tickets on both services start at a very reasonable 29 euros (about $28) one-way. First class (which is branded as “1st”) on the French service and business class on the Italian service start at 46 euros and 36 euros ($45 and $35), respectively. If you want the fanciest seat on this route, opt for the Frecciarossa Executive class, which will set you back at least 165 euros (about $162).

We wanted to compare the best available class on both trains, so I took the Executive car on the Italian train, while Liam tested out first class on the French train. We took the earliest trains out of Milan on the same day, reaching Paris’ Gare de Lyon around seven hours later. Watch the video to see how the Italian and French operators compare.

Watch the full video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqLcSVqp8as

Nicky Kelvin — Frecciarossa (Italian)

Class of travel: Executive.
We paid: £146 (about 165 euros, or $162).

Liam Spencer — TGV inOui (French)

Class of travel: 1st.
We paid: £94 (about 106 euros, or $104).

Watch more:

Plane vs. train: Watch the TPG UK team race from London to Paris
What’s faster? Watch us race from London to Leeds by plane and train
Watch us race to London Heathrow – Elizabeth Line vs. Heathrow Express vs. taxi