I compared the best business-class trains I’ve ever taken in Canada and Italy, and my favorite cost half the price

My Via Rail business-class ticket included complimentary breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks, while my Trenitalia ticked only included complimentary snacks and drinks.

For train rides that are more than five hours long, I always make a plan for eating, whether its bringing my own food, confirming the train has a cafe car, or booking a ticket that includes a meal.

Some train lines serve complimentary meals to business and first-class guests.

In my case, my 6-hour Via Rail ride in Canada included complimentary meals, which were brought to my seat by a train attendant. For breakfast, I was served a warm bagel with cream cheese. It was no New York bagel, I thought, but it was decent and filled me up.

The lunch menu on the same ride was announced over the loudspeaker. I chose a rigatoni dish with sides of corn salad, bread, and carrot bread for dessert. The meal was better than I expected with an al dente cook on the pasta. I also thought it was much better than pasta I’ve tried on Amtrak trains in the US in the past.

Trenitalia’s ticket didn’t come with a meal, but the attendants came by with complimentary trail mix and drinks. They served me coffee and tangerine juice with my snack. Since it was a shorter ride, I was fine without the meal. But if had gotten hungry, I would have gone to the cafe car to purchase more refreshments.

Trenitalia didn’t immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment about if any business-class tickets include meals.