What is the difference between 1st cls train travel and 2nd?

I took some great advice (with much learning in the process!) from this forum and was able to secure first class travel on Thayls and ICE for less than what what quoted by a rail service for 2nd class travel. Our train travels will have us in transit most of the day for two days traveling into and out of a city, and am curious what first class provides over 2nd class service. For example, will we still need to utilize the dining car for food and beverage? Is it simply the seat assignment and comfort of the seat?

Any input would be great so I can share with my daughter!

Thanks

|||

Hi 1239,

I%26#39;ve travelled both classes....first class is more spacious - but really I wouldn%26#39;t bother unless you%26#39;re going on a long journey. Didn%26#39;t get any food service - still had to buy it from the same car.. There were no school kids or youth - it was mainly very quiet and civilised....but then again, so was second class, generally!

Only got a bit crowded on the local trains when the locals finished work and joined us for their journey home - which was fun, anyway.

It could depend on the actual route, too.....anyway, if you got the tix for the same price as 2ncd class, you%26#39;re laughing!

First class on eurostar is a different thing entirely, from London - Paris - very nice indeed - food, wine, service....hmmm.. :)

|||

We travelled across 6 countries in Europe with first class train travel, including Thalys and ICE. The main difference is that first class is more spacious because it has 2 rows of seats on one side and only 1 on the other side. This provides a wider aisle and passengers have more room to move about. In 2nd class there are 2 rows of seats on either side and therefore a narrower aisle and less space. They say that the seats in first class are more comfortable, but I would not know because I never sat in a 2nd class seat. Given the extra space in 1st class the seats would most likely be larger and more comfortable. Anyway we were very comfortable.

With Thalys from Paris to Brussels we received airline type meals/snacks delivered to the seat, but with ICE you had the buffet carriage and waiter service and paid for what you ordered. The food was fairly basic so come prepared with your own picnic lunch of goodies if you are in for a long haul!

|||

On the Thalys (Amsterdam-Paris), 2nd class has 2+2 seats, while 1st class has 2+1 seats - which means wider seats, and probably more leg room too. There are power outlets for laptop computers, free newspapers and magazines, tea and coffee, and (depending on the moment of day) a small meal or snack served at your seat. I think it%26#39;s worth the price.

I%26#39;ve never felt the need to go to the dining car.

|||

Thanks for the info- I have an 8 hour trip on the 25th and an 8 hours trip on the 26th......I%26#39;ll be sure to bring along some patisserie goodies:)

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 3:19 pm, September 07, 2009