We are a family of 3 with a four year old and planning to travel across 10 countries within 40 days time using Euro rail. Can anyone recommend buying first class is a good idea or would the 2nd class do the same job for a lower price? What extra benefits we get for first class? We will be covering Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungry, Netherland, France, Spain and Portugal.
Answer
Is first clas Euro rail worth?
Best answer by Danhiel
You have larger seats in 1st class (but not in all regional trains) and it may be easier to find free seats in overcrowded trains without reservations. Sometimes you can order food and drinks from the dining car at your seat, but it is not free of charge. Please note that mandatory reservation fees could be higher, for example in France: I recently saw a price of 10 € pp in 2nd class and 20 € pp in 1st class in the same TGV.
You have larger seats in 1st class (but not in all regional trains) and it may be easier to find free seats in overcrowded trains without reservations. Sometimes you can order food and drinks from the dining car at your seat, but it is not free of charge. Please note that mandatory reservation fees could be higher, for example in France: I recently saw a price of 10 € pp in 2nd class and 20 € pp in 1st class in the same TGV.
Please note that mandatory reservation fees could be higher, for example in France: I recently saw a price of 10 € pp in 2nd class and 20 € pp in 1st class in the same TGV.
In France, since the €10/€20 fees depend on occupancy, it can also be the other way around: 1st class €10 while 2nd class is already €20 because 2nd class is already busier.
Eurostar and TGV Paris-Italy and Paris-Switzerland really have higher fees for 1st class.
At least with Eurostar (to/from UK) you get something additional for the extra £5 (or is it €5?) as they serve a meal at your seat and give you free coffee, wine, soft drinks, etc . . .
For the price difference and the comfort (you are much, much more likely to have space and free seats in 1st class on most routes than on 2nd) i would go with 1st.
You get lounge access in major stations in Netherlands and Austria (as far as I am aware). It’s not exactly the best lounge, but it’s better to have a free coffee/soft drink in comfort than queue up at a kiosk to pay for a coffee and have to stand around.
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