stsu

Planning a short trip to France. Is it worth paying for first class on Eurostar? Or Castle Class from Waterloo to Disneyland Paris?

ira

Hi sts,

It is only a couple of hours on the Eurostar.

My rule of thumb is "under 30, 2Cl: over 45, 1 cl".

GeoffHamer

The first class seats are bigger and give more space - three abreast instead of four. On Eurostar, first class passengers get an airline-style meal and free drinks, so whether it's worth it depends on how much extra you have to pay (there are sometimes good deals).

taggie

stsu - I see you have 2 posts asking the same question.
In future, just click on your name and all your posts will come up on the l.h. side. No need to get more than one going asking the same question.

PalQ

right now eurostar has a first class for the price of second now. $90 one-way Mon-thu trains 11am-3pm; $120 all trains Mon-thu; $150 any train any day, but these seats are sold in limited allotments so book early! The $90 round trip on Eurostar (Mon-Thu 11am-3pm) is still only second class. There's a big difference between the classes - seats in second class are more cramped than normal trains due to Eurostar train cars being narrower than those on the continent, due, i understand to less clearance in UK when going under bridges. So if you're physically challenged you may want to go first class. First class has a full meal with beverages at your seat. But, unless they have a sale like currently second class is much cheaper, and like Ira said it's only a few hour journey. Times i've been on Eurostar they seat everyone together and there may be rows of empty seats in other cars so you can move around unless the train is full, also not unusual, or go to the cafe car.

BTilke

Whether it's worth it is up to you, your travel priorities and your budget. If going first class means you have to scrimp elsewhere, then of course it isn't.
If spending the extra dollars or pounds aren't a problem, then you *might* find the differences in space, etc. worth it. For the last two years, we've only gone first class on Eurostar and have never wished we'd gone second class.
This isn't a question that has a straight yes or no answer.

Kate_W

I've done both. At one time I didn't think 1st class was worth it. Then I got stuck in 2nd class on a delayed train (4 hour delay) with a bunch of drunken, obnoxious teenagers - without any food. Fewer passengers in 1st class compartments, so the odds of being stuck with obnoxious drunks are lower. If you can get a good sale price on 1st class, do it.

xyz123

Well since the first class cars are not at the beginning or end of the train but somewhere in the middle I can answer the question this way...

Sometimes you arrive earlier in the first class cars and sometimes you arrive later...sometimes it's a longer walk to the exit sometimes it's a shorter walk to the exit of the station...

look for pete's sake it's only a 2.5 hour trip....there is no turbulence like on an aircraft. Second class seating, unlike some airline coach seating, is perfectly adequate.

The quality of the meal served in first class surely is not worth almost $200.

There are better ways to throw away your money in Europe.

salleynev1

Ive done both First and Standard Class to both Paris and Brussels and Ive got to admit for the extra £50+return and the short journey of up to 2h40 its not worth it-unless uve got money to flaunt. The only significant differences between First and Standard Class is with first class you get the extra leg room, a meal on board with wine, and 'most importantly' a free newspaper (wow)

adamhornets

Suggestion. If you are going out or back at a busy time (Friday or Suday evening) go first class - it really makes a difference. We came back to London early on a Monday afternon in June and the train was empty so 2nd class would be the way to go.