Eurorail - 1st v 2nd class
May 25th, 2005, 12:30 PM
#3
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Sorry, but you do NOT get a "newspaper, drink, and snack" in First Class on all trains in Europe. Those things depend on the type of train you take and in which country.
Otherwise I would agree that the seats are slightly larger and there are fewer seats in the same amount of space in First Class.
Second Class tends to fill up sooner than First because it is cheaper.
Please do not believe the stories about locals not taking First Class because plenty of them do. The difference is that the locals who take First are willing to pay more to do so.
Otherwise I would agree that the seats are slightly larger and there are fewer seats in the same amount of space in First Class.
Second Class tends to fill up sooner than First because it is cheaper.
Please do not believe the stories about locals not taking First Class because plenty of them do. The difference is that the locals who take First are willing to pay more to do so.
May 25th, 2005, 12:55 PM
#5
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Hi ebi,
There are no Eurorail trains.
RailEurope is a marketing consortium of most of the European railroads for the purpose of selling railpasses.
On some trains 1cl is worth the difference, on others it is not.
My rule of thumb is to go 1cl for trips of 4 hr or more.
There are no Eurorail trains.
RailEurope is a marketing consortium of most of the European railroads for the purpose of selling railpasses.
On some trains 1cl is worth the difference, on others it is not.
My rule of thumb is to go 1cl for trips of 4 hr or more.
May 25th, 2005, 01:05 PM
#7
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Sorry, Andy but you are wrong (or maybe just mischievious). We took 2nd class seats in Dec 2004 and had our own seating area for 4 with a little table to have our own train picnic. For the 3.5 hour ride, it would not have been worth it to pay 1t class. However, if I was doing a very long trip, I know it would be worth it.
May 25th, 2005, 01:25 PM
#8
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If you buy a Eurailpass or Eurail Select Pass, you don't have a choice. Youth passes (up to 25) are only second class and adult passes are only first.
You can buy them from Eurailpass.com with free shipping regardless of order amount. RailEurope requires a minimum US$299 for free shipping.
You can buy them from Eurailpass.com with free shipping regardless of order amount. RailEurope requires a minimum US$299 for free shipping.
May 25th, 2005, 02:55 PM
#10
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It does indeed depend on which national rail system is providing the trains.
I never ride 1st class in Switzerland because 2nd is good enough.
I rode 1st class from Munich to Zürich and darned if the car was not mixed smoking and non smoking with no floor to ceiling partitions separating the two areas. My non smoking seat was next to a smoking seat. Bad show all around.
Fortunately, I was able to move.
Also, I decided on that trip that the cost was not worth it.
In some places on Sunday afternoons, you might find a seat in first class whereas you might not in second, particularly non smoking second class.
I never ride 1st class in Switzerland because 2nd is good enough.
I rode 1st class from Munich to Zürich and darned if the car was not mixed smoking and non smoking with no floor to ceiling partitions separating the two areas. My non smoking seat was next to a smoking seat. Bad show all around.
Fortunately, I was able to move.
Also, I decided on that trip that the cost was not worth it.
In some places on Sunday afternoons, you might find a seat in first class whereas you might not in second, particularly non smoking second class.
May 25th, 2005, 03:34 PM
#11
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It depends on your comfort level and the length of the trip. The primary difference is the size and comfiness of the seats - and the liklihood of all seats being full.
For a short trip - IMHO - first class is not worth the extra money. For a longer trip - 3 hours plus - I would always take it for the more comfy seat.
For a short trip - IMHO - first class is not worth the extra money. For a longer trip - 3 hours plus - I would always take it for the more comfy seat.
