ilovetulips

Thanks for all of the responses. Maybe we will do 2nd class for shorter trips and save 1st class for Grindelwald-Paris trip since it is the longest. I still have alot to learn but all of the advice will help.

clevelandbrown

We have used both first and second class. My opinion is that first class is more sedate, and that many of the people there, native or not, spend their time working. There has been a lot more interaction in second class, so I would say if you want a better chance to talk to some locals, second class is the best choice. I didn't think the posher seats in first class were worth the higher price, but if the train will be crowded, I would select first class with a reservation.

I think historically it has been more economical to purchase the tickets locally, but I would suggest you look into both ways. There was an anomaly recently where some of the Swiss passes cost less at a stateside agency, I suspect because they had locked in a fare and exchange rate at the beginning of the year.

I would avoid couchettes and overnight trips; to me the best part of train travel in Europe is the chance to see the countryside and mountains, and you can't do that effectively at night.

Our biggest adjustment when we started taking trains was trying to find the right car; I had anticipated that there would be someone to ask, but the conductors apparently hide until the train is underway, so you are pretty much on your own. Until we learned how to read the signs, we just got on the closest car and worked our way down the train until we found our car.