Hi there!

I'm getting ready to book our Christmas train tickets from Paris to Ghent. My 9-year-old son LOVES trains and I was wondering if it would be worth spending a little bit more for first class tickets? Is the difference between classes noticeable or should we just opt for the 2nd class tickets?

As always, thank you for your input! <3

The only time I have ever booked 1st class trains in Europe is when the difference in price was inconsequential - as in a handful of euros. Unless you have a tape measure with you, or staggering amounts of luggage, there is very little difference.

I like first class and always book it when it is a longer trip. Seats a little nicer, maybe more space, sometimes less crowded, stuff like that. It has never been that much more expensive on the trains I took that it was a big issue. Of course there is no difference on some trains, those are the shorter distance local ones, so no, I wouldn't on them, if possible.

These questions always get people saying there is no difference, etc., the problem is this is totally subjective (other than French TERs when if there is one, sometimes it is the same type car, just a different one), some would never book it and others like me do as the cost for me is trivial and I do actually think it is a little nicer.

I have no idea about that particular train, though, but my main thought is I can't imagine why it would make any difference to a child, and would never do it for that reason, that's for sure.

What are you envisioning could be better in first class for a 9 year old?

Hi,

I guess you're going to take the high-speed Thalys train between Paris and Bruxelles, because this is the fastest option to Gent.

Thalys has actually 3 classes or rather service levels:

Standard basically 2nd class
Comfort basic 1st class
Premium 1st class with meal and drink included

See the details to decide what do you need:

https://www.seat61.com/thalys.htm

https://rail.cc/en/blog/thalys-new-fares-classes

First class Thalys is really nice. Your son will love the service and freebies and the viennoiserie and the meals have really improved in the last decade. You'll be served at your seat. If you book at thalys.com, you'll find that often there are very good kids + co deals where you can travel 1st class cheaply if you accompany a child under 12 years old.

I don't usually bother with first class unless I get a deal of some sort or am on a splurge/self indulgent trip (like to spoil myself once in a while). Second is usually fine and I travel carry on only so luggage space isn't an issue.

HOWEVER, in your case, unless it is a budget buster, I'd definitely go for First Class. As a special treat for your son.

Agree with Menachem and janisj - first class Thalys is great for kids. You can book seats with a table for your kid to play quiet games, and they bring you a hot meal. We did it last year Cologne - Brussels. Really super and not expensive when you compare to plane fares.

Lavandula

On morning and evening trains, all you get is a snack (waffle, chocolate bar) ... if you're lucky enough that they aren't sold out.

Oh really? We got the whole shebang, impeccable service and a good meal - luxury!

Lavandula

Thank you everyone for your insight! We have decided to book the train going to Ghent in 2nd class, and the train going back to Paris in 1st class since the price difference isn't so significant. My son took an interest in Titanic and other famous shipwrecks and he learned all about the different classes from there. Recently, we walked through the 1st class on our plane ride from NY to LA, and I heard him whisper, "Lucky..." So as a birthday/Christmas treat, we thought we'd surprise him with a first class train ride! Thanks again!

Nice one!

I'm sure it'll be a great surprise for him, even if 1st class on most trains is not as special as on planes and ships.

For later trips you can have some great 1st class train experiences taking the 1st class panoramic car of Transalpin EC along the Alps between Zürich and Graz.

https://www.oebb.at/en/regionale-ang...ramawagen.html

Or the VIP sleeper of the Russian train between Paris and Berlin or Vienna and Nice..

https://www.seat61.com/paris-moscow-express.htm

never happened to me that way.

"On morning and evening trains, all you get is a snack (waffle, chocolate bar) ... if you're lucky enough that they aren't sold out."

Perhaps that was the Comfort class, not the Premium?

I traveled from Antwerp to Paris in 1st class (Thalys coming from Amsterdam) and it's not the first time I notice that the service is far worse than on the Brussels-Paris Thalys.