I have been all over the SNCF website, and I have written messages to SNCF directly. I still can't find an answer. <BR>What benefits are offered on 1st Class that are unavailable on 2nd Class? Why is there a difference in price?

<BR> Basically, there's more room (3seats/row instead of 4) and the seats are (slightly) more confortable.

And you are much less likely to get stuck next to someone with BO, dirty grungey backpackers who haven't had a shower in weeks, or entire peasant families.

Why write the SCNF? <BR>My finding on two first class TGV rides of 4 hours was that the seats were more comfortable - better contoured and more leg room. <BR>Also, there is a little more room for luggage because the seating density is lower. <BR>I would not have taken it except that I got an age discount that narrowed the gap. For a short ride, say less than 3 hours, I would take 2nd class. On the longer ride, the extra leg room for us was beneficial because we are tall. <BR> <BR>Where I really appreciated the extra space was on the 6 hour ride from Zurich to Salzburg, but that was an Austrian train.

Bob <BR> <BR>How old do you have to be to get an age discount? <BR> <BR>Thanks

I was 67 last summer, so my white hair was all the proof I needed. (Actually a passport was said to have been sufficient proof of age.)I think I got 25% off just by being over 60. <BR>Now for the sticky part. I just looked at the SNCF site and the same information that I read last summer is not shown at the moment. I was under the impression last summer that a discount was given based on age without buying the special senior identification card that gives 50% off, but for which you pay a fee. It was my understanding that I could get 25% off based on age alone without any special documentation. <BR> <BR>I know this much: Before leaving home last summer, I ordered my tickets on the web. At the time, I selected the senior discount fare. After the SNCF computer system responded with a confirmation, I printed out my confirmation code and took it with me to Paris. I went to Gare Montparnasse and presented my confirmation code to a ticket agent at Gare Montparnasse to a sales agent, and I got the tickets with the discount I remembered with no questions. Then I took my train ride with no further involvement. <BR>I hope that age discount still applies. <BR>

Not quite old enough to take advantage of the possible price break. (It's nice to still be not old enough for something!) Bob, after you ordered your tickets on the web did you have to show your passport or other proof of age when you picked them up at the station? <BR> <BR>Thanks again