Train Service 1st or 2nd class?
 

Looking at booking a trip on an "EC" train on Die Bahn, traveling from Vienna to Prague. What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class? The web site (die bahn's) didn't appear to have any information either on price or service differences. (one-way trip only) Any comments would be appreciated. <BR> <BR>Also any comments on best transport from the Wien aiport to a hotel in the inner circle... <BR> <BR>Thanks

There's a frequent train from Vienna airport direct to Wien Mitte station which is quite central - and has connections to various U-bahn lines (or taxis) if your hotel is further away. If I remember correctly, the journey time is 30-40 minutes.

Fodors <BR> <BR>In saloon coaches in second class you are seated as two one side of the aisle and two the other. In first it's one and two. In compartments first has a bit more leg room than second: both are three people each side. Passengers in both classes can use the restaurant car. The second class single fare with express train supplement is 46 US dollars. Fares in first class are those for second class plus fifty percent. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to Europe. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

The trains are frequent in Vienna as Jane says. If you have a good amount of luggage, taxi service in Vienna is, I am told, fairly reasonable. <BR>On the difference between first and second class, my opinion is that in first class I seem to have a more comfortable seat and more leg room. <BR>However, the difference is not dramatic. <BR>The difference is not as pronounced as it is on an airline where you have constant service in first class with beverages and various goodies. <BR>

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought you could only get non-smoking in 1st class.

Patrice, do you mean all over Europe or just on the route Lori was asking about? <BR>We took the TGV to Lausanne from Paris last year and I recall first class smoking areas. <BR>In Switzerland I recall that a first class car had a door and it was divided into sections.

I guess I worded it incorrectly. I thought second class was all smoking - no choice for a non-smoking car. I tried to find where I read that info, but couldn't. I looked at the Rail Europe site and it states that there are non-smoking sections available; you must request it when making a reservation. So I'm not sure if that clarifies it or not.

In Switzerland, I rode on a 2nd class, non smoking car. In France, at least on the trip from Paris to Vernon (to visit Giverny), we went second class and the car was non smoking. I might add that it was crowded. In Germany in prior years, I rode in a non-smoking car in second class.

I have been in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands, England, Scotland, and Ireland in the last 4 years and we always go 2nd class. As I recall we were always able to choose a non-smoking 2nd class car. It always seemed to be available. <BR>