TVG train-1st or 2nd class?
 

We will be travelling from Avignon to Paris CDG Airport. Appr 3 hr trip. Are the 1st class seats more comfortable? I live in the US and am thinking of Amtrak, so maybe my assumptions are incorrect. Do you folks recommend 1st or 2nd class? It's 15 Euro pp difference. Not much. Someone told us 2nd class has less people and is quieter, and I'm just finding that hard to believe! Thanks in advance.

Second class is fine, and the ride is not that long.

Someone told you wrong! First class has fewer people and is quieter, less crowded and the seats are slightly larger.

On some trains I actually prefer second class (Thalys) often less crowed and less noisy.
On french TGV's I am of two minds - have had horrendous experience in first class (actually had to flee the wagon and go to second class).
Also for 3 hours... not a big deal.
But on average, first is slightly more confortable (bigger seats and reclining a little bit more).
German first class on ICE is defintely worth it however.

For 15 euros take the first class - much larger seats and solo seats with just one row of seats - an aisle and a window seat can be facing each other or not - 2nd class always 2 x 2 - I just love the so-called isolated seats.

Plus probably more empty seats I can always find an empty seat to move to if I don't like my assigned seat and often find an empty seat nearby to put my bags on - stowing baggage is a big benefit of first class.

Now if the difference was great than 15 euros but for that - to me it's a no-brainer. And no screaming babies in first class either!

For a look at things like class differences and French trains in general check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted seats; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Many TGVs are Duplexes now - duble-deckers and the view up top if IME far surperior to the view in the sunken lower level where views are often obscured by windlbocks, retaining walls, etc - definitely go for the upper deck.

An aside, when you are ready to book, use --
https://www.capitainetrain.com

so as to avoid issues with your U.S. Credit card being rejected. Same fares.

We always take first class when the fares are 25E per person or less than 2nd class. More room for us and the luggage, and fewer people trying to scamper on/off the train at the same time.

Stu Dudley

Thanks, all. Yes, Debit, I got the schedule and prices on Captaine Train @ someone's recommendation.

No one can tell you if it's "worth it", but yes, of course first class is more comfortable.

Really odd - I was able to buy idTGV online with my credit card, no problem (I had called the bank to let them know about upcoming charge).

Couple of weeks later, I tried to buy in sncf, after making same call to bank and no luck. Tried 2 cards. No go. I ended up using capitaine train, no problem.

Debit - also a Native NYer ;)

The difference to a person like me, on a budget, is negligible. But if I can buy in advance and get discounted 1st class for about the same as 2nd, then I do, for the reasons mentioned above. But 2nd is perfectly fine on civilized European trains in most cases.

2nd class is perfectly fine but for the salient reasons Stu Dudley just above says if not much more first-class is kind of a no-brainer and for 15 euros certainly so IMO.

Funny, I've checked my train reservation AFTER my trip this wednesday.
I was in first class but travelled 2d class. Found it confortable...

For return trip (in one hour) I'm booked on first again.
Will try to sit at my seat, in first...
Will update on monday :-)

People ask this all the time and no one can tell you whether the price difference is going to be worth it to you or how much that small amount of extra money means to you in your budget that you are debating about it.

Yes, it is "nicer", that's why it costs more.

For a 3 hour trip, I would accept to pay 15 euros more.

Due to the small difference in cost, we too have decided to take the Avignon-CDG via first class this September. But we have travelled in second through France, Spain & Switzerland with no crowding, no luggage area issues, or crowds.

Honestly.
Didn't see any difference
Seat in first larger but I still can fit in the one in second.
Depends more on your neighbors.
I worked and slept in second.
I worked and slept in first.
Quiet in both this week.

There is a reason manhy folks pay more for first class - being on a business expense accont probably being the foremost or discounted tickets - and seniors I believe can get special first class fares with a Senior Pass - so first class is IME much more quiet and reserved due to the nature of the clientele and as always IME significantly more relaxed though 2nd class ain't, again, no cattle car on the very modern TGV trains. Non-TGV trains can IME see a bigger difference with often seriously overcrowding in 2nd on the ones I always take from Les Aubrias-Orleans to Paris - some in 2nd class SRO at other times OK - a crap shoot but TGVs have controlled capacity so you can't get mob scenes.

"Non-TGV trains can IME see a bigger difference..."

What I was thinking when I wrote "...in most cases", on most of the trains tourists traveling between cities use. I got a cheap fare from Dijon once, was in no hurry and the difference was noticeable on the non-TGV local train. Regional?

Always take first class if it is within your budget.