W. Europeans: A question about train travel

Rufus T. Firefly · January 13, 2003, 06:10

Please help; remember, I may be a clueless Yank, but I want to be a Eurocom

:

I'm trying to book a train ticket on-line, one way from Paris to Frankfurt, and I have the choice of a first or second class ticket. But I can't find anything that tells me what the difference between the two classes is. So, the two part question is:

a) What's the difference?

and

b) On a 6-hour trip during which my nose will just be buried in a book anyway, is this difference worth the extra 30 Euros?

Thanks in advance.

Harovan · January 13, 2003, 06:43

1st class is a bit more convenient, the seats are softer and the service a bit better. Also, the way to the restaurant wagon is usually shorter (if the train has one, that is). It is mostly used by older ladies and gentlemen. 6 hours ain't worth the difference of €30, if you ask me. 2nd class will bring you to Frankfurt too. In the same time, btw.

Barley · January 13, 2003, 06:49

The difference is similar to that of an airline. I cannot speak for continental european trains but here in the UK first class train tickets are about 50% extra. For that you get a big seat with more leg room (i.e. some trains their is hostess service). So I guess its like upgrading a flight ticket from standard to business class etc.

Hope this helps.

Oh and 1st class compartments on UK trains are nornally full of toffs (err rich business men and fine chicks (girls)).

mapfi · January 13, 2003, 06:51

1st class is for high society, snobs, business people and the elderly... but quite comfortable.
Sir Ralph's right, spend the 30 Euros on something else.

alva · January 13, 2003, 07:24

And you can't compare a 2nd class seat on a train with that one on a plain. As long as the train isn't packed, you'll have plenty of room.

Save the money to get a decent meal

Rufus T. Firefly · January 13, 2003, 07:32

Thanks all; second-class it is!

HershOstropoler · January 13, 2003, 07:35

I second that. I've never seen a 1st class on a train that's worth the extra money.

*End Is Forever* · January 13, 2003, 08:15

I always travel first class. But that's because I don't have to pay for it...

Giovanni Wine · January 13, 2003, 08:50

Go for the second class, especially since it is only 6 hours.

Saluti

Kropotkin · January 13, 2003, 11:02

I think the 2nd class seats and all the rest about the cars are to good nowadays. As I'm a cheap bastard I would like to have the 3rd class wagons back in service again!

Damn it, I want to share my space with chickens and goats like they do in the poor parts of the world as long as I can save anything.

Bereta_Eder · January 13, 2003, 11:40

Take the 2nd class you pumpered baby

(It just hit me, I've nener taken the 1st class on trains

)

SpencerH · January 13, 2003, 11:53

I've ridden on some trains where 2nd class can be very crowded while 1st class is empty. In that case 1st class is worth a little extra.

*End Is Forever* · January 13, 2003, 12:50

SpencerH hits the nail on the head.

Hueij · January 13, 2003, 14:18

Why not save all your money and spend it in Paris? Forget Frankfurt...

DaShi · January 13, 2003, 15:12

As an American who has ridden on both first and second class seats in European trains, I must say to get the first class seats. I don't know what kind of squalid environment you Europeans are used to to be able tolerate such conditions, but I'll never ride second class again. :vom:

Bereta_Eder · January 13, 2003, 15:13

It is not crowded, normally, nor is it small.

But I guess that depends on many factors (which train you got, what you're used to etc)

SpencerH · January 13, 2003, 15:30

Frankfurt is great. There was an area called the plats de Frankenstein (or something like that). Just restaurants, bars, and clubs, no cars. I sat in a bar one day from about noon until closing watching Bundesleaguer football, drinking beer, and listening to very very loud music. You can (or could) buy a 'boot' of beer which is similar to a yard of ale (you've got to be careful of the last bit).

Rufus T. Firefly · January 14, 2003, 05:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Hueij
Why not save all your money and spend it in Paris? Forget Frankfurt...

I'd love to, but the Frankfurt leg of the trip is business, not pleasure.

Solly · January 14, 2003, 13:59

Depends on the train journey. I travelled (all in second-class) from Aberystwyth to Manchester today.

Aber - Shrewsbury: great journey. I got a table and extra legroom since the train was quiet, so I could read a broadsheet paper and spread out in comfort.

Shrewsbury - Manchester: Just as good, were it not for the train breaking down in Crewe and me having to transfer to another train that didn't have tables and the extra legroom that goes with them.

Manchester - Salford Crescent: Horrendous. Busy, and at rush hour due to the break-down and that the train I was meant to catch for this journey was 14 mins late, then 16 mins, then 18, then 19, then 21 and finally cancelled.

Salford Crescent - home: Busy but just about managed to find a seat. Rickety old train though.

Bereta_Eder · January 14, 2003, 14:27

BTW you're very lucky Rufus.
France and Germany have the best rail and trains in Europe and probably the world.
Be glad, you're not in the UK, they have amongst the worse

Solly · January 14, 2003, 14:31

The Cambrian railway is the best I have travelled on. One of the most picturesque, and since there's only two trains using it, never has any delays.

Provost Harrison · January 14, 2003, 14:32

Quote:

Originally posted by Boddington's
Aber - Shrewsbury: great journey. I got a table and extra legroom since the train was quiet, so I could read a broadsheet paper and spread out in comfort.

Have they changed the format of the Daily Mail?