I love train travel. Honestly, I wish it was available more in the States, but here we are. So we often travel by rail on our European adventures, and we have learned it is often best to splurge on First Class tickets when it comes to long distance train rides.
Hear me out. Having taken multiple European trips on a budget, sometimes it seems like it’s worth the lack of comfort in standard class rail ticket to save a few dollars, but it is not.
During our recent trip to Belgium and Germany, this became very clear. On our second day we booked a standard class ticket from Brussels to Brugge. We figured it was only an hour away, no need to upgrade. We were wrong. First of all, the seats are not assigned. It is a free for all and you just take what you can get. The style of train compartment for this journey were 4 seats facing each other with a “table” in the middle. In standard class, it is a very tight fit. We are no strangers to train travel when in Europe, but we are not surprised when someone we don’t know sits down on the other side of the table.
After the hour of feeling like we were crammed in a sardine can, we opted to purchase first class tickets on our return. Since it was still the same train line, the compartment style was the similar with 4 seats groups and a table, but there was legroom for days! Although our seats were not assigned, there were far less people trying to cram into the first class cars.
The next day we traveled first class from Brussels, Belgium to Düsseldorf, Germany, a 3 hour train ride. We were able to reserve our seats and they were comfortable with a foot rest. It was such an enjoyable ride.
Here are my Top 5 reasons you should definitely upgrade to First Class on your next rail journey :
5. Quiet Cars | These are train cars are perfect for those who need to work or want to unwind on their journey. Guests are asked to limit conversation and speak in subdued tones. Phone calls are not allowed and all portable electronic devices must be muted or used with headphones. Like WiFi, availability does depend on the train line and route.
4. WiFi | This does depend on the train line and route, but many of the longer length voyages offer WiFi in first class in the price of your ticket.
3. Less Crowded | Larger seats means less seats, which means less crowded. After hustling and bustling through the cities, it is nice to sit in your own space during a journey, especially a long one. The cabins are usually quieter due to less people, as well.
2. Comfortable Seats | All trains are different, but I think we can all agree the first class seats are far more comfortable than those in standard class. On our ride from Brussels to Düsseldorf, the seat was fully adjustable/reclined, had plenty of space, also had a footrest and tray table.
1. Legroom | I am not a tall person, but I do love to stretch out. Even when sharing a table in a first class cabin, there is enough room that you don’t feel the need to put your feet under your seat to keep from kicking your neighbor.
On top of these fantastic reasons, the price difference usually is not substantial and the comfort outweighs the cost, in my opinion.
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