Buying train tickets in Europe can seem like an overwhelming experience for first-time visitors. So many ticket options and so many questions. Do you get food on first class trains? Are drinks free in first class on trains? Is 1st class train travel even worth it?
You’ve got questions about the differences between 1st and 2nd class train tickets, and we've got all the answers to make your train travel experience through Europe a breeze.
What is the difference between 1st class and 2nd class on trains?
The short answer is: a lot.
Before we break down the individual differences that certain carriers offer, you should know that you won’t see much of a difference between classes on shorter or regional routes. Similar to air travel, you often get the most perks on longer train routes than you do riding shorter train routes in first-class.
Besides, there’s only so much you can eat, drink, sleep, and work on a two-hour ride, anyway.
But on longer routes, you’ll have the choice of spoiling yourself with 1st class on these carriers like welcome drinks, luxury seats, and even complimentary Michelin-starred meals.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Oscar Wong. Image Location: St Pancras International Station, London, England, UK
Eurostar
If you’re researching carriers for train travel across Europe, Eurostar will sound familiar. It offers service around France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and to London.
Depending on whether you're on a route to and from London or not, the names of the different class options will vary. If you're on a train between Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Germany (excluding London), the class names are standard, comfort and premium. Trains running to and from London have classes standard, standard premier and business premier.
All passengers receive access to the Eurostar on-board café, free WiFi, and power sockets.
The biggest difference between standard and business premier classes on Eurostar trains to and from London:
- Complimentary three-course meal designed by Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc with champagne served at your table.
- 3 suitcases and 1 hand luggage, as opposed to 2 suitcases.
- Extra-wide seats and a quieter coach.
- Dedicated priority lanes at check-in.
- No exchange fees and free cancellation.
- Check-in up to 15 minutes prior to departure.
- Complimentary newspapers, magazines, and USB sockets.
- Business Premier lounge access.
Trenitalia
You’ll say grazie mille to Trenitalia, the Italian national railway that gets you to around all of Italy, including Sardinia and Sicily. It offers standard, premium, business, and executive classes. All classes enjoy free WiFi and access to the FRECCE entertainment portal.
The biggest difference between standard and executive class on Trenitalia trains:
- Business, premium and executive passengers get a welcome drink
- Access to the FRECCIAClub in the station prior to departure
- Large leather seats with reclining backrests and leg rest extension
- At-seat dining with an exclusive menu
SNCF
Say oui to train travel through France with SNCF. This carrier is the French national operator and will take you from Lille in the north to Marseille in the south. Both first and second-class tickets include free WiFi, power sockets, and access to the food carriage.
The biggest difference between first class and second class on SNCF trains:
- Quieter coaches
- Roomier seats with headrests
- Hot drink holders
- Option to choose a single seat separate from other passengers
Image Credit: Iryo
DB
Deutsche Bahn is Germany’s largest railway company, super efficient, and quite extensive even compared to other European countries. DB offers a standard and a first-class ticket. Both tickets enjoy free WiFi and access to the restaurant car or cafe-bistro.
The biggest differences between standard and first class on DB trains:
- More legroom and privacy, as first-class rows have 3 seats, not 4
- A dedicated quiet zone car
- At-seat meal service
- Seat reservations
Iryo
Iryo rolled into Spain in 2022, bringing more high-speed routes to Spanish cities and four class categories: Inicial, Singular, Singular Only YOU, Singular, and Infinita. All classes receive free WiFi and 5G, power sockets, access to the onboard entertainment platform, and access to the HAIZEA cafe and Mobile Bar.
The biggest differences between Inicial (the cheapest) and Infinita (the costliest):
- Option for Infinita Bistro dining
- Upgraded to a Gran Comfort XL Seat
- Free changes to time and day of travel
- Discounted missed train repurchase ticket fee
Is 1st class train travel worth it?
Download Trainline’s app to compare costs on the lowest-priced tickets available for all classes. Find the ticket you need with the amenities you want and instantly purchase your e-ticket, all without waiting in line at the train station.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, kruwt. Image Location: River Moselle, Germany