W. Europeans: A question about train travel

[Rufus T. Firefly]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Thanks all; second-class it is!

[HershOstropoler]

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

[*End Is Forever*]

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

[Giovanni Wine]

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

Saluti

[Kropotkin]

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]

Take the 2nd class you pumpered baby

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

[SpencerH]

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*]

SpencerH hits the nail on the head.

[Hueij]

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

[DaShi]

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: