Trains and Different Classes

[more adventurous]

We'll have a few long train rides on our trip in several weeks (Prague>Salzburg - 6 hrs, Hallstatt>Munich - 4 hrs) and I'm wondering, should we spring for first class, or is second fine?

From my research I've gathered that there isn't much of a difference between the two on most trains, but that first tends to be a lot more empty so you usually have more room to spread out. I like the idea of spreading out. I also don't like the idea of being stuck facing someone (who I don't know) and having to stare at them for 4-6 hours. Ok, I know I don't HAVE to stare at them, but it just seems like being in a compartment with strangers would be awkward. I've also read that in first you can sometimes order food from your seat (which seems nice to avoid worrying about unattended luggage), but I'm not sure if that's always the case.

Also though, I'm lazy and I know that for our Prague to Salzburg trip, I can't buy first class online ahead of time (unless I want to overpay on RailEurope.com, which I don't). Plusalso, I am kind of cheap. Thoughts? Experiences?

[travelingturtle]

I rarely spring for first. From the times that I have (either because I had a Eurail pass from the states or the first class price was cheaper), I haven't noticed people really spreading out. They still tend to keep to their space. They might spread out more in second, though, if there's space.

Also, I'm not sure about the route you're taking specifically, but lots of trains don't just have the compartments where you're staring at another person. They'll have cars with seating more similar to a bus. Mostly rows and then a few facing each other. (And in the bus-style seating first is 2 seats/aisle/1 seat - and second is 2 seats/aisle/2 seats.

As for food... in both classes they'll walk by with drinks and small snacks. In first, I'm sure this is train dependent, they'll also hand out some free snacks. Like gummy bears and nuts or something. I've never had issues leaving my seat and luggage unattended. I just look at the schedule to make sure I'm not doing it when the trains getting ready to stop. Depending on the times, some first class areas are packed with business travelers. When I've been on one of those I tend to not want to eat at my seat anyway.

My thoughts: if you're reserving your seat in advance and the price is similar, get first. I mean, it's still first. If it's much more expensive, second is fine.

[mdgirl]

It's been many years since I took the train in Germany, but when we were just in Italy we could pick our seats when we bought our tickets for the longer train trips. A lot of them were facing each other, but there were a few in each car that didn't. There was one trip where we had to face a stranger, but it honestly wasn't that bad. I don't know that I've ever taken first class trains in Europe, so I can't help with differences.

[v]

Second is definitely fine. I've gone first a few times when it was cheaper than second or second wasn't available, and the difference was negligible. I wouldn't bother paying more for it!

[alleinesein]

It depends on the country. For Germany second class is fine You would not want to do second class in India though

[more adventurous]

Aug 27, 2014 12:07:38 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

It depends on the country. For Germany second class is fine You would not want to do second class in India though

What about for the Czech Republic? I'm assuming it's about the same?

[gtkim]

Just last month we took trains from Nuremberg to Vienna and then from Vienna to Prague.  We did both in second class and it was perfectly fine.

[lolo]

Random seat companions are far less cumbersome in Europe than in America because it is GENERALLY SPEAKING less likely that you will end up with anyone who expects you to carry on any sort of conversation.

Although I did once bond with a random seat companion (Italian) when we both obviously checked out the same very fine guy who was pulling off his sweater and exposing a very nice stomach...a very nice memory all around.

Oh, and second class is fine. Truly.

[Cicero]

Just FYI, reserve a seat. I've been in more than one Czech train and been stuck standing because I didn't.

Also FYI, a lot of the trains running through CZ were manufactured in East Germany and do have the old school compartments with two benches of three seats that face eachother.

[more adventurous]

Aug 28, 2014 3:26:40 GMT -5 Cicero said:

Just FYI, reserve a seat. I've been in more than one Czech train and been stuck standing because I didn't.

Also FYI, a lot of the trains running through CZ were manufactured in East Germany and do have the old school compartments with two benches of three seats that face eachother.

This is really good to know because I was debating if it was really necessary to reserve a seat. Thank you.

Since you're familiar with Czech trains, do you happen to know if I purchase tickets on the CD website if they'll be good for multiple days, or only for one specific date? I was having a hard time figuring out the verbiage and we aren't 100% set on our travel date for that trip yet. I know with OBB when you purchase online, they're only good for the day you specify. Also, it said that on our trip from Linz to Salzburg reserved seats may not be adjacent since they're done in a foreign reservation system. Guess I don't want to pay extra for that leg of the trip then. Hm.

[gtkim]

We didn't book our tickets ahead of time.  We simply went to the train station when we got to a city and bought them there and it was fine.  And yes, definitely reserve a seat.

[Cicero]

Aug 28, 2014 8:46:37 GMT -5 more adventurous said:

Aug 28, 2014 3:26:40 GMT -5 Cicero said:

Just FYI, reserve a seat. I've been in more than one Czech train and been stuck standing because I didn't.

Also FYI, a lot of the trains running through CZ were manufactured in East Germany and do have the old school compartments with two benches of three seats that face eachother.

This is really good to know because I was debating if it was really necessary to reserve a seat. Thank you.

Since you're familiar with Czech trains, do you happen to know if I purchase tickets on the CD website if they'll be good for multiple days, or only for one specific date? I was having a hard time figuring out the verbiage and we aren't 100% set on our travel date for that trip yet. I know with OBB when you purchase online, they're only good for the day you specify. Also, it said that on our trip from Linz to Salzburg reserved seats may not be adjacent since they're done in a foreign reservation system. Guess I don't want to pay extra for that leg of the trip then. Hm.

Sorry, I have no clue. I have only ever purchased tickets at the train stations themselves.

[GilliC]

If it's just a few hours' trip and you're not sure about your plans, I'd just buy them at the station a few days in advance once you get there. That's what I almost always do, and it's never been a problem as long as it's not an overnight trip.

[more adventurous]

Aug 28, 2014 13:33:10 GMT -5 GilliC said:

If it's just a few hours' trip and you're not sure about your plans, I'd just buy them at the station a few days in advance once you get there. That's what I almost always do, and it's never been a problem as long as it's not an overnight trip.

I thought about this but for CZ I've read that you get a bigger discount by purchasing online as long as it's 3 days in advance. Just trying to make our trip more MM friendly. I think I'll just wait until we've solidified things to make the purchase.

[GilliC]

And in today's random coincidence, I came home from work and found a tourism brochure for the Czech Republic on my doormat!

[more adventurous]

Aug 28, 2014 15:52:42 GMT -5 GilliC said:

And in today's random coincidence, I came home from work and found a tourism brochure for the Czech Republic on my doormat!

Haha, that is random! Maybe I'll see you there?