ryan
Full Travel Member
Posts: 30
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Post by ryan on May 26, 2003 15:09:42 GMT -5
On the Eurail trains, what is the difference between 1st and 2nd class? Is it as much of a difference as it is on airplanes?
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Post by Patrick on May 26, 2003 15:19:24 GMT -5
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Post by Kim on May 26, 2003 16:12:21 GMT -5
Depends on the country.
Italy.. no difference really.
UK.. less seats, more leg room, less kids.. etc.
Germany.. same as the UK.
We did both first and second class and it's not really worth it.
Kim
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Post by LHR02 on May 26, 2003 16:31:32 GMT -5
Well, I will be the fly in this ointment. ;D Depends on your budget and your age. I was not eligible for 2nd class, due to age, which at the time really frosted me. However, I grew to appreciate it over 4 months. IF you are looking to 'meet the locals' on your journeys, then 2nd class is your better bet. IF you want an aisle wide enough to walk down with your pack on your back, some better assurance of having a comfortable seat, and even more, certainty that you will have said seat, then 1st class is for you. When second was standing room only, I had my choice of seats in first. When even creeping along sideways got my pack stuck in second, I could stride right along in first. Granted, on the smaller, local routes there was no difference....but on most magor city to city and high speed trains it was noticible. Totally depends mostly on your budget. It's a bit more room, more comfort, better chance of getting a seat......and a bit better service. Mostly, it is a bit of security that you will have a seat when others do not. As I said, initially I bemoaned having to go that route, but learned to appreciate it. But, I like my creature comforts when I can get them. ;D
ging
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Post by Kim on May 26, 2003 16:45:51 GMT -5
Yeah, true, you are always pretty much garanteed a seat-whereas second class can be packed.
I liked 1st class better, don't get me wrong, but wouldn't have paid extra had it not worked out the same for us.
(We travelled on 2nd class until my birthday when I turned 27 - he was still 25. We got the 2 people travelling together 1st class discount pass - would have cost about the same for one 2nd class and one 1st class pass.)
Kim
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ryan
Full Travel Member
Posts: 30
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Post by ryan on May 27, 2003 16:58:12 GMT -5
So in 2nd class is it a problem getting a seat? I don't want to end up on a train where its SRO for a 3 hour train ride... that would bite. Nor would I want to wait a long time for the next train... Now, as far as theft goes... is it a problem on trains? I know that some of my train rides are going to be very long and I will probably want to sleep. On these, would it be best to reserve a sleeper? If I have a 2nd class pass, is it even possible for me to reserve a sleeper?
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Post by Kim on May 27, 2003 18:18:34 GMT -5
It's really impossible to say. Basically, it has not much to do with first and second class, it's whether you make a reservation or not.
With a reservation, you are garanteed a seat. Without one, you are not. Usually, within the country, it's not a problem to find a seat. Country to country or any lengthy trip, I always made a reservation and was glad I did.
There are both first and class sleepers, and they pretty much always require a reservation. Sleepers will be way more comfortable to sleep in than seats, but you will pay extra as a pass doesn't include sleepers.
You can make reservations at any train station by going up to the wickets. We would make them when we arrived in a city for say, 3 days later for our next ride. Try to make them with as much notice as possible, especially for night trains.
Kim
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Post by LHR02 on May 27, 2003 18:48:57 GMT -5
BWA HA HA HA AHA HA AHAHAHA ;D ;D
I am sorry Kim......but what an out loud guffaw this just gave me! Normally don't even notice typos.....but this really tickled my funny bone.....
You can make reservations at any train station by going up to the wickets.........
to the wickets! BWA HA HA HA!!!!
ging
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Post by Kim on May 27, 2003 18:55:20 GMT -5
Oh shut it... LOL ;D ;D ;D
How the hell do you spell it anyway?!
Kim
<modified to say.. isn't wickets a word?? Come on, someone back me up here!)
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Michael
Full Travel Member
Posts: 28
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Post by Michael on May 27, 2003 19:25:02 GMT -5
wick·et ( P ) Pronunciation Key (wkt)
n.
1. A small door or gate, especially one built into or near a larger one.
2. A small window or opening, often fitted with glass or a grating.
that's according to dictionary.com
that's what I always refer to the window as too...maybe it's a canadian/british thing?
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Post by Patrick on May 27, 2003 19:40:34 GMT -5
Isn't that what you throw your cricket ball at??? ;D
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Post by LHR02 on May 27, 2003 20:05:44 GMT -5
Along the same lines Patrick....I thought it was what the little metal things you hit your croquet ball through. ;D
Must indeed be a Canadian/British thing....have never heard it used this way.
Just struck me so darn funny......go to the wicket.....hahahahaha
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Post by Patrick on May 27, 2003 20:17:49 GMT -5
I've always called the croquet things 'gates'... I think they're actually just called "hoops". I don't really care though, I think both games are ridiculous. Funniest thing about this discussion is that it's in transportation.  |
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Post by LHR02 on May 27, 2003 20:42:33 GMT -5
You're right..... so sorry Ryan.......my funny bone tonight has ambushed your thread. But we did give some decent info before I got the giggles. What other questions can we try to help with? ging |
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Post by Kim on May 27, 2003 20:58:11 GMT -5
See!! I knew I wasn't crazy!
Micheal lives an hour and a half ferry ride from me so maybe it's a Western BC thing!
OK... back to the topic..
I have to say though 3 hours with no seats isn't that big of a deal, it's when it's 6 or 7 that it's a nightmare!
We didn't make reservations for one ride and spent it sitting on our packs kind of in between the cars and it wasn't bad.
Kim
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