Hello all,
In early April y wife and I will be taking the train from London to Kendal (one way). It is a 3 hour trip and we are wondering if the rather large difference in price between Coach and First Class if worth it.
By that I mean Coach class on the train vs First Class on the train
Anyone have an opinion?
Regards,
Dennis and Elinore
Nope.
Coach class is an excellent experience and provides a great value, especially with early purchase of the tickets.
Be interesting to learn Nigel's response to your post.
How big is the difference? For a trip to Kendal I would be happy to pay extra for the train as it means a shorter journey, but 2nd class is usually cheaper. Coaches are generally fine in the UK and I've used them many times, but this would be too long for me in a coach.
No, most people in Europe ride in second class, which is perfectly comfortable. I've been traveling in trains in Europe for over 25 years and have only sprung for first class once or twice (and that was because there was a great deal). It's a bit nicer but nothing worth paying a lot more money for.
In second class, you have the opportunity to meet more people, including locals and other travelers. The times I went first class, most of the travelers were business people (at least, that's how it looked) and everyone kept to themselves.
Dennis, language issue in your post. That is why Badger’s post reads a little differently. In the UK, a coach is a bus. He thought you were asking about the difference between the train and the bus. What you are really asking about is the difference that 1st class makes on a train. Perhaps clarify your post?
Is it worth it? It depends on you. First offers more privacy and you are not necessarily forced to sit next to strangers. To me this is important in these "days of Covid" as practically no one on the train will be masked.
If there are two of you, and you can get two seats together airline style rather than sharing a table where the others might be eating, drinking, whatever, then second class should be fine. Many train companies will let you choose your seats if you buy directly from them.
I travel solo so I opt for a single seat in first class. More privacy and no one breathing on me. Or worse.
Standard is absolutely fine. First class is only worth it on very busy routes where it just means you can travel in a bit more peace and quiet. Unless it’s REALLY busy when all rules seem to be abandoned anyway.
In Spain and other countries fast trains can sell out. That doesn’t happen in the U.K. Everyone just piles on and people sit on the floor, in the toilets or stand the whole way. I doubt your route would be this busy. It’s usually eg, an evening train out of London.
If you buy your tickets well in advance, there may well be a good deals with first class only costing a few pounds more than 'standard'. (As explained we don't use the term 'coach'. There's some information about the perks of travelling first class here. As well as more space, it may also be quieter.
Avanti West Coast -- good luck with that
In times of Covid I've been booking First class seats on trains although I've only traveled in France and Belgium (no first class on the commuter type trains). I selected first because the number of people in the car are fewer and at least on the French trains they have a row of single seats down one side of the car so I don't have to sit next to or across from someone.
Unknown what the Covid situation will be next year for travel but I will still opt to go with a less crowded train car if possible.
Thanks to all I think I have enough information to make my decision
Regards,
Dennis and Elinore
Thanks Carol now retired!
Coach class is not much better, I've never heard that expression. Trains usually have 2nd class (Standard in the UK) and 1st class.
Hi Dennis -
They are right above, it’s usually ‘Standard’ as opposed to ‘Coach’. Mind you, as we always travel ‘Standard’ and think First Class is ludicrously expensive for what little extra you get, we tongue in cheek refer to Standard as ‘Peasant Class’!
Travel Standard, buy ‘Advance’ Tickets. Enjoy Kendal and the Lakes!
Ian
Standard is absolutely fine, even in so-called time of Covid. My sister-in-law and I traveled month of May and rode 17 different trains in standard and it was just fine.
We lived in Germany from 1987-1991 and traveled by train a lot. We never went first class. We did take night trains a few times and the difference between second class couchettes (six persons to a compartment and no way to lock the door for security reasons and first class sleeper is for two persons with private toilet and sink.
We did the first class sleeper when we traveled back from Denmark after our wedding, it was great. Still, we did the family thing with couchette sleepers (usually slept with wallet and passport under my pillow).
Also, I remember traveling on one train in Italy that had standing room only (second class). We wished we had done first then.
Still, most of the time second it fine.
For this trip, I suggest you pre book direct with the train company = Avanti West Coast but for the final 30 minutes or so, you will have to change (probably at Lancaster or Oxenholm if the express stops at that station) to a local train which won’t have 1st class. Avanti have been having problems because they don’t have enough drivers and they have been refusing to work overtime on their days off because they want a pay rise. (They earn around £60 to £70,000 per year which is well above UK average pay of £30,000). To get the cheapest fares, you should pre book around 11 weeks out for a specific train (no refunds) and choose to travel in the middle of the day and avoid Fridays is possible and Sundays - due to possible engineering work. Check out dates in advance on their website and you will see what I mean. You should find one way Advance fares from London EUSton to KENDAL for £34 standard class and £102.80 First Class (without a Railcard).
https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk
Most of your journey will be on a Pendolino train. Here is a video of this train which shows you the difference between standard and 1st class.
"They have been refusing to work overtime on their days off because they want a pay rise. (They earn around £60 to £70,000 per year which is well above UK average pay of £30,000)."
Its also an incredibly responsible job driving a 1000Tn train at 200km/h with several hundred pax on board. The same goes for airline pilots too.
