Train, Marselles to Amsterdam: 2nd Class vs 1st Class

They both get there at the same time. We are training to Amsterdam next week and have opted for 2nd Class. We've traveled both...frankly for just the 2 of us..it doesn't make much difference.

Reclining seats are extremely rare. I haven't done that route in its entirety - too long for me - but I have done segments of it over the years.

On the trains I used to work in the UK just prior to retirement the small first class compartment was advertised as having reclining seats (class 350 electric trains). The way that works is you reach under the seat while rising up and pull forward. The base moves forward about one inch and the back changes inclination by about 3 or 4 degrees. More marketing hype than genuine recline.

My experience in riding around lots of various European trains is that the vast majority of seats are fixed in position. I seem to remember some higher class Italo seats moving. But the Italian leather on all seats in all classes on Italo is enough for me.

There is loads of room and leg and head room in second and first across the board (expect Paris RER trains).

Are you changing in Brussels or Paris? The equipment and the experience is different depending...

The OP is changing in Brussels given the train times they give (great call!). And for such a long ride I'd recommend first class if the price gap is less than 25% (as it often is), the seats are wider, there is no "armrest war" with the neighbor, and there is some pleasant recline (2nd class does recline a little too, but not by much). Also, the cars are quieter.

But most importantly if you value your space, whatever the class, when choosing seats avoid "carre" or "duo vis à vis", thèse are face to face arrangements. Stick with side by side or 'solo' seats.

Second class is like business class on a plane. Just take second class.

I like Balso's criterion, 25%. Just a quick gander at pricing, looked like about 370 for 2 2nd class tickets and 520 for 2 1st class seats. Less than 50% premium, but not quite 25%. Still its your choice. 5 1/2 hours is a long time on the train. You can get up and walk around, go to bar/restaurant car.

Unlike Balso, I do like 2 seats across a table, mainly because my wife hates riding "backwards" and you can never tell which direction the seats will actually face. That way we can switch seats if we guess wrong as to the direction. And it is nice having your own little table for your picnic and laptop if you need one. In 1st class, you can have your own private table.

Wow, thanks gang for all the great information! I don't know enough about how to read Rick's site to know for certain where we change, but I'm thinking Brussels is probably right. They list, "Bruxelles Midi": https://ricksteves.mytraintravel.com/spip.php?page=sales&re_domain=ptp&re_oper=results&step=results That shows a July departure, our October dates aren't available yet. The price difference for us (we're in our early 60's, and so can get a senior discount) is $402 vs. $574.

Who can tell me what the limit is for how far out one can book? 90 days?

Brussels is Bruxelles in French so yes, that's the connection point.

For October, yes, the limit will be approx 90 days. Check a little before that, on en.oui.sncf (French railways) or www.loco2.com who will both sell you tickets for the whole journey without any markup. If you book when bookings open, first class and second class are likely to cost almost the same, making first class a bargain.

Sometimes connections in Brussels are tight: do not worry. Connections are easy in Brussels and if your train is late, look for train staff or station staff to have your ticket endorsed for travel on a later train to Amsterdam. Seat61, an excellent resource, has a guide about Brussels connections. https://www.seat61.com/stations/brussels-midi.htm

It sounds as if you may be looking at RailEurope's prices, which are typically higher than those you'll find on the rail companies' websites or on loco2.com.

Are you saying that the cost you have found for a second class ticket from Marseille to Amsterdam is $402? That is an outrageous price and indicative of the rip off of Rail Europe.

Again, never use Rail Europe to purchase a ticket. It makes me very sad that people trust the Rick Steves site and then get completely ripped off. Ignore the link you shared and only book with the actual rail carrier.

Please read this link - https://www.seat61.com/international-trains/other-cities/trains-from-Marseille.htm

You should pay about 49 Euro for this journey, which is about $60, or about 10% of what Rail Europe is charging. Madness!

Emily, The August 31 departure (as far out as you can book today) is 288 EUR for 2 2nd class tickets, and 428 EUR for 2 1st class tickets. That is from the SNCF website for nonrefundable tickets, for the routing with 1 change at Brussels Midi to the Thalys. That price will probably be lower when it is available for purchase as it will be outside the summer vacation period. Nonetheless, that is the current price. Where are you getting your price information?

Just because the man in seat61 says you can get tickets "for as low as" 49 EUR does not mean they are actually available at that price for your particular travel date.

Man in Seat 61 link above.