Hi
Our family of 4 will be traveling from Bamberg to Berlin. It is a 2.5 hour train ride. Just trying to decide which class to take. It is an additional 10 Euro per person price difference.
For those that have traveled in both classes, is it worth upgrading?
TIA
When buying tickets in advance it is often not that expensive to upgrade to 1st class. In such cases I often do that. More room, and usualy a bit quieter.
1st class tix normally include seat res. fees as well. 2nd class tix do not.
For jut 10 Euro per ticket more, go with 1st class. It is usually less crowded and quieter. The seats are a little nicer.
Opposing opinion…..hardly worth the effort or money for a 2 1/2 hour trip. I generally have only upgraded for an ICE or all day long distance train trips. Ultimately no wrong answers…….
I'm with Veteran Traveler. I only upgraded to 1st class once, and that was a 5 hour train ride, and the upgrade fee was nominal. And there are quite a few trains where you can make seat reservations in 2nd class. I only make them on trains I know will be crowded, but it can be done.
1st class is a little nicer and the seats are a little better, so if that matters, go for it. But for almost $50 to upgrade 4 people, it wouldn't be worth it to me on a 2 1/2 hour train ride. That's me, though. I usually don't spend a lot of extra money on fancy hotels, either. 😊
Thanks for all of the info everyone! I guess the ride is closer to 3.5 hours. Still undecided....Lol
Just waiting on the time table change...maybe it will be even less! Fingers crossed!
I looked at the 9:42 train on 4 December, and the cost difference between 1st and 2nd, including seat assignments, is about $15 for the 3.5 hour ride.
I wouldn't do it. The only 1st class i have been in is an OBB train, and I wasn't impressed.
Not for 3.5 hours but a much longer ride, say going from Paris to Frankfurt I 've done 1st class and 2nd ...worth it more in 1st class. Don't count on the lack or less noise in 1st class, all a matter of luck.
For 10 EUR do it.
To me it was all times worth traveling 1st class between Berlin and Bamberg (my uncle lived there). I like a little bit more space and less co-travelers. The first leg from Bamberg to Erfurt shows some beautiful landscape.
It appears the ICE trains originated in Munich, so there will be passengers already on the train when you board. In either class, I'd suggest getting advanced seat reservations, especially for a table.
1st class tix normally include seat res. fees as well.
But not the saver fare ticket we're talking about here (seat reservations are €5.90 p.p.). And the price of the standard ticket with seat reservation included is €220 per person.
At that price, I would be going 1st class
The cheapest tickets with the seat reservation cost were about $30 vs. $45 more or less. Of course, unless you wait until all the cheap tickets are sold, then for first class you could be looking at 220 euro, but the seat reservation is FREE!!!
If you can still get the tickets that cheaply I'd take 1st class. You want reserved seats, and you want to stay on a nicer car.
Are you traveling first or economy for the rest of your trip ? Hotels, meals, experiences?
!st Class - especially if you are dragging your luggage along with you. In 2nd class, you may end up with your luggage in your lap if the train is crowded, less likely to be an issue in 1st
For only 10 euros I can't see suffering in 2nd class. First class typically offers lounge access and much more luggage space in addition to the extra elbow room.
"Suffering"? Okay, given the choice, I'll do 1st class. But suffering in 2nd class is either hyperbole or a lack of experience. The difference is not earth shattering on most routes and not every station has a lounge and some are ... well.
and not every station has a lounge
... and not a single one is accessible with the saver fare ticket discussed above.
Fritz, that's un-American! Ohhhhh, nevermind.
