1st class versus 2nd class trains?

My comparison is the difference between Business class and First class on airlines. We always use 2nd class and have never had a problem. Lots of space. Last year rode first class from Amsterdam to Antwarp because of a promotion that made first class cheap. Only ones in the whole car.

My experience was that they had more room and were often more cool than the 2nd class on regional trains anyway.

We never bought 1st class tickets but we would sometimes roam down that way and sit in the 1st class if there were seats.

Never had anyone tell us to move.

First class won't get you any perks other than a wider, more comfortable seat with more legroom, a glass of juice, and a mint. The first class cars are at the front of the train, usually the first several cars. The second class cars tend to me more crowded on the busier routes. I go first class for the added comfort level, but second is good enough if you are watching your budget. No matter what, just be sure that you can keep your luggage within sight and watch it especially when you are in the station. I use a small cable lock to lash mine to the luggge rack.

I'd compare it more to business class and economy.

We find 1st class to be cleaner and more quiet, in addition to more room, less crowded and usually cooler as another poster said.

Everything you could possibly want to know is at this excellent website:

http://www.roninrome.com/%20transportation/riding-the-trains-in-italy

Including the difference between 1st and 2nd class in Italy (which is not necessarily the same as the rest of Europe).

There is absolute no comparison between economy class with 15" of knee room and 2nd class on any train with a good 30" or more of leg room. The space in 2nd class is equal to or great than business class in an airplane.

On long trips with a number of train changes, I found one unexpected benefit of first class--there was often enough space that I could keep my luggage with me on the floor or on an adjacent seat, rather than having to lift it overhead or into the racks at the back of the train. That made for a much less tiring experience as I kept transferring trains, and I was far more prepared to enjoy the day when I finally arrived. (And a light-weight retractable cable lock is great for securing luggage should you need to stow it. Be sure to get one with a long enough cable, since sometimes it takes some hunting to find a place to loop it around.)

Hi Frank, I wasn't thinking in inches of knee room, or leg room - I was thinking in more general terms...I have no doubt you are right about the space.