1st class vs 2nd class

There is a difference between 1st and 2nd class, but not enough, IMO, to justify the price difference.

My first trip to Europe was a business trip and the company paid for everything, including first class rail transportation. The next trip was on my own dime, and I couldn't afford first class, so I bought a 2nd class pass. Looking back, I can't say there was a significant difference between the classes. On my third trip, a business trip again completely paid for by the company, I used only 2nd class; I couldn't bring myself to spend company money on what I felt was a needless luxury. Since than (11 trips, all on my own) I have only traveled 2nd class and have no regrets.

2nd class is quite nice in Switzerland. Only the last portion of the Golden Pass (between Zweisimmen and Montreux) and in one of the Golden Pass's reservations-only specialty train carriages in that section of the route is worth upgrading to first class. (The specialty carriages are the Classic "Belle Epoque" or the modern VIP train coaches.)

In France if I am riding the TGV on a multi-hour journey, I pay extra for the 1st class reservations, have done obviously both classes on the TGV with mandatory reservations. When I am taking the Paris Est to Frankfurt Hbf route, regardless of direction, I book the 92 days out discount ticket, 49 Euro in 1st class, ten less in 2nd, on the TGV. I take the 1st class reservation.

Ashley,

I never bother with first class tickets as second class is perfectly comfortable and civilized. Most journeys are only a few hours so I don't see any reason to spend extra money, especially in a country where everything is so expensive.

Last Autumn I took two train rides, both were around 3 hours long, and I wished I had booked first class for both 3 hour train rides. But just tooling around little Switzerland, I guess I wouldn't bother with the upgrade. However, I think I would reserve if you have 2 or more.

We've done both. Overall on long journeys my husband has a strong preference for 1st class. However, for the most part in Switzerland it really doesn't matter. We spend most of our time in the BO and I would never pay to upgrade there. It makes no sense. Really 2nd class is fine - I think my husband mostly prefers it as it is usually less crowded:)

of course you know that the scenery out the window is the same regardless of which class, and both classes get to the destination at the same time.

If you want to see some pictures of what first class and second class seating in Swiss trains looks like, go to The Man In Seat 61: https://www.seat61.com/Swiss-trains.htm#What%20are%20Swiss%20trains%20like

The percentage number depends on which direction you do the math. Normally, you expect to add 50% to 2nd class to get 1st or to deduct 33% from 1st class to get 2nd.

In the case of Switzerland, if you start with 2nd-class rates, you add 58% to get 1st class on a Swiss Travel Pass or add 75% on a point-to-point ticket (e.g., Geneva-Zurich at either 89 or 156 chf).