German Train Travel - 1st or 2nd class?

It depends on the lenght of your journey and the type of train. Generally speaking the seats are the same size in both classes. The difference is they're leather seats in 1st and cloth in 2nd. Also there is more space around your seat in 1st class. On a Friday afternoon 2nd class usually is packed whereas in 1st there still is some sort of privacy and less noise. Usually kids run around in 2nd class whereas in 1st business travelers work on their notebooks...

If the money for the tickets comes from your own pockets, and not from your T&E expenses: 2nd class.

Personally I think the cost-benefit ratio (assuming the normal price difference) just isn't good enough. Especially as a tourist, as the 1st class targets the expense budget of business travellers.

For me the main advantage of 1st class tickets is the access to the DB Lounge at the station while you're waiting for the train.

In my experience the possibility of annoying co-travellers depends purely on the luck of the draw, not on the class you`re travelling in.

Some new travelers might have a misconception about 2nd class cars on European trains. In my experience, 2nd class is perfectly adequate: comfortable seats, and plenty of legroom (way more than an economy class airline seat).

Ron
I think it also depends if you have kids.
My husband is not very tolerant of kids and so we opt for 1st class to avoid as many kids as possible.

The 1st class is generally more quiet, and some extra perks like more storage, legroom, beverages...

Otherwise, as Rick says.. the train travels the same speed regardless of class.

For me 2nd class has plenty of room and is comfortable enough for day trips. Once I accidentally got in a first class car, and didn't notice the difference (until I was told to move!)

We got 1st class rail passes for our last trip through Germany/Austria. But when we bought a few point to point tickets, we just bought 2nd class. One of the days we were on a train that was packed with a large group of children on a school trip, and we were happy that we had our 1st class railpass because the car was completely empty. So we had lots of privacy and quiet! Another trip, we were headed to the airport from Stuttgart, and it was an ICE, so the 1st class seats were very nice. The car was just full of businessmen on their way to work. Also very quiet. It depends on what your budget is. It wasn't too much more to get the 1st class pass, so we did as a little splurge. But as the others said, 2nd class is usually just fine.

Looking at the Selectpass Saver 3 country which is a 1st class railpass so probably will end up in 1st class.

It's usually less crowded in 1st class. If it's a trip of several hours, I choose 1st. Very comfortable and a server comes by with refreshments (for purchase -- not free).

As far as I can reckon second class and first class both get to the desination at the same time.

I've done both. When traveling on business (and someone else is paying), I'll go first class with reservations. When on vacation, I go second class sans reservations.

First class is a little nicer - more space, quieter, slightly more comfortable.

Second class in Germany has always been more than nice enough for me. It's a little more relaxed, you are more likely to have a conversation with someone (although I've had nice conversations in first class also). Clean and comfortable enough and arrives on-time just like first class.

The refreshment wagon comes through 2nd class too, though I always like going down to the dining car cause it is fun to walk through the train. I guess I would just rather spend the extra money that 1st class costs on something else, like a good dinner, or a really good souvenir.

I prefer the 1st class...seemed to be less crowded in the 8 countries we visited. That is the advantage of buying a Eurail Pass.