Rail travel - question on passes

If you are 26 or older, you must buy a 1st class ticket. The 13-year old can buy the 2nd class youth pass but he/she must ride in second class. If you want to ride together, the youth must have a 1st class pass. Also be aware that the pass does not cover reservation or supplemental fees on the faster trains which is what you will most likely ride.

Also, you might want to look into the point-to-point costs for the major legs on your trip. You may find out that point-to-point is less expensive and you can all ride together in 2nd class which is just fine on European trains.

unless its a specific FAMILY pass - all the tix have to be the same class - which in this case sounds like 1st adult - if there are no child-1st options. Also - check out if its cheaper to do the 2nd-Saver passes for the two countries - and a seperate single-country 2nd-saver pass for the extra country you want to add... it MAY be cheaper to do all 3 first class but run the numbers (compared with just buying a day or two worth of short train tix in the third country). Usually - the long haul or sleeper rideswill be $$ and the pass will be a great deal for those days. But short $15-20 2-3 hour rides may be cheaper at the desk (ask for family pass or deals on weekends)

Anyone with a 1st class ticket or pass is welcome to ride in 2nd class. It's not economical, put it is permitted.

as Lee said, a first class pass can sit anywhere as long as reservations aren't needed...but it CAN be more economical to go 2nd class at times even w/ a pass...the "surcharge" (or whatever that extra fee is called) can differ greatly depending on the trip. I have a choice of 98E or 250E for a train...I'm now 2nd class w/ a pass! and it's sometimes more entertaining if you want to meet the locals.