Yep that’s true — if youre over 26, the pass is more money and 1st class. Not sure why, but if you want to sit together, I don’t think there will be a problem for him to be in the 2nd class cabin with you.

The rationale I’ve read about 1st class only for adults is that the Eurail group, way back in the 1960’s said: “We’ve got lots of extra 1st class capacity, let’s see if we can sell it to wealthy Americans.” You can buy 2nd class passes for adults in many individual countries, including UK, but not a Eurail pass.

You can sit in second class and buy second class reservations with a 1st class pass, so one 1st class pass and one 2nd class pass will work. Another option is to buy 2 first class saver passes. Using 5 day, 5 country as an example: you’d pay $512 adult 1st class plus $333 youth 2nd class ($845) for 1st class and 2nd class. Two 1st class saver passes cost $434 each ($868). I’d spend the extra $23 if I intended to take any overnight trains as some countries sell you a berth in a 4 berth cabin for the same price as a berth in a 6 berth cabin if you’re using a 1st class pass and deluxe single and double cabins cost the same with a 1st class pass as the economy singles and doubles cost with a 2nd class pass.

Have you done any price checking? Point to point 2nd class tickets may be cheaper than a pass for your boyfriend and if you’re willing buy tickets on-line in advance, it might even save over the 2nd class pass.

OldLady
Tanks for the information, I didn’t realize that the money difference between those 2 options (me having a second class pass and him a first class pass OR two saver passes) was so small. I verified again and the biggest price difference I found is not even 100$ more expensive. In that case, we will both enjoy being in first class

Check pricing at the French, Spanish and Italian national rail company websites. You may be able to save money by buying point to point tickets for your boyfriend or not using a railpass at all. How you get from Rome to Athens will be a factor. I’d look for a flight for that leg.