Second class is fine. The difference is the size and comfort of the seats and sometimes the cars are a little newer or better maintained, although usually all of the cars (both 1st and 2nd) on a specific train are the same vintage — either all sparklingly new or all getting a little shabby. 1st class has 6 seats to a compartment or 2 seats on 1 side of the aisle and 1 on the other in the open cars. 2nd class has 8 seats or 2 and 2. Few Europeans spring for 1st class as it’s 1 1/2 times cost of 2nd class for a regular ticket, so 1st class cars aren’t as crowded — but trains are seldom full in either class.

I spring for 1st class in Eastern Europe, but if the difference is significant, I wouldn’t bother with 1st class in Germany (unless maybe you’re going to Munich for Oktoberfest). Check the schedules — many local trains are 2nd class only, anyway.

…cool, thanks, ill probably just get a 2nd class then…heck, how rough could it be anyway???..(ive used the bathrooms in Paris)

In Germany, the rail lines are the best maintained in Europe. Most train cars are fairly new, certainly clean. 2nd is absolutely no problem. You’ll probably even get air conditioning on some (search around for the right car – not all have A/C).

unfortunately i wont be there in hot weather, although i love the cold weather anyway and cant wait to see castles covered in snow. gonna have to go 2nd class, way cheaper and from what i hear about the quality of the rail system and the time of year, there should be no problems.

oldlady writes:

quote:… Second class is fine…. 1st class has 6 seats to a compartment or 2 seats on 1 side of the aisle and 1 on the other in the open cars. 2nd class has 8 seats or 2 and 2. Few Europeans spring for 1st class as it’s 1 1/2 times cost of 2nd class for a regular ticket, …

Sometimes in First Class you get some additional ‘perks’ like fully reclining seats, free periodicals and/or free drinks or snacks;

As I recall, the supplement you have to pay for Intercity Express (ICE) Trains is less if you have a First Class Railpass.

If I were buying a Germany Railpass I would buy it over the Internet direct from DB – it might save some significant amount.

quote:… I wouldn’t bother with 1st class in Germany (unless maybe you’re going to Munich for Oktoberfest). Check the schedules — many local trains are 2nd class only, anyway.

You might also want to look into and consider some of the new discount German air carriers like German Wings or Berlin Air

#Eddie

1. A German Rail Pass covers ICE trains. No supplements needed at all.
2. The price is everywhere the same. As I’m no big fan of Raileurope and we are here in the eurotrip forum – what about buying via the "BUY A RAILPASS" link at the top of this page?

#capncalyx
If the price difference between 1st class and 2nd class is an issue for you, go for the 2nd class pass. I also travel privatly normally in 2nd class.

Here some pics:[url=‘http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/de/electric/emu/ICE/ICE-3/cab%2Binterior/pix.html’]ICE 3[/url] (leather seats in 1st class, but this train is also in 2nd class among the best regular trains on tracks on the planet)
IC/IR [url=‘http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/de/car/IC%2BIR/Aim-Aimz-ARkimbz/irklass1.jpg’]1st class[/url] [url=‘http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/de/car/IC%2BIR/Bpmz-Bpmbz-Bpmdz/bpmz3.jpg’]2nd class[/url]
[url=‘http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/de/electric/emu/425/cab%2Binterior/pix.html’]class 425[/url] (regional trains or S-Bahn – not much difference between the classes at all)
[url=‘http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/de/car/regional/ex-Silberling/interior/pix.html’]ex-Silberling[/url] (refurbished cars fromt the sixties)

i think some of my questions about 1st v 2nd class have been answered. but does anyone have any specific info on the trains in Italy?? Seems these references were to the German trains. I was just on RailEurope website….it would be a train trip from Florence to Rome. It said there is a direct train that is only like a 1 1/2 hour trip. i am thinking it is so short that even if 2nd class isn’t that nice, i can tolerate it for such a short trip.
comments??
also, would appreciate anyone’s opinion of necessity of reservations for train trips in italy in the early Spring.

Eurostar Italia and Pendalino trains are some of the premier high speed trains in Europe. Both require reservations. Other than on trains where they’re required, you probably won’t need reservations in early spring — unless you hit Easter weekend or some other special occasion.