First class

We don’t have first class or any other class on our local trains,thank goodness. You can pay more on the really long journeys that take a week or more and get a better bed. That might be worth it I suppose.

We travelled first class to Edinburgh on the East Coast line some years ago………the price difference was only a few pounds as we’d booked in advance. It was fabulous……..sandwiches, cake, tea, coffee, beers and wine all included.

My elderly father used to use it to travel from the Midlands to Devon - mainly because it guaranteed him a seat. Despite booking seats previously he had often found someone else using them. If he was flexible about what time he travelled it was often not much more money than a standard ticket. The only problem was that occasionally services changed at short notice and he was put onto a train that had no first class carriage

DH always went to London first class - booked well in advance and using his Senior Railcard.

Always first class these days. Quieter. More room. Easier to find coach and seat. But not luxurious. Don’t expect the Orient Express between Carlisle and Preston 😂

First class on Avanti isn’t what it used to be until fairly recently.
I used it regularly Carlisle to London. More room, better seats and decent food and drinks served at your seat. Much nicer than cramped and crowded economy!
There used to be 2 -3 complete first class carriages, now Avanti are replacing the first class seats with premium economy (the same seats, just re-named)…in the same carriages and the fare is a lot lower than the first class one. The difference in fare would probably buy a gourmet meal and a bottle of good wine in a restaurant. Which is ridiculous!
So the last time I went, I travelled premium economy, same decent seats, same comfort, same carriage, and brought a packed lunch as no food supplied…use the buffet car if preferred.
The only first class seats took up half a carriage.
Whether this is the usual all the time now and all routes I know not.

I treated myself to 1st class a while ago. There was no advantage in doing this, as the 1st class seats were lined up behind the 2nd class ones and only separated by a small gap! No drinks or food were offered, the carriage was grubby, as were the seats and I felt like I had been conned. Once home, I complained, only to be told I must have sat in 2nd class by mistake. (Stupid now, am I?). What can you do? They have you by the short and curlies!

eddiecat78

My elderly father used to use it to travel from the Midlands to Devon - mainly because it guaranteed him a seat. Despite booking seats previously he had often found someone else using them. If he was flexible about what time he travelled it was often not much more money than a standard ticket. The only problem was that occasionally services changed at short notice and he was put onto a train that had no first class carriage

I have found, in my experience that they often do that. They take 1st class payment but only can give you 2nd class seats. Clever, aren’t they? If you try to complain, you get nowhere. Why aren’t they better regulated/monitored?

I used to travel first class on LNER from Carlisle to Glasgow when DD and family lived there. The first class coaches were usually at the front of the train.
I was offered snacks and drinks throughout the journey which only takes about an hour therefore I wasn't offered a meal. DH and I have had meals on longer journeys.
DH likes first class as it has more leg room.

Quite frequently, booked in advance with a Rail Card, but only Off Peak times.

I have travelled first class several times recently between Stockport and Euston.
The last time a few weeks ago was the first time since Avanti took over from Virgin. The food wasn’t as good but the service was excellent.
I am too old to fight for a seat or have to ask someone to move from my booked seat.
At lunchtime hardly any choice of food just a very poor ploughman’s or quiche.
I don’t think there was anything hot.
A G&T went down very well though and then a tray of tea.
The staff were very attentive.

Went first class as a birthday treat with my daughter from York to Edinburgh. We had tea/coffee snacks and cookies going. Coming back, we waited in the first class lounge till our train came and had tea/coffee biscuits. Afternoon tea was served on the way, sandwiches, cakes and tea. The compartment was quiet with nobody talking loudly on their phones. It was a real treat, I felt thoroughly spoilt just on the train. Oh and Edinburgh was wonderful too

It really does depend on the company operating the service.
Cross country is dire and I would never pay for first class on that .

We use first class, with a rail card and advance booking it’s not overly expensive.
Going on EMR to London in the morning , you get coffee, a choice of biscuits, crisps and a sandwich. I sometimes save mine for lunch.

For several years when I had a senior railcard. Could no longer travel on trains when my reserved seat had been taken by someone else or the train was so jam packed that I couldn’t even get up and go to the toilet. Imo if someone has paid for a ticket they should be guaranteed a seat. I remember someone from Europe once saying over and over again that they’d booked a seat and why wasn’t it available to them ( I think it had been announced that all reservations on that train were void).

In my experience it is not worth the huge mark up on some trains, but depends on which rail company and where and when you are travelling...

I use trains a lot and they are way expensive for the terrible service they provide- first class is no guarantee. It's a gamble but things do seem to be improving a bit. I've had perfectly good and quiet journeys in 'normal' class.

I use First Class on LNER when I go to London. I book in advance with Senior Railcard so it's not mega expensive. I like the single seats and having food/drink served at my seat. I also use the First Class Lounges at the start and finish where available. Usually quiet. One of my DDs uses it too as it is quiet for working in. I've used other carriages if I have an unexpected journey and 1st Class expensive and it's been ok. Personal choice and impact on pocket usually dictates these things.

I only upgrade to first class if there is a deal on with LNER who I use to go to London
You do get better seating plus free food/drinks but I wouldn’t pay over the odds as it is not THAT good tbh
My daughter uses cross country and their first class is pitiful in terms of what it offers
Be very careful to check what you will receive for paying the extra money

I travelled first class when I was able to catch the train, and I travel business class on my trips to America to see my daughter. (I'm SKI-ING!) A wheelchair through the airports and I can do it okay. If you can afford it, (I realise that I'm very fortunate) it's well worth the extra, and as I travel there via Dublin I can use the lounge. Nothing beats a free buck's fizz for breakfast!

The only time my late husband and I travelled first class was the TGV from Paris to Marseille, worth every penny.

Late DH always went to London by first class train unless driving. Guaranteed a seat and a bit more peace and quiet on the journey to work. If booked early enough then price can be reasonable.

Never have, and never seen the need Our trains are really nice and new and comfortable anyway, but I like being around folks people watching and chatting to everyone near me on the train it makes the journey go quicker I m sure if I went in first class everyone would be quietly reading their newspapers No thanks not for me anyway it costs too much

We travelled first class on Eurostar as it wasn't that much more expensive. There were several benefits, one being a good lunch, which made the tickets a bargain. When travelling to Edinburgh, we booked early and again bought first class tickets for little more than standard. Quieter, and more room are just two of the advantages.

We have senior Railcards and use the saving to go 1st class. Our son lives in London and the guaranteed seat and no queueing on the aisles make it worthwhile food is not as good as it was. Only time it's not worth the money is TransPennine.