The One Type Of Train Ticket That Is Just Not Worth It, According To Rick Steves

Train travel is booming in Europe. In 2023, train passengers covered over 266 billion miles across the continent. In the U.S., that figure was a measly 6 billion. Rick Steves, America's beloved guide to Europe, is a huge advocate of traveling by train, encouraging visitors to take to the rails and add to those 266 billion miles. We completely agree: Train travel in Europe is a budget- and eco-friendly way to travel. But not all ticket options in Europe are created equal. For Steves, there's one type of train ticket that is just not worth it. You won't find him in first class.

Steves warns against buying first-class train tickets on his site for several reasons. Cost is a factor, with Steves writing that "first-class tickets cost about 50 percent more than second-class." While paying 50% more could be justified by a significant boost in comfort — imagine if the best first-class seats on an airplane only cost 50% more than in economy — this isn't the case for European trains. First class and second class often feel quite similar, according to Steves, making the extra expense unnecessary.

Is what Rick Steves says true that first and second class differ little on European trains? In terms of comfort, he's right. But there are some things that set the classes apart. One of Steves' arguments for second class is that "The vast majority of Europeans don't travel in first class unless someone else is paying for it."

That means second class tends to offer a more social, communal experience and the chance to chat with local people. First class is often full of business travelers, their companies having bought the tickets. It's usually quieter, so if you value peace on a train journey, first can be a better choice. (But many European trains offer a second-class "quiet car", which means you can save money and avoid someone loudly recounting their life story over the phone.)

If you're thinking, "But I still want to experience first class!" look to budget-friendly countries like Poland, where the price difference between first and second class can be minimal. Or, if you really want to throw the budget out of the window, consider traveling on one of Europe's most luxurious train rides. But no matter which class you choose, remember Steves's quip: you don't arrive any faster in first class than in second.