Is first class worth the extra on train travel

AubreyMac

When I went first class from London to Birmingham it was £10 more (Virgin Trains).

It was less cramped, allocated seats and you get a meal (sandwiches and hot drink).

For me it was worth paying £10 more for but I probably wouldn't pay above that.

bob_a_builder

Actually getting a seat !

wiogs

bob_a_builder wrote: »

Actually getting a seat !

Depending on the company a first class ticket doesn't even guarantee that!

A trip from Aberdeen to Glasgow springs to mind

Contessa

I'll probably be travelling from Cornwall to London and back in January. It's a very long journey and I'm considering First Class. However, there are possible engineering works then and if this does happen then part of the journey will be made by coach.
Not to mention possible disruption if we have a repeat of the awful weather suffered this year.
So, it may not be worth the extra cost.

greenface

Depending on how much "extra" cost is really

marvin

You also get free wifi on Virgin

Kernow666

Contessa wrote: »

I'll probably be travelling from Cornwall to London and back in January. It's a very long journey and I'm considering First Class. However, there are possible engineering works then and if this does happen then part of the journey will be made by coach.
Not to mention possible disruption if we have a repeat of the awful weather suffered this year.
So, it may not be worth the extra cost.

picking a random return in january

super off peak - £105
off peak - £131
off peak 1st - £264
anytime return - £269
anytime 1st return £399

paddyrg

The free or paid wifi on trains is bleedin' awful - it's basically a 3G SIM shared between the train (although Cross Country use multiple networks). It's only useful when on Virgin or Cross Country as their rolling stock seems to have phone reception killing technology.

somethingcorporate

I very occasionally get to go first class when it is (almost) the same cost as standard between york and london on East Coast.

Well worth it, nice seats, lovely service a good breakfast, free papers, tea, coffee and very few folks even on peak commuting.

[Deleted User]

There are certain times of the day where you can get a first class ticket for not much more than a regular one. Free booze, hot drinks and food, a bigger seat + table, everyone gets a plug point and free wifi.. it is a much more civil way to travel!

HOWEVER - some train station lounges do not permit ALL first class ticket holders in. I only had a first class advanced ticket and they wouldn't let me in at Kings Cross. Oddly, they did at Leeds.