European countries with cheapest and best 1st class?

[Angmering1974]

Hey,

I'm thinking of doing a fly-rail holiday early next year and wondering which countries have the best-value 1st class? Ideally with single seats, good food, lounges and alcohol. An ALR-style pass would be ideal.

Any recommendations? (Except the UK )

Thanks!

 

[SeanG]

Slovakia is always a good call. Not too expensive tickets, lots of loco haulage (although diminishing) and the narrow gauge around the Tatras is great (albeit no first class). Easy to pop across into the Czech Republic for more extensive loco haulage too.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Dec 2025 ==

Note that the majority of 1st class on the continent is just the seat and does not provide complimentary catering. Nothing stopping you purchasing onboard or sitting in a restaurant car of course.

 

[Tinginys]

RegioJet has been creating some waves on Krakow-Warsaw route lately with pretty much impossible pricing for any class. My personal favourite however has to be Barcelona-Madrid with Iryo. The 1st class (Infinita Bistro) package is pretty unbeatable and almost too good to be true, especially among HSR routes.

 

[30907]

OeBB has decent lounges, but now alcohol-free
RENFE ditto, but you have to have a Premium ticket to get in (which gets you the on-board food/drink similar to IRYO).
Trenitalia has inclusive food and drink in Executive class, which comes at a price

 

[Tester]

As others have mentioned, food and drink is generally not a thing.

However an honourable shout-out for Denmark, where many long distance trains have self-serve drinks and snacks, with a continental breakfast option in the morning.

Danish lounges are also good.

 

[railfan99]

Another vote for RegioJet: in October 2025, Prague in Czechia to Kosice in Slovakia was a lovely all day journey, albeit with a sudden platform change at the former not announced in English.

The reservation cost for a 'business' seat in a four seat compartment was just 3.5 Euros reserved because I had a first class Global Eurailpass. (You could buy an Interail pass).. Food and drink was very cheap, a tactic RegioJet uses to attract passengers. The seat was very comfortable, and I was able to converse with two other passengers who spoke excellent English.

OBB RailJets and German ICE units are also very good.

 

[Angmering1974]

I'll definitely take a look at RegioJet. I've not seen much of Eastern Europe so that could be a good option in Spring.

On reflection, I think I might do an ALR in the UK as we still have pretty decent 1st class, then a fly-rail trip focussing more on the destinations rather than the journey experience

Thanks for the ideas!

 

[rf_ioliver]

VR of Finland have pretty good "Ekstra" and "Extra Plus" deals, and also small 2 and 4 person day cabins; they'll even do at-seat meal service too. Prices vary, but usually 20-30% above the normal ticket price. At the moment they are running deals on some trains, so I'm commuting between Helsinki and Oulu once a wekk for 14 euros single per trip, the "Extra" prices was 22 eur, but TBH, I quite like going to the restaurant car and eating there. Despite Finns being quiet and stand-offish, you'll always find someone to talk to in the VR restaurant car

 

[Mozd]

I vote for OBB business class. A mere 15 euro premium on top of first class, giving you acres of space

 

[peteb]

In France the older TGV sets have very comfy armchairs and a subdued lit interior in 1st class. If booked in advance they're only a few € more than 2nd, but no free catering. Unfortunately inter-rail booking fees on SNCF can mount up so I usually just book on the sncf connect app.

 

[Tester]

In France the older TGV sets have very comfy armchairs and a subdued lit interior in 1st class. If booked in advance they're only a few € more than 2nd, but no free catering. Unfortunately inter-rail booking fees on SNCF can mount up so I usually just book on the sncf connect app.

Worth reinforcing that Rail Europe don't charge booking fees on Interrail/Eurail reservations.

 

[Flying Snail]

I'll definitely take a look at RegioJet. I've not seen much of Eastern Europe so that could be a good option in Spring.

On reflection, I think I might do an ALR in the UK as we still have pretty decent 1st class, then a fly-rail trip focussing more on the destinations rather than the journey experience

Thanks for the ideas!

For the cost of an ALR you could get an equivalent time Glabal Interrail and afford to buy every item off the dining car menu on every day of your trip.

Just because they have little or no "complementaries" doesn't mean that the 1st class is inferior to the UK, the trains/seats/ambience are in most cases far superior and the range of food available to purchase is better than the limited choices of rations given out by the likes of LNER and Avanti.

 

[Tester]

For the cost of an ALR you could get an equivalent time Glabal Interrail and afford to buy every item off the dining car menu on every day of your trip.

Just because they have little or no "complementaries" doesn't mean that the 1st class is inferior to the UK, the trains/seats/ambience are in most cases far superior and the range of food available to purchase is better than the limited choices of rations given out by the likes of LNER and Avanti.

That is a very astute observation!

 

[43096]

For the cost of an ALR you could get an equivalent time Glabal Interrail and afford to buy every item off the dining car menu on every day of your trip.

Just because they have little or no "complementaries" doesn't mean that the 1st class is inferior to the UK, the trains/seats/ambience are in most cases far superior and the range of food available to purchase is better than the limited choices of rations given out by the likes of LNER and Avanti.

Indeed. The ALR - and in first class even more so - is exceptionally poor value compared to a Global First Class Interrail. There's not only the ever-decreasing amount of first class accommodation but also the constant dumbing-down of the service in general and the restrictions on the use of an ALR at peak times.

Interrail is far better: better trains, more opportunities, more enjoyable.

 

[Angmering1974]

OK you, and Interrail's free carer's pass has convinced me. Taking the mother to Europe next week. Will do France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy on a 15-day ticket! Very excited

 

[duesselmartin]

Little Luxembourg of course. Standard class is free and first class is only a small supplement.