Budapest Travel Forum

Is it worth it to travel first class on the train to Vienna. We usually travel all over Europe second class and have found it comfortable. There have been exceptions, an italian train from Florence to Rome and a train from Paris to Marceilles where second class was overcrowded, all the seats were taken, there was no AC and there was an old italian lady (in black) who wanted the windows closed. More recently, in France from paris to various destinations, second class is fine. ANy comments. We are trevelling from budapest to vienna and then on a second day from vienna to Prague.

I took the train from Vienna's Westbahnhof to Budapest's Keleti station, 2nd class.
And compared to British trains the 2nd class was like the UK's 1st class!
As I'm sure you're aware, their trains are set up in a 6 seat separate compartments, I booked ahead, asked for a window seat, it was comfortable, fast, clean, and air conditioned.
I wouldn't say 1st class is necessary. Have a great time.

There were hourly trains introduced last December, so there's a lot of capacity on offer, no crowded trains with the exception of the first and last trains of the day - but still then, it's not always crowded, maybe just in the weekend.

First class has more spacious seating and surely has AC, though 2nd class carriages also provide enough space for a comfortable journey and AC, or at least a sufficient ventillation system (= great up till it gets over 30 Centigrades hot). No need and no chance to open windows :) There are no on-board services included, maybe with the exception of magazines, which are easier to get on 1st class.