Trains: High Speed Trains
To view the answers to the questions found below, please click on each question link, the answer will be revealed below the question.
Q. Should Eurostar, Thalys and other High Speed Train tickets be purchased prior to your departure date?Many trains such as the Eurostar offer discounted tickets for advance purchase. These fares have limited availability and sell out quickly. To receive the best price on the train you want to travel on you should purchase your tickets prior to your departure so you can avoid fully booked trains.
Q. Under train tickets and schedules, does the fare represent a per person rate or total for everyone?A. Our "Train Tickets and Schedules" section calculates the total cost of your outbound journey first, and it includes the cost for the number of people that you specify. Once you choose an outbound journey, the costs of the return journey appear.
Q. Do I have to reserve a seat on a high-speed train?A. Yes all high-speed trains require reservations. Some 1st class trains include meal service in the price of your ticket.
Q. Will there be a bathroom on the train?A. Bathrooms are easily accessible on all the trains and are usually marked with the letters WC. Bathrooms can usually be found at the front or back of each train car (also known as a coach), and will include a sink, toilet and a locking door.
Q. What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the Eurostar (London to Paris or Brussels)?A. Eurostar offers 3 classes of service 2 for 1st class and 1 for 2nd class.
Business Premier which offers priority express check-in at the terminals, a dedicated ticket desk for check in, access to the Eurostar Executive lounges, spacious reclining seats with generous legroom, wifi access at the terminals, a dedicated coach for business travelers, complimentary newspapers, 3-course meal with refreshments at your seat.
Leisure Select offers spacious reclining seats with generous legroom, complimentary newspapers, and 3-course meal with refreshments at your seat.
Standard class (2nd class) offers generous legroom and access to a bar-buffet car where a selection of food and beverages are available for purchase.
Q. What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the Thalys (Paris to Brussels and Amsterdam)?A. First class on the Thalys offers large comfortable reclining seats and drinks and a light snack served at your seat.
Second class on the Thalys offers generous legroom and a selection of drinks and snacks at your seat that are available for purchase.
Q. What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the Lyria (Paris to Switzerland)?A. First class on the Lyria offers large comfortable reclining seats and a bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Second class on the Lyria offers generous legroom and a bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Q. What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the TGV East (Paris to Stuttgart)?A. First class on the TGV East offers ergonomic reclining seats with head and foot rests, non-smoking coaches, individual power outlets, reading light, ability to book a taxi for your arrival with staff on the train and a restaurant car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Second class on the TGV East offers ergonomic reclining seats with head and foot rests, non-smoking coaches and a restaurant car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Q. What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the Artesia Day (Paris to Milan)?A. First class on the Artesia Day offers large, comfortable reclining seats and a bar-buffet car offering a complete selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Second class on the Artesia Day offers generous legroom and bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Q. What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the AVE (Madrid to Cordoba & Seville)?A. The AVE offers 2 first class options they are called Club class and Preferente class.
Club class on the AVE offers access to the AVE lounges at the rail stations, large comfortable reclining seats, a selection of video and audio programs at your seat, and friendly staff serves you drinks and light snacks at your seat. This class of service offers tables for each seat.
Preferente class on the AVE offers access to the AVE lounges at the rail stations, large comfortable reclining seats, a selection of video and audio programs at your seat, and friendly staff serves you drinks and light snacks at your seat.
Tourist class (2nd Class) on the AVE offers generous legroom, a selection of video and audio programs at your seat and a bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Q. What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the TGV Med (Geneva to Nice & Marseille)?A. First class on the TGV Medoffers large comfortable reclining seats and a bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Second class on the TGV Med offers generous legroom and a bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Q. What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the TGV (All high speed trains in France)?A. First class on the TGV offers large comfortable reclining seats and a bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
When Premier service is offered for this train the service includes meal service and access to the TGV lounge at the train stations.
Second class on the TGV Med offers generous legroom and a bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the Talgo Day ?A. First class on the Talgo Day offers large comfortable reclining seats and a bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Second class on the Talgo Day offers generous legroom and a bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase
What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the Talgo 200 ?First class on the Talgo 200 offers large, comfortable reclining seats, friendly staff to serve you drinks and light snacks at your seat and major routes have audio and video programs at your seat.
Second class on the Talgo offers generous legroom, bar-buffet car offering a complete selection of food and beverages for purchase and major routes have audio and video programs at your seat.
What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the Spanish day trains ?First class on the Spanish day train offers large, comfortable reclining seats, friendly staff to serve you drinks and light snacks at your seat and major routes have audio and video programs at your seat.
Second class on the Spanish day train offers generous legroom, bar-buffet car offering a complete selection of food and beverages for purchase and major routes have audio and video programs at your seat.
What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the Italian Day Trains ?First class on the Italian day train offers large, comfortable reclining seats, and Bar-buffet car offering a complete selection of food and beverages for purchase. (on major routes)
Second class on the Italian day train offers generous legroom and Bar-buffet car offering a complete selection of food and beverages for purchase. (on major routes)
