European backpacking trips may be seen as a ‘rite of passage’ for gap-year students, but Eurail, which sells Interrail passes, has seen sales spike for its (often-overlooked) first-class option.
The top-tier tickets are sold in various categories, with the cheapest from £305, allowing four days’ travel within a month. Ten days’ use in two months costs from £483, or one month’s continuous use starts at £751.
These prices are available for passengers aged 28 to 59. Discounts are available for younger and older travellers.
And when you look at the price hike from second-class to first-class, it’s not huge, usually about 25 per cent more (see graphic). This may come as a surprise to those who are used to paying through the nose for first-class train travel in the UK.
Bear in mind small additional reservation fees may be required on some, but not all, routes when travelling with a first-class ticket. You’re alerted to these extra charges via the Eurail app. On a journey to Greece and back, we put the first-class pass that allows ten days’ travel in two months to the test. Here’s how it went …
Passengers being served food on the Eurostar service to Paris
This classic ride from London St Pancras International to Gare du Nord in Paris is a joy in Eurostar’s Standard class. But it’s even better in Eurostar Plus, which you can access with your first-class Interrail pass, although an extra fee is required.
What’s it like on board? Eurostar Plus is smarter and more spacious than Standard. You’re also given a light meal, wine, tea and coffee. Expect dishes such as spinach and feta quiche and mango and passionfruit tart.
Journey time: 2hr 15min, covering 214 miles.
Seat reservation fee? Yes: £40.
PARIS TO NICE
Nice is the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department on the French Riviera
To reach the South of France, it’s possible to join an Intercites de Nuit (sleeper train) to Nice from Paris Gare d’Austerlitz. This is operated by SNCF, France’s state-owned railway.
What’s it like on board? The train departs at 8.51pm. The pass gives you guaranteed access to a couchette (in a compartment with five other passengers), whereas with a Standard pass you could be stuck in an uncomfortable seat. No dining car so take your own refreshments.
Journey time: 13 hr, covering 425 miles.
Seat reservation fee? Yes: £24.
NICE TO GENOA
The train follows the spectacular Ligurian coast in Italy
It’s a TER (Transport express regional) service operated by SNCF from Nice to Ventimiglia on the Ligurian coast of Italy. Then you catch a Regionale Veloce train, run by Trenitalia, to Genoa Brignole station.
What’s it like on board? On the TER, there’s no specified first-class seating. While on the Trenitalia train, the first-class carriages have comfy seats, plenty of space, your own table, plus peace and quiet.
Journey time: 3h 35m, covering 125 miles.
Seat reservation fee? None for Nice to Ventimiglia; £11 for Ventimiglia to Genoa Brignole.
GENOA TO FLORENCE
Genoa in Italy, which you can reach via a Trenitalia train to Genoa Brignole station
From Genoa’s Brignole station, take the high-speed Frecciarossa (red arrow) train – Trenitalia’s flagship service – to Florence’s Campo Di Marte station.
What’s it like on board? Deserted. For the first couple of hours we had the first-class carriage to ourselves while watching the Italian Riviera slide by and enjoying seats with generous legroom and electric sockets. The bonus is that you’re welcomed on board with a glass of bubbly and given a snack box. The Trenitalia cafe-bars offer modest sandwiches.
Journey time: 2h 47m, covering 160 miles.
Seat reservation fee? Yes: £10.
FLORENCE TO BARI
Bari in Puglia, Italy, is full of old alleyways with hidden gems
This leg required taking another Frecciarossa train from Florence Santa Maria Novella, a lovely central station decorated with colourful mosaics.
What’s it like on board? This is the same as the Frecciarossa service from Genoa to Florence – the highlight being bubbly or red/white wine on arrival. If you have an evening ferry from Bari to Patras in Greece, it’s best to catch the 8.10am, arriving at Bari Centrale at 2.10pm, allowing enough time to explore Bari’s splendid old town.
Journey time: 6 hr, covering 423 miles.
Seat reservation fee? Yes: £10.
BARI TO PATRAS
Basilica Saint Andrew of Patras is the largest church in Greece
You need to buy a physical ticket for this ferry, though you do get a discount with your first-class Interrail pass. To board, you must show the ticket to an immigration officer. You can book the Superfast I ferry on ANEK Lines’ website (anek.gr).
What’s it like on board? You’re allocated a comfortable reclining leather seat in a side room accessed by a key card.
Journey time: 16 hr, covering 385 miles.
Seat reservation fee? Yes: £45.
PATRAS TO ATHENS
The Greek city of Athens is a seafood lovers’ haven
From Patras station catch the hourly rail replacement bus to Kiato and onwards by Hellenic Train to Athens or Piraeus.
What’s it like on board? Nothing special on the bus or the train, which has no first-class section.
Journey time: About 3hr with 1hr 25min on the bus and 1hr 20min on the train.
Seat reservation fee? No.
TOTAL COST
First-class pass for ten days’ travel within two months, £483, plus £140 in seat reservation fees, total: £623.
Book tickets at interrail.eu.
THE VERDICT
First-class Interrail passes are worth the extra cost – for added space and for ease of finding a seat. Second-class tickets can be sold out making trains impossible to catch, but first-class seats are usually available, so it’s much easier to plan trips and travel in peace and comfort.
The extra cost of £103 for a pass allowing ten days’ travel within two months is especially worthwhile: it’s £380 in standard or £483 in first-class for those aged 28 to 59. However, the system of paying extra for first-class seat reservations is frustrating and charges can add up.
