Photo by Ugur Akdemir on Unsplash
Despite 1 in 5 people having their plans disrupted by rail strikes between December 2022 and January 2023, Brits still love travelling by train.
In fact, it’s estimated that a whopping roughly 30% of Brits are train users, showing just how many people get the train despite the occasional inconvenience.
But how many of us travel first class? Often seen as a luxury, first class train travel offers several advantages that make the higher price well worth it.
So, what are they?
In this article, we’ll discuss four benefits of travelling first class.
- Complimentary refreshments
Forgotten to pack some light snacks for your journey? Or maybe you couldn’t pick up a nice hot cup of coffee because you were in a hurry? It doesn’t matter, because you’ll receive free food and drink on most first-class services. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savoury, hot or cold, there’ll be an option to keep you refreshed until you reach your destination.
- Free Wi-Fi
We all need a way to while away the hours on a longer train journey and, for many of us, using our smartphones is the preferred choice. Yet whether the train is passing through an area with patchy coverage or you simply have a restricted allowance on your mobile data package, it can often be a challenge to access the internet mid-journey.
But in a first-class carriage, you can take advantage of free onboard Wi-Fi to chat, browse and stream as much as you like. Not only will this give you a more consistent connection to the internet, but you’ll also be able to conserve your mobile data. Talk about a win-win.
- Better seats
Train journeys can sometimes be cramped and uncomfortable, especially if you’re taller. And when there are plenty of passengers on board, it can be difficult to get enough room to feel like you can truly sit back and relax. But first-class seats offer you more legroom than economy counterparts. They’re also typically bigger, giving you extra room to stretch out and enjoy while you travel to your destination.
- Extra table space
Trying to enjoy an onboard snack or beverage? Trying to catch up with work while you travel? Or maybe you just need somewhere to rest your book while you read? It doesn’t matter which situation you fall into, everyone benefits from having extra table space. And this is another perk you enjoy when you travel first class. Even if the carriage is fully booked, you’ll have enough table space to do whatever you like – and then some.
Which of these benefits of first-class train travel do you love the most?
