IME, yes. With the exception of SWT where there is no discernable benefit in paying the extra.

GNER 1st is particularly nice and as they are market-wise enough to discount it in advance and off peak I use it a fair bit.

When spending ones own cash, the price of 1st is a bit of a shocker. With a bit of advance planning and waving of railcards the cost of standard class travel is incredibly reasonable. With the exception of the few like GNER the price of 1st class seems pretty immutable and I find the prospect of paying 600ukp for a family taking a not particularly long trip a bit much.

I'm annoyed by my company's standard-only travel policy, which means that even thought the difference is only that between a £150 fare and a £170 fare (the figures are made up but approximately right) I don't ever get to go First.

Weekend First on a cheap advance-booked standard ticket with Virgin is worthwhile. Although you don't get the lounge, sadly.

Weekend First on a cheap advance-booked standard ticket with Virgin is worthwhile. Although you don't get the lounge, sadly.

I wonder if I was entitled to that lounge. I booked a cheap single and then an upgrade.

You should see what first class is like on Amtrak's northeast corridor (Boston-NYC-DC). The only difference between Business and regular is that you're guaranteed not to stand in the aisle for an hour and a half until the train thins out. Not very civilized at all.

I don't think I have every travelled first class on a train anywhere, now that I think of it. I really must some time. (When I have booked advance purchase tickets on Virgin there has been a first class option for which the price doesn't seem that bad, but I have not availed myself of it). Sounds nice.

I travelled first class for the first time last month on GNER from Leuchars to London.

When the train pulled in at Kirkcaldy (birthplace of Adam Smith as it happens) there was a shower of neds waiting on the platform. I experienced a few brief moments of panic at the thought of having to put up with a minor riot for the next hour or two, until I remembered that they wouldn't be getting on first class.

So there's another advantage. You can avoid the riff-raff.

Of course, if you go on Eurostar to Paris, first class is only actually the second best class. There is something else called Premium First, which provides better food than normal First and which is in a separate car. And for Premium First there are no discounted tickets at all, so the riff raff are well and truly kept out.

Premium First does not exist on trains to Brussels for some reason. Clearly the European Union is losing its effectiveness at wasting taxpayers money.

I think Eurostar premium first class is probably the nicest I've experienced, especially as I wasn't paying for it. I have found in the European countries where I've travelled by train, the standard class carriages are nice enough, as the trains seemed to be newer and more comfy anyway.

The real scandal, to me, is the negligible difference between business air travel and standard class, specifically on routes from London to continental Europe. Flying business class on these routes, as I have done a fair bit (again, not on my dime), it seemed like a waste of bloody money, really. You don't get any more leg room, and the only bonus is a sickening plate of airline food and champagne. For the difference in price, I'd think you'd be better off bringing your own bottle and food on board.

The difference between economy and business is very substantial in intercontinental flights, however. I've only flown business class on Qantas, but there is a lot more leg room and it really makes a difference. But you are right. Business class on short haul is often barely distinguishable from economy.

Several years ago, I travelled FC on Eurostar to Brussels, Thalys to Cologne and ICE to Berlin. Each was best at a different aspect of the overall product mix. Impressive in its own way. All worth doing again. Thus, I am travelling Eurostar to Brussels and Thalys to Amsterdam in two weeks' time. As to the specific question regarding British FC superiority, I shall answer based on having taken Heathrow Express FC, Gatwick Express FC, GNER FC Kings X to Leeds return and Network South East FC Liverpool St. to Shenfield several times each. The GNER experience is the only one differentiated by more than extra space in which to sit, and perhaps a bit more peace and quiet (alas, on the run to Shenfield this quiet is regularly evaporated by the heat of 1000 mobiles simultaneously beeping out "Angels" by Robbie Williams.) GNER provides a very nice -- and very cordially staffed -- FC lounge. The train car is noticeably nicer than Second Class in space, design, ambience and service. I suppose that, if it is as good as Upper Class on their airline, Virgin Trains must have a great FC service, but I do not know from experience. In the end, I think that British FC is competitive with European carriers and beats American carriers, but does not set a standard one could call the envy of the world. Happy travels!

hey ,save yourself loads a money by travelling by first class at the WEEKENDS COS ITS FREE on virgin trains (TRY TO AVOID OLD TRAINS) . IVE TRAVELLED FIRST CLASS MANY A TIME AND NOT PAID A SINGLE PENNY FOR THE UPGRADE .