European Rail Travel - What is First Class on SBB Swiss Rail like?

Is it worth paying the difference between 2nd class and 1st class between Zurich and Luzern? About an hours trip. I can't find anywhere, what the difference is.

The time that I am looking at travelling shows an IR train. Is this okay or should I wait the 20 minutes or so for an IC train?

The web site is showing me CHF28 same day return for 2nd class and CHF50 for first class.

I am going to the Swiss Museum of Transport Lucerne, and they are having a 30% off April special, so it could only be CHF35 for 1st and 19.6 for second.

It depends on what time of day you are travelling.

If it's off-peak second class should do absolutely fine. If it's a peak commuting time you may want to pay the extra and travel first class just for the extra space, and the greater likelihood of finding a seat.

Easter Sunday from 9am

Easter Sunday from 9am

Well, you obviously won't get any commuters on Easter Sunday... but I'm afraid I don't know to what extent Swiss families go on outings by train on Easter Sunday.

From memory, second class seating is four across (2-2) and first class seating is three across (1-2). Other than that, and the fact that you tend to find more empty seats in first class, there isn't really that much difference.

The IC train is likely to be more comfortable and stop less frequently. 1st class gets you a slightly spacier seat, fewer people, but otherwise that's it.

I find the First Class seats on the single-decker trains (as an IR is likely, but not certain, to be) to be horribly uncomfortable. Sprung bases with absolutely no back or thigh support. I genuinely find the second class seats on those trains vastly more comfortable.

However, on the double-deck stock or older regional stock they are worth paying for as second class seats are too narrow, and those ones are comfortable enough.

Neil

http://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/railpasses/the-general-abonnement/benefits/sbb-lounge.html

You can see how busy the train is on rail.ch under "Occupancy".

I rarely take first class unless I really want to sit down when there is no available seats in second class (pay upgrade fare onboard). I recommend buying second class.

Also, OP cannot go into lounge for 1st class travel as it is within switzerland.