We compared every aspect of first-class train travel in the UK and the US. Neither ride felt worth the higher price tag.

Joey Hadden,Mikhaila FrielSep 10, 2022, 16:43 IST

Mikhaila Friel, left, and Joey Hadden, right, took first-class trains in the UK and US and compared their experiences.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

Insider reporters Mikhaila Friel and Joey Hadden traveled in first-class trains in the US and the UK.
Both reporters paid under $300 for Amtrak and Avanti West Coast trips with meals and lounge access.

Earlier this year, two of Insider's reporters took first-class trains in the UK and the US.

Mikhaila Friel, left, and Joey Hadden, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

Avanti West Coast and Amtrak are popular train lines in the UK and US.

Train stations in the UK, left, and US, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

Neither reporter had traveled in first class before, so they did some research about the routes and perks of the upgraded train car ahead of time.

Mikhaila's Avanti West Coast train, left, and Joey's Amtrak Acela train, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

Mikhaila began her journey at Glasgow Central Station while Joey boarded her ride at Penn Station in NYC.

The entrance to Glasgow Central's first-class lounge, left, and Penn Station in NYC, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

Both reporters thought their first-class lounges were nicely decorated and had a cozy feel.

The first-class lounges had a similar cozy decor.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

While Mikhaila felt uninspired by Glasgow's lounge snack selection, Joey felt spoiled for choice in NYC.

Mikhaila's food, left, and Joey's food, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

After boarding their respective trains, Mikhaila and Joey were both impressed by the amount of luggage space and leg room they experienced in their first-class carriages.

The interior of Avanti West Coast's first-class carriage, left, and Amtrak Acela's first-class carriage, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

After boarding their respective trains, Mikhaila and Joey were both impressed by the amount of luggage space and leg room they experienced in their first-class carriages.

Mikhaila thought her seat was comfortable throughout the five-hour journey, but Joey felt her's was more stiff than expected.

The first-class seat in the UK, left, and in the US, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

Both reporters thought they received better customer service than they have in other train classes.

Mikhaila ordered a Pepsi, while Joey ordered an orange juice.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

The food on board Avanti West Coast and Amtrak were excellent in quality, both reporters said.

Mikhaila ordered lunch, left, and Joey ordered breakfast, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

Both reporters agreed that the first-class bathrooms weren't different from what they have experienced in other classes.

The bathrooms were of a similar standard.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

After departing their respective trains, Mikhaila and Joey concluded that their first-class experiences weren't worth the expensive price tags. But Mikhaila thought she got a slightly better deal since her ride was cheaper and longer.

Mikhaila and Joey wouldn't recommend first-class travel.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

After departing their respective trains, Mikhaila and Joey concluded that their first-class experiences weren't worth the expensive price tags. But Mikhaila thought she got a slightly better deal since her ride was cheaper and longer.

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We compared every aspect of first-class train travel in the UK and the US. Neither ride felt worth the higher price tag.

Earlier this year, two of Insider's reporters took first-class trains in the UK and the US.

Avanti West Coast and Amtrak are popular train lines in the UK and US.

Neither reporter had traveled in first class before, so they did some research about the routes and perks of the upgraded train car ahead of time.

Mikhaila began her journey at Glasgow Central Station while Joey boarded her ride at Penn Station in NYC.

Both reporters thought their first-class lounges were nicely decorated and had a cozy feel.

While Mikhaila felt uninspired by Glasgow's lounge snack selection, Joey felt spoiled for choice in NYC.

After boarding their respective trains, Mikhaila and Joey were both impressed by the amount of luggage space and leg room they experienced in their first-class carriages.

Mikhaila thought her seat was comfortable throughout the five-hour journey, but Joey felt her's was more stiff than expected.

Both reporters thought they received better customer service than they have in other train classes.

The food on board Avanti West Coast and Amtrak were excellent in quality, both reporters said.

Both reporters agreed that the first-class bathrooms weren't different from what they have experienced in other classes.

After departing their respective trains, Mikhaila and Joey concluded that their first-class experiences weren't worth the expensive price tags. But Mikhaila thought she got a slightly better deal since her ride was cheaper and longer.