I rode in Premier class for the first time on a Eurostar train from Paris to London with my family. Some things surprised me about the first-class ride, such as the large seats and reliable free WiFi.

I booked a $400 roomette for a 15-hour Amtrak ride across the Southwest in January 2025. Then I booked a $450 first-class ticket for a 3-hour train ride from Washington, DC, to New York City. I was ...