A first-class ticket on the Titanic cost between £30 ($4,350 today) and £870 ($125,000 today) depending on the level of accommodations. The Titanic offered luxurious first-class accommodations to attract wealthy passengers.
Ticket Prices on the Titanic
There were several different first-class ticket options on the Titanic with varying prices:
- Standard first-class cabin: £30 ($4,350)
- Larger first-class cabin: £40-£50 ($5,800-$7,250)
- Deluxe first-class parlor suite: £800 ($116,000)
- Most expensive first-class suite: £870 ($126,000)
First-class tickets provided passengers with luxurious accommodations, elaborate meals, and access to exclusive areas of the ship such as the gymnasium, swimming pool, libraries, and high-class restaurants. Wealthy passengers could enjoy their own private promenade decks and lounge areas.
Comparing Ticket Prices to Income in 1912
To put the price of a Titanic first-class ticket in perspective, the average annual income in Britain in 1912 was around £90. So even the lowest priced first-class ticket would cost over 4 months wages for the average worker.
The high ticket prices restricted first-class travel on the Titanic to the very wealthy, including aristocrats, industrialists, bankers, and nouveau riche American millionaires. Some of the most prominent first-class passengers included John Jacob Astor IV and Benjamin Guggenheim.
Amenities in First-Class
First-class tickets granted passengers access to the finest amenities and quarters on the Titanic:
- Cabins: First-class cabins were decorated with luxury furniture, included private bathrooms, and some even had private promenade decks.
- Dining: First-class passengers could eat elaborate meals with multiple courses in the luxurious dining saloon. Menu items included oysters, sirloin steaks, lamb with mint sauce, and ice cream.
- Recreation: There were many recreational activities just for first-class guests including using the swimming pool, Turkish baths, gymnasium, libraries, high-class restaurants, and grand ballroom.
- Service: First-class passengers had access to their own private stewards, stewardesses, and butlers at their service.
First-class passengers enjoyed every luxury during the voyage with regal lodging, fine dining, and exclusive access to recreational areas. The high ticket prices reflected the opulent amenities.
Breakdown of Passengers in Each Class
Out of the 2,240 passengers on board the Titanic, there were 325 in first-class. Here is the breakdown of passengers by class:
| Class | Number of Passengers |
|---|---|
| First Class | 325 |
| Second Class | 285 |
| Third Class | 1,630 |
As shown, the majority of passengers were in third class. Third class tickets cost between £3 ($430 today) for a berth to £8 ($1,150) for a two-berth cabin. Second class tickets were around £12-£14.
Buying a First-Class Ticket
For wealthy travelers in 1912, booking a first-class ticket on the Titanic was seen as the height of luxury travel. The Titanic was the largest and most opulent ship of its time. To book passage, first-class travelers would visit their local White Star Line agent to purchase their ticket. Tickets could be purchased last minute, although booking well in advance was recommended.
First-class tickets could be purchased as a single or round-trip fare. Servants and maids could also travel at reduced rates. Tickets would be similar to old-fashioned paper tickets today. Agents would hold tickets for pick-up near the departure date when payment was completed.
Famous First-Class Passengers
Some of the most famous and wealthy people of the time were passengers in first-class on the Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage. This reflected the luxurious exclusivity of first-class travel on the Titanic.
A few notable first-class passengers included:
- John Jacob Astor IV – Real estate tycoon and industrialist, richest passenger onboard
- Benjamin Guggenheim – American mining magnate
- Isidor Straus – Co-owner of Macy’s department store
- Molly Brown – Socialite, philanthropist, activist
- Dorothy Gibson – Silent film actress, model, singer
In addition, many prominent businessmen, socialites, government officials, and other elites booked first-class tickets.
Conclusion
Booking a first-class ticket on the Titanic cost up to £870 in 1912, which would be over $125,000 today. This reflected the outstanding luxury of Titanic’s first-class accommodations such as private promenade decks, lavish suites, and exclusive dining and recreation. Only the wealthiest passengers could afford these high ticket prices, which represented months of wages for average workers at the time. A first-class ticket granted access to the most splendid amenities and service aboard the most magnificent ocean liner of its day.