First Class Rail Travel

[Everhelpful]

I am taking my Daughter to London by Rail,apart from the price, what is the difference between 1st and Standard Class Travel? Many Thanks for any replies.
(I have to go now but will respond to any replies tomorrow.)

[hc4361]

It depends which train company you travel with. Click the relevant link for full details on the first class service and extras.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/44863.aspx

[Buenchico]

With most train journeys, 'First Class' simply gets you bigger seats (typically with 3 seats across the width of a carriage, instead of 4) which might be marginally more comfortable than those in 'Standard'. Some rail companies might also give you a free cup of coffee (perhaps with a Danish pastry, or similar) but that's usually the only difference (except, of course, that 'First Class' carriages, outside of commuter periods, are far less crowded).

As Hc4361 suggests though, it's best to check what each company offers. (Greater Anglia, for example, basically follow the model I've given above but they also offer free wi-fi to First Class customers, rather than charging a hefty fee for it in 'Standard')

[sandyRoe]

Are 1st Class passengers guaranteed a seat?

[countrykid]

My experience of train travel is that at peak times standard class carriages are full to overflowing, and you often end up having to stand. I have travelled miles down to London, standing the whole time - but paying no less of course than those sitting. By contrast, on the same crowded train, there are usually lots of empty seats in First Class, mainly because of the price!! here may be more leg room in First Class too, but I have never travelled First Class

[anneasquith]

is there a huge difference in price between 1st,and standard ?

[Buenchico]

>>>Are 1st Class passengers guaranteed a seat?

No, Sandy, they're not.

I used to run a railway station (on a main line into London) and a common complaint from First Class ticket holders was the lack of availability of seats for 'walk up' passengers. (Commuters usually had seats reserved anyway).

However most mainline services into London (which is what I assume Everhelpful will be using) offer seat reservations in both First and Standard Class accommodation. Indeed, they're both automatic and compulsory when purchasing 'Advance' tickets (which are only valid in the designated seats) and are often available free of charge with any other tickets booked up until a few hours before a train's departure.

[Wharton]

1st class passengers aren't guaranteed a train, let alone a seat.

[craft1948]

I used to travel first class on the East Coast line. Unlimited cups of lovely coffee in a real cup, along with shortbread biscuits, and waiter service for snacks and gin & tonics..............

[Buenchico]

>>>is there a huge difference in price between 1st,and standard

Er, possibly 'No' and quite definitely 'Yes'!!!

If you're booking 'Advance' tickets for off-peak services then 'First' is sometimes offered for very little more than 'Standard'. (e.g. £21 for Standard and £24 for First)

However if you purchase 'walk up' tickets then 'First' is charged at 50% more than the non-discounted 'Standard' fare. So (to make some figures up) any 'Anytime Standard Return' fare into London might be, say, £40, with an 'Off-Peak Standard Return' at £28 and (for travel later in the day, or at weekends) a 'Super Off-Peak Standard Return' at £22. If you buy a First Class Return ticket it will cost you £60 (= £40 + 50%) irrespective of the time that you travel, so it could cost you nearly three times as much in my example. (I've actually encountered a 'real-life' example, while running a railway station, where it would have cost FIVE times as much to travel 'First' as to travel 'Standard'!)

[anneasquith]

thanks chris...........is patches still feeding her brood ?

[Buenchico]

(With apologies to Everhelpful for going off topic):

Yes. They'll be 6 weeks old on Friday but they were still all getting a feed from Mum earlier today. (Tablo only worked out what the bowls of solid food are for last Friday, a full fortnight after Biscuit was eagerly tucking into them!)

[anneasquith]

poor thing, she must be exhausted, ( excuse me everhelpful )

[mikey4444]

Nicer seats for one. In the train from Swansea to Paddington that I catch twice a year there are only 6 seats in 1st class, in the same area that would have 8 in 2nd. You also tend to have much less riff-raff in 1st, which on a Friday evening coming down from London is a god-send !

But check out the facility to swop your 2nd class seat for a seat in 1st, at the weekend. I used to travel up and down to Town in the late 80's, every week. On my return journey on a Sunday evening, it only cost £5 to sit in 1st, with my 2nd class return. I am not sure whether this facility still exists but it probably does as 1st class carriages tend to be nearly empty at weekends, as they are mainly used by business people during the week.

[mikey4444]

Buenchico...I hope you are talking about dogs or cats here, and not one of your relatives !

[mushroom25]

aside from the price, the difference between the 2 classes may well depend on how far you're travelling, and therefore which train company is providing the service.

if it's on a service operated by a long-distance train company, then there's more room.

if it's on a service operated by a company that uses commuter stock (and these trains do make fairly lengthy journeys) then there's almost no difference - it's the same seats as used in standard, you might just get a bit more leg room. Plus, if the train is very busy, the conductor will almost certainly de-classify the first class and make it available to everyone.

[Everhelpful]

Thank You all for your replies,We are going by East Coast Line from Newcastle on June 13th returning on June 15th. My Daughter bought me a Corporate Day at Lords Cricket Ground for my Birthday for the England v Sri Lanka Test Match,as She has paid(I am frightened to ask)for Tickets and Hotel I thought I would do my bit by arranging travel,therefore I have decided to go 1st.Class as it will probably be the only time in my life travelling that way. Once again,Many Thanks for all your replies.

[gness]

I always travel from Kettering to London...this year two trips to Lords.. First Class.....

I went to the theatre recently and I think I paid £21 return. This includes light refreshments and use of the First Class Lounge at St. Pancras where you can help yourself to wine, non alcoholic drinks and snacks.

I travelled from York to Peterborough for £11 first class which included excellent refreshments and the offer of a hot meal!

[Everhelpful]

Sounds good,gness.

[Everhelpful]

gness,which is the easiest way to Lords from Kings Cross? Thanks.

[gness]

Afraid I can't vouch for the non alcoholic drinks, EH....but the wine was jolly nice....☺

May see you at the cricket....been to Lords before?