Reservation Only - 1st Class EU Rail Pass

[Masbroughlad]

We're using the outbound and return part of our EU Rail pass Stafford to London and vice versa. We're going on from London on Eurostar to France outbound, from Germany on return. It's just the UK bits I can't seem to book.

Can I use an app to book SEATS ONLY in first class or do I need to call or go I to a station, please?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tazi Hupefi]

If you're travelling on Avanti between Stafford and London you definitely do need a reservation, especially if you are travelling on a Saturday or Sunday, or on trains arriving into London before 11am Monday to Thursday which are very busy.

Message Avanti on Twitter/X with a copy of your pass, otherwise do it at a station.

You might find that Saturday and Sundays are genuinely sold out and unavailable - as there's literally only a handful of first class seats these days

You could also go Stafford-Birmingham-Reading on XC and Reading-Paddington on GWR - all in first class, if you fancied a change of route.

 

[Tetchytyke]

You can make reservation-only bookings through the GWR website. It's what I use when I'm on a Britrail pass. Just say you have an anytime ticket when it asks.

 

[Tazi Hupefi]

Also, make sure you have an Interrail pass and NOT an EU Rail pass - which are different products. If you're legally resident in the UK and want to use the one outbound and one return journey in your home country, you need the Interrail version.

 

[mad_rich]

Seat61 describes the, slightly fiddly, intstructions for how to make UK reservations for free.

How to make reservations with an Interrail pass

A practical guide to making seat, couchette or sleeper reservations to go with an Interrail or Eurail pass.

www.seat61.com

Or you can get one at a ticket office. You don't need to pay.

 

[Masbroughlad]

Also, make sure you have an Interrail pass and NOT an EU Rail pass - which are different products. If you're legally resident in the UK and want to use the one outbound and one return journey in your home country, you need the Interrail version.

No, my friend had an EU rail pass and it allows travel to London in each direction.

 

[MrJeeves]

No, my friend had an EU rail pass and it allows travel to London in each direction.

If you live in the UK (or any country which participates in the Eurail/Interrail scheme), you are not eligible for a Eurail pass. You are eligible for an Interrail pass.

If you live outside the area, such as in the USA, then you are not eligible for an Interrail pass and are eligible for a Eurail pass.

 

[Masbroughlad]

If you live in the UK (or any country which participates in the Eurail/Interrail scheme), you are not eligible for a Eurail pass. You are eligible for an Interrail pass.

If you live outside the area, such as in the USA, then you are not eligible for an Interrail pass and are eligible for a Eurail pass.

Well Eurail have sold me a pass of some sort. And my friend also from England. She's just used it without problems in Belgium, France and Germany, travelling from Nottingham. It is a Global Interrail pass bought on eurail.com.

Apologies, if I got the name wrong. Question still stands.

 

[Haywain]

Seat61 describes the, slightly fiddly, intstructions for how to make UK reservations for free.

How to make reservations with an Interrail pass

A practical guide to making seat, couchette or sleeper reservations to go with an Interrail or Eurail pass.

www.seat61.com

Or you can get one at a ticket office. You don't need to pay.

Or use the GWR website, once you have registered an account.

 

[Watershed]

If you're travelling on Avanti between Stafford and London you definitely do need a reservation, especially if you are travelling on a Saturday or Sunday, or on trains arriving into London before 11am Monday to Thursday which are very busy.

Sorry, but this is complete hyperbole. I travel on this route very regularly, including at the times you list, and have never had any problem finding a seat - regardless of the class of travel I happen to be in. I never bother to get a reservation (or use mine, if on an Advance - inevitably being a rubbish seat without a window view).

Sure, you might have to share a table or pair of seats (especially at a weekend) but it's nowhere near a matter of being unable to get a seat.

There are several seats which are kept unreserved, or are reserved for the lesser spotted "Avanti Traveller" (I think this is a hangover from the Virgin loyalty scheme).

You might find that Saturday and Sundays are genuinely sold out and unavailable - as there's literally only a handful of first class seats these days

Ironically the Voyagers and Everos actually have more first class seats on a weekend, especially if formed of a double set (as they usually are).

 

[Mainline421]

If you're travelling on Avanti between Stafford and London you definitely do need a reservation, especially if you are travelling on a Saturday or Sunday, or on trains arriving into London before 11am Monday to Thursday which are very busy.

Message Avanti on Twitter/X with a copy of your pass, otherwise do it at a station.

You might find that Saturday and Sundays are genuinely sold out and unavailable - as there's literally only a handful of first class seats these days

You do not need a reservation. Even when there are no reservations left there are seats in 1st, and in standard I'd actually recommend the unreserved carriage as it's normally quietest. If you do choose to get them, definitely don't pay for them as they are free from any station in the UK

 

[Tazi Hupefi]

No idea what trains you are travelling on - every time I've tried to sit in Coach K on a weekend, I've had to move into Standard Premium because it's full.

This has been a common complaint elsewhere.

 

[Watershed]

No idea what trains you are travelling on - every time I've tried to sit in Coach K on a weekend, I've had to move into Standard Premium because it's full.

This has been a common complaint elsewhere.

Have you been travelling from Stafford to Euston? Loadings will differ significantly by route. Out of hundreds of journeys I've only once been on a train where people had to overflow to SP, and that was during disruption.

If moving to SP did really prove necessary it would hardly be the end of the world. The weekend catering is quite limited and there are often problems with it anyway, so it's not like the experience would be drastically different!

 

[yorkie]

No idea what trains you are travelling on - every time I've tried to sit in Coach K on a weekend, I've had to move into Standard Premium because it's full.

This has been a common complaint elsewhere.

When was the last day you experienced this and which train was it? Also, if it happens again, please update us...

 

[Tazi Hupefi]

Have you been travelling from Stafford to Euston? Loadings will differ significantly by route. Out of hundreds of journeys I've only once been on a train where people had to overflow to SP, and that was during disruption.

If moving to SP did really prove necessary it would hardly be the end of the world. The weekend catering is quite limited and there are often problems with it anyway, so it's not like the experience would be drastically different!

At least the last 6 or 7 times on a Saturday or Sunday from London to/from either Stockport or Preston. Times vary, but generally 9-10am or so outward on a Saturday, 5-6pm on the return.

Various weekends between August and October.

Most of the staff have been helpful in serving me in J - (not strictly speaking entitled to the free food, but I am permitted the drinks and light snacks). One particular member of staff refused citing health and safety, which I reported.

The catering during the weekend also ought not to be limited - it should be pretty much the same midweek menu in first class on Pendolinos, albeit prepared by the host, not the chef.

 

[Watershed]

At least the last 6 or 7 times on a Saturday or Sunday from London to/from either Stockport or Preston. Times vary, but generally 9-10am or so outward on a Saturday, 5-6pm on the return.

Various weekends between August and October.

Most of the staff have been helpful in serving me in J - (not strictly speaking entitled to the free food, but I am permitted the drinks and light snacks). One particular member of staff refused citing health and safety, which I reported.

The catering during the weekend also ought not to be limited - it should be pretty much the same midweek menu in first class on Pendolinos, albeit prepared by the host, not the chef.

Right, so you haven't travelled on Stafford to London services. Loadings vary considerably depending on the route, so I'm not sure your anecdotes are of any assistance to the OP here.