Highland Chieftain Friday 4/9/26

[FtoE]

I was trying to book Inverness to Edinburgh in First Class on this date - but First is ‘unavailable’.
It can’t be sold out - can it…?

Could it be blocked out for another reason? Maybe for participants & crew of “Traitors” or something?

 

[yorkie]

Using our site? It works for me!


Note: you will need to seat hop during the journey; the train is so full that there is no seat available throughout.

If you are using the LNER site, then they don't offer splits (as split tickets bypass their premium pricing and also allow people to avoid the negative effects of their fares trial) so won't offer a through fare.

 

[FtoE]

Using our site? It works for me!

View attachment 210411
Note: you will need to seat hop during the journey; the train is so full that there is no seat available throughout.

If you are using the LNER site, then they don't offer splits (as split tickets bypass their premium pricing and also allow people to avoid the negative effects of their fares trial) so won't offer a through fare.

Thanks for that! I’m astonished that it’s so busy, been travelling on this service (primarily INV - EDI) for decades and never known it to be sold out, even on six-nations days etc.

 

[yorkie]

Thanks for that! I’m astonished that it’s so busy, been travelling on this service (primarily INV - EDI) for decades and never known it to be sold out, even on six-nations days etc.

Edit: it's the last weekday day of the school holidays in England, so that may affect the bookings.

 

[Sealink]

I think people in the know, know that in disruption the INV train is generally prioritised, I have experienced disruption several times and we always left, even if late. The train is generally very quiet north of Edinburgh.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think people in the know, know that in disruption the INV train is generally prioritised, I have experienced disruption several times and we always left, even if late. The train is generally very quiet north of Edinburgh.

I'd agree that at busy times of year it can be heaving though. On 3rd January 2025 (I think) I was considering using it from Aviemore to Edinburgh but decided not to when I looked at the seat map and saw nothing spare bar door pocket seats. But to be fair that's an incredibly busy time of year and was also after a few days of disruption in which only buses operated north of Perth.

 

[Sealink]

I'd agree that at busy times of year it can be heaving though. On 3rd January 2025 (I think) I was considering using it from Aviemore to Edinburgh but decided not to when I looked at the seat map and saw nothing spare bar door pocket seats. But to be fair that's an incredibly busy time of year and was also after a few days of disruption in which only buses operated north of Perth.

My "generally" was doing a lot of heavy lifting there...

 

[philjo]

Edit: it's the last weekday day of the school holidays in England, so that may affect the bookings.

I don’t know about other counties, but Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire schools start the new term next week on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd September depending on year group.

 

[yorkie]

I don’t know about other counties, but Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire schools start the new term next week on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd September depending on year group.

My understanding is that most schools don't start their school term until the first Monday in September. That's certainly the case in York.

 

[Skiddaw]

My understanding is that most schools don't start their school term until the first Monday in September. That's certainly the case in York.

Actually, most schools start the autumn term midweek (I imagine the thinking behind it is to allow a short week to ease everybody in especially as it's the term when new pupils start school). In Cumbria they go back on Wednesday 2nd.

 

[yorkie]

Actually, most schools start the autumn term midweek (I imagine the thinking behind it is to allow a short week to ease everybody in especially as it's the term when new pupils start school). In Cumbria they go back on Wednesday 2nd.

Ok if you want to be precise about it )), the term generally starts on the first Monday in September, with the first day of term typically (if not always) being a training day and the second day is typically either another training day or may just be for the youngest students only.

School term dates – City of York Council

Recommended term dates set by City of York Council for schools in our area, although some schools and academies may choose to adopt different dates.

www.york.gov.uk

Typical example for a random school in York

September 2026​

7 September: Training Day
8 September: School reopens for Year 7 students ONLY
9 September: School reopens for students in Years 8-11

Obviously it will vary, but the point is that it is a very busy time of the year and I would expect demand to noticeably reduce in the following week.

 

[Skiddaw]

Agreed!!!

 

[matt]

Leicestershire schools have already started. Warwickshire schools start next week.