BritRail pass and reservations

[ausrom]

Hello, I'm new here and hope I have the correct thread. I'm travelling from Italy to London Heathrow T5 on a weekday arriving late afternoon. I have already bought a 1st Class BritRail pass to travel on from Kings Cross to Grantham. I think I will use the Underground (I have a prepaid Oyster Card) as it's direct to Kings Cross and I think I will allow 2 & half hours from when I leave Heathrow to reach Kings Cross. My question is I know I can pay an extra 4 euros to reserve a seat, but I'm in two minds to do so. I suppose I will arrive around 7pm, and thinking it might be peak time might be very busy, does anyone recommend reserving seats in 1st class or should I take the option of using the 1st available train departing from Kings Cross without time constraints or second guessing how long it will take to get out of passport control etc. Thank you very much for any suggestions!

 

[Thewanderer]

Hello, I'm new here and hope I have the correct thread. I'm travelling from Italy to London Heathrow T5 on a weekday arriving late afternoon. I have already bought a 1st Class BritRail pass to travel on from Kings Cross to Grantham. I think I will use the Underground (I have a prepaid Oyster Card) as it's direct to Kings Cross and I think I will allow 2 & half hours from when I leave Heathrow to reach Kings Cross. My question is I know I can pay an extra 4 euros to reserve a seat, but I'm in two minds to do so. I suppose I will arrive around 7pm, and thinking it might be peak time might be very busy, does anyone recommend reserving seats in 1st class or should I take the option of using the 1st available train departing from Kings Cross without time constraints or second guessing how long it will take to get out of passport control etc. Thank you very much for any suggestions!

When I have used a Britrail or All Line Rover ticket I have never reserved trains. When I get these it is usually the 1st class version and I've never had trouble finding a seat. Personally I would just turn up. Give you flexible options as well.

The Wanderer.

 

[ausrom]

Yes, that's what's I'd prefer! Thank you!

 

[bb21]

If you ring up East Coast, you can reserve a seat for free. The €4 agency fee is a rip-off.

 

[ausrom]

Even if I have a Brit Rail pass I can ring East Coast? I'd be calling from Italy as well and I have checked their website, they have no email, but it's worth it as I have to make 2 reservations for another trip. Thanks very much for the info

 

[Hyphen]

Even if I have a Brit Rail pass I can ring East Coast? I'd be calling from Italy as well and I have checked their website, they have no email, but it's worth it as I have to make 2 reservations for another trip. Thanks very much for the info

Yes, as long as you have a valid ticket for travel they will be happy to help.

They do have a contact form on their website (http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/about-us/contact-us/?id=17) but if you're keen to get a confirmation, I'd recommend calling.

The numbers listed on their website are non-premium 03 ("non-geographic") numbers, which will be charged at an international landline rate from overseas. Avoid calling UK 08 numbers overseas - these are usually either blocked by the local telco or charged at quite an incredible premium.

EDIT: At the time you're thinking of arriving, I don't think you'd have any struggle getting seats in First Class, but you might as well reserve seats anyway. If you end up missing the train through late arrival/passport control/fancied-a-pint syndrome, it won't matter.

 

[ausrom]

Thank you for the fabulous advice and links, really appreciate it!

 

[Greenback]

I'd have said that the train could be busy, it's at the shoulder of the peak and there may be some business people or first class commuters returning home after a late meeting or a couple of drinks. It wouldn't hurt to reserve a seat to be on the safe side.

 

[ausrom]

Yes, I think I will make a reservation, hopefully allowing 2 and half hours to travel to Kings Cross from Heathrow T5 will be sufficient time..Thanks everyone for your quick responses!

 

[30907]

I would have thought that the 1906 (to Lincoln) is unlikely to be terribly busy. On the other hand the 1833 is a "full dining" train and may well be (sadly, on a trip to GTM you are not entitled to the full meal but there is nothing to stop you stating your destination as Retford...) - if you wanted to take advantage of that, it would be worth reserving!

 

[bb21]

I would have thought that the 1906 (to Lincoln) is unlikely to be terribly busy. On the other hand the 1833 is a "full dining" train and may well be (sadly, on a trip to GTM you are not entitled to the full meal but there is nothing to stop you stating your destination as Retford...) - if you wanted to take advantage of that, it would be worth reserving!

The pax is fully entitled to a full meal on a journey to Grantham.

 

[ausrom]

Everyone has been so helpful, thank you all! I doubt I'd make the 18.33, I'm hoping for the 7.03 but it's hard to know how long I'll clear Heathrow T5, someone mentioned they no longer use the eye detector passport control (can't think of the correct name) as I used to breeze through passport control, but that I suppose is another thread! Again, thanks for all your suggestions, I'm pleased I came across this forum.

 

[30907]

The pax is fully entitled to a full meal on a journey to Grantham.

I would hope so too, but the journey lasts 69 minutes according to NRE.
EC say "70 minutes or over" AND "over 70 minutes" neither of which applies!

 

[bb21]

I would hope so too, but the journey lasts 69 minutes according to NRE.
EC say "70 minutes or over" AND "over 70 minutes" neither of which applies!

I think that was a general rule to differentiate long enough journeys from those that are not.

King's Cross - Grantham is definitely long enough. King's Cross - Peterborough is not.

 

[Flying Snail]

If you ring up East Coast, you can reserve a seat for free. The €4 agency fee is a rip-off.

Britrail can be a bit of a trip hazard for some people.

The basic passes are excellent value for anyone making a few long journeys, particularly if they involve using the IC TOCs out of London. In comparison to ALRs they are a bargain.

Some of the other products they offer are not such good value, their single tickets and reservations for example would be cheaper bought through a TOC website and some of the add-ons they promote are not great value either.