Chiltern Railways: Business Zone

[work-traveller]

I'm going to be travelling from Birmingham to London on a weekday soon and have decided to take the slightly slower Chiltern Line route in order to travel on the old Shropshire & Wrexham HSTs. The prices are far better than on Virgin and so I am considering purchasing a ‘Business Zone’ ticket there and back. As far as I can see, what you get in ‘Business Zone’ is a wider seat with more legroom and a cup of tea/coffee. Is there anything more to it than that (i.e. bacon roll etc.) or is that it?

I’d also be interested to know from previous passengers if the 06:55 from Snow Hill and 17:15 from Marylebone tend to get busy in ‘Business Zone’.

 

[67018]

I'm going to be travelling from Birmingham to London on a weekday soon and have decided to take the slightly slower Chiltern Line route in order to travel on the old Shropshire & Wrexham HSTs. The prices are far better than on Virgin and so I am considering purchasing a ‘Business Zone’ ticket there and back. As far as I can see, what you get in ‘Business Zone’ is a wider seat with more legroom and a cup of tea/coffee. Is there anything more to it than that (i.e. bacon roll etc.) or is that it?

I’d also be interested to know from previous passengers if the 06:55 from Snow Hill and 17:15 from Marylebone tend to get busy in ‘Business Zone’.

The offering pretty much is the better seating(equivalent to first class with 2+1 layout) and the tea and coffee. The trains are quite comfortable even in the standard coaches, but the services you mention are busy peak ones so the biggest benefit is more space. Business zone isn't usually full as far as I've seen.

If you're not sure, you can always decide on the day as upgrades are sold onboard. The only benefit of booking in advance is saving a tenner if you book both ways.

A pedant will be along shortly to point out that they arent actually HSTs...

 

[bussnapperwm]

They're actually Class 67s with MK3 coaches and a DVT at the end. (just to be paid pedant!)

 

[IanXC]

My understanding is that the Business Zone Host will provide the buffet menu 'at seat' (but still paid for), such as the Bacon Rolls.