FTPE Seat Reservations

[googolplex]

I've just bought a ticket for tomorrow from Dundee to Manchester Oxford Road through the Red Spotted Hanky website (using Tesco vouchers), and I seem to have missed the window for seat reservations online.

Have I completely missed the seat reservation window, or should I be able to get reservations tomorrow morning (I'm leaving Dundee on the 08.30 and changing to the FTPE service that leaves Haymarket at 09.56 [which seems too close to get reservations for], then returning at about 16.00).

 

[sonic2009]

unfortunately reservations shuts normally at 6pm.

 

[googolplex]

Damn. I was hoping that was just for online bookings.
Thanks for the info.

 

[sonic2009]

Nope generally you have to book 4 hours before the train leaves on the day, but this is dependant on train companies.

 

[bb21]

Wasn't it 2 hours previously? Has that changed?

 

[sonic2009]

i think its 2 hours but also depending on train company rules

 

[googolplex]

So I could be ok for the return journey in the afternoon (if I book it in the morning, 8 hours or so before I plan to travel)?

 

[lm321412]

So I could be ok for the return journey in the afternoon (if I book it in the morning, 8 hours or so before I plan to travel)?

Just give it a go, no harm in asking them

 

[wibble]

i think its 2 hours but also depending on train company rules

As a general rule, it's normally 2 hours before the train leaves its origin station. Early morning trains may have to be booked the night before but this will vary by TOC - i.e. might not apply to Virgin who have electronic reservations but may apply to TPE if they have to rely on another TOC to print their reservation labels.

 

[googolplex]

That's useful to know for the future. I wasn't able to try and make reservations this morning as Dundee appeared to have no data connections (they couldn't do ToD and the departure boards were alternating between computer code and the default "First Scotrail" notice. There were also BT Openreach guys in a hole in the forecourt out front, presumably trying to restore service).