Newbie Question re ALR

[Rovers2012]

Hi

First posting after much reading., thanks to all those who have posted trip reports.

Next year I turn 60 and plan on buying a 14 day first class ALR.

How far in advance can I reserve seats and how do I do them?
I know that flexibility of the ticket is a great advantage, but some journeys I feel need to be reserved.

We will be in and out of London a number of times, which is the best ticket to cover the main terminus stations two weeks, I would like to buy one ticket for the 14 days, so I dont have to worry about getting a ticket every time.

For those of you that record which routes you have used and which stations you have visited and/or platforms how do you record it all?

It’s been 40 years since I last did anything like this so really looking forward to it,

Thanks in advance.

Ian

 

[m4tt]

Hi Ian,

First of all, I did a 14 day 1st class ALR a few months ago which I reported on this forum if you want to see what to kind of expect in terms of service, how busy trains are, etc...

Let me know if there is anything in particular you would want to know about.

Depending on what TOC you would be travelling on, reservations are usually available from when tickets are on sale for that journey, usually 12 weeks (I think?) before date of travel. However if you are going 1st class I wouldn't worry about reserving too far in advance, I usually did it before the day before or even just before boarding. The only services I had trouble with a seat was a XC service between Sheffield and Leeds where I had to stand as 1st class was full and standing. Quite a few extreme factors caused that however such as a football match, shortformed train as well as 2 stag groups all on one train.

I used GWR's website to book resevations free of charge. You do not need proof of tickets to make these bookings. To do this, create an account with GWR then go to bookings. You should then see an option to reserve a seat, just make sure you select 1st class! I've attatched a screenshot below to show you where to look.

If you have any other questions let me know

 

[Rovers2012]

Hi Ian,

First of all, I did a 14 day 1st class ALR a few months ago which I reported on this forum if you want to see what to kind of expect in terms of service, how busy trains are, etc...

Let me know if there is anything in particular you would want to know about.

Depending on what TOC you would be travelling on, reservations are usually available from when tickets are on sale for that journey, usually 12 weeks (I think?) before date of travel. However if you are going 1st class I wouldn't worry about reserving too far in advance, I usually did it before the day before or even just before boarding. The only services I had trouble with a seat was a XC service between Sheffield and Leeds where I had to stand as 1st class was full and standing. Quite a few extreme factors caused that however such as a football match, shortformed train as well as 2 stag groups all on one train.

I used GWR's website to book resevations free of charge. You do not need proof of tickets to make these bookings. To do this, create an account with GWR then go to bookings. You should then see an option to reserve a seat, just make sure you select 1st class! I've attatched a screenshot below to show you where to look.

If you have any other questions let me know

Thanks M4tt
i have just finished your trip report, really enjoyed it and got a good few ideas. Especially trying to get an actual ticket and not a paper one.
I enjoy the planning as much as the travel so it’s great reading what others have done.
Cheers
Ian

 

[Techniquest]

I have an ALR in First Class going on right now, just finished Day 4 of my 7 day adventure. I'd have loved to do the 'golden ticket' of a 14 day one, but I only had 1 week off work.

I've got some of the adventure up in my massive trip reports thread, 'Juliano's World Frenzy/Tech's Trip Reports' which you should easily find on here I haven't posted all of the trip report yet, but I have typed it all up. I'm about to head off to dreamland, as I want to be up and at 'em at 6am, so further details will be discussed soon!