Online cycle reservation

[Potatopotato]

I am looking to buy a ticket online, and need to include a cycle reservation. The first leg of the journey is from an unstaffed station.

Are there any booking sites that allow adding a cycle reservation - I have tried LNER and Avanti but neither seem to include the option.

 

[Haywain]

I am looking to buy a ticket online, and need to include a cycle reservation. The first leg of the journey is from an unstaffed station.

Are there any booking sites that allow adding a cycle reservation - I have tried LNER and Avanti but neither seem to include the option.

Who are you travelling with? Some TOCs will make the reservation if you contact them on Twitter, for example (I have used this facility with Great Western in the past). Others will do it through their customer contact centre.

 

[Watershed]

I believe it's possible to make cycle reservations for any operator through the My Account section of the GWR website.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I believe it's possible to make cycle reservations for any operator through the My Account section of the GWR website.

It may be physically possible but Avanti will moan at you, they only like them when issued on orange card.

 

[Haywain]

It may be physically possible but Avanti will moan at you, they only like them when issued on orange card.

I think that may apply with some other operators too.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think that may apply with some other operators too.

It's less likely to be an issue on other TOCs because you load the bike yourself, so they can moan all they like but you've still got your space. On Avanti I have heard of staff refusing to open the van area absent the bit of card.

 

[Potatopotato]

I am traveling with Avanti for the leg thay needs the reservation...its only a short hop from Carlisle to Oxenholme. I will be starting my journey on the Cumbria coast line at an unstaffed station.

I will try giving Avanti a call to see what they can do.

 

[CyrusWuff]

As an aside, any Ticket Office should also be able to issue a cycle reservation, even on the day of travel, if space is available.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

I use the Scotrail website for cycle reservations, even though my journeys are wholly within England!

https://www.buytickets.scotrail.co.uk/book/travel-options

(you have to click on the "Find out more" link next to Explore extras such as Sleeper trains, bike reservations and PlusBus.)

 

[ashkeba]

As an aside, any Ticket Office should also be able to issue a cycle reservation, even on the day of travel, if space is available.

And how often has that worked for you? ( hollow laugh)

 

[Bletchleyite]

And how often has that worked for you? ( hollow laugh)

Avanti booking offices do it a lot so will know about it.

 

[ashkeba]

Avanti booking offices do it a lot so will know about it.

Now try it at "any" ticket office. Especially on routes not offering reserlations.

And how often does Avanti have spaces free same day? I've used slower London Midland because Virgin had no bike spaces about two weeks ahead.

The situation is a disgrace. Shouldn't be allowed to sell tickets if you can't sell the full range.

 

[Haywain]

And how often has that worked for you? ( hollow laugh)

It's a routine matter at LNER ticket offices.

 

[Bletchleyite]

And how often does Avanti have spaces free same day?

Almost always. Pendolinos I believe take 3 in what is a very large traditional van area. Very rarely are there any on board.

I've used slower London Midland because Virgin had no bike spaces about two weeks ahead.

Very rare. Are you sure they weren't just not released yet, e.g. a Sunday?

The situation is a disgrace. Shouldn't be allowed to sell tickets if you can't sell the full range.

The cycle reservation system does need sorting, though I personally think a dedicated "cycling by train" app and website would be better.

 

[ashkeba]

Very rare. Are you sure they weren't just not released yet, e.g. a Sunday?

The cycle reservation system does need sorting, though I personally think a dedicated "cycling by train" app and website would be better.

I don't know if they hadn't been released. How would I? It was well inside the published booking horizon.

I do not think hiding cycling in a ghetto app and website is a good idea. Single point of failure.

 

[Potatopotato]

Thanks for the replies, the scotrail site worked in part. I had to buy a ticket from Carlise to Oxenholme, if I tried to buy from Cumbria Coast to Oxenholme, it would not offer a cycle reservation as being available (the furst leg, which is non reservable, seemed to also prevent it offering a reservation for the second leg)

 

[Shimbleshanks]

I've always used Transpennine Express for making cycle reservations - they'll do it for any operator.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've always used Transpennine Express for making cycle reservations - they'll do it for any operator.

All of the Worldline (mixing deck) sales sites will do it if you can get to it on that version. The problem is that they can't issue it on a paper ticket, and Avanti staff will often turn you away if you don't have a paper cycle reservation ticket.

 

[hkstudent]

All of the Worldline (mixing deck) sales sites will do it if you can get to it on that version. The problem is that they can't issue it on a paper ticket, and Avanti staff will often turn you away if you don't have a paper cycle reservation ticket.

Yeah, Avanti staff are notorious for reject e cycle reservation at terminal stations.
Generally, if you board at a intermediate station with no ticket office facility, then it's easier for them to accept it.