PRIV on Sleeper routes

[Urban Gateline]

Could someone who's experienced it possibly explain the procedure Rail staff should undertake to get a Sleeper ticket?

I have never done it before and am wondering if it can be done at a station (or does a special helpline have to be called?), if Berths can be reserved rather than just the seated sleeper and if the prices are reasonable, compared to booking Bargain berths on FSR for example? I gather the PRIV berth fares are also quota controlled so how far ahead can/should they be booked?

I guess it may vary between FGW and FSR so it would be helpful to know the difference in procedures for booking either!

Ps: I did read the bit on the ATOC RSTL site but it was rather basic!

Many thanks

 

[Vicpaul]

Just call the relervant booking number buddy, can all be done over the phone.

 

[Urban Gateline]

Just call the relervant booking number buddy, can all be done over the phone.

Thanks! Do you know the furthest in Advance you can book it? Just wondering if it's like normal Advance fares where they're only released 12 weeks before travel?

Ps: Is the booking number a publicly available one? or is it in staff documentation somewhere? I'd be greatful if you could PM it to me if the latter applies!

 

[158801]

I've just booked the Great Western Sleeper.

Call the public number and tell them you have a pass and just want to pay the sleeper reservation fee.

I was shocked at the cost though. £35 each for a twin berth ! I am sure it was only £25 each eighteen months aho.

 

[Urban Gateline]

I've just booked the Great Western Sleeper.

Call the public number and tell them you have a pass and just want to pay the sleeper reservation fee.

I was shocked at the cost though. £35 each for a twin berth ! I am sure it was only £25 each eighteen months aho.

Thank you! How far ahead of your travel date did you book? Yes £35 each isn't that cheap I guess when you can get Bargain Berths for £19 each as public price (on FSR though, not sure about FGW!)

 

[hairyhandedfool]

In theory you can buy them at any ticket office (no more than 12 weeks ahead, though reservations for weekends may be released later), however I would caution against going to a smaller office.

Scotrail allow PRIV discounts on some sleeper inclusive Advance fares (I paid £27.50 for a trip to Inverness late last year IIRC), however you can use PRIV Anytime tickets, boxes and First Group staff passes with the appropriate supplement (no PRIV discount). The inclusive sleeper Advance fares tend to be shared cabins and solo cabins are first class, though you can reserve a shared cabin for one person for a higher fee (not Advance fares). Breakfast is....erm....well, you'd best take some money with you. Most journeys out of London require you to be out of the train fairly quickly, even at the end of the line. Wash/shower facilities are available at major stations but may not be free. A wake-up call from the attendant is available. RESERVATIONS MANDATORY.

FGW don't offer discounts for PRIV on Advance fares IIRC, however solo cabins are standard class and have a 'TV' (it's not really a TV it's one of those Volo things you get on the HSTs). Unlike Scotrail, FGW don't let you share cabins with people you aren't travelling with, so if you are on your own the choices are single cabin (with TV) or single occupancy (no TV) and both are the same price IIRC. Breakfast is a bit better than Scotrail offer, but not much, best advice is to take some money with you. You should have ample time to disembark at the end of the line, but you will have to be ready at many other stations. Wash/shower facilities are available at some stations and may be free. A wake-up call from the attendant is available. RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED/ADVISED

 

[michael769]

Thanks! Do you know the furthest in Advance you can book it? Just wondering if it's like normal Advance fares where they're only released 12 weeks before travel?

There is a booking Horizon for all sleeper berths - regardless of ticket type. As of this morning bookings are open up until Friday 24th May

If there is no staff specific number you can book it via Scotrail's telesales on 01752 675670.

 

[cookiescrumble]

I booked my Caledonian Sleeper tickets at Southampton ticket office and was able to get the PRIV rate tickets there. IIRC I paid £24.50 to Edinburgh and £29 from Inverness back to London.

 

[Sleepy]

In theory you can buy them at any ticket office (no more than 12 weeks ahead, though reservations for weekends may be released later), however I would caution against going to a smaller office.

Scotrail allow PRIV discounts on some sleeper inclusive Advance fares (I paid £27.50 for a trip to Inverness late last year IIRC), however you can use PRIV Anytime tickets, boxes and First Group staff passes with the appropriate supplement (no PRIV discount). The inclusive sleeper Advance fares tend to be shared cabins and solo cabins are first class, though you can reserve a shared cabin for one person for a higher fee (not Advance fares). Breakfast is....erm....well, you'd best take some money with you. Most journeys out of London require you to be out of the train fairly quickly, even at the end of the line. Wash/shower facilities are available at major stations but may not be free. A wake-up call from the attendant is available. RESERVATIONS MANDATORY.

FGW don't offer discounts for PRIV on Advance fares IIRC, however solo cabins are standard class and have a 'TV' (it's not really a TV it's one of those Volo things you get on the HSTs). Unlike Scotrail, FGW don't let you share cabins with people you aren't travelling with, so if you are on your own the choices are single cabin (with TV) or single occupancy (no TV) and both are the same price IIRC. Breakfast is a bit better than Scotrail offer, but not much, best advice is to take some money with you. You should have ample time to disembark at the end of the line, but you will have to be ready at many other stations. Wash/shower facilities are available at some stations and may be free. A wake-up call from the attendant is available. RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED/ADVISED

FGW most certainly DO offer PRIV discount on Sleeper Berth inclusive Advance tickets (this is mentioned in Sleeper section of The Manual) I have done this a few times but it is quota controlled so if travelling on a busy night eg. Friday from Paddington or Sunday from Penzance then book early as poss. HTH

 

[hairyhandedfool]

FGW most certainly DO offer PRIV discount on Sleeper Berth inclusive Advance tickets (this is mentioned in Sleeper section of The Manual) I have done this a few times but it is quota controlled so if travelling on a busy night eg. Friday from Paddington or Sunday from Penzance then book early as poss. HTH

Fair enough, I must have missed out when I wanted to travel.

 

[Aictos]

Hang on, you mean I CAN use my staff First boxes? How much would it be from Euston to Edinburgh to have a berth just for me ie not sharing?

 

[bb21]

Do you have First Class boxes? If only Standard Class boxes then single occupancy of a cabin is about £57.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

According to NRES:

Sleeper Berths and Supplements are:

Single berth cabin - £43.00 per berth (First Class travel ticket required)

Twin berth cabin - Adult £38.00 per berth, Child £19.00 per berth (Standard Class only, sharing with someone of the same sex)

Caledonian Solo (exclusive use of a twin berth cabin) - £54.00 one way [Only available to holders of Standard Anytime and Off Peak returns tickets]

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Don't 'Bargain Berths' generally work out cheaper ?

 

[bb21]

Bargain Berths are only available in shared twin cabins.

 

[Aictos]

Do you have First Class boxes? If only Standard Class boxes then single occupancy of a cabin is about £57.

That's not bad for Standard, ta

 

[bb21]

According to NRES:

I have had a look at my tickets from last year. They cost £57.20, so the NRE information is a little out-of-date unless the price has gone down.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

I'd rather suspect the former, but I couldn't really say as my sleeper trip on the Scotrail service last year was an inclusive Advance.