Seat question + Change reserved seats

[Europa]

Hi all

In June i travel form Manchester P to London E on a Virgin Train. I booked a window seat via thetrainline. Now i noticed from the virgin seating plan, that my seat in Coach D (63)has "limited or no view" .

If you are a Tourist and want to see something from the countryside/country on this railline, do you recommend lookin for another seat?.

As read in other Posts here, i assume i can change the reservated seat at any other stational ticket Office for a small fare.


Thanks

 

[Greenback]

Hi and welcome to the forums!

Firstly - don't use the Trainline! They charge additional fees (albeit small) that you won't have to pay using the train operators own website.

Secondly, if you get on and find that your reserved seat is not to your liking, you may simply be able to sit in another (unreserved) seat. It is very unlikely that you will be asked to return to the seat you reserved.

 

[Europa]

Thanks for your response

So train staff don't make a big story if you are sittiing in a unreserved seat with a reservated ticket.

Do you know btw the occupancy rate of a normal friday 11:xx Manchester-London via Stoke Virgin Train?

 

[Greenback]

In my experience, they vast majority of staff are only interested in whether you are on the correct train, not the correct seat. The very worst that can happen will be that you will be asked to move, and I think that is highly unlikely.

Mid morning is not usually one of the busiest times to be travelling. You will also be starting at the originating station, so I would guess that there will be quite a few seats in the train that are unoccupied and unreserved.

Enjoy the journey!

 

[snail]

If it's an 11-car train there will be two unreserved coaches, U and F, in the centre of the train. If it's not busy and you get on early you will often find D48 and D52 unreserved. I sit in those seats frequently on other services and both seats have a decent view.

 

[Europa]

Thanks for your input snail.

As I arrive in Manchester approximately 1h before with a transpennie (in case of a massive delay) and the given information to move into a "available" signed seat/carriage, there should be nothing to worry about.

Offtopic: Why are there so many "no view" seats on a Virgin Train? Doesn't it decrease the quality of travelling for their customers?


http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/assets/pdf/global/seating-plan.pdf

 

[30907]

Offtopic: Why are there so many "no view" seats on a Virgin Train? Doesn't it decrease the quality of travelling for their customers?


http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/assets/pdf/global/seating-plan.pdf

You (and many on this forum) might think so! Unfortunately, since the early 1970s in the UK (and some other countries) passengers in standard class have had to become accustomed to this, even on intercity-type trains.

 

[bb21]

Offtopic: Why are there so many "no view" seats on a Virgin Train? Doesn't it decrease the quality of travelling for their customers?


http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/assets/pdf/global/seating-plan.pdf

You may wish to ask Virgin and Alstom why they thought this shower was acceptable.

 

[Squaddie]

Offtopic: Why are there so many "no view" seats on a Virgin Train? Doesn't it decrease the quality of travelling for their customers?

That is, undoubtedly, my biggest gripe with the railways. And it's not only in the UK nor only in 2nd class - even first class seats on the TGV may have an obstructed view. And the reason for not having the seats aligned with the windows is invariably to cram in more seats, so the carriages are cramped and claustrophobic too. It completely sucks the enjoyment out of travelling by train.

 

[Greenback]

Maybe one day will move back from making trains as much like aircraft as we can, and return to the days when space and comfort was not overlooked in favour of the bottom line.

Probably wishful thinking though!

 

[Squaddie]

Maybe one day will move back from making trains as much like aircraft as we can, and return to the days when space and comfort was not overlooked in favour of the bottom line.

Almost all my leisure train travel these days is in Switzerland, where it is still an absolute joy just to sit on a train for the sake of it. No matter which class you choose, the seats are almost invariably arranged in bays of four (or two) alongside a window - it took me quite a while to realise that this is achieved by having more (and smaller) windows in a 2nd class carriage than in a 1st class carriage! And, because the Swiss run trains of a much greater length and at a greater frequency than would be the case in the UK, finding a seat is never a problem.

 

[Europa]

Almost all my leisure train travel these days is in Switzerland, where it is still an absolute joy just to sit on a train for the sake of it. No matter which class you choose, the seats are almost invariably arranged in bays of four (or two) alongside a window - it took me quite a while to realise that this is achieved by having more (and smaller) windows in a 2nd class carriage than in a 1st class carriage! And, because the Swiss run trains of a much greater length and at a greater frequency than would be the case in the UK, finding a seat is never a problem.

I'm Swiss, so i'll let me surprise in terms of quality and comfort on non public operated/owned Train companies..