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Original poster

Train tickets - anyone explain?

20 replies

blahblahblah321 · 07/07/2021 21:07

Hello!

Stupid question alert - sorry BlushBlush

I'm trying to book a train ticket for a few weeks time - 3 separate legs.

The train I want to get is saying seat booking is mandatory, but no seats left to reserve so unable to buy that ticket.

Train a couple of hours later has seat. Same price as previous train.

I think the T&C's are implying the ticket can be used on either train. Does anyone know? It's a super saver off peak open return.

I have friends who are booked on the earlier one, and when I went to book I couldn't! I'd like to travel with them if possible as it's a long journey.

I'm not a regular train goer so totally clueless about this sort of thing!

OP posts:
superduster · 07/07/2021 21:13

Usually for that kind of ticket you have to get the stated train on the way but can get any train on the way back.

ijustlikehouston · 07/07/2021 21:16

That’s odd. I’ve booked a couple of train tickets one the last couple of months - Leeds, Hull and London trains and never had to book a seat.

Are you using train line to book?

Original poster
blahblahblah321 · 07/07/2021 21:21

@ijustlikehouston , I've tried several different websites, all saying the same.

I'm planning on picking up the ticket from the station tomorrow so will also ask them, just trying to ease my mind a bit. I'm not great on trains (can you tell?!) and it would be better if we could all travel together as we'll arrive at the destination together

OP posts:
Original poster
blahblahblah321 · 07/07/2021 21:22

@superduster

Usually for that kind of ticket you have to get the stated train on the way but can get any train on the way back.
Yeah I'm thinking that may be the case, not the end of the world but a bit of a pain!

I wish we'd done a group booking now Sad

OP posts:
ruthieness · 07/07/2021 21:26

www.theopen.com/getting-there

This site is showing restrictions on train travel if not pre booked.

is it this sort of thing?

Original poster
blahblahblah321 · 07/07/2021 21:35

Nope @ruthieness , we are going away to the coast for a midweek break, no London travel or anything.

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/07/2021 21:37

some train companies require reserved seats.

Growuppeople · 07/07/2021 21:38

What would you do when someone that booked says your in their seat?

toastantea · 07/07/2021 21:40

The ticket could usually be used on either train but due to social distancing mandatory reservations are in place which means you can only use the ticket in the train you can book a seat on. How strict the TOCs are being with this I don't know, but that's what it means

Original poster
blahblahblah321 · 07/07/2021 21:43

@Growuppeople

What would you do when someone that booked says your in their seat?
I'm guessing if there is no seats left then I wouldn't be able to get on, and would have to wait till the next one?

I'm confused because one of the websites I looked at implied the ticket could be used on any other train that day that accepted super off peak tickets, but I do wonder how realistic that is? Unless others have done the same and then choose to travel on a different train so that frees up a seat? No idea

Both trains are the same price and off peak (both starting and ending).

I think I may just have to suck this up!

OP posts:
Original poster
blahblahblah321 · 07/07/2021 21:44

The only thing I'm maybe holding out hope for is that my travel is after the 19th so more seats may be released?

OP posts:
Original poster
blahblahblah321 · 07/07/2021 21:45

@toastantea

The ticket could usually be used on either train but due to social distancing mandatory reservations are in place which means you can only use the ticket in the train you can book a seat on. How strict the TOCs are being with this I don't know, but that's what it means
Thanks, this is what I'm thinking too.
OP posts:
Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 07/07/2021 21:47

Is it Avanti? Their website added years to my life when trying to book tickets London to Glasgow. I was after return tickets and at the seat reservation stage it suddenly said nothing was available but didn't make it clear if the problem was with both legs or just one, and if so, which one, so it was extremely difficult to amend my booking to a train that did have seats available. As I have to dovetail with booking onto specific ferry crossings as well, I was tearing my hear out by the time I finally sorted it out.

For the tickets I did finally manage to book for next month, it's particularly frustrating as England will probably have no restrictions by the time we travel so all this seat reservation stuff may no longer be required.

tasmaniandevil · 07/07/2021 21:51

This happened to me a few weeks ago. Tried to book the return leg of a journey and the website said all seats sold out and I couldn't reserve one.I bought an open return, turned up and there were loads of free seats even with social distancing.

Original poster
blahblahblah321 · 07/07/2021 21:56

It's an open return @tasmaniandevil , I have no idea how it works coming home as I haven't booked a seat or anything!

OP posts:
Original poster
blahblahblah321 · 07/07/2021 21:56

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g

Is it Avanti? Their website added years to my life when trying to book tickets London to Glasgow. I was after return tickets and at the seat reservation stage it suddenly said nothing was available but didn't make it clear if the problem was with both legs or just one, and if so, which one, so it was extremely difficult to amend my booking to a train that did have seats available. As I have to dovetail with booking onto specific ferry crossings as well, I was tearing my hear out by the time I finally sorted it out.

For the tickets I did finally manage to book for next month, it's particularly frustrating as England will probably have no restrictions by the time we travel so all this seat reservation stuff may no longer be required.

South western rail
OP posts:
tasmaniandevil · 07/07/2021 22:04

I would turn up for the train and chance it. Hopefully there will be a carriage that is kept for walk ups on the day with no reservations. If the worst happens get the next one. I don't think they can actually stop you getting on even if you have to stand by the toilets!

MrsHamlet · 07/07/2021 22:10

This happened to me recently. I bought the tickets at the station and travelled on the "fully booked" train.
I was the only person in the carriage for 2 hours.

Growuppeople · 07/07/2021 22:52

Thinking about it maybe they keep some free for people who need it on the day, for people who use it daily for example, all they can say is no I suppose 🤷‍♀️

Ellmau · 08/07/2021 00:23

Sometimes people may book a seat but then be unable to travel.

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