Train travel: what class to book?

[ewwl]

I haven’t been on a train in years and years. I always drive or fly.

I need to get a train from London to Glasgow. It’s 4.5-5 hours, on a weekend.

Standard = £85
Standard Premium = £120
First Class = £200

I was thinking of going for Standard Premium? I can’t stand being squashed in. £115 extra for First sounds extravagant. I know money means different things to different people, so for reference I make about £70k a year.

Standard premium and book a seat (free)

The service can often be a bit ropey in first on the weekends so I’d go for standard premium and get some decent food and drink to take on with you.

Ooooh, Glasgow is a fantastic city, we visited recently. Will you have time to see anything whilst you are there? Missing the point but envy got in the wsy

I would book standard premium never the catering offer in first class isn't worth spending £80 on. I wouldn't go into standard because I like to book an individual seat.

You can try seatfrog you can bid on cheap first class tickets on there once you have a standard ticket I got an upgrade to Durham for £18

Standard premium for sure. First class carriage so lots of room but you’re not paying extra for the (questionable) food you get in first.

If you book up to 12 weeks in advance you can get a first class advance much cheaper sometimes. Really depends on the route- some never have tickets but I've travelled in first on an advance cheaper than the standard buy at the station loads of times. If you go on National Rail website you can play about with dates/time. Only thing is you can only travel on a particular train normally. If you book on the 11.15 you have to be on that train - not the 10.15 or the 12:15. 2 singles instead of return can be cheaper as well.

This. Which Trainline? I think Avanti west coast you can pay £30 on the day for a first class weekend upgrade.

Avanti no longer do Weekend upgrades.

First class at weekends and any other day of the week is a full price ticket. Also at weekend it's just the half size coach K carriage which is just first class.

There is no longer any weekend supplement this has been replaced with a fixed fee for Standard Premium (Glasgow to Euston £35.00)

Standard premium for sure.
Worth the extra. Chose your seat. Extra space. And much quieter than standard.

Never heard of standard premium. But first class these days is a total waste of money. I genuinely don’t understand what they think they’re offering which is any kind of premium service. The odd cup of tea or grudgingly proffered dried up bacon sandwich doesn’t come close to being worth the extra for me. If I couldn’t fly I’d genuinely consider advertising on social media for a ride share. Sharing with almost anyone short of a psychopath would be better than the train. And you may get get a screenplay out of it!

Standard Premium is available on Avanti West Coast Trains.

It is the same seating layout as first class with the larger seats with a guarantee table. It's exactly like first class minus the at seat food and drink service.

There are 3 classes available now. (Standard/Standard Premium/First Class)

When I travelled with my 7 week old recently, I sat in Standard Premium and upgraded on the day. It cost me an extra £35 from London to Glasgow which I paid the Conductor on the train once I'd sat down.

To be honest there is nothing wrong with standard in the quiet carriage. I've never bothered paying the extra. I book a table seat

I travel in first a lot (only due to the fact that I have a relative who is a train driver and gets discounted tickets) it's not really worth paying hundreds for nowadays just for a free cuppa and a sandwich. Go standard premium.

Blimey!

I returned yesterday from Edinburgh to London in the standard seat, reserved a window seat, popped in some earbuds and listened to my audiobook / music, enjoyed the scenery and dozed on and off. It was busy returning, quiet going so lots of space then. I enjoyed my train ride - no traffic jams! - and Glasgow is a wonderful city as another pp said.

I'd not even heard of Standard Premium before this thread!

It's a section avanti offer in between first and standard. Basically first class seating without the service. It's perfect for me as I need an individual seat so wouldn't travel in standard.

When travelling LNER I always sit in first for the seat but the catering offer is usually very good - full breakfast on certain services; fair choice of light meals and drinks (including alcohol, although I don't drink) and advance tickets can be very reasonably priced.

Last time I went FC on Avanti the food was nothing to write home about, so I'd go SP for the more comfortable seating.

I’m in Scotland and mostly travel here on ScotRail. The staff are lovely and friendly and helpful but the service is dire.

Have you looked on Avanti super saver? If you don't mind the time of the train you can book at ticker and state morning afternoon or evening. Then you get the time of your train the day before. I recently did this from Warrington to London. £15 each way with a reserved seat.