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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Can i sit in first class if i have an ordinary ticket on the train?

82 replies

ssd · 21/07/2023 10:11

Im sure i read this somewhere.
It says you can book a seat in any class with an ordinary ticket. Im thinking the Edinburgh to London train, so a long journey.

Does anyone know?

OP posts:
Parker231 · 21/07/2023 10:12

If you don’t have a first class ticket, you will need to pay a supplement - usually the difference between the standard and first class price.

MissDollyMix · 21/07/2023 10:12

No. You need a first class ticket to reserve a seat in first class. A standard class ticket will reserve you a seat in standard class.

TheFlis12345 · 21/07/2023 10:12

Of course you can’t. Why would you be able to sit in first with a standard ticket? If that was allowed everyone would do it!

fruitbrewhaha · 21/07/2023 10:15

Yes and if you go in the dining car you can order a sandwich but then request a steak for the same price. Same for drinks pay for lemonade but insist on champagne.

ApolloandDaphne · 21/07/2023 10:15

If there is a spare seat and you are willing to pay the upgrade fee then you can. Have a look at the Seatfrog app. You can use it to get cheap upgrades on trains. I I used it to go Edinburgh - Leeds recently.

orangeleavesinautumn · 21/07/2023 10:16

you can pay for an upgrade

nasanas · 21/07/2023 10:16

You can book a seat on LNER (Edinburgh to London) without a ticket. You won't be able to sit in first clews without a first class ticket no matter how many reservations you have.

HonoriaLucastaDelagardie · 21/07/2023 10:26

I don't know about LNER, but very occasionally on my line if the train is exceptionally crowded, they might announce that the first class section is available to all passengers. But that's the exception. The norm is that if you're caught in first class without a first class ticket, you pay or move.

It's sometimes not all that expensive to pay for an upgrade if booking online.

TokyoSushi · 21/07/2023 10:29

No. That would be like booking a normal tkt for a plane and expecting to sit in business class. Very rarely they say that first class is open if the train is super busy etc, but otherwise expect to pay a supplement, or be told to move!

FlowersInTheSky · 21/07/2023 10:29

Why would you think you can buy a STANDARD ticket yet sit in FIRST class?

Rainbowshit · 21/07/2023 10:31

Why on earth would you think this? No one would ever bother paying first class prices if they could just sit in there with a standard ticket!!

ZestFest · 21/07/2023 10:37

It's the other way round! With a first class ticket you can sit anywhere on the train. 😀

Peony654 · 21/07/2023 10:53

I don't know why you'd think so? Sometimes on very crowded trains they announce it's allowed. And I do it on those shorter trips where 1st class is almost the same, like Southern rail, if that's the only seats.

CherryBlossoms88 · 21/07/2023 11:12

I do wonder about some people on mumsnet

Pinkneonballoon · 21/07/2023 11:15

I can't understand why you would think this?

Topseyt123 · 21/07/2023 11:21

Of course you can't sit in First Class with a standard ticket. You might be able to make a seat reservation there, but to be able to sit in it you would have to pay for the upgrade.

You can very likely buy a first class ticket and sit anywhere you like on the train (if available and not reserved), but why would you do that?

sashh · 21/07/2023 11:22

If you have booked a seat in second class and you cannot sit down then you can move to first, but if they can find you a seat in second they will move you there.

FlowersInTheSky · 21/07/2023 11:25

sashh · 21/07/2023 11:22

If you have booked a seat in second class and you cannot sit down then you can move to first, but if they can find you a seat in second they will move you there.

No you can’t. You just have to stand.

WellThisIsFun1 · 21/07/2023 11:25

No you can't unless you upgrade, or if the train company declassify the whole train

meatbaseddessert · 21/07/2023 11:26

No.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 21/07/2023 11:41

Pay the upgrade when you get on the train. Amount will depend on how many travel zones you go through. The train website will probably give you that information. Did it Exeter-London a couple of months ago and it was £ 25.

Wheretostartstitching · 21/07/2023 11:42

Why would anyone book first class if you only need a standard ticket?

Wheretostartstitching · 21/07/2023 11:44

Oh and when I travel first class (for work) they don’t check the ticket til after they have fed you.

At which point you would be charged the upgrade or be removed at the next station.

VictoriaVenkman · 21/07/2023 11:45

No you can't, you'll be moved on by the train guard.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 21/07/2023 11:46

VictoriaVenkman · 21/07/2023 11:45

No you can't, you'll be moved on by the train guard.

If she pays the upgrade when they come round checking the tickets, she won't be.