Page 3 | Can i sit in first class if i have an ordinary ticket on the train?

RB68 · 21/07/2023 14:18

The only kind of exception I am aware of is on the Chiltern London to Birmingham from Marylebone they sometimes have trains with a business class section - no one sits in them, but actually there is no business class ticket on this service any more so anyone can sit in them and very comfy they are too

Westfacing · 21/07/2023 14:19

If this were the case why would anyone buy a first class ticket!

Guineapig123 · 21/07/2023 14:20

On our local suburban train first class is declassified so you can sit in it. But in general you can’t sit in first class without a first class ticket

NeverDropYourMooncup · 21/07/2023 14:29

You could, but you'd find yourself with a penalty fare of £100 plus the highest value single ticket.

Much cheaper, relatively speaking, to buy the first class ticket from the outset.

SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 21/07/2023 14:31

Also South Eastern adopter of first class seat privileges now all trains de classified.

LIZS · 21/07/2023 14:31

Usually you can reserve a seat on booking.

Alicetheowl · 21/07/2023 14:33

To all these people saying you need to upgrade or move back to standard class-I thought you could be fined. If not, then I will just sit in first class and move back if I'm caught out-unless it's a long journey you don't get many ticket inspectors. Can I just do this?

EdwardianTable · 21/07/2023 14:38

Alicetheowl · 21/07/2023 14:33

To all these people saying you need to upgrade or move back to standard class-I thought you could be fined. If not, then I will just sit in first class and move back if I'm caught out-unless it's a long journey you don't get many ticket inspectors. Can I just do this?

I travel first class for work a lot and always get my ticket checked - I don't know if inspectors always check first class but not always standard? From my experience, I don't think you'd get away with it.

LondonPapa · 21/07/2023 14:44

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?

Sure and you can just waltz into a room at the Ritz once you arrive, without paying.

nasanas · 21/07/2023 14:48

Alicetheowl · 21/07/2023 14:33

To all these people saying you need to upgrade or move back to standard class-I thought you could be fined. If not, then I will just sit in first class and move back if I'm caught out-unless it's a long journey you don't get many ticket inspectors. Can I just do this?

Why would you? You could be taking a seat from a first class paid ticket holder. Pay or stay out!

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 21/07/2023 14:50

It’s the other way around @ssd, a first class ticket can be used in other carriages in case you get trapped with a talker/ nose picker etc. Ignore the faux shock brigade.

Florissante · 21/07/2023 15:21

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. That is not true. If there are no seats in Standard Class, you stand or pay the supplement to sit in First.

MissConductUS · 21/07/2023 15:26

Alicetheowl · 21/07/2023 14:33

To all these people saying you need to upgrade or move back to standard class-I thought you could be fined. If not, then I will just sit in first class and move back if I'm caught out-unless it's a long journey you don't get many ticket inspectors. Can I just do this?

Someone may have reserved that seat from the next station stop onward. Just because it's empty now doesn't mean it won't belong to someone further down the line.

When I take the train, the conductor/ticket inspector steps onto the platform at every stop and observes which train cars passengers are entering so they know where the tickets need to be checked.

LuckySantangelo35 · 21/07/2023 15:27

Yes you can OP

Saschka · 21/07/2023 15:28

jaundicedoutlook · 21/07/2023 14:03

You can on South Eastern. Buy a standard ticket and help yourself to the first class section from Tunbridge Wells to Cannon Street. All their trains have been declassified, but the first class sections are still there on the trains, with their marginally nicer seats.

Yep I was going to say this - there are some commuter trains into London with no first class (Ie you can’t buy a first class ticket even if you want to). But the trains obviously still have the first class section in them. So anyone can go and sit in them.

You have to be careful because whether the train has a first class depends on where the train starts from, but I think you are pretty safe within the Oyster zones.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 21/07/2023 15:35

@ShadowPuppets Thameslink don't have guards coaches, just to be pedantic.

Also the rear first class on any Thameslink service is always de-classified. The front would depend where the train was going.

ShadowPuppets · 21/07/2023 15:37

Chesneyhawkes1 · 21/07/2023 15:35

@ShadowPuppets Thameslink don't have guards coaches, just to be pedantic.

Also the rear first class on any Thameslink service is always de-classified. The front would depend where the train was going.

Fair enough - he popped back into the bit at the front of the train, the locked door on the other side of the first class compartment.

(I am also a pedant so I appreciate the correction 😁 - and admittedly this was in 2018ish, I haven’t commuted on Thameslink since moving out of London during the pandemic)

FawnFrenchieMum · 21/07/2023 15:40

LNER website will allow you to book a seat in first class without a ticket (or the wrong ticket) but when the conductor comes round you will be charged for the upgrade or correct ticket.

Wenfy · 21/07/2023 15:40

What that means is the train company allows you to take any available 1st class seat and pay an upgrade fee. Some train companies don’t allow this - you need a first class ticket just to go through the door & the train manager can fine you if you don’t have the right ticket. My old manager fell foul of this years ago and was fined nearly £400.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 21/07/2023 15:41

@ShadowPuppets drivers cab the cheeky so and so 😂

ShadowPuppets · 21/07/2023 15:43

Chesneyhawkes1 · 21/07/2023 15:41

@ShadowPuppets drivers cab the cheeky so and so 😂

To be fair it was rammed, I think Southern might have been having issues that day. I’d have taken the option if I could have 😂

whatsappdoc · 21/07/2023 15:58

Is it not still the case that if you get caught in 1st class with an invalid ticket you don't just pay the difference to upgrade but you have to pay full price for a 1st class ticket? That was the rule when I commuted in the 90s.

Original poster

ssd · 21/07/2023 19:35

AnotherDayAnotherUsernameForMeAgain · 21/07/2023 11:48

What made you think you could @ssd ?

I really dont know, but i was sure i read this somewhere and i wanted to ask if it was true or nonsense.

I didn't actually believe it at the time, I've obviously read it incorrectly.

OP posts:

Madcats · 21/07/2023 19:38

Assuming that you aren't already on the train, there is an App called Seatfrog where you can bid for 1st class upgrades.

Some people seem to get bargains.

NecklessMumster · 21/07/2023 19:58

I travelled from Bristol to Sheffield last week. My original train (with seat reservation ) was cancelled, so next train was rammed. I heard a woman ask the guard if she could upgrade and followed suit. He told me to wait while he checked spaces then let me in carriage. I was worried about cost but he said £15 for upgrade. THEN he came round twice and gave free hot drinks, sandwiches, cake, biscuits, crisps. It was epic. I did feel guilty every time door opened to corridor with people sitting on floor by toilet etc.