Stupid train travel question....
Discussion
Excuse my ignorance but I have not used a train for about 9 years - no other reason than haven't really had the need.
Doing a trip from Reading to Devon by train, and have the option to go first class for not a great deal more cash.
Is going first class on the train really worth it? There much of a difference in seat size from standard on a First Great western train? It will be at a quiet time of day so the fact the train may be busy wont be an issue.
Doing a trip from Reading to Devon by train, and have the option to go first class for not a great deal more cash.
Is going first class on the train really worth it? There much of a difference in seat size from standard on a First Great western train? It will be at a quiet time of day so the fact the train may be busy wont be an issue.
Please don't do it.
I, like you, hadn't used the train for years until a couple of weekends ago.
Big mistake.
Preston to London and back.
45 minutes late going, toilet out of order.
Coming back we thought we would get the "quicker" train, the one with fewer stops.
Unfortunately. so did the majority of others who wanted to travel back north.
I have never seen such chaos.
We had to stand ALL the way back. Not only that, but there were 7 of us stood in the bit where the doors are. All with cases and suit bags.
I literally had a space of about 2ft square to stand in
To add insult to injury, some mong came on the P.A. to say that due to overcrowding, the train will take longer than planned as it couldn't go as fast.
It did. It took 3 hours and 50 mins, all stood up.
There was an elderly lady, about 70, who had to stand. There were even people in the concertina bit between carriages.
Honestly, don't do it. I know I wont again.
I, like you, hadn't used the train for years until a couple of weekends ago.
Big mistake.
Preston to London and back.
45 minutes late going, toilet out of order.
Coming back we thought we would get the "quicker" train, the one with fewer stops.
Unfortunately. so did the majority of others who wanted to travel back north.
I have never seen such chaos.
We had to stand ALL the way back. Not only that, but there were 7 of us stood in the bit where the doors are. All with cases and suit bags.
I literally had a space of about 2ft square to stand in
To add insult to injury, some mong came on the P.A. to say that due to overcrowding, the train will take longer than planned as it couldn't go as fast.
It did. It took 3 hours and 50 mins, all stood up.
There was an elderly lady, about 70, who had to stand. There were even people in the concertina bit between carriages.
Honestly, don't do it. I know I wont again.
Edited by GoBig on Saturday 11th December 20:07
Watch the prices as they seem to vary from day to day - bit like air fares I suppose.
I reguarly travel from Birmingham to London and a first class advance can be cheaper than a standard advance. Bigger seats, a meal and drinks included + free wifi. Worth paying a bit more for .... but not silly money.
I reguarly travel from Birmingham to London and a first class advance can be cheaper than a standard advance. Bigger seats, a meal and drinks included + free wifi. Worth paying a bit more for .... but not silly money.
1st Class in Virgin is worth the extra if you get a cheap ticket and includes free wifi, table service (drinks and food), larger seats/leg room and is usually half empty. Compared with standard class, which is cattle class, often standing, and full of B.O., coughs, colds.... Go for it!
If you're buying well in advance the 1st class is usually pretty close to the normal price, especially if you're booking singles each way rather than just a return. Well, that's what I found on the rare occasions I've used First Great Western's finest from Paddington - seats are pretty comforatble, and you get a free superheated coffee/tea to spill over yourself as well.
It'll still be late and the toilets will be blocked of course.
It'll still be late and the toilets will be blocked of course.
To be honest, most intercity trains are pleasant enough- stick headphones on and chill out. If you are travelling during the day then getting a seat won't be an issue. My main problem with train travel is the cost though- often a ticket (if not booked well in advance) will be greater then the price of petrol for me to drive myself, adding additional passengers makes it a no brainer.
Not a great deal of difference between the classes, but if it's similar price then you may as well.
Not a great deal of difference between the classes, but if it's similar price then you may as well.
On numerous occasions we have paid for first class. Basically the staff are too spineless to deal with disputes and if you get a train full of experienced train travellers they will sit anywhere knowing that they won't be forcibly ejected.
Just do what we now do, pay for the basic ticket and sit wherever the hell you want, nobody will move you.
Just do what we now do, pay for the basic ticket and sit wherever the hell you want, nobody will move you.
GoBig said:
Please don't do it.
There was an elderly lady, about 70, who had to stand. There were even people in the concertina bit between carriages.
She end up standing the whole journey??? what happend to people giving up thier seat for the less able?There was an elderly lady, about 70, who had to stand. There were even people in the concertina bit between carriages.
Edited by GoBig on Saturday 11th December 20:07
Never traveled first class myself had no problems going to london from nottingham in standard seats
As for coaches i'd say they're more awful than trains and rarely any faster as they have a million stops in bumf
knowherestan..sneijder said:
When it comes off the tracks you'll die quicker being at the front.
1st class should be at the back travelling from Reading to the West. 
To the OP I would plump for 1st personally, inter city coaches are not as spacious as they used to be think budget airline. Also when are you travelling? Beware Reading stn is shut over the xmas period due to engineering work with west country trains diverted to waterloo via the Southern route completely missing out Reading. Actually car sounds like a top idea.
Edited by RedYellowGreen on Sunday 12th December 02:59
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