The "Trainline" app states "only a few seats left" labeled under a "split save" option. We realize there are other choices besides split save with more seats available but wondering if we need to purchase guaranteed seats on every leg of our trip far in advance to avoid sold out trains or if we can reserve the seats at the station of departure the day of travel if at all? During train travel in other countries, we have only purchased seats for the longer legs of our journey but this is our first time in England. Has anyone ever experienced a train that has been sold out? We are purchasing 15 trips over 2 months train pass.
Posted by
Yorkshire
1359 posts
As some one who habitually buys on the day or a day ahead I can only think of one occasion I could not get on a train.
It was York after a bomb scarce at the station closed it for near 3 hours.
Posted by
Cornwall
378 posts
Has anyone ever experienced a train that has been sold out
Trains don’t sell out, with the exception of Eurostar.
Posted by
UK
769 posts
Trains don’t sell out, but you may not always get a seat.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8132 posts
The "only a few seats left" refers to availability of the cheapest Advance Tickets. From Penrith to Carlisle and Carlisle to Newcastle you are simply not going to find full trains, unless there is massive service disruption. If disruption is that bad then all restrictions are lifted so all tickets become flexible tickets anyway. Thus use a quieter train.
On Carlisle to Newcastle (the long leg) there are no assigned seats anyway, even with an Advance Ticket.
Newcastle to Durham I suppose you could in very high theory find a full train, but that is only a very short hop anyway- 11 to 15 minutes.
I know there are advance fares even for such a short journey, but unless you are on a very, very tight budget just by an off peak day single (fully flexible) for that leg- that is £4.80 compared to between £2.80 to £4. Then if a train is very busy just wait for the next one- it is a very frequent service.
I am 6 days into a very intensive 8 day trip on a rover ticket, including travel on Avanti, TPE and East Midlands reserveable trains. Not a seat reservation in sight, nor has it mattered at all even yesterday on an Edinburgh bound train which was busy with "Swifties". Still plenty of available seats
Posted by
OP
23 posts
Wow...what great information! Thank you everyone for your help!