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Train Travel and Seat Reservations with Eurail Passes in UK

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We have a 30 day trip planned from Ireland to Copenhagen in fall this year. We have Eurail passes for the UK to Copenhagen portion with plans for 5 rail travel days. The first day for rail will be Holyhead (after taking Ferry from Dublin) to London Euston. We will each have two bags with us and our passes are for 1st class. I was able to make seat reservations for the following 4 train travel days (2 via Rail Europe site and 2 on DB site). I have found no way on the Avanti West Coast site to make seat reservations only. In all my searching I stumbled across the GWR site and seem to have made 1st class seat reservations in coach K (quiet coach I believe) at no cost for the AWC train we are planning to take. All I have is a printed PDF confirmation, no QR code, from the GWR site - it doesn't show that its for AWC but has the correct departure and arrival times. Is this all I need to ensure we have the seats indicated on the GWR reservation? I am just surprised it was possible on GWR and not on AWC's site and that it didn't cost anything.

Any help making me feel confident about this (or offering a better way to accomplish this if there may be problems with the GWR seat reservations) would be much appreciated.

Posted by
35400 posts

that's how Avanti West Coast and Great Western Railway roll - and yes, it is correct, and yes they are free.

Posted by
10015 posts

That is totally fine. I book seats for all sorts of train operators (including Caledonian Sleeper), often on a rail pass like that. It just works.
Often I book at an hour or two notice when the train is mid journey and it still works.
Unless there is a problem with some one sitting in your seat you will hardly ever be asked for proof of your reservation. And starting at Holyhead in first class it shouldn't be packed.
Worst case find a free seat and move there.
There is no way to make seat reservations only on any train company except LNER (and then only on their own trains). GWR is the established way to do it. If it matters it is endorsed by the Man in Seat 61.
I have a Cal Sleeper pass reservation, made on GWR in 2 weeks time. Cal Sleeper themselves incorrectly say to call them for pass reservations - true for cabins but not seats.

Posted by
10015 posts

And at Euston you are allowed to use the first class lounge for one hour after arrival, including use of the showers. It is the best of the Avanti Lounges, and to me the best first class rail lounge in the UK.
It is well signed, on the mezzanine level of the concourse, and has a direct elevator.
Just show your pass at the entrance.

If the ferry is late and misses the train make a new through reservation as one transaction on the spot on the next Transport for Wales train to Crewe, then Avanti to London. While waiting at Crewe you can use the first class Cheshire Lounge (on the link bridge) for 2 hours. Show your pass to the camera on the door intercom.
If the TfW train is a 3 car train sit in the standard plus section- as close as they get to 1st class.

Posted by
1880 posts

at Euston you are allowed to use the first class lounge for one hour after arrival, including use of the showers.

Last year none of the British railways allowed us to use the First Class lounges with our 1st Class Eurail passes. I'm not suggesting that others won't be able to, but don't be disappointed if this proves impossible.

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