Sorry to be a bit dim but unless I can get on my first train in the UK I can’t go anywhere.
So, in my trip I have my first journey which is on a Thameslink train to London.
Once I have activated my pass, what happens?
Will it give me a QR code and I just go to the barrier and scan it?
Best answer by ralderton
Reservations aren’t compulsory on UK trains, except Eurostar and night trains. In fact on Thameslink, they’re not even possible.
As above, the QR code in Rail Planner may or may work at the barriers (probably not), but gate staff will let you through.
It will give you a QR Code. But it does not work at the scanners at the ticket barriers in the UK. You will need to show it to the staff so they open the barrier
You will have to use the staffed side gate. The Interrail QR code works only at the ticket gates in the netherlands, italy and france.
+8Reservations aren’t compulsory on UK trains, except Eurostar and night trains. In fact on Thameslink, they’re not even possible.
As above, the QR code in Rail Planner may or may work at the barriers (probably not), but gate staff will let you through.
I was just looking up trains in UK for this summer, but for example TransPennine says in their own app, that a reservation is mandatory.
Except for LNER, I find they are a bit awkward to reserve. Seat 61 recommends to use the GWR website even for other companies, but this didn’t work out for me.
TransPennine let me reserve their own train and Avanti Westcoast, but I had to choose what ticket I have, but Interrail wasn’t an option, so I choose a random ticket.
Then it was written that the reservation had to be redeemed at a ticket machine with a code they gave me. I wonder why and if this is necessary, since they sent my an email with the seat numbers.
I was just looking up trains in UK for this summer, but for example TransPennine says in their own app, that a reservation is mandatory.
That is because some operators (e.g. LNER, Avanti, TPE) have incorrect data in their timetables, on purpose.
Except for LNER, I find they are a bit awkward to reserve. Seat 61 recommends to use the GWR website even for other companies, but this didn’t work out for me.
TransPennine let me reserve their own train and Avanti Westcoast, but I had to choose what ticket I have, but Interrail wasn’t an option, so I choose a random ticket.
Then it was written that the reservation had to be redeemed at a ticket machine with a code they gave me. I wonder why and if this is necessary, since they sent my an email with the seat numbers.
As you can see on the Seat61 reservation page, GWR stopped issuing reservations but TPE still issue them, for all reservable day trains in GB. I’ve used them before and didn’t need to collect the at a ticket machine.
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