How much does it cost to upgrade to first class??

Question

How much does it normally cost to upgrade from standard to first class on a first great western train on the day?

Answer 1

I notice, that there are alot of people who are saying it is not possible to up-grade, and as for the ex-railway staff having all the problems that they had, it sounds like they caught the conductor on a bad day & you should have taken their details & reported them to the comapny that they work for!

I have upgraded plenty of times, when I used to travel between London & Rhyl and not once had any problems.

When I did upgrade (That included peak traveling times) it has cost me between £5 & £15.

I believe that  upgrading price depends on the TOC rules (Train Operating Company) & at what time of day you are traveling.

I would advise you to contact First Great Western.

I have included their website: http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/

Answer 2

The short answer is "it depends".

If you have a ticket that's restricted to a specific train, you generally can't.

If you've got a "walk-on" ticket then the price depends on the day of the week!

At weekends, the "long distance" operators offer a facility called "Weekend First", whereby Standard Class ticket holders can upgrade to First for a supplement of up to £20, depending on the operator and journey being made.

On weekdays, you need to pay the difference in fares between the ticket you already have and the tickets you would have needed to buy, and you should do that BEFORE boarding the train if the Ticket Office is open! (NB: That can work out VERY expensive.)

For example, you may have a Saver Return costing £50, the Single would be £49, and there would be a First Open Single priced at £90, and Return at £180.

Had you bought the appropriate tickets to do First Class in one direction and Standard the other, it would have cost a total of £139, so it is to *that* total that you would be excessed (i.e. you'd pay £89 extra).

Answer 3

You CANNOT upgrade to first class from standard class on WEEKDAYS. The only time you would be able to do this would be to buy a completly new First Class ticket at the ticket office before you get on the train.

You CAN upgrade (subject to space) on a WEEKEND, for a supplement of around GB£10.00 on the train. Wait for the guard to annouce the "WEEKEND FIRST" before asuming you can.

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Weekend First

Upgrade from Standard to First Class at weekends and Bank Holidays for a small supplement. Buy in advance at ticket offices and on board high speed services (Intercity).

Weekend First upgrades on journeys made wholly within the Network Railcard area are GB£5 per single journey (excluding the route bewteen Worcester and Oxford). Upgrades on all other journeys are GB£10 per single journey.

Answer 4

On many UK railways, you cannot do it! I boarded a train from London to Norwich, found that Standard class was full, and sat down in First class, ready and willing to pay the Conductor the difference in fare. (I was returning from a London hospital appointment in which various tests were done, that left me exhausted - there was no way that I could stand from London to Manningtree)

I'm a retired railwayman, who therefore travels free of charge in Standard Class. When the Conductor came, I showed my pass and told her that I would pay the difference in fare, but she issued me a penalty fare notice by which, not only did I have to pay the full fare (not just the difference), but that I would also be reported as a potential fare-evader (because I had not bought a first class ticket before travelling) - this is a criminal offence!

I produced papers from the hospital that indicated the examination I had undergone, and the potential side-effects of exhaustion, but she remained adamant. I was nicked!

In the end, I insisted that the Police be present at the first stop (Colchester) and they attended, along with a Railway official, who endorsed me as a special needs passenger, and the potential prosecution was withdrawn. Not a lot of fun, when one has just had tests for cancer.

Happily, no prosecution, and no cancer. But if you wish to upgrade, do it before you board the train. A solicitor has advised me that you can easily be nicked if you have a standard class ticket, and sit in First Class intending to pay the difference. Apparently, the onus has shifted - the railway companies are allowed to assume you intended to bilk them, even if you sit with your upgrade money in your hot little hand.

Answer 5

Before sitting down in First Class, always find the Guard, Conductor or train Manager and seek their advice, permission and upgrade, take their name on the badge so if any inspectors get on you can produce a name if you do not already have the upgrade.

Answer 6

It costs £10 from Paddington to Penzance or stations between at the weekends, it may vary on weekdays one should book in advance in case the train is crowded then ones seat is reserved for you, hope this is of help.

Answer 7

Last Saturday on Midland Mainline {Nottm-London} it was announced that for £6-00, you could upgrade, very reasonable !

Answer 8

Normally about a £1-£2.00;or it used to be,