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Can I reserve a seat for my train journey?

You can reserve seats on almost all long-distance trains. Here’s a quick guide to what you can and can’t reserve:
OperatorSeat reservations?Additional Information
Avanti West CoastYes
c2cNo
Caledonian SleeperYesReservations are compulsory
Chiltern RailwaysNo
CrossCountryYes
East Midlands RailwayYesOnly on trains between Sheffield/Nottingham and London
EurostarYesReservations are compulsory
Gatwick ExpressNo
Grand CentralYes
Great NorthernNo
Great Western RailwayYesOnly on trains to/from London. Reservations on the Night Riviera sleeper train are compulsory
Greater AngliaNo
Heathrow ExpressNo
Hull TrainsYes
LNERYes
London Northwestern RailwayNo
London OvergroundNo
LumoYesReservations strongly recommended
MerseyrailNo
NorthernNo
ScotRailYesLong-distance services only
South Western RailwayNo
SoutheasternNo
SouthernNo
Stansted ExpressNo
ThameslinkNo
TransPennine ExpressYesExcept on local services Leeds – Huddersfield and Huddersfield – Manchester
Transport for WalesNo
West Midlands RailwayNo
Sometimes, during special events or busier periods, reservations might not be offered.

You can click here to find out more about seat reservations with our handy guide. 

Where a reservation is available, we’ll always let you reserve a seat, providing that the train is not so busy that there are no seats left.