Are there power sockets on trains?
Many of us want to stay connected while we’re on the move. So, it’s always good to know whether you’ll be able to charge up on the train. Don’t worry though, as we’ve put together this quick guide to power sockets on trains, so you’ll know whether or not you need to pack a power bank on your next trip.
Are there power sockets on trains?
In most cases these days, yes! Most trains have power sockets available for you to use. They might have a three-pin socket, a USB slot or both. They’ll either be on the wall, under the seat in front of you or under your own seat. If you’re sat at the table, they might be under the table itself or fixed to the table.
If a socket is attached to the wall, then you can only access it if you have a window seat.
Where will I find power sockets on trains?
Here’s our quick summary of each company and whether you can expect to find a power socket on the trains that they operate. It isn’t always as straightforward as ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but most companies have a pretty consistent approach.
| Company | Three-pin socket? | USB port? | Where? |
| Avanti West Coast | Yes1 | Yes1 | On seat in front/on table/ wall |
| c2c | No | No | N/A |
| Chiltern Railways | Longer-distance services only2 | No | Wall/on table |
| CrossCountry | On ‘Voyager’ trains only3 | No | Wall |
| East Midlands Railway | InterCity services only | Some ‘Regional’ services | Wall |
| Elizabeth Line | No | Yes | Some on wall/at carriage ends |
| Gatwick Express | Yes | No | Wall |
| Grand Central | Yes | No | Wall |
| Great Northern | Yes | No | Wall/under seat |
| Great Western Railway | Yes | Most trains | Wall/under seat |
| Greater Anglia | Yes | Yes | Under seat |
| Heathrow Express | Yes | Yes | Wall |
| Hull Trains | Yes | Yes | Under seat |
| LNER | Yes | First Class only | Under seat (Azuma)/wall (Electric Train) |
| London Overground | No | Some trains | Between carriages/behind drivers cab |
| Lumo | Yes | Yes | Under seat in front |
| Merseyrail | Yes4 | Yes4 | Under seat |
| Northern | Some trains5 | Almost all trains5 | Under seat/wall |
| ScotRail | Yes | Some trains | Under seat/wall/on table |
| Southeastern | Most trains6 | Some trains6 | Under seat/wall |
| Southern | Most trains6 | Most trains6 | Wall |
| South Western Railway | All except ‘suburban’ services near London | Some trains | Wall |
| Thameslink | First Class only | No | Under seat |
| TransPennine Express | Yes | Yes | Under seat/wall |
| Transport for Wales | Yes | Yes | Under seat/wall |
| West Midlands Trains | Yes7 | Yes7 | Under seat/wall |
Is there anything else I should know?
We’ve written some footnotes below where the situation isn’t quite so straightforward! Otherwise, you’re all set.
Looking to book some train tickets now? No problem. You can do it all with Railsmartr. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.
Footnotes
1 – Avanti West Coast is currently refurbishing its ‘Pendolino’ trains. On unrefurbished trains, you’ll only find sockets at tables in Standard Class.
2 – All London-Birmingham services and some London-Oxford services.
3 – Voyager trains run between Scotland/Newcastle and the South West, and Manchester and the South Coast.
4 – Merseyrail are currently replacing their fleet. Older trains do not have power sockets.
5 – Northern has a very diverse fleet of trains. Almost all trains will have either a USB socket or a three-pin socket. A small number don’t have either.
6 – Southern and Southeastern are currently refurbishing their trains and adding sockets. ‘Javelin’ trains will soon be fitted with USB-C ports.
7 – All services except the ‘CrossCity’ line, and other trains that have a 3+2 seating layout.
All information is issued without liability and was correct at August 2023. Railsmartr is not responsible for any loss or inconvenience incurred as a result of the information provided.