Great Northern First Class: Everything you need to know

Marqv Neves

Aug 28, 2025

Travelling with Great Northern First Class provides a more refined and spacious journey compared with Standard Class. With quieter carriages, larger seats, and useful onboard facilities, it is designed to make both business and leisure trips more enjoyable. This guide covers all you need to know about Great Northern Rail First Class, including what is included with the ticket, upgrade options, seating arrangements, and whether it offers good value. For booking details, you can also explore the Great Northern First Class page on Trip.com.

Photo by Scully Hitchcock

What is included with Great Northern First Class?

Choosing Great Northern First Class means enjoying a calmer travel environment, more comfort, and amenities that make your journey easier.

Typical Great Northern First Class benefits include:

Quieter carriages for a relaxed atmosphere
Larger and more comfortable seats with extra legroom
Free Wi-Fi on most services
Power sockets to charge devices
Access to digital tickets through the Great Northern app or Key Smartcard

These features make First Class especially appealing for business travellers who need to work on the move, as well as passengers who simply value more comfort.

Can you upgrade to First Class on Great Northern?

Yes, passengers can upgrade to First Class even if they already hold a Standard ticket. There are several ways to do this:

Booking First Class in advance

When purchasing tickets online, you can select First Class if it is available on your route. This is the most reliable way to secure a seat. With Trip.com, be sure to look out for the 'View 1st Class & More Tickets' option once you've selected your ideal travel time.

Upgrading at the station

If you already have a Standard ticket, you can often pay the difference at the station before departure.

Upgrading onboard on the train

On some services, you may request an upgrade from the Train Manager or conductor. This is subject to seat availability and requires paying the fare difference.

Weekend Upgrades

Great Northern sometimes offers discounted weekend First Class upgrades, giving passengers a more affordable way to experience extra comfort.

Please note that upgrades cannot be made through Trip.com once a booking is completed. Instead, these must be arranged at the station or directly onboard.

Is First Class available on all Great Northern trains?

Not all Great Northern services include First Class. Availability depends on both the route and the train type. When booking through Trip.com or the official Great Northern site, the option for First Class will be shown if it is available on your journey.

Where are Great Northern First Class carriages located?

On trains where First Class is available, the carriages are usually located at one end of the train and clearly signposted. but please note that layouts vary depending on the train model.

Is Great Northern First Class worth it?

Whether First Class represents good value depends on your travel preferences. For many passengers, the quieter environment, extra comfort, and reliable Wi-Fi make the upgrade worthwhile, particularly on longer routes or during busy periods. Booking in advance, using a Railcard, or taking advantage of weekend upgrade offers can help reduce costs. For those who want a more comfortable and productive journey, Great Northern Rail First Class can be an excellent choice.