GWR First Class: Everything you need to know

When you’re thinking about a GWR upgrade to First Class, it’s helpful to know what your First Class ticket is getting you.

With GWR First Class, you’ll receive:

• Access to the tasty GWR First Class menu, featuring free food & drink
• A touch of luxury with access to Pullman dining on certain routes for an additional fee
• A more comfortable journey with extra legroom
• Reclining extra-wide seats
• A better online experience with enhanced Wi-Fi
• Access to power and USB sockets at your seat, ideal for keeping your devices charged as you travel.

So if you’re looking for comfort and convenience, a GWR First Class upgrade can be a great option.

When you’re booking your tickets via our journey planner, simply select your preferred route and time and before proceeding to the payment page, click on ‘View 1^st Class & More Tickets’. This will show you the GWR First Class upgrade cost for your particular journey.

If you’ve already purchased a Standard Class ticket, it’s not too late for a GWR upgrade to First Class. Simply speak to the Train Manager onboard or staff at the ticket office before you travel to find out about First Class availability and pay the extra fare.

You can also use the Seatfrog App to bid for an upgrade on a First Class ticket from as little as £17. Seatfrog upgrades are fairly last minute with auctions opening 24 hours before your journey. There’s more information on eligible routes and ticket types on GWR’s website. Please note that you’ll need both your original standard ticket and your Seatfrog First Class upgrade barcode to access First Class.

How much does it cost to upgrade to First Class on GWR?

This will depend on the route and time of travel, as you’ll be paying the difference between fares. Upgrades via Seatfrog start from as little as £17.

GWR First Class weekend upgrades

With GWR, there tends to be particularly good availability for weekend upgrades and these can start from just £10. You’ll just need to speak to the Train Manager or a member of the team and ask about a weekend upgrade. Prices will vary depending on the route you’re travelling and the number of zones you travel through.

The GWR First Class menu is generally served to your seat on weekday high-speed GWR services between 6am and 7.30pm, although do note that this isn’t guaranteed.

The menu options include:

• Tea and coffee
• Juices, sodas, and water
• Biscuits and cakes
• Crisps

Please be aware that there is no First Class catering on the following routes:

• Penzance – Cardiff/Gloucester
• London Paddington – Newbury/Bedwyn
• London Paddington – Oxford
• Reading – Gatwick

Pullman Dining onboard GWR services

For something rather more special while you’re travelling on GWR, why not book a Pullman Dining table? This luxury dining experience is prepared by dedicated Pullman chefs and incorporates produce sourced from the regions served by GWR trains.

The three course set menu features soup, fillet steak, sea bass and chocolate brownies, accompanied by complimentary bread with Netherend Farm butter, as well as tea or coffee and water. If you fancy a tipple with your meal, there’s a selection of beers, wines and spirits available to purchase. The menu is priced at £38 for two courses and £46 for three courses.

As a GWR First Class ticket holder, you’ll get advanced access to Pullman Dining reservations from two weeks up to an hour before your train’s departure. It’s advisable to reserve a table in advance. Standard Class ticketholders can also enjoy the Pullman Dining experience but will only be able to book once onboard and dependent on availability.

You’ll need to be travelling on a journey of at least 50 minutes to be able to enjoy the Pullman Dining service. This ensures you have plenty of time to sit, relax and enjoy the charming views over the countryside.

GWR Pullman Dining is available on selected weekday journeys, excluding bank holidays.

Photo by Thu Win

Access to a First Class lounge means a more comfortable start to your journey, giving you space to relax and grab a drink or snack before your train departs. You’ll find a GWR First Class lounge at selected stations including London Paddington. Simply show your GWR First Class ticket, then sit back and enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, charging points and refreshments. Dogs are welcome at some lounges, check the GWR website for details.

GWR First Class seating plan

GWR operate a variety of trains on their services so be sure to check out the GWR facilities guide for full GWR First Class seating plans (pages 7-40) for the various models. There are a selection of single table seats, four-seater tables and two side-by-side seat arrangements for First Class passengers.

On Class 80x Intercity Express Trains, you’ll find First Class carriages:

• On 5-coach trains: Coaches D & E
• On 9-coach trains: Coaches K & L
• On 10-coach trains: Coaches D, E, K & L

These trains are used on routes between London Paddington and Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Cardiff, Swansea, West Wales, Cheltenham Spa, Oxford, Hereford, Exeter, Paignton, Plymouth and Penzance. Also semi-fast services to Banbury, Newbury and Bedwyn.

Now you’ve got everything you need to know to decide whether to go ahead with a GWR upgrade to First Class. Whether it’s worth it will depend entirely on what you’re looking for from your trip. If you’re thinking of doing the Pullman Dining experience for example, GWR First Class may well be worth it to be able to reserve a table in advance rather than waiting until the day.

The best value fares can be found by booking in advance and travelling off-peak. If there’s flexibility in your travel plans, be sure to explore whether you can get a more affordable price by travelling at a different time. Don’t forget to check what’s included with your particular journey before you travel, so you can make the most of all the GWR First Class benefits available.