Southern Rail First Class: Everything you need to know

Choosing Southern Rail First Class comes with several benefits designed to improve your journey. These typically include:

• Quieter carriages for a more peaceful ride
• More spacious seating with extra legroom
• Tables for working or dining
• Free Wi-Fi on most services
• Power sockets for charging devices
• Complimentary newspapers or magazines on some routes

These features make First Class travel convenient for commuters, business passengers, and leisure travellers alike.

Booking First Class tickets

When purchasing your journey, you can select a First Class fare at the booking stage. Simply choose your route and departure time, then select First Class before completing your purchase. Guidance is available on the Southern Rail First Class page.

Upgrading an existing ticket

If you already hold a Standard ticket, you may still be able to upgrade. While this cannot be done through Trip.com, passengers can:

Request an upgrade at a station ticket office before departure

Ask the train conductor onboard to upgrade by paying the fare difference

These upgrades are available only on services where First Class carriages operate, and seat availability depends on the route and time of travel.

Not every Southern service includes a First Class carriage. When booking through Trip.com, the option will appear if available for your chosen journey. Some of the most common routes offering First Class include:

London to Brighton

Portsmouth Harbour, Portsmouth & Southsea, or Bognor Regis to London

Southampton Central to Brighton or London

Eastbourne, Ore, or Seaford to London

Always check train details at the time of booking to confirm whether First Class is offered.

First Class carriages are clearly marked on Southern trains. Seating options usually include:

• Two seats with a table
• Four seats arranged around a table
• Single-seat table options on some services

On certain routes, passengers may use First Class areas with a Standard ticket. This is usually permitted when:

• Suburban services have First Class-marked seats that are identical to Standard
• Off-peak services where First Class is not sold separately

Always confirm with onboard staff before sitting in a First Class section with a Standard ticket, and remember you must still hold a valid travel ticket.

Whether Southern Rail First Class is worth the extra cost depends on your preferences. The quieter carriages, larger seats, tables, and charging facilities can be ideal if you want to work or simply enjoy a more comfortable ride.

Booking in advance can reduce the cost of First Class fares. For passengers seeking more comfort at a lower price, Southern also offers Standard Premium, which provides slightly more space than Standard Class without the full cost of First Class.

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