TransPennine First Class: Everything you need to know

One of the most important things to consider when deciding whether an upgrade is worth the spend is what’s included for the extra fare. With a TransPennine Express First Class upgrade, you’ll get:

• Spacious reclining seats for added comfort and luxury
• Extra legroom to stretch out
• Free Wi-Fi, keeping you connected on the move
• Power sockets and USB points at every seat, so you can keep your devices charged no matter how long your journey
• Complimentary snacks and drinks on applicable services

As you can see, a TransPennine Express First Class upgrade adds comfort, convenience and a touch of luxury to your train journey.

One of the great additional perks of travelling First Class with TransPennine Express is the complimentary food and drink available, and there are different TransPennine Express First Class menus depending on the journey you’re taking.

You can check out the TransPennine Express First Class catering map to find out which menu applies to your trip. All routes with catering offer a choice of alcoholic beverages such as wine, craft beer and spirits after 11am as part of their complimentary service.

Express Plus Menu

The First Class Express Plus Menu is available on many popular routes including Liverpool to Sheffield and Newcastle to Edinburgh. Catering is generally available between 07:00-18:30 Monday to Friday and 09:00-18:30 on Saturday and Sunday.

With the Express Plus Menu, you can enjoy a hot cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate, a selection of soft drinks and a choice of snacks including biscuits, crisps, cakes and croissants.

Check out the full menu for a complete list of available items.

West Coast Kitchen Menu

The TransPennine Express West Coast Kitchen First Class menu is offered on services between Manchester and Liverpool, and Glasgow and Edinburgh. The menu features produce sourced from communities local to the West Coast Mainline. Catering is generally available on all services, Monday to Sunday.

If you’re travelling at breakfast time, why not treat yourself to a tasty breakfast roll, some fluffy pancakes or a flaky all butter croissant? Later in the day, you can enjoy delicious dishes such as sausage and mash (weekdays) or balmoral chicken (weekends). There’s also a selection of snacks and hot and cold drinks available.

Be sure to take a look at the full menu to see everything on offer.

Coast to Coast Menu

Available on First Class routes between Liverpool and Newcastle, the Coast to Coast menu features produce sourced from regional partners.

The breakfast menu features a full English breakfast, tasty crumpets and breakfast rolls, while later in the day you can enjoy delights such as a bacon cheeseburger or a regional cheeseboard. Looking for a drink or snack? The Coast to Coast menu includes a delicious choice of cakes, biscuits and savoury snacks as well as a selection of hot and cold drinks.

For details of the menu’s local suppliers, head to the full menu.

TransPennine Express operates three types of trains that include First Class services: Class 185, Nova 1 and Nova 2.

On Class 185 trains, you’ll find First Class seating:

• On 3-coach trains: Coach C
• On 6-coach trains: Coach C and G

Class 185 trains operate on the following routes:

• Liverpool to Cleethorpes
• Hull to Liverpool
• Scarborough to York/Manchester
• Manchester to York via Huddersfield and Wakefield
• Leeds to Huddersfield
• Manchester Airport to Middlesbrough/Redcar via York and Leeds

On Nova 1 and Nova 2 trains, you’ll find First Class seating in coach E.

Nova 1 trains operate on journeys between Scarborough, York, Hull, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Nova 2 trains run between Manchester Airport and Liverpool to Glasgow and Edinburgh via Preston.

First Class seating on all train types includes a mixture of four-seater tables, two-seater tables, single-seater tables and two seats side-by-side, so there’s plenty of choice to suit what’s best for you.

You can find the full Transpennine Express First Class Seating Plan for each train type on the company’s website.

Photo by Rodhullandemu

Unfortunately, a TransPennine Express First Class ticket doesn’t currently include access to a First Class lounge. A TransPennine Express First Class ticket also won’t grant you lounge access at stations where there are lounges run by other operators.

Head on over to our journey planner for an easy way to book your TransPennine Express First Class tickets. Simply select your preferred route and travel time, choose the journey that best suits your plans and before proceeding to the payment screen, click on ‘View 1^st Class & More Tickets’ for all the First Class fare options.

If you’ve already booked a ticket in standard seating but fancy enjoying the perks for a Transpennine Express First Class upgrade, pay a visit to the booking office before you board and simply pay the difference in the fare. You can also upgrade on the train, subject to availability, by speaking to the conductor. Weekend First upgrades start from as little as £10 one way.

Alternatively, you can use the Seatfrog app to bid for a First Class ticket between 24 hours and 30 minutes before your train’s departure. Simply enter the details of your standard ticket, set your preferred upgrade bid and wait and see if you win. Please note you’ll need both your original ticket and your Seatfrog upgrade barcode to access First Class.

That all depends on you. Now you know all about travelling on a TransPennine Express First Class ticket, you’re all set to decide whether it suits your travel plans. We think a First Class upgrade with TransPennine Express is a great way to make your journey more comfortable and relaxing. In particular the routes offering the more comprehensive Coast to Coast and West Coast Kitchen menus will feel like an extra treat.

First Class will feel particularly good value if you can secure a more affordable upgrade. To do this, be sure to book in advance and make the most of off-peak travel or if you’ve already booked, take advantage of opportunities such as Seatfrog bids or the Weekend First upgrades.