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First Class

Travelling First Class with Thameslink

Most Thameslink trains have First Class seats

Are you regularly travelling in and out of London? Do you want to enjoy a comfortable journey during your weekday journey? If so, why not upgrade to First Class. There are First Class train ticket options for most of our daily ticket types and Travelcards. You can even upgrade the way to travel on a season ticket.

How can I travel First Class?

If you’re travelling into London on a weekday and want a First Class ticket, head to the station ticket office during opening hours. Here, you can upgrade your Standard Class ticket. Remember not to leave it until you’ve boarded as our staff can’t swap your ticket from Standard Class to First Class on the train. 

Remember to purchase your First Class ticket before you board as our staff can’t swap your ticket from Standard Class to First Class on the train.  Travelling in First Class without a valid First Class ticket, may result in a penalty fare.

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Types of First Class ticket

Thameslink services on our long distance routes have first class accommodation. Routes with and without first class are shown below. Where first class is available, this can be found at the very front of the train. The first class compartment at the rear of Thameslink trains is always declassified.

Routes with first class operate between;

  • Bedford and Brighton
  • Bedford and Gatwick Airport
  • Cambridge and Brighton
  • Peterborough and Horsham
  • Bedford and East Grinstead

Routes with standard class only operate between;

  • Luton / St Albans and Sutton
  • Luton / St Albans and Wimbledon
  • Luton and Rainham
  • Luton / St Albans / London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks / Orpington

A number of stations are served by trains operating on different routes, some with and some without first class. We strongly recommend that you check in advance whether your planned service operates with first class or not. The easiest way to check is through our timetables pages.

If you have purchased a first class ticket, your journey is entirely on the Thameslink network and:

  • The train you travel on does not have first class accommodation at the front of the train, or
  • The first class accommodation at the front of the train is declassified, or
  • The first class accommodation at the front of the train is full and you are unable to find a first class seat

You can claim the appropriate difference between the standard and first class fare using our First Class claim form.

Wheelchair spaces are available within standard class accommodation only.

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Things you need to know

There are a few things you’ll need to know about travelling First Class.

Firstly, don’t travel in First Class without a valid First Class ticket. Even if you plan to buy one when you’re onboard, you might be liable to pay a penalty fare for not having the right ticket.

Also, if you need to bring a wheelchair onto the train, there are spaces available in Standard Class only.

What if i've paid for a first class ticket and there are no seats left or a member of staff declassifies first class– what can I do?

If you have a first class ticket but there are no first class seats available on your train or first class has been declassified by our staff, you can claim a refund of the difference between the first class and the standard class ticket for the relevant part of your journey.

To claim your refund apply using our simple online form.

You need to do this within 28 days of the journey concerned.

Other ticket types

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