Upgrade to First Class

Make it First Class

Experience our best comfort and customer service with a First Class train ticket.

Whether you're travelling for business or for pleasure, our First Class tickets offer our finest journey experience. Enjoy spacious seats, greater comfort and exclusive food and drink offerings on selected routes.

With tickets starting at £39* and First Class services available between Cardiff and Holyhead and Cardiff and Manchester, there’s never been a better time to make the most of your travel time. So make it First Class.

Yes, this really is train food

You’ll be surprised by what you can order on our First Class service. Our talented chefs create fantastic, seasonal menus with locally sourced ingredients for the best onboard dining experience. Sit back and enjoy a freshly cooked meal whilst watching the landscape of Wales and its borders pass by.

Refreshments and snacks are included in the cost of your ticket, however, dining options come with an upgrade cost. Discover our First Class dining service.

Fancy an upgrade?

Where applicable, you can upgrade from a Standard Class ticket to First Class on our services. This applies to all our Standard tickets including Anytime and Advance Singles, Returns, Season tickets, and Rover and Ranger tickets.

All you need to do is let the conductor on board know that you’d like to upgrade, and they’ll confirm whether there’s space available in First Class. Upgrade prices start from just £25**

Please remember there’ll also be an additional cost for any meals you order on the train, if you’ve upgraded to First Class.

What First Class train tickets are available?

We offer flexible First Class Anytime and Off-Peak single and return tickets allowing you to travel at whatever time suits, perfect if your plans are likely to change. We also offer low-cost Advance First Class tickets which are only available in limited numbers.

You can also upgrade to First Class. Just let the conductor know when you’re on the train and you’ll be able to buy an upgrade if space is available. First Class seats are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

How can I buy a First Class ticket?

You can purchase a First Class Single or Return ticket like you would a Standard ticket: on our app, our website, at station ticket offices or at station self-service ticket machines.

Don't forget, you can buy tickets for all UK train services through us, so whether you're going from Cardiff to Holyhead or Newcastle to Paddington you can still buy your First Class tickets with us and benefit from paying no booking fees.

Dogs are not permitted in our First Class carriage due to our onboard food and drink service. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Accessibility

We have two wheelchair spaces on board and wheelchair-accessible toilets. Doors to these trains are power-operated.

Our Assisted Travel team can provide further advice and support for planning your journey.

View train accessibility details

Carriage layout

Accessibility

	Access ramp	Yes
	Assistance button	Yes
	Priority seating	Yes
	Wheelchair users' space	2
	Universal Toilet	1
	Door width (mm)	800

Routes

Cardiff - Holyhead
Future plans to run Swansea - Manchester Piccadilly (from December 2022)

These are the most common routes but they are subject to change.

Route map of where the Mark 4 trains run on Transport for Wales

What’s inside

	Baby changing	Yes
	Bicycle space	4
	Capacity	222
	Catering - at seat (selected services only)	Yes
	Charging sockets 3-pin only	Yes
	Public Address	Yes
	Restaurant car	Yes
	Seats - standard class	182
	Seats - First Class	40
	Seats - priority	Yes
	Universal Toilet	1
	Toilet - not wheelchair accessible	3
	Visual Information Screens	Yes
	Wheelchair users' space	2
	Wi-Fi	Yes

*Tickets are subject to availability. £39 is the cost of an Advance First Class Single ticket from Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly. Prices are valid until 31/03/2023 and subject to change after this.

**£25 is the cost of an upgrade from Standard Class to First Class from Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly. Prices are valid until 31/03/2023 and subject to change after this.