Train Seats

[littlestar1981]

Hope you can help,

First step in my long journey to Tanzania is to get a train from Manchester to Heathrow. Discovered it's cheaper by a long shot to get a train to London then get the tube from London to Heathrow (correct me if that's wrong :confused: )

I need to get the 10:40 from Manchester Piccadilly to Euston I reckon, and since it's only £32 I want to get a first class ticket. Now since I'm aiming for perfection, I want a DIRECT train to London, and I want to get the perfect seat. So

a) which site should I book the ticket with - want a site that will give me my seat number, then i can click back to get a different one if I don't like it (like you do with seats on ticketmaster site!)
b) how do I know which type of train runs that route to ensure i'm looking at the right seating plan?
c) any advice on discount?
d) how long will it take to get from Euston (seems most go there) to Heathrow T5 on the tube??

[dzug1]

a Avoid raileasy and the trainline - they charge fees. Others don't.

You can't choose a seat number (but see below) - you can express a preference for the type of seat

b Pendolinos run most of the services on this route

c you are already getting a discount

d An hour and a bit I would guess

You may be able to get SOME choice of seat as follows. It works on the Cross Country site, don't know about others.

1. Book one seat.
2. When it somes to pay for it, don't - click on buy another ticket
3. Book a second seat, repeat process.

When you've got a seat you like, delete the journeys you don't want and pay for the remaining one.

[mrposhman]

Just 1 point on d)

Make sure you get a tube that stops at Terminal 5 as some tubes only go to either terminals 1, 2 and 3 and others only go to 5

It will take about an hour as stated above. Quickest way assuming your coming in to Euston, is Euston to Green Park (Victoria line) and then Green park to Heathrow on the Piccadilly line.

[robt]

You don't have to book it online to get a cheaper advance fare. If you do it at a station with a friendly member of staff, if you ask, you will be able to choose from available seats. All trains on that route are operated by Pendolinos. Here is a seating diagram: http://www.joyce.whitchurch.btinternet.co.uk/pendplan.gif Try and avoid coach K as staff tend to congregate there, as well as food smells from the kitchen. A good compromise is coach J as it is still one of the first to get served.