Content
Southern Railway Electrostar (UK)
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At a Glance
Travel Pass Supplement
Rail Pass Reservation Fees
Reservations
Not Available
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility
Accessing the train
Wheelchair Spaces
Bikes Allowed
Country
Which country these trains operate in.
Great Britain
Travel Passes
Eurail
Other
On Board
First
Perks
WiFi
A complimentary WiFi portal is available throughout this train.
The First Class seating is arranged 2 + 1 for extra comfort.
Some of the seats have tables, but whether these seats will be available when you board is a matter of chance.
Standard
Perks
WiFi
A complimentary WiFi portal is available throughout this train.
What won't be particularly obvious prior to boarding is that some of the Standard Class seating on these trains is arranged 2 + 2 on either side of the aisle, but other Standard Class seats on the train are arranged 2 +3.
The 2+2 seating is more spacious and comfortable, so if you will be boarding these trains at a station in which they commence a journey, such as Brighton or London Victoria, it can be worth seeking out the 2 + 2 seating.
Some of the seats have tables, but whether these seats will be available when you board is a matter of chance.
Travel summary:
These are relatively modern and smart trains, but their primary function is to transport commuters to and from London, so they don't have the same ambience and range of facilities of long-distance express trains.
Each Electrostar train has four coaches, but two trains are joined together on most departures to and from London and at the busiest times three trains can be joined together.
Each four coach train has two First Class seating areas, a wheelchair area and a space for bikes, so on most departures this provision will be at least doubled.
In common with other new British trains Wi-Fi is available and wheelchair friendly spaces and accessible toilets have also been provided for.
If you require Assisted Travel the information is available here.
Reservations:
Seat reservations aren't available on these trains, so seats aren't guaranteed, particularly when trains get closer to London between 08:00 and 10:00 and when leaving London between 16:00 and 19:00.
Trains heading to and from the coast on summer Saturdays and Sundays can be busy too.
So if you will be boarding at Victoria look up the departure time and aim to be ready to board, ticket in hand, around 10-15 mins before the train will be leaving.
Bicycles:
These trains do have dedicated bike spaces, which accommodate two standard non-folding bicycles, but multiple trains are often joined together, so each departure normally has space for up to six bikes.
These bike spaces cannot be reserved prior to boarding.
Non-folding bikes can be taken on board most departures, but you cannot take bikes on trains which are scheduled to arrive in London between 07:00 and 10:00 and that depart from London between 16:00 and 19:00 - more information is available here.
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