We’re big fans of train travel here at The Hotel Journal. Not only is it a greener way of getting around, but there’s just something a bit romantic about stepping aboard a carriage to reach your destination. And recently, we made a return trip from London to Macclesfield with Avanti West Coast and experienced the Standard Premium offering first-hand. Was it worth it? Read on to find out.

While this journey was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Is investing in Standard Premium on Avanti West Coast trains a good idea?

is standard premium on avanti west coast trains worth the investment? outside of train

We were heading to the Peak District recently to review Buxton Crescent Spa Hotel and to e-bike through Peak District National Park with PeakEPedals. Avanti West Coast kindly treated us to some Standard Premium return tickets, and I have to say I was impressed.

Boarding for our 9:53 am train started about 20 minutes before departure, and the train tickets were easy to save to my phone’s wallet. The members of the Avanti team swiftly scanned my ticket, and I was off and ready to board in no time. I had a pre-booked seat and sat in H33, which was a single seat on both journeys.

What are the benefits of booking a Standard Premium ticket with Avanti West Coast?

Think of Standard Premium kind of like Premium Economy. It’s not First Class (no free snacks and drinks here), but equally, it doesn’t carry the subsequent cost of riding in the fanciest carriage. In fact, upgrading to Standard Premium starts from just £20 extra per ticket (depending on how far you’re travelling), an investment that I think is totally worth it.

But why?

 

One of the first things I noticed about this class was how quiet it was compared to the regular part of the train. People were busy working away on laptops, reading, or just enjoying the scenery. I barely heard a peep both ways, except for when the ticket clerk came through the train to scan tickets.

Also, with Standard Premium, you’re guaranteed a table with your seat. This means you can catch up on your favourite reality TV show or have some space to eat your meal. The seats are more spacious, too. While in Standard, you have a 2/2 configuration, here, it’s 2/1, and I must say that the extra-comfy seats plus added legroom really make a difference, especially if you’re travelling a long distance.

How do you book Standard Premium?

It’s super easy to book your Standard Premium tickets. You can either do it when you’re purchasing your tickets online or, if you’ve got a sudden urge for more room, just head to the Standard Premium carriage, find yourself an available seat, and the Train Manager will charge you for the upgrade there and then.

What else do you get?

riding in Standard Premium Avanti West Coast train

As with all Avanti West Coast trains, you’re seat will come with both plug and USB sockets and the option to order food to your seat (though I couldn’t make this work). The trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, but this was patchy. I’m not sure what is going on with Wi-Fi on transport in the UK? The rest of the world seems to make it work, but for some reason, it’s a sticking point here.

There’s a food carriage, and I tried the vegan brunch roll, which was kind of like a vegan cheeseburger, and it definitely hit the spot. As I walked through the Standard cabin to place my order, it was easy to see how much more space I had in my cosy Standard Premium seat.

The verdict

On both of my journeys, I was really impressed with the quality of the Standard Premium carriages. If you’re looking for a train journey that’s spacious and comfortable, this is definitely worth your investment.

Learn more about Standard Premium with Avanti West Coast

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