Check your ticket (both outward and return) to see if you have a seat reservation. You can check your LNER account online or on the LNER Mobile App if you bought directly from us.
If you can see a coach and seat number, great - you already have a seat reservation!
If you don't have a seat number, getting one is easy. Simply make a free seat reservation here.
I have a season ticket, how do I reserve a seat?
Are you a Season ticket or Travel pass holder?
You can reserve a seat in the same way, or if you'd like to reserve seats for multiple days at a time, email Seasonseats@lner.co.uk with the date and times you'd like to travel.
You can make a reservation up to 5 minutes before a trains' scheduled departure, even if you haven't bought your ticket directly from LNER.
If you no longer need your reservation or you wish to travel on a different train and your ticket allows it, you can cancel this easily in your account area and reserve a new seat.
If needed, reserve your new seat
Go to My account and My bookings
Choose the seat reservation you no longer need
Click on 'See all reservations under this booking' and tap 'View or cancel'
To provide you with a more comfortable journey and to give you confidence that the train you're travelling on will not be overcrowded, Seat Sure means that most seats will require a reservation.
To ensure passengers who have a Flexible ticket or pass can still use that benefit and walk-up to board a train, there will be a number of unreserved seats in Coach C for Standard and a number of seats in Coach E or M in First Class, on all of our trains.
This means that if you don't have a seat reservation you'll still be able to travel in the unreserved part of the train.
Does the LNER Seat Guarantee apply if my seat isn’t available?
Yes. If you have reserved a seat but it is not available, and our staff can't track you down an alternative seat, our Seat Guarantee lets you claim a refund.
I have an Advance Single, do I need a seat reservation as well?
All Advance Single tickets already come with a reservation included as standard, so you don't need to make one.
Do I need to book a seat reservation for my child if they are under five?
Children under five do not need a ticket to travel. However, if you wish to ensure they have a seat during their journey, a child discounted ticket may be purchased and you can make a seat reservation.
Do pass holders need to reserve seats?
A reservation is highly recommended for pass holders, but not necessary.
A free seat reservation can be made in advance or up to five minutes before a train’s scheduled departure and can be cancelled should your plans change.
What happens when the train I want to travel on is full?
If you've bought a flexible ticket (i.e. Off-Peak or flexible return) and the train you're trying to make a seat reservation for is full, please consider changing your journey time.
If you're at the station and you don't have a seat reservation you can make one before you board so you have a more comfortable journey
You can do this five minutes before the train leaves.
Can I cancel a seat reservation if my plans change?
Yes. If you no longer need a seat reservation you can cancel this easily in your My Account area. Simply select the reservation you no longer need then click on 'See all reservations under this booking' and tap 'View or cancel'.
You may need to change your ticket, too. For how to change your ticket or get a refund, visit our refunds page.
Please check before you travel. If any service delays or cancellations mean you need to choose a different time to travel, you will be able to use our website or the LNER Mobile App to reserve another seat.
If you are already at the station, please follow any guidance provided by our people or make a reservation for the next available train at the travel centre.