Nat Ex bookable seats

[BRM]

For more legroom are any of the seats worth booking? Travelling Newport (south Wales) to Victoria.

 

[Bungle965]

The second row back on the exit side has from what I remember a larger gap than the rest, something to do with the seats in front being able to be removed for a wheelchair space.
Certainly the pair of seats that I tend to go for if they are available.
Sam

 

[ValleyLines142]

Also last but one row at the back by the emergency exit doors.

 

[BRM]

Thanks both. Only the first few rows are bookable. The emergency exit door seats will be pot luck when I get on.

 

[cambsy]

I use Nat Exp reservable seats all the time on Exeter-London route, always book the second row back on the left, as its got more space, and room put bag etc on floor, its well worth doing at £2 each journey.

 

[350747]

This link shows different grades of seat reservations available on National Express.

https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/seat-reservation#

 

[ValleyLines142]

I use Nat Exp reservable seats all the time on Exeter-London route, always book the second row back on the left, as its got more space, and room put bag etc on floor, its well worth doing at £2 each journey.

How? I thought only the front five rows of seats were available?

 

[350747]

How? I thought only the front five rows of seats were available?

Apparently not according to the link as they have extra options for certain services.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They could do with offering a "first class" option involving the purchase of two guaranteed seats together for one person (even if at double the fare). For me seat width is the biggest issue with coach travel, and as you don't really get 2+1 coaches in the UK it is the only real solution to that issue.

 

[Deerfold]

They could do with offering a "first class" option involving the purchase of two guaranteed seats together for one person (even if at double the fare). For me seat width is the biggest issue with coach travel, and as you don't really get 2+1 coaches in the UK it is the only real solution to that issue.

They used to do that on some services for an extra £5. However as ridership has increased, presumably they'd rather sell the additional seats.

 

[radamfi]

They could do with offering a "first class" option involving the purchase of two guaranteed seats together for one person (even if at double the fare). For me seat width is the biggest issue with coach travel, and as you don't really get 2+1 coaches in the UK it is the only real solution to that issue.

Flixbus allow you to reserve two seats together, for double fare plus a £1.50 reservation fee.

 

[Bungle965]

Flixbus allow you to reserve two seats together, for double fare plus a £1.50 reservation fee.

I must have missed this as the only time I have ever been able to reserve seats on Flixbus it has been on the basis of being at a table, panoramic view or simply a standard reserved seat. I don't think I have ever been given the option to reserve two seats together.
As a side note it is very hit and miss reserving seats on them anyway, half of the time you won't be able to reserve seats.
Sam

 

[Bletchleyite]

They used to do that on some services for an extra £5. However as ridership has increased, presumably they'd rather sell the additional seats.

They could of course offer it for double fare...in some cases that would be worth it - certainly it is the only way I would even consider an overnight journey. The key is guaranteeing it regardless of when you board by marking the seats as reserved and enforcing it (and not filling them with additional walk-up passengers).

 

[route101]

Yeah , the thing is if they open up the whole bus to reservations then you would have to mark them .

Yeah , makes or breaks a trip having a seat free to you , enforcing it would be the issue.

 

[extendedpaul]

Yeah , the thing is if they open up the whole bus to reservations then you would have to mark them .

Yeah , makes or breaks a trip having a seat free to you , enforcing it would be the issue.

Many a lone traveller spreads out on a double seat when boarding National Express and Megabus in the hope of dissuading anyone from joining them. I'm certainly guilty. I've also worked out where best to sit to keep both seats. However unlike most I do offer to move if I become aware of two people looking for a double seat when none are available.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yeah , the thing is if they open up the whole bus to reservations then you would have to mark them

Or as an alternative they could move to an airline style system of everyone having a numbered seat, just you have to pay to pick which one it is or you get what you're given (I guess start sequentially from the back skipping the exit row). That would fall down when they use an additional coach, though.

In my experience most National Express drivers, despite working alone, are not in the remotest bit shy of enforcing things they wish to see enforced. Particularly the Scottish ones!

 

[alangla]

For me seat width is the biggest issue with coach travel, and as you don't really get 2+1 coaches in the UK it is the only real solution to that issue.

Did Shearings or one of the other tour operators not advertise 2+1 on some coaches at one point? Not sure if they’re still doing it.

 

[radamfi]

Or as an alternative they could move to an airline style system of everyone having a numbered seat, just you have to pay to pick which one it is or you get what you're given (I guess start sequentially from the back skipping the exit row).

Ouibus used to give you numbered seats and it seemed to work well. Now they have gone to bed with NX I wouldn't be surprised if things have changed.

 

[Bungle965]

Ouibus used to give you numbered seats and it seemed to work well. Now they have gone to bed with NX I wouldn't be surprised if things have changed.

On their own operated services I believe that you still do get a choice of your seat and as a result a seat number.
But on the services operated by National Express it's a free-for-all.
Sam

 

[route101]

Or as an alternative they could move to an airline style system of everyone having a numbered seat, just you have to pay to pick which one it is or you get what you're given (I guess start sequentially from the back skipping the exit row). That would fall down when they use an additional coach, though.

In my experience most National Express drivers, despite working alone, are not in the remotest bit shy of enforcing things they wish to see enforced. Particularly the Scottish ones!

They do this in Europe from Experience , a number is on the ticket but quite often people just boarded the bus and sat whereever .

 

[route101]

Or as an alternative they could move to an airline style system of everyone having a numbered seat, just you have to pay to pick which one it is or you get what you're given (I guess start sequentially from the back skipping the exit row). That would fall down when they use an additional coach, though.

In my experience most National Express drivers, despite working alone, are not in the remotest bit shy of enforcing things they wish to see enforced. Particularly the Scottish ones!

Talk about enforcing is it Nat ex , that you have to have a ticket rather than just a booking ref?

 

[route101]

Many a lone traveller spreads out on a double seat when boarding National Express and Megabus in the hope of dissuading anyone from joining them. I'm certainly guilty. I've also worked out where best to sit to keep both seats. However unlike most I do offer to move if I become aware of two people looking for a double seat when none are available.

Yeah seen that , bag on seat , headphones on pretend to sleep ? think middle of bus is best as people walking to back will walk a back a bit and sit down .