How to choose seats on Eurostar and other trains

Around two-thirds of train travellers, if surveyed unscientifically (as we have done) would prefer a table seat on a train to an airline-style seat on a train.

That’s understandable: if you're sitting with friends or family around a table, headed for the Alps, there’s a lot more you can do with a table than without, including sharing a meal, playing games and watching films. Even if you're by yourself, a table allows you extra room to spread out your items, e.g., work, a newspaper, or a meal.

As for the remaining third, airline-style offers a compact cosiness, perfect if you just want to read your book or catch some Z's. In any case, French TGVs tend to have pretty spacious seats, with or without a table.

Whether you're in the majority who adore the idea of a table seat, or whether you prefer to sit airline-style, this guide will help you know how to choose your seats, should you wish to.

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How to choose your seats on Eurostar

Booking by phone with Eurostar

If you book by phone with Eurostar’s Reservation Centre, you can choose your seats (or check with the salesperson whether the type of seats you want is available) before you decide to book. Booking over the phone carries a charge of £10 per booking (not per ticket).

Eurostar's phone number is (+44) 03432 186 186. The call centre is open from 7 am to 7 pm daily.

Booking online with Eurostar

If you book online with Eurostar, you can’t choose your seats until after you’ve bought your tickets. When you’ve bought your tickets, you’ll immediately receive an email from Eurostar with a six-digit reference number, known as a PNR number.

You then go to the Eurostar website and click on ‘Manage my booking’ (there is also a link to this in the confirmation email that Eurostar sends you).

Alternatively, after booking online, you could phone Eurostar Reservations ((+44) 03432 186 186) and — for a £10 fee — ask them to help you choose your seats.

Booking seats on Eurostar (if you've booked via another website)

You might have booked travel on a Eurostar train via another website, such as Rail Europe or Trainline.

That's OK, because you can still log into Eurostar's website in the 'Manage my booking' section, and enter the PNR number that you will have received in your confirmation email from Rail Europe or Trainline.

Then just choose your seats.

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Seating plans on Eurostar

In order to choose your seats online, you'll want to have a look at a seating plan.

Eurostar will show you this once you log in (in the 'Manage my booking' section)

However, we've done you the favour of downloading the seating plans for Eurostar's two main locomotives, the e300 and e320, which you can view below:

Eurostar e300 Seating Plan PDF
Eurostar e320 Seating Plan PDF

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Eurostar e300 seating plan png image - see below

 

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Booking seats on TGV trains

The good thing about TGVs is that there are a lot of table seats in Standard Class, and even more in First Class. But if you want to be sure (or as sure as possible) of sitting four around a table, how do you do it?

As far as we're aware, your best option is to book your seats directly with SNCF Connect. Once you get to checkout, the platform will allow you to specify preferences such as window or aisle, upper or lower deck, or a carré (table seat).

From here, the provider will assign you seats matching your stated preferences. However, like most UK services, it doesn't seem possible at the moment to pick a specific seat on the train.

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Ski holidays by train — Ask Snowcarbon

At Snowcarbon, we are always happy to help you with suggestions for great resorts, fantastic accommodations, and how to get where you're going.

We look forward to helping you.

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