Food and Drink on the Train | National Rail (2024)

FAQs

Can you take food and drink on trains? ›

Many train companies have onboard catering facilities. These can include trolley services, counter buffet services and restaurant cars. The longer the journey, the more likely that there will be food and drink available on board. You're always welcome to bring your own food too.

Bringing Your Food Aboard

You may bring your own food and beverages onboard for consumption at your seat or private Sleeping Car accommodations.

First Class tickets offer you compliementary food and drink (including an alchoholic tipple from 11:30am (when available). We serve three menus depending on the train you are travelling on, but our drinks are always the same. Cheers!

Food is allowed though, as with Merseyrail, alcoholic drinks are banned on the Tube, as well as all other TfL services. One rule says you're not allowed to bring an item that may "soil" a person or property. This is under the "potentially dangerous items" that aren't allowed on the Tube.

Firearms or ammunition

Black powder, percussion caps or any ammunition used with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion-cap ignition system or similar type are never permitted; this includes self-loaded, gunpowder-based modern ammunition. *Amtrak accepts no liability for theft or damage for any items brought onboard.

Pro Tip: The best part about traveling by train? No liquids restrictions! Make sure you don't leave home without bringing the necessities!

Offensive articles, explosive, dangerous, inflammable articles and empty gas cylinders, dead poultry, and game, acids and other corrosive substance are not permitted to be booked as luggage. Trunks, suitcase and boxes having outside measurement of 100 cms.

They do random bag checks sometimes, but they don't make everything go through security like at the airport.

Generally, meals might be included in the fare for certain long-distance trains, especially in higher classes like sleeping cars. However, shorter routes or economy class tickets might not include meals, and passengers may need to purchase food onboard or bring their own.

Things you need to know

Firstly, don't travel in First Class without a valid First Class ticket. Even if you plan to buy one when you're onboard, you might be liable to pay a penalty fare for not having the right ticket.

Is it worth travelling First Class on a train? ›

In short, absolutely. The First Class carriage has several perks that both business and leisure passengers can enjoy to the fullest. For example, with LNER, this is what you'll get for First Class train travel: Reclining seats.

Where first class is available, this will be clearly indicated by signage on the relevant carriages. On routes served by Thameslink trains, first class accommodation can be found at the very front of the train. The first class compartment at the rear of Thameslink trains is always declassified.

If your journey involves travelling via or across London to connect with another National Rail service, your ticket should include the cost of transfer on London Underground, DLR, Thameslink or Elizabeth line services between the relevant stations. Your ticket will be marked with a cross ( + ) sign.

Hot drinks need to be in a travel-safe container, like a takeaway cup with a lid or a thermos. There are some exceptions: You can't drink alcohol on our buses. You can't eat or drink anything that will cause offence or upset other passengers.

When riding Metro it's ok to bring your Strollers, Luggage, Mobility Devices, Bikes. There is no eating or drinking allowed on platforms, trains and buses.

Most Amtrak routes offer Cafe service, with a variety of meals, snacks and beverages for sale. Customers in all classes of service are invited to the Cafe and service is available from early morning until late at night.

Agricultural and food products transported by railroads include a wide array of essentials, such as wheat, corn, soybeans, animal feed, beer, birdseed, canned produce, corn syrup, flour, frozen chickens, sugar and even wine.

Although you can bring alcohol with you and we serve alcohol on board, safety is our top priority. So, please drink in moderation. If you behave in an antisocial way which ruins the journey for other passengers or break any laws or by-laws, we might ask you to leave the train at the nearest station.