Coronavirus travel information

Keeping you safe

What are you doing to keep us safe when travelling?
The safety of our customers and staff is our primary priority.
- our trains are thoroughly cleaned at the start and end of each journey, as well as overnight with additional cleaning taking place during journeys where required
- in addition to our thorough cleaning schedules, we’ve increased cleaning across our stations, with enhanced touch point cleaning for key contact areas for customers and colleagues
- we've installed hand sanitiser dispensers at several key stations across the GWR network
- we are providing extra staff at key stations to offer help and guidance
Read more about our latest travel advice.
What guidance should I follow when planning my journey?
Please follow this guidance when planning your journey by train:
- buy your ticket online and get it on your mobile or smartcard
- check your journey before you travel
- travel at quieter times
- allow extra time to make your journey by train
- carry a hand sanitiser and wash your hands before and after travelling
- don't travel if you are unwell or have any symptoms
- if available, make a seat reservation in advance
- in line with Government advice and to reduce the risk to fellow passengers and staff, we continue to encourage customers to wear a face covering on busy services
Read more about our latest travel advice.

Travel advice

Do I need to wear a face covering when travelling with GWR?

You are no longer required to wear a face covering when travelling on GWR services. However, in line with Government advice and to reduce the risk to fellow passengers and staff, we continue to encourage customers to wear a face covering on busy services.
What happens if government advice on travel changes?

We are regularly updating our travel guidelines in line with government advice.

Find out more about our safety guidance.
Is there a way I can receive updates about my intended journey?

We offer a JourneyCheck Alert service, which will let you know if any trains you are personally interested are disrupted, either via email and/or text message. You can specify when you wish to be alerted and receive updates if the situation changes.

Email alerts confirm whether all is well or whether there are any problems. Text messages are sent out only when there are problems.

The service is free (apart from the cost of one initial phone number confirmation text message).

Find out more about JourneyCheck.
Do I need to make a seat reservation before travelling?

We continue to recommend that a seat reservation is made in advance where possible. When buying a ticket on a reservable GWR service online or at a ticket office, you will need to make a reservation. If all the available spaces have already been allocated, we will ask you to choose a different train.

If there are no seat reservations available, you will still be able to travel but we cannot guarantee you a seat.
How do I reserve a seat?
You can reserve a seat when you buy your ticket. If you already have a ticket and want to add a reservation, then you can do it:
- in the booking section of your online account at: https://myaccount.gwr.com/MyAccount/SignIn
- through our Social Media team between 07:00 and 23:00 on Twitter @GWRhelp or Facebook Messenger @GWRUK
- by visiting a ticket office
If you have a season ticket, you can make reservations for your regular trains by sending details of your services, seat preferences, the duration of time you’d like the seat reserved for, and your photocard number to gwrreservations@gwr.com.

Find out more about seat reservations
How do I reserve a bike space?
You can reserve a bike space at any time before your train arrives. You should do this as early as you can. Storage is limited and bikes can't be kept in the areas by the doors.

Reservations for bikes are mandatory on all our Intercity Express Trains and you must have evidence of your reservation with you when you travel.

You can reserve a space when you buy your ticket. If you already have a ticket and want to add a reservation, then you can do it:
- in the booking section of your online account at: https://myaccount.gwr.com/MyAccount/SignIn
- through our social media team between 07:00 and 23:00 on Twitter @GWRhelp or Facebook Messenger @GWRUK
- by visiting a ticket office
Find out more about travelling with your bike.
I need assistance when travelling, will that still be available?

Yes, our team are committed to providing help for those that need it when travelling.

Find out more about our Passenger Assist service and book assistance here.
Can I use cash?

We are accepting cash onboard our trains and at our stations, but we encourage you to buy your tickets online or on the GWR app before you travel. Or, go paperless with a mobile e-ticket or our touch smartcard.

If you travel between Reading and London Paddington, we’d prefer you to use Contactless pay as you go.

Keeping you safe

Travel advice