LNER Train Travel Guide | Tickets, Routes & First Class

There are countless direct trains on weekdays, too, with services running from around 5am.

London King’s Cross station 

Once inside, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy before the train—there are shops, cafes, luggage storage and free Wi-Fi throughout the station. Platform numbers go up on the departure boards around 10–15 minutes before your train leaves, so keep an eye on the screens.

And, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, don’t miss Platform 9¾ on the station concourse. There’s usually a queue, so be sure to get there in good time if you want to get a photo of yourself—it'll look great on social media. 

Scenic train route from London to Edinburgh

The views on this route make the LNER train journey an experience in itself. On the way, you’ll see all kinds of countryside in England, including the flat Fens in East Anglia and the dramatic hills of Yorkshire.

Edinburgh Waverley station

Other LNER popular destinations

Beyond Edinburgh, LNER trains go to several other cities along the East Coast Main Line that are well worth adding to your UK itinerary.

Newcastle

York

Leeds

Taking the 4-hour LNER train up to Scotland? Then you’ll be glad to know that the operator’s Standard Class is comfortable and well-equipped.

LNER Standard Class service

There’s a Cafe Bar onboard, too—here, you can grab everything from hot and cold drinks to sandwiches and snacks. For all your bags, there’s plenty of luggage space, with racks at the end of each coach for larger items and overhead shelves for carry-ons.

Cheap LNER ticket types 

If you’re traveling on a budget and keen to keep costs down, it helps to understand the two main cheap ticket types in the UK:

• Advance tickets are the cheapest way to travel. They go on sale up to 12 weeks before departure and are valid for a specific departure time, so you’ll need to plan ahead. They’re only available as singles, but two Advance singles can often cost less than a standard return.
• Off-Peak tickets are a good option if you want more flexibility. These let you travel on any off-peak service, which generally means after 9:30am on weekdays and anytime on weekends and bank holidays.

For a bit more room to stretch out and space to work, LNER First Class is worth considering. This premium carriage features reclining seats with extra legroom and larger tables, plus power sockets and USB ports at every seat. The carriages are quieter, too, so it’s easy to get some work done on your laptop or just relax on your ride up north.

Best of all, complimentary meals are included on most services, with menus that fit the time of day. Options include sandwiches, salads, and hot dishes. Alcoholic drinks are on the lunch and evening menus, while hot drinks and soft drinks are available throughout the day.

Luggage allowance

Packing for a UK trip and wondering what you can bring on board? LNER allows each passenger 1 large suitcase, 1 carry-on bag, and 1 small bag. Here’s where you can store everything:

• Small bags: Under your seat
• Carry-on bags: Overhead racks above your seat
• Large suitcases: Luggage racks at the end of the coach

Bikes are allowed for free, too—you’ll just need to make a reservation, as space is limited.

Traveling with kids

Taking your family on LNER trains in the UK couldn’t be easier thanks to the generous child and infant fare savings:

• Children under 5 travel free (up to two kids aged 4 and under per fare-paying adult)

• Children aged 5–15 can travel on discounted tickets

The operator’s amenities are kid-friendly, too, with baby changing facilities in the accessible toilets and free activity packs available.

Traveling with pets

For your four-legged friends, you’ll be thrilled to know LNER trains are pet-friendly, and the rules are straightforward:

• Up to 2 small domestic animals travel free per passenger; each additional pet costs £5

• Keep pets and their carriers safely out of the aisles

• Dogs must be on a lead at all times and can’t sit on the seats