Train review: Scotland to England journey is stress-free and cheap
The journey
Edinburgh-London (LNER train): having an assigned seat number takes away the stress of rushing to board.Credit: iStock
Edinburgh (Waverley) to London King’s Cross on the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) line, with a scheduled time of four hours, 38 minutes.
The class
Coach, carriage J, seat 84. Azuma’s nine-carriage trains have two classes of travel: Coach and First Class. As well as extra legroom, First Class passengers receive a choice of complimentary hot and cold meals.
There are a dizzying number of ticket types to choose from when booking, including Advance Single, Anytime Single, Super Off-Peak Single, Rangers and Rovers.
Carbon emissions
The LNER website has a handy calculator for comparing the carbon footprint of different modes of transport. For this journey, travelling by train creates 23.62 kilograms of CO2. Going by car would create three times that amount, and by plane more than six times. LNER is making green strides in various directions (Fairtrade drinks, ethically sourced food), most notably with a fleet of 65 bi-mode and electric trains producing fewer carbon emissions than diesel-only trains.
Boarding
Unveiled in 1868, the grand Victorian-era Waverley station is the busiest train hub in Edinburgh. Pre-pandemic, it welcomed close to 24 million passengers annually.
Half an hour before departure, I stroll over from Hotel Indigo Edinburgh, a seven-minute walk. Shops and takeaways in the station have a British flavour: The Pasty Shop, M&S, Boots. There’s free Wi-Fi, ATMs and water-refill fountains.
Having an assigned seat number takes away the stress of rushing to board. About 10 minutes before the scheduled 9am departure, I enter car J (identifiable by a digital screen on the external door), store my luggage in racks at the end of the car and settle in.
The seat
Bright red fabric-covered Coach seats are in a 2-2 formation, with a generous width and plenty of legroom. Seats have a tray table and UK power outlet. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available.
My seat faces forward in the direction we are headed (some are not), a preference I indicate when booking. Wheelchair spaces with adjoining companion seats are available on all LNER Azuma trains.
Baggage
Three items a person is the limit. Azuma trains have been well-designed to accommodate bags, with space under the seats or in the rack overhead for small cases and rucksacks, roomy spots between seats for medium-sized luggage and racks at the end of each car for larger items. A maximum of one large suitcase, a carry-on bag and small handbag may be brought onboard. Suitcases up to 80x57x30 centimetres fit in the racks at the end of each carriage.
Food + drink
Hot food, sandwiches, drinks and snacks are for sale in the Let’s Eat Cafe Bar. Contactless payment only. Prices are reasonable and the quality not bad at all.
One more thing…
Great Britain has a proud history of rail travel that continues to this day, with frequent services and modern trains. If a train journey between destinations in the UK or Europe is under five hours, it’s often a better option than flying.
The verdict
No complaints, this is stress-free slow travel. The ease of boarding and disembarking in the city centres of Edinburgh and London, close enough to walk to hotels, brings the blood pressure down and saves on Uber fares.
Our rating
★★★★
The writer travelled as a guest of Visit Britain. See visitbritain.org
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