LNER first class London Edinburgh train service review

Review: London to Edinburgh First Class LNER Train Service

The British railway system is a wonderful asset. If you’re visiting around the London area, the Underground system nearly eliminates the need for a car around town. And if you’re venturing further out, the National Rail system can whisk you to all points of the country in a matter of hours. On our latest UK adventure, we ventured north to Scotland and made our way to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh via the LNER Azuma train service.

Booking LNER First Class London Edinburgh is an efficient way to travel in comfort and style, taking in the English countryside and the coast along the North Sea en route.

We started out at the King’s Cross Station in central London to catch our train. This station is worth visiting for many reasons beyond catching your train. It is also the train station that featured Platform 9 3/4 in the Harry Potter movies. For fans, you can shop at a Harry Potter store as well get your picture taken at what they are calling the platform. That platform is merely a sign with an official photographer taking photos for a small fee during the day. 

Though not the actual place it was filmed, visitor’s to King’s Cross can get their photo taken at Platform 9 3/4 while checking out the gift shops too.
Though not the actual place it was filmed, visitor’s to King’s Cross can get their photo taken at Platform 9 3/4 while checking out the gift shops too.

Beyond Harry Potter, King’s Cross and the St. Pancras International Station next door are stunning buildings that have a lot to offer. They are both beautiful structures that are great photo opportunities and will take you back in time to when railroads ruled the transportation world.

LNER First Class London Edinburgh Details

The LNER train from London to Edinburgh offers standard seating and first class. We made the decision to upgrade to first class, and would recommend you consider it too. 

King’s Cross Station, located in the heart of London is probably best known for its part in Harry Potter. It is also a bustling transportation hub, including for service from London to Edinburgh.
King’s Cross Station, located in the heart of London is probably best known for its part in Harry Potter. It is also a bustling transportation hub, including for service from London to Edinburgh.

On arrival at King’s Cross, you can wait in the first class lounge, which offered comfortable seating, TVs to watch as well as several snacks. It also provided quick and easy access to the platform for our departure when it was time. 

Up to two hours prior to departure, first class passengers have access to the LNER lounge. The area provided comfortable seating along with drinks and snacks.
Up to two hours prior to departure, first class passengers have access to the LNER lounge. The area provided comfortable seating along with drinks and snacks.

The First Class Difference

Once onboard first class, you had bigger and more comfortable seats with more leg room. As a part of the first class ticket, you are given multiple drink services and a meal which in our case was breakfast. LNER London to Edinburgh train also claims a better, faster wi-fi experience in first class. It was still pretty spotty in some of the more rural areas. 

First class accommodations include wider seats, tables and easy access to power supplies. Service also included free breakfast and multiple opportunities for free drinks as a part of the package.

The price difference between open seating and first class is nothing like what you might experience from the airlines. If you are booking a shorter ride, the first class upgrade might not be worth it. But our journey from London to Edinburgh was about four hours total, and we got our money’s worth. 

Onboard, you get the opportunity to watch the changing scenery from mega city to rural life out large windows on either side. We were told that it was best to sit on the right side of the train as you head north, but honestly the views are good from either side. 

Travel Highlights

Some of the highlights of the views as you travel north include a castle in the distance and the North Sea coastline just to name a few things. LNER service offers stops along the way, if you decide to sightsee along the way too. For the route we chose, there were stops at York, Darlington, Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Arrival at Edinburgh’s Waverly Stations puts you right in the heart of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. While we chose to take a cab to our hotel since we were toting all our luggage, if you’re a lighter packer than us you could easily walk to Old Town on your own. 

The LNER train from London to Edinburgh’s final destination is Waverly Station, just off downtown.
The LNER train from London to Edinburgh’s final destination is Waverly Station, just off downtown.

If your itinerary allows, you should venture out via the National Rail service on your UK vacation.  While there is so much to see and do in London, we have loved venturing out on rail trips to Edinburgh as well as previously to Liverpool. Taking the train from London to Edinburgh first class is a great way to get around and have a wonderful experience at the same time.

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