LNER (London North Eastern Railway) Train tickets

LNER train tickets: Find times and book your journey

© LNER

Discover Britain's magnificent East Coast with London North Eastern Railway (LNER). This iconic route connects historic cities and breathtaking landscapes, whisking you from the heart of London to the Scottish Highlands with speed and style. Whether you are planning a city break to Edinburgh, a historical trip to York, or an escape to the countryside, LNER offers a memorable travel experience. With Rail Europe, booking your adventure is simple and seamless, leaving you free to enjoy the discovery.

Where do LNER trains go

LNER serves the East Coast Main Line from London King’s Cross through the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East to Scotland. Core stops include Peterborough, Doncaster, York, Leeds, Darlington, Durham, Newcastle, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh. Selected services continue to Stirling, Inverness and Aberdeen. It’s a city-centre to city-centre route with easy links to regional lines at hubs like York, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Why travel with LNER

• Fast and frequent: regular departures all day for flexible plans.
• Modern Azuma trains: power at seats, free wifi and thoughtful design in Standard, at-seat food and extra space in First Class.
• Great scenery: coastal views between Newcastle and the Scottish border when seated on the right heading north.
• Simple booking with Rail Europe: clear fares, your language and currency, support before, during and after travel.
• Lower-carbon choice: compared with flying or driving.

Popular LNER journeys & destinations

LNER's main route is the East Coast Main Line, a vital artery connecting London with Scotland. We have gathered some of the most popular journeys to help you plan your trip.

London <> Edinburgh

• Average Journey Time: Approximately four hours 30 minutes
• Frequency: Up to two trains per hour

This is one of the UK's classic rail journeys. Sit on the right-hand side of the train when heading north for stunning coastal views as you approach the Scottish border.

London <> York

• Average Journey Time: Approximately two hours
• Frequency: Up to three trains per hour

A perfect day trip or weekend break destination. In just a couple of hours, you can go from the bustle of London King's Cross to the cobbled streets and ancient city walls of York.

Edinburgh <> Newcastle

• Average Journey Time: Approximately one hour 30 minutes
• Frequency: Up to two trains per hour

This high-speed leg of the journey crosses the famous Royal Border Bridge in Berwick-upon-Tweed, offering fantastic views over the River Tweed.

LNER timetables and schedules

Finding the right train time for your adventure is easy. LNER runs frequent, high-speed services throughout the day, connecting major cities every 30 to 60 minutes during peak times. Weekend services may vary slightly, so it is always a good idea to check before you travel.

To find the most up-to-date schedules for your specific journey, simply use our journey planner. It has the latest LNER timetables, helping you plan your trip with complete confidence and book the train that works best for you.

Our expert guide to finding the best LNER fare

As professional rail experts, we want to help you find the best value for your journey. Getting a great price is easy when you know how.

Insider tips for lower fares

• Book in advance: LNER releases tickets up to 12 weeks ahead. The earlier you book, the more you can save, especially with 'Advance' tickets.
• Travel Off-Peak: Fares are often lower if you travel outside of the busy morning and evening rush hours on weekdays.
• Get a railcard: If you are a frequent traveller, or eligible by age, a National Railcard can save you one-third on most fares. It is a fantastic investment.
• Travel with friends: If you are travelling in a group of three to nine adults during quieter times, you can save up to one-third on 'Off-Peak' tickets with a GroupSave discount.
• Book a return journey: A return ticket is usually cheaper than buying two separate one-way tickets.

Understanding LNER ticket types

• Advance: These are single (one-way) tickets for a specific train at a specific time. They are non-flexible but are often the cheapest option available.
• Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak: These tickets offer more flexibility than an Advance ticket and are valid on trains during quieter times of the day, on weekends, and on public holidays.
• Anytime: This is the most flexible ticket type. You can travel on any valid train for your chosen route, giving you complete freedom on your day of travel.
• Simpler Fares Pilot: On some routes (including between London and Edinburgh), LNER is trialling a new Advance 70min ticket. This fare replaces Off-Peak tickets and offers the flexibility to change your journey to another train up to 70 minutes before your original departure time.
• Season Tickets: For regular commuters making the same journey multiple times a week, a Season Ticket can offer the best value. As these are specialised products for UK residents, they are typically purchased directly from the train operator.

Changing your booking or getting a refund

We know that plans can change, so it is important to understand your options. The ability to change your ticket or get a refund depends on the fare type you have chosen.

• Advance Tickets: These tickets offer the best value but have the most restrictions. They are non-refundable unless your journey is disrupted. However, you can change the date and time of your ticket before your original train departs, though an administration fee may apply (typically £10). You will also need to pay any differences in the ticket prices.
• Off-Peak and Anytime Tickets: These flexible fares can be refunded. If you cancel your journey, you can claim a refund, but please be aware that a small administration fee may be deducted.

You can manage your booking directly through your Rail Europe account, and our customer support team is always here to provide dedicated support.

Your onboard experience with LNER

LNER is known for its modern Azuma fleet, designed to make your journey as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

LNER classes of service

LNER First Class

LNER offers an excellent First Class service, perfect for those wanting to work or simply relax and recharge. You can expect wider, reclining seats with generous legroom and large tables. Every seat includes power sockets and USB charging points, as well as free, fast Wi-Fi. A First Class ticket also comes with a complimentary food and drink service featuring locally sourced menus, all served at your seat. As a bonus, you also get access to LNER’s First Class lounges at major stations.

LNER Standard Class

LNER’s modern Azuma trains have been designed to a high standard. They offer more legroom than older trains, plenty of overhead and under-seat storage, and ergonomic seating for extra comfort. Each seat comes with its own power socket, and every coach has free Wi-Fi and window blinds, making for a pleasant journey day or night. For refreshments, you can visit the onboard 'Let's Eat Cafe Bar'.

Onboard Facilities

• Food and drink: The 'Let's Eat Cafe Bar' in Standard Class offers a great range of hot and cold drinks, hot and cold sandwiches, and snacks. First Class customers enjoy a full at-seat service.
• Wi-Fi: Stay connected throughout your journey with complimentary Wi-Fi available to all customers.
• Power sockets: Every seat in both Standard and First Class has access to a power socket.
• Quiet coach: For those who want a more peaceful journey, a designated Quiet Coach is available on every LNER train. In this carriage, we ask that you do not take phone calls and keep noise to a minimum.

Know before you go: practical travel advice

A little planning makes for a carefree journey. Here is some useful information for your trip.

• Stations: LNER's flagship stations include London King's Cross, York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh Waverley. All are large, modern stations with extensive facilities.
• Luggage Allowance: You can travel with one large suitcase, one carry-on bag and one small personal item (such as a handbag).
• Bringing your bicycle: You can bring a full-size bike on board, but you must reserve a space for it in advance. Reservations are free but mandatory. Folding bikes can be brought on as hand luggage if they are fully folded and stored in the luggage racks.
• Bringing your pet: Well-behaved dogs can travel with you on a lead (up to two pets per passenger). Smaller domestic animals are also allowed if they are kept in a secure carrier. Additional pets may be accepted for a small fee (up to £5 per journey). Assistance dogs are welcome onboard. If you’re travelling with one and require assistance, you’ll need to request support in advance by completing the Assisted Travel form or contacting the Assisted Travel team before your journey.
• Family travel: LNER trains are family-friendly, with baby changing facilities available in most toilets.
• Accessibility: LNER is committed to making travel accessible for everyone. All trains and stations have staff on hand to help, and you can book Passenger Assist for dedicated support throughout your journey.

LNER in the UK network

LNER is one of Britain’s long-distance operators running on infrastructure owned and maintained by Network Rail. It anchors the east coast corridor and connects with other train companies for trips beyond the route. For Manchester or the Lake District change at York. For Glasgow or the West Highlands change at Edinburgh. Network Rail manages the tracks, signals and many major stations, while LNER operates the trains and customer service day to day, so your whole plan can sit on one Rail Europe booking which keeps interchanges straightforward.

Why book your LNER journey with us?

Booking with Rail Europe makes your adventure simple and provides complete peace of mind.

• We are professional rail experts: With over 90 years of experience, we use our advanced technical tool to make booking train travel easy and seamless.
• We are a trusted partner: As the no.1 distributor of European train tickets and rail passes in the world, we have a direct partnership with LNER, giving you access to the latest timetables and best fares.

Book your entire trip, from an LNER train to a Trenitalia connection, all in one booking and one currency.

• Book in your language and currency: Avoid confusion and conversion fees by booking in a language and currency you are comfortable with.
• Dedicated support: Our mission is to take care of travellers. Our customer support team is here to provide dedicated support before, during, and after your trip.

How to book your LNER train journey with us

• Search: Enter your route and date to see real-time LNER times and fares, plus easy connections if you’re going beyond the East Coast.
• Compare fares: We show Advance, Off-Peak and Anytime side by side, apply any Railcard you add and surface GroupSave where it’s available.
• Pick your train: Check journey time, calling points and seat availability. Choose Standard or First Class and, where offered, pick seats including Quiet Coach or a table.
• Pay securely: Book in your chosen language and currency with instant confirmation in your account.
• Get your ticket: Most LNER tickets are mobile or e-tickets in the Rail Europe app and account; just show the barcode. Some fares may offer print-at-home or station collection.
• Travel ready: Bring any Railcard you used and a photo ID if requested. UK stations don’t have routine airport-style checks, though there may be random bag inspections and visible staff and CCTV.
• Manage and get support: Change or refund according to your fare rules, track platform info and delays in the app, and get help from our team before, during and after your trip.

Your UK train travel questions answered (FAQ)

How far in advance can I book LNER tickets? You can typically book LNER train tickets up to 12 weeks before your date of travel. Booking early is the best way to secure the cheapest 'Advance' fares.

Do I need to reserve a seat on LNER trains? When you purchase an 'Advance' ticket, a seat reservation is automatically included. For flexible 'Off-Peak' or 'Anytime' tickets, a reservation is not always required but is highly recommended, especially on busy services.

What happens if my LNER train is delayed or cancelled? If your train is delayed by 30 minutes or more, you are entitled to compensation under LNER’s Delay Repay scheme. The amount of compensation increases depending on the length of the delay. Please note that compensation is typically not offered for delays caused by circumstances outside of the operator's control, such as extreme weather or major industrial action. Our expert team can guide you through the claim process.

Can I use my LNER ticket on any train? This depends on your ticket type. 'Advance' tickets are only valid on the specific train you have booked. 'Off-Peak' and 'Anytime' tickets offer flexibility to travel on different trains within the validity period of your ticket.