No LNER Train on Aug 27 from London to York

Engineering work - all LNER services won't run south of Grantham https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/engineering-works/london-kings-cross-20230826/

Look into National Express coaches or travel to Sheffield from St Pancreas for a connection. Both seem better to me than train to Peterborough, bus to Grantham, and train afterwards.

This is the Sunday of the Bank Holiday weekend.

That day there is engineering work as stated above.

There is no stated date for timetable release, and anyone else who quotes you a date is just speculating.

It is highly likely that no advance fares will be available, only full fares.

The alternative all rail option (which also seems to not be open for booking currently) will be East Midlands Trains from St Pancras to Sheffield then Cross Country trains to York. When booking does open they will say to change at Chesterfield, simply because it is a same platform change there.

All you can do for now is to wait for timetables to be released.

There are only two direct National Express Coaches- at 1530, a 2030, and 1910 a 2355.

All others are change at Leeds into the Yorkshire Coastliner ordinary service bus.

While National Express can book you through it is cheaper to buy National Express to Leeds, then a £2 capped bus fare from Leeds to York.

Flixbus to Leeds https://www.flixbus.co.uk/

then a local bus to York

Thanks a lot to everyone for all the useful info! Really appreciate it. The Sheffield option is a good alternative and the bus option is a cheaper alternative. If nothing works, will try next day. Thanks once again!

Hi everyone,

There have been some updates now. Apparently, the strike is on 26th instead of 27th. But, surprisingly, LNER shows that there are direct trains on 26th, but not on 27th. Now I'm very confused. What would you suggest is a safer option? Traveling to York on 26th or 27th? I have to be at York by 27th afternoon.

Earnestly request any suggestions you might have.

Thank you!

On the 27th the line is closed for Engineering work south of Grantham.

You travel from the adjacent St Pancras station on East Midlands trains to Kettering, then a rail replacement coach to Grantham, then train to York.

For an all rail route travel on East Midlands Trains to any of Derby, Chesterfield or Sheffield, then a Cross Country train to York.

Chesterfield will be a same platform change, so easy. Derby and Sheffield you will have to change platforms/tracks. Easy enough and staff around to assist, so very much personal choice.

By either the rail/bus/rail route or any of the three all rail routes there are no advance fares- buy a super off peak single valid on all routes, totally flexible, for £68.40

The limited trains running on the Saturday are likely to be very busy, being the Bank Holiday Saturday.
There is National Express on the Sunday morning from London Victoria at 0730 Leeds arrive 1200. But that will not get you to York until 1353 (1323 if you were very lucky with your connection to York).

Flixbus mentioned arrives in Leeds at Kirkgate [NOT the bus station), so you then have to transfer for the local bus to York- pointless when there is 5 minutes difference between Flixbus and Nat Express- who do go to the Bus Station.

Megabus arrive at York at 1423 so your best option seems to be the 0900 EMT train St Pancras to Kettering, then coach to Grantham then train, arrive York at 1252.

To be there any earlier you will have to brave travelling on the 26th.

Thank you! But I am a bit confused because despite the strike being on 26th, there are direct trains available on 26th, but not on 27th. It takes less than 2 hours on 26th, while 4 hrs. on 27th to reach York. I am not sure which one would be a safer choice.

Because there is no engineering on the 26th.

What worries me is that LNER state- "LNER trains for Saturday 26 August and Saturday 2 September are back on sale, however, they are still subject to change until timetables are confirmed by Network Rail approximately one week before each strike day."

I think the 0900 on the 27th is a safe choice, but it is your personal choice whether to travel that day or on the 26th then have to find a York hotel at very short notice which may be hard.

It seems Grand Central is not affected by the strike. Do you think taking the Grand Central trains on 26th would be a good idea?

Yes, you could do.

On the early afternoon trains the fares are odd- a flexible off peak single is £60 and an Advance Fare (tied to that train) is £65!!

Even later in the day the Advance Fare is only £1.50 cheaper than the off peak single.

Be aware that there is a lot of discussion about poor fleet reliability leading to a high level of cancellations. This has started in the last few months. And when trains do run apparently many air con faults are being experienced. Often you just end up waiting for the next train as they don't often make reciprocal arrangements with LNER when trains are cancelled. They are awaiting newer stock cascaded from other operators which is now months delayed.

I am not going to not recommend them, just making you aware of the circumstances.

Thank you very much for the constructive suggestion. Yes, I am already expecting this trip to be chaotic either way. Keeping my fingers crossed.