I plan to travel Edinburgh to London on the fast train with Lumo or Lner on Saturday, December 17. It appears that the engineering work on Saturdays and Sundays effects that service. I realize that the schedule is only out until December 10th, but as I am making hotel reservations now, would you (someone in the UKL or has experience) plan on a Saturday departure for this train line or would you recommend moving it up to Friday.
Should I be hopeful that they will be done by December?
Thank you
Posted by
Virginia
898 posts
It may not work for you, but back in March I took the Caledonian Sleeper from Edinburgh to London Euston. Departed late Friday and arrived Saturday morning.
https://www.sleeper.scot/
Posted by
UK
140 posts
https://m.nationalrail.co.uk/pj/disruption/planned/17/12/2022
Check on national rail website 12 weeks ahead.
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1237 posts
I likewise took the Caledonian Sleeper on a Friday night from Edinburgh to London last January. It was very nice, but I'm not sure I'd do it again. It is such a short train ride that there isn't a lot of time to sleep plus enjoy the dining car. In addition, I had to wait up fairly late in Edinburgh to board my plane (train departed at 11:40pm).
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
If you drill down on this page you can see that any future engineering works affecting LNER are only shown up to Sat 3 December; there are no works that day.
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/currentAndFuture.aspx
Chances are that there will no engineering works on 17 Dec, but we can’t say for sure right now.
It depends on how much you need to alter your other plans by travelling on the Friday. You will be able to travel on Saturday – at the very least there will be a bus replacement for part of the journey. But if that sounds unbearable then travel on Friday. I’d try and wait a week or two before committing.
Posted by
Freedonia
16413 posts
Engineering works are a constant battle for train riders. Wait a week or two to see of any announcement regarding your travel date.
Unless you are making non-refundable hotel reservations---I don't in these times--you can always change them.
Posted by
258 posts
Booking ahead though gets a huge price reduction.
Posted by
Warrington, England
88 posts
Be aware that there is also the option of Edinburgh to London using Avanti West Coast trains that take the Carlisle, Preston, Warrington route into London Euston station, a few minutes away from Kings Cross. Takes an hour or so longer but may not suffer from engineering works as on the east coast route. You may hear negative reports about Avanti as they have had to reduce their timetable and have suffered delays and cancellations however there are trains running and arriving on time.
Definitely book ADVANCE tickets as soon as you can commit to a particular train. They will be much cheaper than a walk-up.
If your journey(s) exceed £90, it may be worth buying a railcard for a cost of £30. Lasts a year and gives a third off the cost of trains after 0930 weekdays and anytime at weekends. You can book your trains in advance, tick the box for railcard and the discount will be applied. You can then buy your railcard at the station before your first trip. You'll need a photo on your phone.
Will you be alone or travelling with a companion? A two together railcard cost £30 (so £15 each) but allows the discount on both tickets, but you must travel together.