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Trains from Edinburgh to Liverpool - best option?

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We will be traveling to Liverpool from Edinburgh on 20 July, a Sunday, by train. I have looked at 3 route options, each with 1 train change (no direct trains) that fit our schedule, but would like to know if anyone has a recommendation based on their experence with the different rail line's service and/or routes. Any other comments would be welcome, regarding easiest station to negotiate train changes in, which route might be more interesting just for the ride, etc. The options are:

1) TransPennine Express all the way, changing trains in Manchester Oxford Road station to Liverpool Lime station

2) LNER to Newcastle, change to TransPennine Express to Liverpool Lime station

--- fare for both the above are approx. 150 pounds

3) Avante West Coast train to Preston (Lancs), change to Northern train to Liverpool Lime station (most expensive, approx 200 pounds)

Thanks in advance for any help! -- Ken

Posted by
9938 posts

I've traveled on both LNER and Avanti West Coast and both were fine and got me to where I wanted to go. That said, my only layover has been in Birmingham so I can't help you with Manchester, Newcastle or Preston. Regardless, I would choose option 1 or 2, given the fare difference. There is no reason to pay an extra £50 for Avanti.

In fact, now that I think about it, I'd probably go with option 1, since you stay with the same railroad company for the entire trip.

Have you checked to see if there are any Advance fares? Those are considerably cheaper.

Posted by
5183 posts

This should be a popular route for train vloggers so you might do some Youtube searching.

Also of course check with the Man in Seat 61 for his advice. Split ticketing perhaps, or definitely one of the many discount cards.

Posted by
10038 posts

Going via the East Coast is a daft route adding a long time onto the journey and via Manchester is also adding an uncalled for dog leg.
Advance Fares look to be in very short supply that day.
So manually split the fare.
Edinburgh to Preston Off Peak Day Single is £48.50 (any TPE train) or £50.90 (any Avanti or TPE train)
Preston to Liverpool is £17.50 Single valid any train any route (via Wigan, Ormskirk or Headbolt Lane), or there are Advance Singles on the hourly Preston to Liverpool trains between £6.50 and £9.10 on specific trains.
So the most you pay is £68.40 each.
Get a Two Together Railcard for £35 and save 1/3 off all fares.

EDIT- If you were planning to take so long on the journey as to go via Newcastle and are over 55 there is another very scenic but slow route via the Cumbria Coast which no website will tell you about.
Advance Single to Carlisle £26.60 each, then a Northern Explorer 55 West for £19.20 each (no railcard needed).
That is for all Northern Rail trains Carlisle and Windermere to Liverpool, Crewe, Chester, Manchester and the Peak District.

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