Trains from Edinburgh to London

Definitely LNER, as that's the train line that typically travels that route. That way you can buy it on their website, download their app and get updates and so on. Omio and Rail Europe will charge you an extra fee since they are booking agents, and can't help you as easily as LNER can if something goes wrong.

Also, wait for when the Advance tickets are released (usually about 12 week ahead of time), as it will save you money. But they're first come, first served, so you have to be aware of when they're released and watch out for them. I would sign up for updates from LNER so that you get notifications. Right now they're released through May 8. I would go to their website and look. Do a search for your dates and you'll see how far out the advance tickets go. It is a considerable savings so it definitely pays to check. You could save almost £150.

Yes LNER, and tickets are available now for travel in May.

VAP, I just checked, and right now it's only through May 8. It looks like the OP is traveling in mid-May.

Hi ladyblues_

Definitely download the LNER app - even an old technophobe like myself can use it without too much bother. Buy your tickets on it. There are plenty of trains between Edinburgh and London but the best deals might be obtained by tying yourself to a specific train. Whatever you do, definitely make sure you reserve yourself a seat as part of the booking process. Having a pre booked ticket doesn’t guarantee you a seat without seat reservation (in fact reading the small print it doesn’t even guarantee you a train!) and it’s a long and popular journey. If you can wangle a suitable ‘Advance’ ticket deal or can upgrade to First Class cost effectively, then I recommend doing that. Last time we came home from Edinburgh we travelled first class down to York and it was well worth it, but we did get a great deal (not sure how, but it was a gift horse best not looked in the mouth!). In first class you do get the opportunity to literally consume the price differential!

Have a great trip!

Ian

PS. When reserving tickets Edinburgh to London I would attempt to get a window seat, facing forward on the left side of the train for best views!

Mardee, look closer, actually do a booking. Bookings are available through June 12. I can make bookings for the May 28 12pm, 1pm, 2pm or 3pm trains from Edinburgh to London Kings Cross for £55.70. Or June 12 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm Edinburgh to London Kings Cross trains for £41.40.

Ack, you're right, VAP—sorry for the confusion, Shirley!

When you book your seats, reserve ones on the left side of the train going south, to see the views of the coastline just after leaving Edinburgh.

Also, wait for when the Advance tickets are released (usually about 12 week ahead of time), It is a considerable savings so it definitely pays to check

On a weekday LNER are almost always open for bookings 24 weeks ahead of time, normally 12 weeks at a weekend (due to the notice period for Network Rail Engineering work). That is partly because of the competition with Lumo (East Coast) and the airlines.

You could save almost £150.

Theoretically that is so, in practice it is almost impossible to pay anything like the full price of £204 unless on one of the pre 0700 trains from Edinburgh. There are almost always walk up Advance Fares of under £90 (sometimes under £80) until two minutes before departure. As of 1730 tonight, as an example, the 1800 has a standard class Advance fare of £88, and first class Advance of £120. For a £32 difference the upgrade would be worth it, the difference is not often that small.

Yes you will get a cheaper fare booking weeks out but £50 or less cheaper.

Just wanted to comment that we took this journey two years ago, between two Rick Steves tours. It was a lovely, comfortable ride, and was a great break in our touring schedule to just watch the scenery. Enjoy!

Which seats in first class are near a window? It looks like the train cars have solid walls between windows, so some seats have no view. Also, man in seat 61 recommends seating on the right side when going north but others recommend the left. What is the difference in views between the two sides? Thanks for your input!

Generally the suggestion has been to sit on the right side of the train going north and sit on the left side going south for the views of the coastal landscapes.

Go to this link - https://www.lner.co.uk/our-trains/ - scroll down to and open Azuma Seat map. The maps note those seats with limited windows views, otherwise first class is a 2-1 seating. The single row of seats are by default window seats, whie the pair of seats has one that is the aisle seat and the other against the carriage wall is the window seat.

The windows are fairly large with pillars between the window panels. The seats and windows are not perfectly aligned. Some seats are positioned at the middle of a window for the best view. Some seats will be at, just forward of, or slightly back of the pillars. You'll still have window views. Seat maps don't show these alignments. The best I can suggest is to image search "LNER Azuma train interiors" to get a feel for the alignment.

In first class it is 2+1 seating, two seats on one side, single seats on the other. I'm pretty sure the single seats are on the east side of the train (right northbound, left southbound). But sometimes trains are in reverse formation, if there have been weekend diversions.

And I am never quite sure which end of Newcastle station I'm going to come in and out of, especially on local services. It's far from unknown to be sent out in the wrong direction by signallers the long way round the Gateshead triangle. I settle in a forward facing seat on the side I want to be on, and am suddenly going backwards on the 'wrong' side.

There are only a few totally non aligned seats as shown on this plan- https://assets.ctfassets.net/mxack5k9p2sw/3Y1IVlurzZ0bptpXmFMiVQ/d87e3529109eecfeb1dce0b455f19990/m_Azuma-seat-maps.pdf

but it depends a bit on if you have a 5, 9 or 10 car train. In theory it should never be a 5 car train to Edinburgh (but could be if required due to extraordinary operating conditions), but could be either 9 or 10 (2 x 5), usually 9 car.

However I'm pretty sure there are some half aligned seats (certainly so in standard) where you get half a window.

There are also non reserved cars (E, when a 10 car train) and M in first class where seating is unassigned (and Car C in standard). Unlike on Amtrak you don't have to stick to your assigned seat, so can change to any other non occupied seat.
On the 400 mile journey there are not that many places where the side of the train is that important, anyway.

I am looking for advice and recommendations to travel Lner in May, 2026; Edinburgh to London, however, all dates show published schedules except the day(s) that I am looking to travel. (Sunday, May 24th.) Any thoughts?

On 24 May there is engineering work between Newcastle and York. There is no scheduled through service via the Durham coast as sometimes happens when the main line is blocked, , with trains terminating at Darlington or Northallerton, for buses to York, then onward trains to London.
So it an intermediate rail replacement bus from Darlington or Northallerton to York.
Trains are running from Edinburgh to London Euston (change at Carlisle, same platform) but services are diverted via Manchester between Preston and Crewe, with extended journey times, again due to engineering work.
However that will still be faster or about the same than the East Coast Train-Bus-Train.
Tickets for both operators should be opening up within the next week or so.

This applies all weekend- Saturday 23 to Monday 25 May- https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/engineering-works/northallerton-23-may-20260523/