Best FIRST CLASS in the UK? London Kings Cross - Leeds with LNER - Intercity 225 - Mark 4 Carriages

LNER operates high-speed rail services on the East Coast Mainline primarily using its new Azuma trains but also a small number of Intercity 225 sets using Mark 4 carriages that were last refurbished when the franchise was operated by Virgin Trains East Coast. These sets still carry some of the Virgin "magic" and arguably constitute the best rail First Class hard product in the UK.
Join me today as I check it out and give my honest thoughts on whether this is the UK's best first class... It may not be Emirates, Qatar & even British Airways first class but LNER definitely give Avanti West Coast, Cross Country & all other train operators in the UK a run for their money!
Trip Details:
3rd May 2022 10:33
London Kings Cross [KGX] - Leeds [LDS]
Ticket Price £23.40
Booked with LNER during a sale
First Class
Dish Menu- Complimentary breakfast & soft drinks
Link to LNER Menus: www.lner.co.uk/the-east-coast...
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Instagram: / tipsytraveluk
Twitter: / tipsytraveluk
Website: www.tipsytravel.uk/
Music by: www.bensound.com/royalty-free...
#firstclass #lner #tripreport

[@joydawg]

Thank you for making this video. I will be on this same train route during my visit to the UK.

[@tipsy_travel]

Glad it was helpful! 😊

[@WCSpotting]

Superb video! Enjoyed!

[@tipsy_travel]

So glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@Midlandstransporthub]

Great video! I'm doing this route soon, also in first class! Will be my first time on a 91 too. I liked and subbed

[@tipsy_travel]

Thanks for you support Sean, I hope you enjoy your trip! 😊

[@craiglogistics2092]

These Mk4 sets should be sponsered by Carlsberg because they are probably the best trains in the UK, thank goodness that LNER managed to keep some of them, they might be older than the Azuma's but as you say they are far more comfortable, long may they last

[@tipsy_travel]

Haha I agree they are a pleasure to travel in, I like the Azumas but they don’t have the same charm!

[@MomentsInTheSky]

An excellent video. Unfortunately LNER often runs out of menu items early on in the journey. I keep wanting to try the poached egg and smashed avocado but it’s never been available!

[@tipsy_travel]

Thanks a lot Neil, I think I’ll be planning my journey to try and take advantage of the full breakfast menu next time… and sitting right next to the kitchen!! 😂

[@ChoobCubed]

I had to cancel my First Class trip to Leeds because they weren't going to offer the full DINE service either side of strike days.

[@junioremmanuel36]

Hi how many hours to Leeds

[@amenerstugard1894]

It is SUCH A SHAME that the UK railways are SO INSANELY EXPENSIVE to use - any class anywhere. My full family just loves trains, but we are only using buses OR OUR OWN CARS! Such a shame. But thank you for the excellent video! Appreciated.

[@harri2626]

Buy a Family Railcard and book early. Some incredibly good prices can be had. The often repeated myth of overseas railways always being cheaper doesn't bare examination.

[@tipsy_travel]

I totally agree, public transport as a general is very expensive in the UK, hardly an incentive for people to ditch their cars!!

[@juliamaitland7160]

It would be really helpful if you could maybe point out lifts and disabled facilities for those of us that are less mobile

[@tipsy_travel]

Thanks for the feedback Julia, really helpful! I’ll certainly do my best to be more conscious of this and highlight these facilities in future videos! 🥂

[@mihaelafilipescu5818]

King Cross train station they have lifts to reach the platform you wish to get to the train. I am disabled and I used the lift.

[@XteamMAB]

I got stuck on it on 31st oct 2021 I was stuck on it for a whole day with no food but terrible egg and mayo ones in the cafe

[@tipsy_travel]

Oh dear oh dear! Sound a little different from my experience thankfully 😅

[@harri2626]

Yes, the older Mk4 coaches are superior to the Azuma, both for seat comfort and for ride quality.

[@tipsy_travel]

I don’t mind the Azuma’s but there’s something about these sets that just superior in every way!

[@heartofoak45]

Does no operator offer 'silver service' anymore?

[@tipsy_travel]

You’ll be very much out of luck there I’m afraid, if only!

[@grangetowncardiff6935]

I think Transport for Wales still does on their very limited service known as the "Gerald of Wales" Holyhead to Cardiff and return. But you'll need to check this. They did pre Covid!

[@Chalks38]

£23.40 is a bargain hard to find tickets for that price often

[@tipsy_travel]

Absolutely! An absolute bargain indeed, it was purchased during a sale 😊

[@johnholroyd7829]

1st class lounge?? I go to a train station to board a train....full stop

[@tipsy_travel]

They certainly don’t hold universal appeal however as long distance 1st class services are very much marketed towards business travellers, a lounge is a great add on for those who may have work to do/need wifi and a quiet place to wait before or after their train.

[@johnholroyd7829]

@@tipsy_travel Ah right..LOL