British Train BATTLE - First Class LNER vs Budget Lumo

For our latest comparison video, Nicky Kelvin and Liam Spencer boarded the two competing rail services on the East Coast mainline. Nicky took the LNER Azuma train, and Liam the budget Lumo service from London King’s Cross station to Newcastle.
We paid:
LNER (First class) - £90
Lumo - £20
Follow @NickyKelvin - / nickykelvin
Follow @Liam_Spencer - / liam_spencer
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[@mdhazeldine]

I feel like this comparison would be a lot more fair if you compared Lumo to LNER standard class and also if you swapped tickets and did the return journey using the other TOC. Then each reviewer would be able to compare one to the other. You must've had to do the return journey anyway, so why not film it?

[@Alphaca31]

Well said!

[@darksars3622]

Nobody wants to ride brick seats to Edinburgh

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Lumo seems quite fun. It has all the features commuters and passengers would like.

[@bartsimho1192]

It would be good if you can do the 2 class comparison's on the other longer Mainlines (The Great Western from Paddington to Plymouth/Penzance, The West Coast from Euston to Glasgow and the Midland from St Pancras to Sheffield). Also something to mention is there are Apps like Seatfrog which you can bid on upgrades on certain rail operators so you can have First-Class for less.

[@richardtalbot8769]

Maybe a comparison between SWR and GWR from london to Exeter or vice versa.

[@TotalDramaIslandTotalDramaAct]

Do GWR and cross country

[@TotalDramaIslandTotalDramaAct]

To London paddington

[@court692able]

Maybe even SWR vs Southern from london to Portsmouth harbour

[@anerdtravels]

I completely forgot that Seatfrog existed - definitely being re-downloaded now!

[@HM...333]

6:25 just a heads up that the tray tables are extendable, once horizontal you just need to slide them out and then any laptops will fit alot better

[@manomaylr]

For someone who’s been on so many planes with extendable tray tables I’m surprised he hasn’t figured this one out

[@code-on-Trip-app]

Indeed, I will take a closer look when I take the train or plane next time. I am planning to buy cheap train tickets to go out and travel recently.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I love Liam’s Top Tips. We need more of them.

[@uknewslink]

Good vlog. Loaded with humour. Thank you boys.

[@chielmeiberg]

As someone treated myself to a first class upgrade two weeks ago on LNER, can definitely confirm that the staff is wonderful (if you want more snacks, an extra dessert or more drinks they are more than happy to give it in my experience)

[@PlanesTrainsEverything]

Great comparison. I booked Lumo on a laptop, and as a result received a pdf which could be printed out.

[@missVmilne]

I am always happy when I see you've posted a new video. This one has great content and am interested in new services compared to well estsablished. Well done and thank you ! Hello fromLondon : - )

[@gordonjohnston8321]

There are three tiers of first class menus. Dine, Dish, Deli. The Dine menu has an additional hot food option which is cooked by a chef on board, rather than being reheated. It also comes with a proper desert. It’s mostly only on peak time trains, but I a nice uplift compared to the Dish menu in this trip.

[@Jnthnpg]

Should also be noted on LNER first class after 11am you get alcohol included. This can increase the offerings to upgrade.

[@petercdowney]

I travelled LNER First Class once to attend my cousin's wedding up in Leeds.

[@SoccerEC]

I really enjoyed the edit of them appariting in the beginning of the video.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Great Video, also with the lumO service with the folding table it can extend out if you slide the table towards you to give extra room for a laptop.

[@FraserAtSea]

This was a really excellent video - I've actually never even heard of 'Lumo' before, so this was good to see!

[@c3gfboy7]

There a brand new TOC they just started in around October 2021

[@chlcrk]

Until I saw it at Newcastle train station while coming home from seeing a football game, I'm not sure I knew what it was either. I have to go down into London then up north if I'm going to get one in the future, but could be tempting

[@timdalton3989]

We took 2 Lumo trips in January this year from Waverley to London & Newcastle before heading home to Oz and rate Lumos staff high. Will use them again next visit 👍

[@neilbowers6956]

LNER is in my opinion the best train service in the country. I have never had a bad experience every time i've travelled with them. I love the fact you can also order food to your table in standard class. It saves battling your way down the carriages to the cafe that's for sure.

[@CourtMcCheese]

Only difference? The seats on lner are rock hard, same for Gwr and all other class 800, lumo seats are far superior in terms on seats

[@Captain_Yorkie1]

​@@CourtMcCheese laughs in Leeds (we still get the Class 91)

[@whiteheatherclub]

In the UK the British spelling is "travelled". (From the President of Stop the Americanisation of British Spelling.)

[@neilbowers6956]

@@whiteheatherclub I'm well versed in the English language. I am after all English and not American. But, I had my settings set as 'American English' on my laptop at the time of writing the original post and didn't notice at the time. I have rectified both issues now, and thank you for pointing this out.

[@derk486]

Lumo seats are 10x better, scotrail trains are still best in uk imo

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I’ve been to King’s Cross Station and it’s amazing. It’s way more fun than it’s presented in the movies.

[@randylaubphoto]

Great video. Only thing is too bad you don't get pillows on trains so we could have again heard Liam say "pluffy" 😁

[@thisdude5854]

Love you guys keep on going

[@HumbertoMesa]

Thanks guys for the rides!!! 🇺🇾

[@RogEdwardsTV]

Having just tried LUMO for the first time today - I think you should have done you comparison between LNER Standard and LUMO. The Standard seats on LNER are like concrete bolt upright ironing boards. Very uncomfortable and I get back ache after 30 minutes. Lumo’s seats are much more comfortable. More padding. A built in recline and the heat rest wings. If I have to travel standard on the East Coast - it’s LUMO for me now. 😀

[@sherock4761]

hi can you bring big luggage with lumo?

[@RogEdwardsTV]

@@sherock4761 There are racks at the end of each carriage for bigger luggage - but it fill up quick. 😀

[@sherock4761]

@@RogEdwardsTV Thank You. Wonder if lner standard has better storage

[@derk486]

​@@sherock4761i brought a large suitcase, two hand held bags, a bass guitar bag and a backpack and it all fit fine on a full train

[@DJ_K666]

If only Lumo stopped at York

[@Gus0898uk]

You hit the nail on the head with the LNER First Class offering, it is very small and I think passengers would rather pay a Tenner and have 3 times as much curry with a Naan bread.

[@mini-land]

Amazing as always! Liam looks very very sneaky in the thumbnail like he's winning! Have you tried Loganair yet? Would be fun to perhaps try the shortest flight in the world.

[@jessied4210]

Where did you book the ticket? Was it expensive? I used Trainpal to compare different companies and it is super efficient.

[@kevinswinbourne4290]

I only travel LNER from Grantham, mainly first. Even recently when first was packed to Leeds they delivered a great service. When less packed, I tend to get three beers. Coach is still enjoyable and for a few pounds the bacon roll is good. Lastly seat frog adds to the enjoyment

[@erossantis]

06:30 the tray tables extend to an even bigger size

[@what_im_eatin_uk]

As someone who does this trip regularly you got very lucky. First class are not usually that attentive and quite often no hot food. I stopped paying the extra just battle it out in cattle class now

[@WIgirl26]

On Lner, I found out that they have 3 menus available for first class. According to a video I saw recently, he went on Lner first class expecting a hot meal. Unfortunately, he didnt know that not all trains have hot meals. He found out that on Lner's website, there is a pdf file that shows you which train has which menu. He said that if you want a hot meal, look for the the trains that have the DINE menu. HE said that's the one that has a actual chef on the train.

[@worigami]

@@WIgirl26 In my experience the menu advertised and the menu you get can be hit and miss. The journey I make to Inverness is supposedly a Dine menu but has been replaced on a number of occasions with the Dish menu. Over the years the service has declined and as was mentioned they are a lot less attentive. Unless I can get a cheap upgrade I bring my own food and suffer the rock hard seats in standard class.

[@WIgirl26]

@@worigami oh bummer. We were gonna make sure to pick the train with the DINE menu. Now we might not get it. Better warn my niece's. Thanks for the heads up.

[@worigami]

​@@WIgirl26 Last time I came back in first class from Inverness they'd run out of some breakfast items before we got to Aviemore so people who joined the train had very limited options. I had raised this with LNER who stated that food and drink are "complimentary" so if you don't get what's advertised then tough. I don't choose first class for the food, the journey I make is 6.5 hours long so I make the choice based on comfort, the first class seats are a little more padded. Unless the first class option is competitive, generally it isn't, then I tend to use the Seatfrog app to bid on a cheap upgrade for my standard ticket. I've managed to get quite a few upgrades and averaged around £15 to £20 extra. Depends on the train and how busy it is.

[@herenow6953]

Both look good - last long distance trip I took I booked economy but used SeatFrog to upgrade to first the day before - have done this a couple of times and saved a ton! And got to enjoy 1st class at a fraction of the cost. Both trips looked good but I'd go 1st on LNER every time - unless I was really strapped for cash.

[@patriciafuchs5970]

Great fun!

[@barbarawebster3203]

Thanks for sharing guys I want to go on a Lumo train one day 🤗🤗

[@PokhrajRoy.]

The chaotic Intro always has my heart ❤

[@ChrisHockman]

I need to know what that man said

[@PokhrajRoy.]

@@ChrisHockman He was saying hello, I think?

[@greensidemags]

I did both in one day , Newcastle to London return & in my opinion Lumo has the more comfortable seats and it doesn't stop as often as LNER

[@code-on-Trip-app]

Lumo is quite new and there is a discount recently. I like it.

[@veddesai3785]

why cant Liam not fly first class :(

[@stevemellor655]

Used Lumo from stevenage to Newcastle and back last Sat. I found them excellent.

[@luisstransport]

Great video

[@AndrewG1989]

I have been on LNER to Edinburgh Waverley on standard class. But I'm also tempted to ride on Lumo just to try it out. Plus the LNER Azuma Class 800 and Class 801 and Lumo Class 803 that they were manufactured by Hitachi which are part of the A-Train family do look really nice. And Hitachi are still continuing on manufacturing the Class 805 and Class 807 for Avanti West Coast and Class 810 Aurora for East Midlands Railway.

[@s125ish]

Yeah limo worth a try

[@davy9020]

Love your Video reports ❤❤❤

[@richardtalbot8769]

Another video and liam gets the budget service and Nicky travels in the upmarket seats. Does nicky not travel cattle class?

[@akula9713]

As someone who travels regularly from Newcastle to London Kings Cross, and have used both standard and first class. Things have changed. First class LNER, brings a trolley with sandwiches, and drinks. That’s it! The ticket price is almost twice standard class. Standard class typically is £80, first class can be typically £180! More than twice the price for a few sandwiches, and drinks? No thanks. Naturally ticket prices vary depending upon the time of day you travel. But twice the price for a slightly bigger seat, and a few freebies? The journey is typically 2 hours 54minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes depending upon which train you take and how many stations it stops at. For such a short journey time, standard class is the best value for money.

[@elizabethdawson4108]

as always =LUV your video= better still= LUV THE POINTS GUY xox💞

[@billy-2966]

What would be nice is a return journey but switching trains so you can both say what train company you would rather travel with 😊

[@carolehirsch7315]

I stood in line for abt 1 hour to do pictures at that platform 9&3/4 sign! Lots of fun and this potter-head was happy. I also wanted to ride the Hogwarts express!

[@safcjcp]

I a,ways book standard on lner and use seatfrog to upgrade when it’s not too much, usually between £15-25 each way

[@jonathanroberts9168]

You could but a standard class ticket and use seatfrog to upgrade. Doing this i got a first class ticket to Newcastle for 51quid last week

[@boove9933]

I think a better comparison is the 10:00 or 11:00 serivce as Lner does offer the faster option, and you woudl expect a consumer who would value time, would also be travelling first class.

[@Lucky0670]

Lumo service run by Aberdeen based First Group.. offer good price..

[@SDCentralTSV]

0:13 Southeastern’s long-distance services, Southeastern high speed, Hull Trains and perhaps more?

[@potatopinappleman]

Do some West cost line trains!! Like London Euston to Birmingham newstreet if you want to do classes, or if you want different trains, then Birmingham International to Manchester Piccidilly with either Avanti or Cross Country trains :)

[@richardk.4503]

Nicky "i could have taken a standard ticket for £30.......... but i am not a pleb". 🤭🤭😜❤️

[@veddesai3785]

nice video :)

[@nicksauerborn]

It would be great to compare the DB ICE/IC to the Flixtrain. Or ICE vs IC in Germany.

[@pottkind88]

Bitte nicht

[@lukasweidinger6839]

@@pottkind88 ice´s sind immer noch um welten besser als die azuma züge. in der zweiten klasse haben die sitzte nichtmal ne reclining function und sind steinhart

[@stevemichael8458]

I think if you'd done the whole Azuma journey in standard class you might have changed your mind about how comfortable it was. I think they are the worst seats I've ever come across on a train. I do this journey regularly and alway go Lumo if I can. Not because it's cheap but because the more padded seats mean I can actually still walk when I get to my destination!

[@Mgameing123]

6:25 You know that if you pull the tray table it will extend!

[@MrGorebusa]

Hi guys could you please do a race from London to Manchester? Wondering to know which option is better for my next trip to UK thanks. I loved the one of Tel Aviv to Jerusalem very helpful to everyone

[@jackmellor5536]

I like Lumo. Their seats are better than LNERs standard seats.

[@amyc5016]

Spooky timing, just back from Edinburgh - LNER there, Lumo back LNER was 20 mins late, super busy, dodgy plug sockets, but did have comfier seats and fast wifi Lumo was really quiet, much nicer journey, seats are harder but the winged headrests are nice, wifi didn't work, I did appreciate that there were less stops though, so it was quicker. Think I preferred the Lumo but it's a close one!

[@Ron_TTE]

I like delays because you can get refunds :p

[@lukasweidinger6839]

standard class seats on the new azuma trains are pretty crap in comparision to German ICE trains. Not to mention first class, LNER´s first class looks very cheap

[@somanytakennames]

Lumo also doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to use. It’s ridiculous that it can be cheaper to fly to a country in mainland Europe than travel by train domestically.

[@petertang4499]

Great Video!!! Were there many spaces for luggage in Lumo? I will travel on a Tuesday in June with a Suitcase (62cm * 40cm * 26cm) and a Rucksack (49cm * 32cm * 25cm). Wondering if the rucksack is too big for under the seat? Please feel free to comment!

[@CambodiaNomadTips]

If Magic Bus was still around, would you race each other to Katmandu? 🚌

[@alfiestewart6312]

9:30 felt like an episode of Come Dine With Me. Just missing Dave Lamb

[@zandermackay4541]

Filming for Harry Potter at Kings Cross was done at platforms 4 and 5

[@michaelhope8899]

I think this shows the value of competition on lines.....

[@poppyland74]

The food offer can be quite variable with reduced supplies and as pointed out here, even if you do get a hot meal it is actually snack size. Is that worth the extra £60? The old days of east coast and gner before it were well worth it but travelling now I'm unconvinced. It is far from first class, more like a slightly premium economy. And don't bother with the lounge. Coffee and a biscuit... wow!

[@TheRedDevil123]

Suggestion: Race from Sheffield to Newcastle.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

9:43 It’s quite the condensed version of Indian food.

[@ardalhall2767]

Lumo has just recently updated the livery a slight bit

[@Stormworkguy]

For some reason 0:17 got me on the floor!!

[@pnwlion9337]

Brilliant watch fellas, and incredible fare options for the distance travelled. Love LNER and Lumo. Such a shame Avanti prices travelers out to the North West and Glasgow.

[@markcohen7317]

Would have loved a Loo Review!!

[@benalowery]

They would have only have needed to do the one lol review as they're exactly the same on both trains :)

[@deltaxphoenix6723]

I just went in a LNER train last Saturday in regular seats and it was a good experience

[@Mgameing123]

How did you mind the rock hard seats?

[@deltaxphoenix6723]

@@Mgameing123 it wasn't hard it was comfortable actually

[@Mgameing123]

@@deltaxphoenix6723 Oh thats interesting to hear. I've heard of how shit the seats are though one thing for sure. If you can then AVOID GWR LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL! SWR exists.

[@deltaxphoenix6723]

@@Mgameing123 true I just went for 3 hours so

[@Mgameing123]

@@deltaxphoenix6723 I went on London to Slough hop on the IET's even that was uncomfortable.

[@Listenerandlearner870]

Hull Trains are blue too

[@77smp]

Seatfrog... £18 first class upgrade Peterborough to Edinburgh :)

[@safcjcp]

Always a good tip

[@jambosikk]

30 quid single from london to newcastle? those were the days...

[@therathergoodengineer9285]

I think LNER having 1st Class is really unfair as lumo doesn't have any 1st class options

[@simonpilk]

Lumo had the option to put whatever classes on their train and wished only to have one type.

[@benalowery]

Lumo chose to have standard class only as they are competing against the airlines not LNER. This is why Lumo don't stop at stations such as Doncaster and York

[@simonpilk]

@@benalowery if you think that then you must have issues. the reason they did not stop is because they could not get traffic right. They have directly removed a large amount of revenue from LNER and First Group see them as a vital cash cow!

[@benalowery]

@@simonpilk I don’t think that at all, it’s in their franchise agreement. London to Edinburgh is one of the most popular domestic flight routes and going by train is a lot better for the environment. The one class type is so they can cram in as many people as they can, hence why there’s only a couple of table seats in the whole set

[@simonpilk]

@@benalowery One issue that we clearly differ in then.

[@resultaypaulo7107]

we making it out of the Spursiness with this one 🔥

[@falconvelocity]

Not that bad??!!! The seats on the Lumo look tiny!!!! That dude is stick thin, and even he takes up all of the seat! I defo wouldn't be riding that train!

[@maximmoon22]

Avoid LNER on the weekend. The best food you'll get will be a sandwich, and they rarely have the full drinks cart.

[@code-on-Trip-app]

Having never travelled in first class, and not being able to take trains in the UK for long, I still think discounted fares are better.

[@jamesgreen3417]

I’ve done both on many occasions I go from KGX TO NCL prefer LUMO IVE USED THE 05.45 only only one stop.

[@najwamalwa97]

I searched prices for Lumo for 3months later and its all above 40 quid ?

[@jeanobeano1500]

I agree with others on here should have gone standard on both movers

[@oliverstemp9132]

LNERs First Class hasn’t been good since the start of Azuma service. Usually there’s no food and you don’t see any staff. In reality either service is just aa good. Great video over all.

[@Bungle2010]

That's not my experience..............

[@DanSavlon]

Great video as always, guys! I was wondering... do Lumo and LNER run on the same physical rails on that route, or do they each have their own?

[@danieldoctorio]

What is the price for lumo??

[@XteamMAB]

I was stuck on LNER in 2021 for 4 hours

[@stephenh4965]

8:27 any idea of the song name

[@isaaccolyar1379]

What are the price differences between buying in advance vs the day of?

[@akula9713]

I’ve not noticed any difference at all. I use the LNER app to book seats. Booking well in advance means you get the seat you want. The time of day you travel has the biggest impact on seat price.

[@CurvedGD]

Do London to Margate Southeastern highspeed vs commuter

[@ChrisWoodhead2811]

I can’t wait for LNER to ditch the ‘Veganuary’ themed first class menu they still serve in March. A sausage roll or a chicken sandwich is not a meal.

[@Doris-trainpalcode-RT777E]

Thank you for sharing ❤I think I would prefer Lumo's seats; they look very comfortable. and if someone wanna get train tickets a bit cheaper, I've got a discount on trainpal, that is even 5%! if someone need it, I’d like to share,hope it helps!

[@ACrants31]

Just to flag that the Lumo tray tables do pull out to give you more space for your laptop and didn't look like Liam did that.

[@louisefindlay23]

Loved the nods to Harry Potter with the Platform 9 3/4s sign and the apparition effects were awesome.

[@memesadda771]

Air India review plz

[@samanthaschnetzler7812]

0:14 Class 380 is

[@masere]

The 1st class seats on the non-Azuma LNER trains are amazing, thick leather beauties. The Azuma ones are terrible. I've been on buses with better seats. And don't forget the 1st class lounges. You can even go in after your journey as well as before.

[@richardnedbalek1968]

You two should compare competing train services in the USA… Oh, wait, no, maybe that’s not gonna work after all… 😅

[@InstantLuc]

First class was totally worth it!

[@Samwang67895]

Budget option Lumo still looks better than Avanti West Coast for London to Manchester service 😂 Wish London to Manchester route has more options😂

[@smyanagarwal129]

can you travel in air India or do an India tour please!!!!!!!!!

[@irishinusa1615]

Thank you! Question, Are Virgin Trains no longer running? We are returning to the UK, from what seems like Years! following lockdown. With plans to book London to York. I have always been a fan of Virgin trains, heading North to Edinburgh. Keep up the Great work!!! Cheers

[@benalowery]

Virgin lost their franchises a few years ago. LNER took over on the ECML and Avanti on the WCML. Avanti are having a very bad time so it may not be long before they lose their franchise

[@jesseblack5812]

LNER has taken over the London -> York route. If you book in advance and bid for a seat upgrade on Seatfrog you can easily get a really good deal

[@manomaylr]

3:11 because the Grand Central trains are diesel, LNER are electric