London to Edinburgh by train for £19 with LUMO

[@mattjwayad9639]

Well-edited, non-annoying, and informative travel video. Paul is a pro.

[@john07973]

Agreed it's not "cool" for baldy man if no lounge or amenity kit

[@philipcooper8297]

Covering 392 miles for just £19, you wouldn't get there any cheaper even if you walked the distance. So, yes. It is worth it.

[@daveyhorner2812]

Yeah, but who ever books 5 months in advance!!!

[@GabrielsReviews]

@@daveyhorner2812 I would if I could. I had an Avanti search rejected last week because I was looking too far ahead .

[@briangasser973]

Buying a ticket 5 months out during off an peak time is something hard for most travelers

[@stevedoughty3865]

Did he buy 2 tickets?

[@GabrielsReviews]

@@briangasser973 I would sometimes if more operators would let me but most UK operators do not sell tickets that far in advance .

[@RogEdwardsTV]

The LUMO seats are so much more comfortable than LNER's concrete ironing board standard seats. 😂

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Indeed. Hence Avanti West Coast has emulated these Lumo units with better seating for its latest bi-mode units.

[@egpx]

@@alexmcwhirter6611I’ve found the new Avanti seat disappointing in that regard. On a recent trip from Glasgow to Birmingham I spent four hours on one and my arse hasn’t yet got over it.

[@ashashroff1700]

Well said mate.😅

[@anthonywarrener1881]

Great video, and what a compelling reason to use LUMO !

[@TrainDriverSam]

My favourite view out of a train is the view out of the front - the premier seat!

[@barber215]

I really appreciate all the research you put into these trips. I learn things that I did not know before, and it's refreshing. Cheers to another video, good sir. Be well

[@4evertrue830]

Wouldn't it be nice if he could do the same on his airline trips, to those different countries and the cities he visits as well? Maybe i am asking for too much, idk. 😏😌

[@FraserAtSea]

I've never actually come across this train company before - maybe you've just unlocked a whole new method of travel for me!

[@77smp]

Only gone as far as Newcastle on Lumo as I usually use LNER to get to Peterborough. The seats are certainly more comfortable but if there's only a few pounds in it to London, I'd still likely use LNER as the train is probably going to be quieter, with a greater chance of a table or a cheap 1st upgrade. £19 is great but I can't go on a random day five months from now, still, it's good to have alternatives.

[@bbpete8349]

Nice and informative. I did not know of LUMO and now hope to add this same trip for me in the future! Thanks.

[@jonathanroberts9168]

As a frequent traveller between North East and London and used Lumo a few times. It’s great until something goes wrong and unlike LNER it isn’t as simple as getting the next train.

[@lindseyrea9237]

Yes, that was my question. We travelled on trains in England late last year. Of the 8 journeys we made, only 1 was without problems. Trains were cancelled, put out in service with no airconditioning or ventilation, hopelessly overcrowded "full and standing" , - direct journeys were re-routed through 2 or 3 stations involving delays and half hour waits on station platforms with no shelter or seating. Didn't matter if you had a reservation or not, once the train was cancelled - you were on your own.

[@LegitimateCK4120]

As a Newcastle man born and bred there, that rainfall on the City as you arrive is so on brand. LumO's fantastic. I wish I had the chance to travel on it more, but since work pays for my travel to the capital, I have no real need to travel on it. £19 to travel on one of the busiest rail lines in Britain is phenomenal. It's essentially brought the "budget airlines" model to British rail, and something Grand Central should look into. Also, that cupboard for storage with the reservation thing is a feature on the 800 series, on LNER it can be reserved for bikes, but truthfully I think they should all be turned into more luggage storage. I never see bikes being used in those cupboards!

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

@@LegitimateCK4120 Indeed. Lumo (owned by First Group) was only given the right to compete with the then incumbent (VTEC) because its business model is akin to the likes of EZY. In other words, in this eco age, the regulator wanted rail to better compete with air. As an aside ...Lumo wants to extend the route to Glasgow. It also wants to operate between Greater Manchester and London Euston.

[@LegitimateCK4120]

@@alexmcwhirter6611 I know people in Glasgow, they'd love a Lumo service. They'd travel that extra hour if the train cost as much as it does from Edinburgh

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

​@@LegitimateCK4120 Lumo has applied to the regulator for permission to extend its KX-EDI service on to Glasgow. Because LNER is/has withdrawn from the route there's a good chance Lumo would be granted permission. Developments are awaited.

[@jamesjimbob71]

i love that the toilet tells you that the door is locked, they should make that featue standed in all trains

[@RWL2012]

I don't know where you're from, but a lot of modern (and modified older) trains on the British network do it.

[@TomCro73]

I believe that's nowadays mandated by rail accessibility regulations. I remember when the first push-button cubicles were introduced (possibly on the 158s when new?) Many passengers didn't notice that they'd to press the 'door lock' button after 'door close' - with no audible confirmation... led to quite a few embarrassing situations!

[@4evertrue830]

Maybe on all airline toilets too..😂😅😊

[@clarea1801]

I’ve often been put off using a train toilet as I’m never sure if the door is locked.

[@83dude]

I just do it in a bottle, way easier than walking up and down the carriageway

[@emmq6630]

one time an older gentleman was being deliberately rude to me because we had a double booked seat. I was trying to be amicable about the situation but he got the staff involved. He reseated me in a new reserved, apologised and gave me free largar all the way to edi, which they really didnt have to do but was a really nice gesture. in general id say their staff a way nicer than LNER.

[@Dado-ph7jr]

Favourite view. Crossing the Medway Bridge between Strood and Rochester. The Norman Castle and Cathedral form a fabulous duo.

[@exceptionaldifference392]

I was going to suggest the same

[@rajeshsuseelan6863]

Great video. Treat a service like Lumo the same as how you would RyanAir. You need them to take you from A to B at the cheapest possible price and shortest time. Buy the ticket with just that one expectation and anything they do over and above that is a bonus. There's a reason they are low cost.

[@funvizfunviz]

My favourite train journey is from Bath Spa to Bradford on Avon, following the River Avon. Beautiful.

[@Sneezingswanlon]

Used Lumo from London to Morpeth last year, and was really impressed with the Service (both price and on board staff). Usually travel with LNER when I go to Edinburgh, but will definitely be trying Lumo out for that journey

[@apokoronvamos8528]

Favourite view. Train to Penzance is spoiled for choice, running through Dawlish, then over the Tamar, seeing Truro cathedral and then Mounts Bay ❤

[@class313]

I'm not sure how being DOO makes staff more visible when LNER have hosts in both standard and first who don't get involved with dispatch. Whilst lumo have their staff on the platform as well? It's more down to the fact it's only a 5 car train with very few stops.

[@doglover2560]

this makes me so proud of the uk and our brillant transport system

[@michaelscott7166]

We could do Lumo on other lines. Prices on Cross Country have got so far out of hand that yesterday it was considerably cheaper to go from Newport to Leeds via London on GWR/LNER than it was to go on a conventional route via Birmingham.

[@SiVlog1989]

I used Lumo to get to and from Newcastle in January 2024. At the London end, it was already pretty crowded and between a couple of customers it nearly got heated over one of them refusing to put their coat on the luggage rack or on the hook next to the window seat. As far as the journeys themselves, the trains were very smooth, more comfortable than the 800/801's, though it did seem to take some unusual routes, like running slowly, nonstop, through Darlington Bank Top Station

[@nicholasgerken9934]

If you just want to get from A to B without having to do any work on the train, Lumo is absolutely perfect. Don’t take any big luggage either. Honestly, this is a very good train overall. Got the early morning train to Edinburgh last year and it was perfect.

[@JessicaRainbow]

Great video. I think the reservation light in the luggage stowage area is probably for bikes. Most other companies that use these trains will use that area as a bike storage area instead

[@lewiss626]

Lumos seats are so so much better than LNER, and considering the majority of people will be travelling between london and edinburgh, the seats need to be good, considering it's over 4 hours. The seat cushions are very comfy, and the seats are slightly angles back, which is much better than lners straight back seats.

[@robelvery]

I will definitely give Lumo a go at some point. The only downside for me would be if I ended up with one of the end seats with no windows or one of the seats with hardly any view between windows. I like to watch the world pass by on my train journeys! I know this isn't just the case with Lumo, most modern UK rolling stock have this disadvantage, particularly in standard class. LNER have a tool on their website where you can see your seat on a coach diagram when booking and change it if required. That said the diagram doesn't show where the windows are situated but its possible to work out where they are more likely to be. For longer journeys I book well in advance as to get a good deal in first class. Sometimes you can get a good price ticket with LNER. Some of the views from the train along the ECML are wonderful. Durham, crossing the Tyne at Newcastle and along the Northumberland coast are some of my favourite. My all time favourite train journey for scenic views though has to be the Settle & Carlisle line. You forgot to mention the wonderful 91/225 sets which are still in operation between Kings Cross and Leeds/York. These are my favourite trains in operation and are more comfortable to ride in than any of the 800 series. They look great in the new livery too with the nod to Intercity days.

[@alexmcintyre8229]

Hey Paul at 11:00 when you show the reservation indicator for the luggage cubby perhaps you could reserve the luggage cubby & bring a chair with you so you can be guaranteed a seat. Nothing says first class on Lumo more than sitting on a lawn chair in a baggage cubby.

[@LeeskiLeo]

It's probably because it's the bike space on LNER/GWR which require reservations, and Hitachi didn't remove it

[@kevinsimm2063]

Great trip report , please concentrate on this type of content instead of 1st class/ buisness, as most watchers cannot afford! ......( well me anyway) !

[@MarkSkids]

I like the 1st class and business content, it's something I use a lot, so I appreciate it. A mix of both economy and 1st class travel is perfect.

[@kieronsmith002]

£19 is not a bad price to travel from King's Cross to Edinburgh. I haven't traveled by train up to Scotland because it takes 8 hours from Great Yarmouth to Edinburgh which is expensive. I have traveled to Edinburgh twice with easyjet and Edinburgh is a really nice place to visit when on holiday. Your videos are brilliant Paul 👍

[@pipandkitty2004]

Our most comfortable and practical train carriages are now being scrapped or sent to Nigeria or other places . As a well travelled person told me they only use these trains as commuter trains in other countries and not as passenger trains just shows how these companies treat the British public as cattle and not as customers.

[@nickbiskinis4854]

Another excellent video Paul; it is frustrating about the rain entering Newcastle Central as the approach is so scenic but like you it always is raining every time I try and film it!

[@notreyf]

£2.00 for a Tunnocks's Caramel Wafer?? Wow! Thanks for another cracking vid.

[@ED-209UHD]

Welcome to hyper inflation

[@roundgreenthing]

5:22 Holy snack prices batman! Two quid for a single Tunnocks wafer? A pack of 5 is only £1.50 in my local shop.

[@MusingsOAM]

Demand and supply. Local shop providing it on the train is a different matter.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I LOVED the Scotland Updates on Twitter btw!

[@TheRareVideosXL]

Great content as always.

[@blossomct]

Always love your vids!! Next time I'm in London I'll have to try that train so thanks!!

[@ampersand.8888]

Any train trip that goes through the mountains is my favourite view from a train.

[@dazlebluefrogify]

Try southern germany,switzerland, parts of France and northern italy or Austria to name a few places i've been threw on a train ,switzerland is the best stunning but so is France in the Alpes 😂

[@Gordon_Highlander]

Thanks for the memories Paul. I remember when I was last home in 1998 and 2001, I travelled from Kings Cross on the Highland Chieftain to Inverness; taking a break to see family at Edinburgh Waverley. The straight through run from KC to Inverness was some 8 hours and 25 minutes from what I remember. The subsequent trip in 2001 was a mishmash as the train times had changed, and to cut a long story short, I had to get a train from Kings Cross to Fife and then a Scot Rail train from Fife to Perthshire to catch up with family. Wow what a trip that was. Thanks for sharing mate

[@IFEELWaysAboutStuff]

Longtime subscriber Paul, how are you not beyond 1 million subscribers? I have enjoyed your videos from upstate NY (Albany) for years! I checked your subscriptions and am shocked that you're only at 394k subscribers!? You're as good as Noel Phillips and the like, you deserve so much more recognition. I'll share your channel with each upload. ❤

[@thefareplayer2254]

My guess is they stop at Lumo either because the train (ideally) has to slow down there anyway, OR as a morbid “safety measure” to make sure they slow down for that curve.

[@minimaxi802]

Never heard of this train company. London Kings Cross to Edinburgh, non stop to Newcastle and then Morpeth. Morpeth has a tight curve and all trains have to slow down to 50mph to pass through the station. Maybe Lumo should also run on the West coast main line from Edinburgh to London Euston.

[@JMac7991]

I wish there was a west coast equivalent. Glasgow to London and maybe go through Manchester, rather than around it. Could a competitor to both Avanti and TPE. I like the idea some open access operators do in Europe with using old but modernised coaches with a electric loco on the front. They could have a couple of additional services extending up from Glasgow to Inverness, though the route through Glasgow could be convoluted.

[@jsptravels]

That cubby is the Class 80x cycle rack, with indicators as most operators require you to make a bike reservation 😉

[@ShaunBowm]

Couple random thoughts popped into my head 1 you mentioned those back seats with no windows...would be interesting if they put a flat screen on the inside, connected with a camera facing outward, to still give the illusion of a window seat... 1b imagine if they could change to a camera capturing a more ideal scenery from the other side, or say a front facing camera or backward camera 2. I noticed your suitcase looked robust, curious if you havnt done a suitcase review suggestion based on all your travels and long mileage exp. Let alone packing tips or must haves🤔

[@andywillis2650]

Great video Paul, & great value for money too. Might have to try Lumo one day !

[@martinoates3684]

Nice to see a beer from somewhere along the route available (quality brewery also).

[@danielhill7502]

I live in Newcastle so will always try to book LUMO if travelling to Edinburgh or London. However you need to be flexible with your timings and there are only a couple of services a day. The train beer is lovely. Some of the craft beer bars in Newcastle have it as their house pale ale. The seats are so much more comfortable than LNERs!

[@OzMOTO]

Always enjoy your videos. Keep up the great work. 😊

[@gerrib1633]

This trip report cemented my plan to go to Edinburgh on Lumo next time I’m in the UK.

[@colinlambert882]

Much better seats and great value, if you can track down one of these almost non-existent £19 seats. Even five months in advance I couldn’t find anything in November for less than £23. I did find one single service in July with a ticket at £19.70. On a random day in September the average Lumo price was £27.37 - far cheaper than LNER but about 45% more than the stellar but elusive £19 fare. Fares for this week, may be no better than LNER. E.g. 11/06 Lumo 10:45 (featured in the video) £54.05; LNER @11: 00 £55.20, while the cheapest fare on a slower route is £35.22 or ironically almost £19 cheaper than Lumo!

[@helloed294]

5:46 Makes little sense. LNER Guards and crew always seem very visable when I travel with them. Plus in practice the Lumo staff do the same as other guards. They are on the platform when the train departs and they blow the whistle at departute time. Im not sure how you reached that conclusion.

[@Paul_Lucas]

That isn’t true. Lumo does not have guards, and the staff on board have no safety critical duties. They aren’t involved in dispatching trains. The person on the platform you have seen will be platform staff. Their trains are Driver Only Operated, and it is the only long distance DOO operation in the UK.

[@mattredman98]

Great video. I couldn't find any single tickets from London to Edinburgh for less than £65 for the next 2 months though!

[@calebmiles]

I used LNER to go to Edinburgh last weekend. On the outward journey we were on a 9 carriage set which was at capacity with only one toilet working for the entire journey with the rest unable to flush. Clearly the working toilet received a lot of use but not even the onboard cleaner wanted anything to do with it. The return journey was dreadful, oversold with folks in the vestibules making it virtually impossible to move around the train. The toilets were waterlogged to say the least (shock) and left the station filthy despite apparently being cleaned prior to departure. The heating was on full blast making the journey very uncomfortable and the noise levels were extremely high from overexcited drinkers who essentially got very rowdy unchecked by staff despite complaints and others playing video clips, music and films without headphones assuming we all wanted to hear their media.

[@formulaic78]

That sounds like my journey from hell. Been living in China for fifteen years where public behaviour (spitting on streets, not flushing toilets etc) isn't great, but when I come back to Britain and Europe I often find that the behaviour of the locals is as bad or worse than in a still developing country. And of course the facilities are often far worse. Luckily I mostly use interrail when back in Europe, which makes first class travel fairly affordable.

[@MStanleyRoss]

That's my fav view at 11.18, looking to the sea down the Tweed from The Royal Border Bridge.

[@じゃみっと]

Really enjoyed this! Will make a point to do this journey.

[@KEITHGEE1000]

Great as always, Paul. Never heard of Lump. Have now!!! Thanks! Keith

[@thornton]

Great video :) My favourite view from a train has to be the river Elbe between Dresden and Prague :)

[@AmazeTase]

Great idea with the food options but £2 for ONE Tunnocks?! Really?

[@florianb81]

My favourite View in a train IS the rhine Valley going from Mainz to Koblenz. Spectacular Views Great Video As always

[@DaveBrettuk]

Great video! Thank you for sharing. Quick question, you mentioned you use a rail card? Which one do you use? Thank you.

[@martinspecht1970]

Very nice Tripreport .. Thank you 😊

[@sarto7bellys]

Favourite views, Newton Abbott station and Chesterfield station both are jumping off points to a beer festival🍺🍺

[@dazlebluefrogify]

Great video as always mate thats why your one of a small group of vloggers i watch 😂so much information ,keep them coming paul thanks

[@Paul_Lucas]

Thank you!

[@rezaalan3991]

Great trip. Finally you try this train. I think it's worth it, if I can book tickets very early as possible.

[@scottyerkes1867]

Great value. Good seating. Fast ride. Thanks Paul💚👌👍

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

Great vlog as always! I love trains. Norway is not built for trains… Go Ahead does the train from Oslo to Stavanger. Not the best I have heard. Keep up the good work. Be safe!

[@randommusic4567]

I believe that the reservation indicators for the luggage cupboard are for bike reservations, at least on the other 8xx for lner i have been on this seems to be the case, there are 2 bike brackets attached to the wall that can be reserved like a seat Could be wrong but that is my best guess

[@andyphillips7437]

You just seem to do this better than all the other KZbinrs.

[@kjh789az]

Thank you for this clear account, Paul. I'd be interested in the cheapest adult fare offerred by LNER and the process for securing it, although the complexity of LNER charging is something which should be addressed.

[@jordanrowland6269]

Could do with something like Lumo on the West Coast Main Line!

[@CARLIN4737]

Never heard of LUMO will look into that. Thanks for the info.

[@LOrealHardly]

I'm defo going to try that. I'm Outside Edinburgh with a need to get to Reading now and again...

[@Del-bm]

Great video, well presented

[@sjpowermac]

Excellent video. Interesting to see the West Midlands units there.

[@michaelkinsella1559]

Love the view from my commute Dundee to Edinburgh. Take takes in Tay and Forth Bridges and fast on Scotrail’s HST.

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Excellent review!

[@mash3d3d]

My favourite view from a train is London Bridge to Blackfriars, followed by the Ouse Valley Viaduct in Balcombe.

[@VoicesrilankaSinhala]

how long ago did you book it to get that price. NOW its £181

[@oddbodd350]

Great video, and yes I agree with you the service is better than LNER. Thanks.

[@iam433]

When did non-stop trains through Darlington stop using the fast avoiding lines?

[@simonbrodie3157]

The trouble with Lumo is with the stations it doesn’t serve. LNER have pumped up the prices (or possibly not raised them at the stations Lumo does stop at). So it’s now cheaper to get a ticket to London from Newcastle, than a journey from Northallerton, Darlington and Durham!

[@danlately]

Missed your videos!

[@CUFC247]

Like the blue colour of the trains, echo of the Mallard steam train.

[@nicolad8822]

My daughter used Lumo for the first time from Stevenage to Edinburgh recently, 4 hours no changes, YP railcard discount, on time both ways. Would use again.

[@ashleighcampbell1664]

£19 sounds a brilliant price to pay, for such a long journey. Xxx 🎉🎉🎉

[@sthitadhibasu]

Paul, as usual, you excel in travel videos

[@AymanTravelTransport]

I think Morpeth was chosen as a stop due to its proximity to Newcastle Airport, as this train service was intended to compete with both the London to Newcastle and London to Edinburgh flight corridors. Likewise, Stevenage is an occasional stop due to its proximity to Luton Airport.

[@andrewclarkson2555]

Wife and I used Lumo from Morpeth. 3hrs 9mins to kings x. Would use again.

[@MrGreatplum]

“Well done for remembering what a baby food is called” 😜 great typo there, Paul! Looks like a good service to me

[@neilwatson4461]

Looks a very good train for sure, Apparently in 2025 in my neck of the woods they are going to operating a new service from Rochdale to London calling at Manc Vic, Eccles, Newton-le-Willows (My local) and Warrington BQ, would be a real bonus for me as i could do more London trips by train

[@Joker77W]

What unusual weather for the UK, some blue sky!

[@laurastuart3814]

You obviously don't live here.

[@123gazs]

what kinda camera do u use as the quality is good, was interesting to see what traveling with that was like,

[@christinehodge3608]

Thank you for sharing, very interesting

[@MikayeYakovlev]

so same seats as Avanti. I don't actually understand the need to have so much brand differentiation in seating. would be nice to have a consistent seat on all long-distance trains tbh. I also prefer Avanti's seats in both first and second class to LNER. But, I might be biased because I use Avanti two days every week for a return trip from Euston to Coventry.

[@RuairiNevin]

Done Newcastle to kings cross in 2022 for £19, those seats are wearing very quickly ! But Great service. Will be stacking up my lner service from Kings Cross to Leeds in a couple of weeks for my Birthday

[@ianb3514]

Favourite view on a train - the Crouch estuary between Althorne & Burnham-on-Crouch on the Crouch Valley line in Essex (Greater Anglia)

[@dimazaitsev1960]

Just found you, really good 👍 Review i can relate to, not like the super luxurious stuff. Keep it up 🔥💪

[@nur_aryani]

I'm planning a trip to the UK in Dec > likely London - Edinburgh - Liverpool - Wrexham/Cardiff ... thank you for this video, likely will be booking this train trip once I have our dates firmed up!! Question, though... If we travel with luggages, seeing that passengers are allowed only One small bag and ONE medium sized luggage, how do we get on with a LARGE sized luggage plus another small luggage?

[@TomCro73]

You'd need to either use another operator, or consider a bag delivery service. Lumo will not allow you to board with an oversized bag.

[@nur_aryani]

@@TomCro73 > Does the same restrictions apply to LNER? I'm seeing the ticket price to be more costly than LUMO.

[@Paul_Lucas]

No, but if it cannot be stowed on the train, you can’t take it anyway, even with LNER. Depends how big the case is really! Lumo are quite strict about baggage allowance.

[@SooP-mf2md]

My experiences on Lumo have been mixed...yep usually shorter travel times and on time... but I prefer the alternative operator

[@moraimon]

As a Japanese, it is quite funny to see Donzoko as a beer company name.

[@peteredwards338]

Alnmouth was worth a mention also the Victorian railway engineers put the line straight through the 11 century New Castle - Vandalism !