London to Edinburgh by train for £19 with LUMO

Is this Britain's cheapest train? At £19 for nearly 400 miles between the English and Scottish capitals, surely the service must be a disappointment? Find out how Lumo shapes up against big competitor LNER in the video!
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0:00 Intro
0:56 Kings Cross Station, London
2:36 Boarding our LUMO Class 803 for Edinburgh
3:42 Tickets and fares
4:22 Departure at 1045
4:53 Catering and pre order food
6:30 Seating overview
7:10 Loo review!
8:00 Avoiding York
9:00 Newcastle and the "real north"
10:25 LUMO Baggage restrictions
12:00 Arrival into Edinburgh, thanks and conclusions!
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[@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.

[@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. 😏😌

[@bbpete8349]

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

[@Dado-ph7jr]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@blossomct]

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

[@funvizfunviz]

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

[@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!

[@OzMOTO]

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

[@TheRareVideosXL]

Great content as always.

[@KEITHGEE1000]

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

[@chrisk_nfl4120]

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!

[@andywillis2650]

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

[@scottyerkes1867]

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

[@RW-ce8kp]

Excellent video. Cheers from the States.

[@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.

[@martinspecht1970]

Very nice Tripreport .. Thank you 😊

[@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!

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Excellent review!

[@christinehodge3608]

Thank you for sharing, very interesting

[@dospalmascb]

Seems like a fantastic service. I'm wondering if they allow overcrowding like LNER etc, given you mentioned the majority of the seating is pre booked. Great Video Paul! I would have loved to know you were coming to Edinburgh, I'd have welcomed you to our city. Maybe next time. Just for information, the name Tweed means border and the river tweed does acutally form a significant part of the border. Lowry loved Berwick and spent a lot of time in the town, staying at the Castle hotel next to the station,

[@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

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I LOVED the Scotland Updates on Twitter btw!

[@rezaalan3991]

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

[@michaelkinsella1559]

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

[@karlnicholls1784]

Truro has a great view from the railway….not to mention entering into Saltash coming over the bridge from Plymouth

[@thornton]

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

[@LOrealHardly]

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

[@apokoronvamos8528]

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

[@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

[@florianb81]

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

[@dimazaitsev1960]

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

[@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

[@Joker77W]

What unusual weather for the UK, some blue sky!

[@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.

[@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!

[@andyphillips7437]

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

[@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.

[@MStanleyRoss]

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

[@jsptravels]

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

[@JayROwen]

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

[@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.

[@johnburke1317]

Nice video 😊

[@ianb3514]

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

[@danlately9277]

Missed your videos!

[@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.

[@MrGreatplum]

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

[@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!

[@gerrib1633]

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

[@andrewthacker114]

Interesting clip , you got a great deal.

[@kirstenduke4146]

I travelled on Lumo from NCL - KGX last year and found it alright :)

[@petey3965]

Nice one, Paul but it's like sleeping on a Sesh board

[@notreyf]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@user-dl3uo3we2z]

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🤔

[@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

[@DaveBrettuk]

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

[@CUFC247]

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

[@sthitadhibasu]

Paul, as usual, you excel in travel videos

[@johnmc3862]

Good man Paul.

[@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 😂

[@user-yz7hx3ty6s]

Hi Paul can you please yell me what brand suitcase you used on this trip. it looked sturdy amd I may want to get one safe travels hope your mom is doing better cheers

[@martymcfly256]

Favourite view from a train? Easy! Anywhere on the White Pass Railway.

[@SooP-mf2md]

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

[@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.

[@JBMtravels]

Great video but just to let you know this is the cheapest service just so you know. You can get cheaper service from London Euston to Edinburgh but there really hard to find though. Being a KZbin travel vloger I should do a video on this but apart from that I enjoyed your video 📸

[@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.

[@imsbvs]

Favoutite train window view ...try Samphire Hoe and the English Channel between Dover & Folkestone, looking out to France!

[@rockerjim8045]

did that 3 days ago

[@peteredwards338]

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

[@CJBindahouse]

As someone who spent a year in Newcastle, my favourite view is of the bridges...sadly obscured

[@nimadolma3713]

I am good even it cost 50£ no problem. But I need videos like this . Can also post more about Scotland where to stay in cheaper I like hike and tracking what to take local bus and more plz. Thanks Paul useful videos 👍

[@iam433]

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

[@cathybonner7888]

I want to do Kings Cross to Edinburgh and the shorter journey to York. I presume from this video I can't travel on Lumo to York, is this correct? Very interesting video Paul, train travel is something I'm interested in as want to explore more of our country

[@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

[@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

[@CUFC247]

My favourite view from a train is of the Jumbo water tower in Colchester which means I am nearly home.

[@James-gf9jl]

Great price. Back in 1993, I thought that York to King's Cross return for £50 was good, and that's over thirty years ago.

[@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.

[@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 👍

[@whatever8282828]

Hitachi! I used to have their VCR!

[@Cookie2k]

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

[@andrewstorm8240]

You can visit the N reactor on the coast

[@robertwalker1742]

Read somewhere Paul, that the view into Durham was the queen mothers favourite sight from the royal train.

[@hunkhk]

Then it must be good 😂😂😂

[@Sugi1971]

Very good to hear... £19

[@DeadtotheWorld91]

As someone with chronic travel sickness, I'm living vicariously through your videos! 😂 Good work!

[@chrism1102]

This makes me wish I took the train on my Scotland trip. I flew instead. BA had a deal, any 3 domestic UK flights for $79 if you buy your overseas flights on BA. I ended up flying from Manchester to Edinburgh! That's probably the shortest flight I've ever been on.

[@cageordie]

Hmm, next time I go home to the UK this might be a better option than waiting hours for a flight to Edinburgh or Newcastle.

[@jordanrowland6269]

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

[@vinniechudam1835]

Leaves on the line, wrong type of snow. Now we have geese on the lines 😂 At least it wasn't a birdstrike!

[@Bungle2010]

It really is amazing that even after a major near fatal rail accident people still leaf mulch as some kind of joke. And no one representing the rail industry has ever used the phrase "wrong kind of snow".

[@georgewilder1076]

Quite suprised😮😊 cheep.. with fabulous train journey.. reminding me of Virgin Trains

[@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!

[@BALHAM69]

What is next?😮 London to inverness by coach?😅 nice video. We have to book five months in advance for the £19 price. :)

[@321anamika]

Can you share from where to book tickets for this train, when i check it only shows Lner

[@dancapewell]

That cubby is bike storage normally hence the reservation screens