Avanti West Coast
The InterCity West Coast Franchise
Avanti West Coast – the new InterCity West Coast Partnership – have taken over the West Coast Franchise from Virgin Trains. At Trainline we’ll show you where Avanti trains will take you and how to book the best value train tickets for your journey.
To find Avanti train tickets, simply start a search above and we’ll show you the best available journey times and prices.
New Avanti West Coast Franchise features
Did you know Avanti means 'Forward' in Italian? As well as taking over operation on all trains on the West Coast line, Avanti West Coast will be making some innovative upgrades and improvements to tickets, trains and stations over the next few years.
Some of the benefits the new West Coast Partnership are bringing to passengers over the next few years include:
- A complete refurbishment of all 56 Pendolino trains running on the West Coast Main line
- More reliable free WiFi coverage
- Improved onboard catering
- More seats and 263 extra train services a week by 2022
- Station upgrades
- New environmentally friendly trains
- Flexible smart ticketing options
Avanti West Coast route map
Unsure about where to start your Avanti West Coast adventure? Use our map to plan out where you want to go. From London, you can enjoy high-speed services to destinations like Liverpool, Edinburgh and Manchester.
Avanti West Coast are one of the primary rail operators in the UK, providing services from London Euston and a number of major terminals including Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.
Many of the routes feature high-speed services with no changes required, making Avanti West Coast an excellent alternative to air travel if you're looking to traverse up or down the length of the country.
How to get cheap Avanti West Coast tickets
If you're after cheap train tickets for Avanti West Coast routes, check out the hints below and see how you could bag yourself a bargain. We'll even highlight the cheapest prices!
Book in advance
Train tickets in the UK usually go on sale 3 months before the date of travel. Look out for Advance tickets, as these tend to be cheaper when they're first released. Be quick though, as they sell out on busier routes.
Find out more about our Advance ticket alert tool.
Travel Off-Peak
When travelling by train in the UK, you can benefit from reduced fares by choosing times of day that are less busy. When searching for tickets with us, we'll display all available tickets and options, highlighting the cheapest ones.
Learn more about Off-Peak train times.
Price Prediction
Our clever little Price Prediction tool will peek into the future and let you know when ticket prices are about to rise – meaning you'll never miss out on the best value fares. Beat the rush and save on price too. (Currently available in the UK app only)
Discover the magic of Price Prediction.
Season Tickets
If you travel on the same route more than three times a week, then an Avanti West Coast Season Ticket could help you to save both valuable time and money. Not only that, they're available in a number of flexible options to suit different time frames and you'll even be able to purchase it as an eticket on Avanti West Coast routes.
Check out our Season Ticket Calculator today to get started.
Consider a Railcard
They're types of train discount cards you can buy for £30 for unlimited use. You can get up to a 1/3 off the price of Off-Peak train tickets when using a Railcard. From kids to elderly people, there are great discounts out there to be had.
Find out more about Railcards
Discover digital tickets
Enjoy smoother journeys – go straight to the train when you use tickets on your phone. 94% of our customers wouldn't use anything else! Mobile Tickets will get sent directly to your Trainline app and etickets can be opened on your phone as a PDF. Both let you skip the queues at the ticket machine and breeze straight through the gates using your phone. They will be available on most journeys, so be sure to select this option when you book.
Learn more about Mobile Tickets and etickets.
Avanti West Coast train classes
As part of the takeover of the West Coast Franchise, Avanti are planning the refurbishment of all Pendolino trains previously used by Virgin during 2020. Part of these upgrades includes introducing a third type of class, that will sit between Standard Class and First Class.
Similar to how airlines offer different levels of classes, the new classes on refurbished Avanti West Coast Trains are likely to be as follows:
- Standard
- A “Premium Economy” type class (name to be confirmed)
- First Class
The new class is expected to include a better WiFi connection, larger seats and snacks rather than a meal. Why not check out our guide to travelling First Class from London to Edinburgh on Avanti West Coast trains.
Top Avanti West Coast destinations
Need a bit of information ahead of your next trip? Check out these popular destinations that Avanti West Coast trains travel to for journey details and nearby attractions.
Good to know
Travelling with Avanti West Coast? Find out everything you need to know about luggage allowance, pets and other onboard Avanti West Coast facilities here.
Who owns Avanti trains?
Avanti West Coast is owned by FirstGroup and Trenitalia. The new West Coast Partnership operates all trains on the West Coast Franchise, taking over from Virgin Trains in December 2019.
Do Avanti trains have WiFi?
Yes, WiFi is complimentary to passengers travelling in both Standard and First Class. Just connect to the westcoastfreewifi or Avanti_FREE_WiFi networks once onboard the train.
What are Avanti West Coast Peak hours?
Peak times depend on the route you're travelling, so please research your departure and arrival stations beforehand. At London Euston for instance, Peak hours apply to trains leaving the station before 09:29 and between 16:29 and 19:00 in the evening.
Can I take a bicycle on an Avanti West Coast service?
Yes, you can. The service is free, but you must reserve a space in advance due to limited room onboard. You can reserve either at a booking office or by contacting Avanti West Coast via phone.
How fast do Avanti trains go?
Pretty fast (depending on your destination and route). Some Avanti West Coast trains whizz past at up to 125mph – that'll blow your hair back! Around cities and junctions though, things calm down and the trains run a little slower for safety reasons.
Which Avanti West Coast trains are Pendolino?
Routes that service Manchester and Liverpool are exclusively run on Pendolino trains. Other journeys feature a mix of both Pendolino and Super Voyager trains or sometimes Super Voyager trains only.
What is Avanti Media?
Avanti Media is Avanti West Coast’s free app for onboard entertainment. You can watch popular TV shows and films, enjoy games or read the news. Score!
Can I bring a pet on board?
As long as your pet can physically fit on the train, then you’re good to go! In fact, you can travel with up to two pets free of charge. For any additional furry friends, you’ll have to pay a fee. There could also be a charge for larger pet carriers, but please contact Avanti West Coast in advance if you're unsure.
How much luggage can I bring?
You’re allowed to bring one item of hand luggage as well as up to two additional items. They can’t be bigger than 30cm x 70cm x 90cm, and any extra items you bring may incur a charge.