Lumo The new East Coast Main Line operator
Looking to travel by train from London to Scotland or north-east England? You’ve come to the right place! Lumo is a new train company that will run between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh via the East Coast Main Line from 25th October 2021.
Read on for a complete guide to Lumo trains, including what exactly is on offer, from free WiFi to at-seat catering and much more, and how to book Lumo train tickets online with us.
What is Lumo?
Lumo is a brand-new open access operator owned by FirstGroup that will provide a low-cost, fully digital, 100% electric travel across iconic cities on the route from Edinburgh to London and vice versa.
From 25th October 2021, Lumo will run 2 return services per day between London and Edinburgh, which are expected to ramp up to 3 per day in mid-December and 5 per day between the end of January and the beginning of February 2022.
By offering low fares to people travelling between London, north-east England, and Scotland, Lumo aim to help people switch from coach and air travel to more eco-friendly long-distance rail travel.
What do you get with the new Lumo trains?
The new Lumo trains come with only one class – Standard Class – which offers the following amenities on board:
- Free WiFi
- Comfortable seating
- LumoEats at-seat catering
Which train stations will Lumo trains call at?
Operating on the East Coast Main Line, the new Lumo trains will call at the following train stations:
- London Kings Cross
- Stevenage – only a limited number of trains will stop here
- Newcastle
- Morpeth
- Edinburgh
Lumo train ticket types
Keep reading for more information on all the ticket types offered by Lumo.
LumoFixed tickets
LumoFixed tickets are Lumo’s brand for Advance tickets. These are their best value tickets and are only valid on the date and train booked but they can be changed up to departure.
Anytime tickets
Anytime tickets can be used on any Lumo train on the date on your ticket (or for Return tickets, to come back any date within a month).
Unlike most rail operators, Lumo don’t offer Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak tickets. However, all their Anytime tickets are cheaper than the lowest alternative Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak ticket for the journey being made.
How to get cheap Lumo tickets
If you're after cheap train tickets for Lumo routes, check out our top tips below and see how you could bag yourself a bargain. We'll even highlight the cheapest prices for you! To view the latest offers on UK train travel, visit our train deals and discounts page.
Book in advance
Lumo train tickets are available to buy from 7th September 2021. If you want to snap up the cheapest fares, look out for Advance train tickets and buy them as soon as possible, as they tend to be cheaper when they’re first released and sell out quickly on the busiest routes. Check out our Advance train tickets page for more information.
Sign up for Ticket Alert
To get the cheapest fares further in advance, why not sign up for our handy Ticket Alert tool – we will send you an email as soon as Advance tickets become available for your preferred route.
Learn more about our Advance Train Ticket Alert tool.
Get a Railcard
If you’ll be travelling more than a few times a year to the East Coast, we recommend you get a Railcard – you’ll save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys. Railcards cater to different age groups and circumstances so, from the Senior Railcard to the Disabled Persons Railcard and the 26-30 Railcard, you'll be sure to find your match. Check out our Railcards page if you want to buy one online or see the different eligibility requirements for each type.
Lumo train timetable
Lumo’s initial service will offer two trains per day in each direction (1 on Saturdays), with further services to be added when the December timetable changes. Launch services depart as follows:
|
Departing from |
Monday to Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
|
London Kings Cross |
10:45, 14:36 |
10:25 |
10:23, 16:24 |
|
Stevenage |
- |
- |
- |
|
Newcastle |
13:47, 17:49 |
13:25 |
13:16, 19:20 |
|
Morpeth |
13:59, 18:01 |
13:37 |
19:32 |
|
Edinburgh Waverley |
15:17, 19:15 |
14:57 |
14:40, 20:54 |
|
Departing from |
Monday to Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
|
Edinburgh Waverley |
09:11, 16:12 |
08:49 |
10:53, 15:45 |
|
Morpeth |
10:30, 17:26 |
10:06 |
12:03, 17:00 |
|
Newcastle |
10:51, 17:47 |
10:22 |
12:19, 17:16 |
|
Stevenage |
20:21 |
- |
19:58 |
|
London Kings Cross |
13:48, 20:47 |
13:17 |
14:56, 20:21 |
Popular Lumo train routes
Have a look at some of the most popular routes served by Lumo below – simply tap the route you’re interested in to check train times, compare ticket prices, and learn more about the train journey.
Lumo seat reservation
Lumo highly recommends reserving a seat on all services. If you need to join their trains without a seat reservation, most of the seats in coach A will not be reserved, so please head there or ask an ambassador on board for help finding a seat.
Please note that seat reservations are not available if you’re only travelling between Morpeth and Newcastle (or vice versa). This is to make sure there’s plenty of seats for customers travelling longer distances – but you should usually be able to find seats in coach A.
Travelling with bikes on Lumo trains
You can take your bike on Lumo trains but you’ll need to book a space – which is free of charge – as a limited number of spaces is available on board. We recommend you make your bike reservation at least 24 hours prior to your journey and at the same time as you purchase your ticket.
Unfortunately, tandem bicycles are not allowed as there isn’t enough space for them on board. Folding bikes are welcome onboard Lumo and won’t be subject to prebooking requirements. Just pack your bike up before boarding the train and store it in the luggage racks. Find out more about bikes on trains in the UK.
Assisted travel
If you need some help for your trip, you can plan it in advance with the help of a dedicated Passenger Assist team. Assistance can be arranged to help you with accessing the station, where staffed, getting on and off the train and carrying your luggage. Read our guide to accessible train travel in the UK for more details.
Dedicated wheelchair user spaces and priority seating are available on Lumo trains and can be reserved by contacting their Passenger Assist team on 0800 031 8542. We recommend booking assistance before 22:00 the day before travel or six hours before your journey for same day travel to make sure you’re given the best service and are notified if there is anything that will affect your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered some of your most frequently asked questions about Lumo trains below.
Where do Lumo trains go?
Lumo trains run between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh via the East Coast Main Line.
When will Lumo trains start running?
Lumo trains will start running their services on the East Coast Main Line from 25th October 2021.
Are food and drinks available on Lumo trains?
Yes. Thanks to LumoEats at-seat catering service, you can order food and drinks on board. You can choose your order from a wide range of cafes and shops you already know, pre-order it from Lumo’s trolley service or buy it from their at-seat catering trolley and it’ll be brought straight to your seat.
Is First Class available on Lumo trains?
No, unfortunately First Class is not available on the new Lumo trains. However, their Standard Class offers plenty of amenities on board that will make your journey super comfortable.
Which tickets can be used with Lumo?
When travelling with Lumo, you can use a ticket that shows “Lumo Only”, “AP Lumo Only” or something similar. You can also use a ticket that allows you to travel to destinations off Lumo’s network – these will include both Lumo and the other operator name, such as “Lumo and SWR Only”. If the route shows anything else, you’ll need to check carefully whether you can use it on Lumo’s trains.
Can I use a Season Ticket with Lumo?
Yes. Although Lumo don’t offer their own Season Tickets as they’re mainly taking customers on long-distance journeys for business or leisure, you’re welcome to use a Season Ticket that covers their journeys, as long as it doesn’t say it’s only valid on a specific train operator.
Can I travel with my pet on Lumo trains?
Yes. Dogs will need to be kept on leads and other small domestic animals must always travel in a fully enclosed basket that does not exceed 85 x 60 x 60 cm. Please bear in mind that you cannot make a seat reservation for animals, except for assistance dogs. Water bowls and stool bags are also available upon request, please ask a member of staff if you need any.
Find out more about UK train travel
Want to learn more about the UK rail network? Click on one of our UK train travel guides – we’ll provide you with all the information you need about UK train and ticket types, deals and discounts, popular destinations, and more.