A direct train from London will get you to Newcastle faster than a car! Sit back, relax and watch the scenery go by.
The average train journey time between London and Newcastle is just over 3 hours. On the fastest LNER and Lumo services you can get from the capital to Tyneside in as little as 2 hours and 36 minutes. There are around 45 trains a day running this route.
Trains to Newcastle leave from London King’s Cross station. On this journey you’ll have the option of two different train companies to travel with: LNER (London North Eastern Railway) or low-cost company Lumo.
Coming into Newcastle station you’ll be treated to stunning views of the River Tyne, its many bridges and the city centre. From there, you’re only steps away from the landmarks, museums and nightlife of Newcastle.
Don’t waste a moment. The best deals can be found when you book ahead. Just head to the Journey Planner at the top of this page. Select the dates of your trip and we’ll do the rest. If you’re looking for more information on the journey, continue reading:
Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.
If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Newcastle is right for you.
National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.
Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.
For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.
There are two train companies operating direct trains from London to Newcastle. Here’s our guide to the differences between LNER and Lumo trains.
LNER has been operating on the East Coast Main Line since June 2018 and is one of the two train companies offering direct high-speed trains between London and Newcastle. With its fleet of new Azuma trains, LNER offers frequent services and gives you the choice between Standard and First Class tickets.
Learn more about LNER trains.
Low-cost carrier Lumo entered the market in 2021, offering 100% electric travel between London and Edinburgh (including a stop at Newcastle). Lumo trains run only 5 northbound services a day and don’t offer First Class tickets but are ideal for passengers looking for a low-cost way to travel to Newcastle.
Learn more about Lumo trains.
Explore the differences between the two seating classes on LNER trains in a bit more detail.
Standard Class seats are either arranged airline style with two seats next to each other on either side of the central aisle or with four seats around a table. These amenities come as standard:
Plug sockets |
✔ |
Free WiFi |
✔ |
Table at every seat (fold-down or fixed) |
✔ |
Luggage storage |
✔ |
First Class seats are arranged with four seats around a table, two seats side by side, two seats facing each other, or one seat on its own. You’ll benefit from these additional amenities:
Complimentary food and drinks |
✔ |
Plenty of legroom |
✔ |
Larger tables |
✔ |
Reclining seats |
✔ |
Plug sockets and USB outlets at seats |
✔ |
Ambient lighting |
✔ |
LNER’s best-ever WiFi connection |
✔ |
Lumo trains offer only Standard Class tickets, but this doesn’t mean you won’t have a comfortable journey.
Lumo trains arrange their seats in airline style, with two seats on either side of the central aisle. There are also a limited number of tables surrounded by four seats. You’ll also get the following amenities:
Comfortable seating |
✔ |
Free WiFi |
✔ |
LumoEats at-seat catering |
✔ |
Both LNER and Lumo offer food and drink services onboard their trains. You can compare the different offerings here.
All LNER trains come with an onboard Café Bar, where Standard Class passengers can come to purchase a wide range of sandwiches and snacks, as well as hot and cold drinks. There is no trolley service on LNER trains.
Alternatively, if you’d rather stay in your seat, scan the QR code at your seat to use the “Let’s Eat at Your Seat” service, and your order will be brought directly to you.
First Class LNER passengers receive complimentary food and drinks throughout the day, both in the First Class lounges and on board.
Depending on the time of your journey, you’ll be offered a breakfast, lunch or dinner menu, and you’ll be served at your seat.
Lumo trains offer a trolley service but there is no onboard café/bar. The trolley will pass through the carriages offering a selection of snacks and drinks. Payments are cashless only (card or contactless).
You can also pre-order a wider range of food and drinks using the LumoEats service, including staples from well-known brands like M&S Food and the Pasty Shop. Just use the LumoEats website or LumoGo app and order up to 2 hours before your journey. Your food will be brought directly to your seat.
There are other rules and restrictions depending on which train company you travel with. Compare the differences here.
All direct trains from London to Newcastle depart from London King’s Cross Station. Here’s how to get there.
London King’s Cross station is just north of the centre of London and is very well connected by public transport—you can also walk there if you’re up for it!
Did you know? London King’s Cross station opened in 1852.
You’ll find the following facilities in King’s Cross station:
Travelling in First Class with LNER from London to Edinburgh? You can unwind in their newly redesigned First Class Lounge at London King's Cross. The entrance is right next to Waitrose. Here's what you'll enjoy in the lounge:
If you’re on the right-hand side of the train, you’ll have fantastic views of the city as you cross the bridge over the River Tyne. Get your cameras ready!
Newcastle station is right in the centre of the city, within walking distance of all the major landmarks. You can start sightseeing or hitting the nightlife as soon as you arrive, using the city’s fantastic metro and bus systems.
Newcastle’s extensive public transport system connects you across the Tyne and Wear region. Here’s how to pay for and use the Metro and buses.
You can buy day tickets and single tickets (adult and child) from ticket machines in Metro stations. Alternatively, you can buy a Pop Pay-As-You-Go card (with a minimum £5 charge) and top it up at ticket machines.
With a Pop card, you’ll need to tap in and out on the orange card reader at gates.
There are three different bus companies operating in Newcastle: Arriva, GoNorthEast and Stagecoach.
You can buy single and return tickets (adult and child) directly from the bus driver. If you want to save money on multiple bus journeys in a day, all three bus operators offer day tickets.
You can also use Pop Pay-As-You-Go cards to pay for your journey on buses.
You’ll find things to do in Newcastle all year round! With a fascinating history, excellent shops and arguably the best nightlife in the UK, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Newcastle.
Newcastle is a great jumping off point to explore the rest of the north of England and Scotland. Here are some of the most popular train journeys from Edinburgh to inspire your next trip.
LNER’s new Simpler Fares pilot has launched on the journey between London and Newcastle. From 16th January 2024, there are now just three ticket types available to buy for travel from 5th February 2024, to make planning your journey easier:
Tis ticket remains the same and is valid for a specific time and date that you book in advance. Find out more about Advance train tickets.
This new ticket type is valid for a single journey and allows you to travel on any LNER service that departs up to 70 minutes before or after your original booked train. Like Advance tickets, you’ll have a seat reservation on your original booked train, but can simply board another valid train and find an available seat with your 70min Flex ticket.
This ticket remains the same and is valid on any service within the booked date validity. Find out more about Anytime train tickets.
Yes you can! Once you make a search for times and tickets, you’ll be able to find the new 70min Flex ticket in the ‘Compare all ticket types’ section on our website and ‘First Class and more’ section on our app.