First Class train travel from London to Inverness
Thinking about taking the train to Scotland in style? Whether you're travelling for business or leisure, First Class train travel from London to Inverness is certainly worth it. With a fastest journey time of 8h 5m, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy all the perks that come with First Class train travel.
In this guide to travelling from London to Inverness in First Class, we'll show you what to expect from start to finish, including the First Class lounge, what to expect onboard and how to buy cheap First Class train tickets with us.
Which train companies offer First Class travel from London to Inverness?
There's only one train company in the UK that offers direct First-Class train travel from London to Inverness.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER)
Direct train | 2 trains per day | 8h 39m avg journey time
| Departs from | London Kings Cross |
| Arrives into | Inverness |
| First Class lounge | Yes (London only) |
| Food and drink | Complimentary |
| Free WiFi | Yes, LNER's fastest ever |
The LNER First Class experience
Here's a taste of what you can expect when travelling First Class from London to Inverness with LNER. We've covered the experience from before you even board the train to arriving into Inverness relaxed and refreshed 8h 5m later on the fastest Azuma services.
Before you travel: LNER's First Class lounge
If you’re travelling First Class with LNER from London to Inverness, you’ll be able to relax in style in their recently refurbished First Class lounge at London Kings Cross.
Not sure where the lounge is inside Kings Cross? You'll find the entrance next to Waitrose.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 07:00-21:25, Sat 08:00 -20:15, Sun 09:00 -20:15
Entry time: 1h before departure Fri-Sun 15:00-19:00. 2 hrs before all other times
Valid ticket types: First Class Season tickets, Anytime tickets (more than £10), LNER lounge pass, Weekend First
What’s inside?
- Plenty of comfortable modern seating. No need to run for that free bench space in the main concourse.
- Complimentary hot and cold drinks and light snacks. Your first taste of free food during your journey.
- TVs showing the latest news. So you can keep up with the latest goings-on.
- Free WiFi. Browse away!
- Wireless phone chargers. Charge your tech easily before your journey.
- Toilets. No need to queue.
On the train: What to expect from LNER First Class
Where are they on the train?
It can vary depending on the length of the train, but you'll usually find the First Class coaches are either D, E, K, L, or M. They'll also be labelled as First Class by the door.
Image source: LNER
How are the seats arranged?
Similar to travelling in Standard Class, you can either sit at a table of 4 or at 2 seats next to each other. First Class has the additional option of sitting at a single seat with its own table - perfect for solo travellers who want their own space.
Image source: LNER
What extra benefits do First Class carriages offer over Standard Class?
Not only do you have the option to sit by yourself, but the seats are also comfier and offer extra leg and elbow room than Standard Class seats. Oh, and they recline! Perfect for taking a little nap along the way. Other benefits of travelling on First Class on LNER include:
- Complimentary morning papers
- Free WiFi (LNER's fastest ever)
- Complimentary food and drink (more on this below)
- Access to power sockets and USB chargers at every seat
Image source: LNER
You'll also find all the other usual amenities in the First Class coaches, like luggage racks and overhead shelves to store your belongings, toilets and spaces to store bicycles (although you may have to walk through a small section of Standard Class to reach the bike storage spots).
What's the complimentary food and drink like?
LNER have recently reintroduced their at-seat trolley service, meaning you can sit back, relax and let the free food and drink come to you. A reduced menu is in operation at the moment, but you can get an idea of what to expect from our sample menu below. Menus can change depending on the time of day and service you're travelling on.
Sample menu only. Actual menu available on the train
Breakfast (served until 10:00): Bacon sandwich, Quorn and cheese muffin, Pastries
The rest of the day (served 10:00–22:00): Ayrshire ham and mustard sandwich, Veggie sandwich
Snacks: Crisps, biscuits, and gluten-free sweet treats
Drinks: Hot drinks, fizzy drinks, still and sparkling water
Image source: LNER
Find out more in our guide to travelling LNER First Class.
Book First Class tickets from London to Inverness with LNER
Ready to book and enjoy the First Class experience? Start a search in our Journey Planner today!
Arriving at Inverness train station
Although LNER don't have a First Class lounge at Inverness train station, you'll still find plenty of facilities around the station including Costa, WH Smith and a bar.
The station is centrally located in the heart of the city, so you’re perfectly placed to start exploring straight away. And since you’ve travelled First Class, you’ll be relaxed and ready to enjoy your trip.
How to buy cheap First Class train tickets from London to Inverness
There are a number of ways you can get cheap First Class train tickets from London to Inverness, without paying over the odds. Our top tips for saving money on First Class train tickets are:
Travel off-peak
Tickets for travel during Off-Peak hours (anytime outside of Monday – Friday rush hours) are normally cheaper, plus the trains are usually quieter too.
Book in advance
LNER release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks before the departure date, usually at their cheapest price. So, if you can, planning ahead is a great way to save.
Use a Railcard
There are several Railcards in UK you can use to save up to 1/3 on First Class train tickets. Check out which one you might be eligible for and buy online on our Railcards page.
Search for split tickets
‘Splitting’ your journey into several sections and buying tickets for each part can sometimes be cheaper than buying a single ticket on longer journeys. Our ticket-splitting app feature, SplitSave, does the hard part for you.
Travelling from London to Inverness First Class overnight
Did you know you can also travel overnight from London to Inverness on the Caledonian Sleeper? This sleeper train departs from London Euston at either 21:15 Monday to Friday or 21:00 on a Sunday and whisks you up to Inverness to arrive at 08:42 the next day.
Their First Class options (Club Room or the Caledonian Double) offer a hotel on rails experience like no other. Enjoy your own private cabin with comfortable bedding and an en-suite, plus room service and a complimentary breakfast to start your day in Inverness the right way.
Find out more about travelling First Class on the Caledonian Sleeper.
So, what are you waiting for?
Start a search for First Class train tickets from London to Inverness in our Journey Planner at the top of the page – you won’t regret it!
Want to find out more about First Class train travel?
London to Inverness isn't the only First Class train travel guide we've got for you. Why not check out some of the other popular routes and train companies in the UK and Europe offering amazing First Class train travel.