Azuma trains LNER East Coast
Looking to travel to the northeast of England or Scotland? You’ll find yourself on a brand-new Azuma train, operated by London North Eastern Railway (LNER).
Rolling out to commercial service from mid-May 2019, the futuristic Azuma trains bring increased speed, comfort and reliability to passengers travelling between London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, North East England and Scotland.
At Trainline, we’ll provide you with the best fares for Azuma trains, making it simple for you to book tickets and pay with confidence.
What are Azuma trains?
Azuma is the name for a new fleet of diesel-electric hybrid trains run by London North East Railway (LNER) which formally entered commercial service on 15 May 2019.
Azuma trains run on the East Coast route from London King’s Cross to the North East of England and to Aberdeen and Inverness in Scotland.
Azuma trains use technology from the Japanese bullet train, making journeys faster and quieter. ”Azuma” means “East“ in Japanese – the name is a homage to the fleet’s Japanese technological roots.
LNER are planning to increase their fleet to more than 65 Azuma trains. You can reach Lincoln, Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness on Azuma trains.
Azuma trains interior
Azuma passengers will have the option of travelling in Standard Class or First Class. All seats will have access to a plug socket, with First Class passengers also benefitting from an at-seat USB charging port. All passengers will also have access to the onboard Cafe-Bar and snack wagon. Photos provided by LNER.
Standard Class
Standard Class carriages include:
- Free WiFi
- Power sockets at every seat
- Window blinds in all carriages
- Electronic seat reservation displays
- 7 cm of extra legroom
First Class
First Class carriages include:
- Complimentary two-course meal
- Reclining seats
- Power sockets and USB sockets at seats
- Ambient lighting
- LNER’s best ever WiFi connection
Find out more about LNER First Class.
Azuma train timetables
View up-to-date timetable information for Azuma train services*. Use our app to check live Azuma times - we'll show you if your train is running on time or a little bit late. *Timetable information correct as of 28 November 2019.
Southbound services
Southbound services terminate at London Kings Cross. The timetable lists Azuma services only. There are plenty more regular LNER services running on these routes throughout the day, but they will not use Azuma trains. So, if you want to travel on Azuma, make sure you book one of the trains listed!
Keep in mind that these times are for weekday services. Azuma timetables differ on the weekend - use our Journey Planner to book weekend travel.
Edinburgh to London
Leeds to London
Aberdeen to London
Lincoln to London
York to London
Middlesbrough to London
Northbound services
Northbound Azuma services begin at London Kings Cross. There is a section of the station dedicated to LNER trains with LNER staff on hand to help you catch the right train. Bear in mind that the timetable only lists Azuma services - there are plenty of other daily trains from Kings Cross.
For routes north of Edinburgh, you'll be able to order from a special menu which celebrates Scottish culinary heritage!
London to Edinburgh
London to Leeds
London to Aberdeen
London to Lincoln
London to York
London to Middlesbrough
Azuma First Class from Lincoln to London
Wondering what First Class is really like? Here’s a peek into the inside of an Azuma First Class carriage from one of our trusted travel writers, Freddie Larkins.
Like most rail travellers, I spend most – if not all – of my time in Standard Class, so to be invited for a First Class journey on Azuma’s maiden service from Lincoln to London was a real treat! Safe to say, Azuma didn’t disappoint.
The interior of the First Class carriage was spacious and comfortable. Seats were arranged in a 2+1 formation, with single seats lining one side of the carriage and tables of four lining the other side. The seats were lined with felt, not the leather that you’ll sometimes find in continental First Class carriages, but they were comfortable nonetheless. I was in a single seat and had plenty of legroom – that’s coming from someone who usually has to stick their legs out into the aisle to sit comfortably.
The service on board was top notch. The service staff were on hand as soon as we set off, offering free tea and coffee. Orders for lunch were taken shortly after departure. Each passenger is given a glossy ‘Let’s Dine’ menu on their folding table; we ordered from the ordinary Rest of Day menu, but there’s also a special menu for journeys north of Edinburgh.
I opted for the chicken casserole for lunch. The food is served on proper crockery with metal cutlery, no paper plates in sight! Complimentary alcoholic drinks were served alongside the main, also in proper glass. The portion sizes are about what you’d receive a long-haul flight; not massive, but enough to fill me up. The meal was capped off with a lemon posset for dessert.
The journey itself was pleasant. Azuma trains were built by the same firm that designed the Japanese Bullet Trains, so they’re quiet even at high speeds. I could tap away on my laptop undisturbed. The train arrived into London Kings Cross at 13:23, making for a journey time of just over two hours.
Azuma destinations
Need a bit of information ahead of your next trip? Check out these popular Azuma destinations for travel details and nearby attractions.
Taking your bike on Azuma trains
Planning a day out on your bike? Or cycling as part of your commute to work? You’re in luck. Taking bikes on trains in the UK is completely free.
You'll need to reserve a space for your full-sized bike on Azuma services. spaces are limited, so book early! There are a different amount of bikes spaces on each type of Azuma train:
- An Azuma with 5 coaches: 2 bike spaces in either coach K or coach D
- An Azuma with 9 coaches: 4 bike spaces in coach K
- An Azuma with 10 coaches: 2 bike spaces in coach K and 2 bike spaces in coach D
If you’re taking a fold-up bike on board there’s no need for a reservation, but you must be able to carry the bike onto the train and fit it in the luggage rack.
Find out more about taking bikes on trains in the UK.
Good to know
Are Azuma trains wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Each nine-coach Azuma train has four wheelchair spaces – two in Standard Class and two in First Class. They are adjoined by two companion seats. As with the rest of the seats on the Azuma, wheelchair spaces have power sockets to hand.
Are pets allowed on the train?
Furry friends are welcome on board Azuma trains! You’re allowed up to two small animals with you, provided they are not taking up an extra seat. Each extra animal after the first two will cost £5.
Is there WiFi on Azuma trains?
Yes. Standard Class and First Class carriages have free WiFi, with First Class passengers enjoying LNER’s fastest ever connection.