First Class train travel from London to Edinburgh
Thinking about taking the train to Scotland in style? Whether you're travelling for business or leisure, First Class train travel from London to Edinburgh is certainly worth it. With a fastest journey time of 4h 16m, 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 Edinburgh 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.
If you want to spend some time in the Scottish capital but you're unsure how to get there, read our guide on the best way to travel from London to Edinburgh
Which train companies offer First Class travel from London to Edinburgh?
There are two train companies in the UK that offer direct First-Class train travel from London to Edinburgh.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER)
Fastest route | 2 trains per hour | 4h 16m avg journey time | Direct
| Departs from | London Kings Cross |
| Arrives into | Edinburgh Waverley |
| First Class lounge | Yes (London and Edinburgh) |
| Food and drink | Complimentary |
| Free WiFi | Yes, LNER's fastest ever |
Avanti West Coast
Slower route | 1 train every 2 hours | 5h 40m avg journey time | Direct
| Departs from | London Euston |
| Arrives into | Edinburgh Waverley |
| First Class lounge | Yes (London only) |
| Food and drink | Complimentary |
| Free WiFi | Yes |
Find out more about travelling First Class with Avanti West Coast
The LNER First Class experience
Thinking of travelling First Class from London to Edinburgh with LNER? Here's a taste of what you can expect from before you even board to the train to arriving into Edinburgh Waverley just 4h 16m 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 Edinburgh, 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 Edinburgh with LNER
Ready to book and enjoy the First Class experience? Start a search in our Journey Planner today!
The Avanti West Coast First Class experience
Thinking of travelling First Class from London to Edinburgh with Avanti West Coast? Here's a taste of what you can expect from before you even board to the train to arriving into Edinburgh Waverley just 5h 40m later.
Before you travel: Avanti West Coast's First Class lounge
If you’re travelling First Class with Avanti West Coast from London to Edinburgh, we recommend relaxing in style in their First Class lounge before you travel.
Not sure where the lounge is inside Euston? You'll find the entrance upstairs by the food court.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 06:45-23:00, Sat 07:00-21:30, Sun 08:00-23:00.
Please note that from 1st September 2023, the First Class Lounge will close at 22:00 between Sunday and Friday. Saturday closing time remains unchanged.
Entry time: 1h before departure
Valid ticket types: First Class Season tickets, Anytime tickets and Family tickets
What’s inside?
- Comfortable designer seating. Much comfier than the benches you'll find on the main concourse.
- Complimentary hot and cold drinks and snacks. Because who doesn't love free food and drink?
- Complimentary newspapers. A bit of light reading before your trip.
- TVs showing BBC News. If readings not your thing, keep up-to-date with current affairs on TV.
- Free WiFi. Scroll the internet or social media all you'd like.
- Desk space. Perfect for if you need to get a bit of work done before your journey.
- Toilets. No need to queue here.
On the train: What to expect from Avanti West Coast First Class
Where are they on the train?
Depending on the type or length of train you’re travelling on, you’ll find the First Class coaches are either in D, E, G, H, J, K, or L. You'll see a First Class label by the door.
How are the seats arranged?
You can either sit at a table of 4 or 2 seats next to each other - the same as Standard Class - however, First Class also comes with the extra option of single seats with their own table, perfect if you're travelling alone and like your own space. There are less seats in First Class than Standard on Avanti West Coast trains, so it feels much more spacious.
What extra benefits do First Class carriages offer over Standard Class?
Extra benefits of First Class carriages on Avanti West Coast trains include:
- Reclining seats
- Extra leg and elbow room compared to Standard seats
- Free onboard entertainment
- Free WiFi
- Complimentary food and drink
- Access to power sockets at every seat
What's the complimentary food and drink like?
Avanti West Coast have also restarted their at-seat trolley service, so there's no need to go hunting for the onboard cafe. Let the free food and drink come to you! The First Class menu may change depending on when you're travelling, but you can get an idea of what to expect below.
Sample menu only. Actual menu available on the train
Breakfast (served until 10:00): Full English, bacon roll, fresh fruit salad, ham and cheese croissant
The rest of the day (served 10:00–22:00): Sausage roll, smoked ham and egg sandwich, coronation chickpea salad, cheese & crackers
Snacks: Crisps and sweet treats
Drinks: hot drinks, still and sparkling water, orange juice, alcoholic drinks during the weekend
Find out more in our guide to travelling Avanti West Coast First Class.
Book First Class tickets from London to Edinburgh with Avanti West Coast
Ready to book and enjoy the First Class experience? Start a search in our Journey Planner today!
Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley
Although Avanti West Coast don’t have a First Class lounge at Edinburgh, LNER do. If you’ve travelled with LNER and fancy a pit stop before you head into the city, you can spend up to one hour there after you arrive into Edinburgh Waverley. It was last refurbished in 2016 and contains all the same amenities as the First Class lounge in Kings Cross.
The station is centrally located between Edinburgh's old and new towns, 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 Edinburgh
There are a number of ways you can get cheap First Class train tickets from London to Edinburgh, 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 and Avanti West Coast 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 Edinburgh First Class overnight
Did you know you can also travel from London to Edinburgh overnight on the Caledonian Sleeper? This sleeper train departs from London Euston at either 23:50 Monday to Friday or 23:30 on a Sunday and whisks you up to Edinburgh to arrive just after 07:00 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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.