The LNER Azuma First Class Experience! London to Scotland on a class 800.
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- Опубліковано 31 гру 2020
- This was to be my first Ride on the new LNER Azuma train, from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley, Scotland. I managed to get a 50% discount on a 1st class ticket, and explain how split ticketing works. The journey was magnificent, although there was carnage in the 2nd class carriages. Something had gone terribly wrong.
I love travelling with you. You do all the hard work and I just have to sit here and enjoy it. Thank you.💚💚
I love your videos! You are showing me what I should have done a few years ago which I haven't done so far. Which is sad but brings some hope into my plans while I'm watching your videos. Thank you so much.
I really enjoyed this review. Thank you. Whilst I've travelled on the Azuma many times, and along the ECML, it's great to be able to enjoy a virtual journey. Thank you!
Great, enjoyable and informative video. I'm annoyed I didn't get to see this sooner.
This snuck up on me. That was nice. Thank you!
Thanks again- another trip to add to my list
1st class, what a treat. always like your videos.
Yet another fantastic Vlog Scott first class on the LNER Azumas are very nice and comfortable I will agree with you until your next Vlog keep up the good work
Love ur video!
By the way I remember that I saw u at Leicester railway station. At that time, I was studying at Uni in Leicestershire. That's so predestined sir!!!😃
With BA scrubbing their Heathrow short haul flights until well into August, your travel options are reduced, so its great to see you getting the best out of the available options for getting north.
Excellent video. Thanks for the tip
On my return on the LNER Azuma from Inverness to Kings Cross, a couple joined at Edinburgh and sat opposite and then had to move because they'd mixed up the coaches with their split tickets. Seats in L & K for different legs of the journey. They obviously benefited on a saving by booking Edinburgh to York and then York to Kings Cross.
For those routes I travel regularly I manage my own split tickets as I know where the savings are to be had. For others, I tend to look at a split ticketing site, check if there is a decent deal and then use that to book it myself through the train operators. It seems easier that way particularly for the app and delay repay.
It is bizarre that operators still hike journeys. If I book from Sheffield to Inverness through LNER or Cross Country then I'll pay considerably more than booking the two legs separately. Cross Country for York and then LNER from there to Inverness. That should really be clamped down on.
Great info! Thanks from Germany! 👍
You sound like one of us, how you described your savings. Detailed!
Thanks for the video, I was in the Asda you could see when approaching Peterborough yesterday (I live in Peterborough). This bridge is over the River Nene and that is close to the start of the Nene Valley Historic Railway.
I completely love trains
You can do the split yourself, but it can be time consuming. One I do a fair bit is if I'm doing Beeston to Cardiff Central, the optimal splits I've found is Beeston - Long Eaton; Long Eaton - New Street; New Street to Cheltenham; Cheltenham - Cardiff Central. It generally halves the fare. The big change though is replacing the period return with day returns. Cross country does seem a good target for doing this.
Great video Scott
I enjoyed the journey. Fast train!
I travel from Salisbury to Shrewsbury via Newport or Euston and Crewe regularly always use the split ticket app to see what tickets i need to buy that way no commission.
Its usually half the cost of a normal return.
Btw love your channel Scott
I'm new to your channel and love what you do, and the humour you inject into it. I've watched a lot of your videos now with some more to go.
I use Trainsplit all the time and have saved lots over the last few years. Anyway, keep up the good work.
Thanks very much for your comment. I work in corporate travel, and one regular traveller caught onto split ticketing, and she would always give us a quote she found online, and ask us to match it. We don't use 3rd party websites, and anyway they never tell you where the split-point is (until you've bought the ticket), so you could guarantee half an hour of random cost hunting just to find the break-point in the journey. I'm definitely converted though!
I'm French, and travelled to York by Azuma just before pandemic (see my video about it). I really enjoyed the brand, but 2nd class seemed to be quite uncomfortable for me (tall and not skinny ;) ). Whatever I swore going back, travel to Fort William with Cal. Sleeper and going back London with Azuma in 1st Class. Thanks a lot for sharing these moments, that, for some, are memories, and for other just light at the end of this tunnel (the Channel one is not for tomorrow). Nice video, thanks !
Oh ! And thanks for the announcements, subtitles, indications and more ...
Thanks for your feedback. That was my first attempt at doing subtitles, so I hope it helped.
@@PlanesTrainsEverything we're now expecting a better situation to test 1st Class in Azuma ! ^_^ ... For subtitles I tried to put some on my Frogs ... French videos; it's a quite tough task.
@@PlanesTrainsEverything I've been binge watching your videos. I'm wondering are you going to do the American greyhound bus coast to coast tour? Or even on a coast to coast train LA to NYC.
I used the LNER Azuma today (Leeds - London 1st class) then the same Hitachi train Southeastern Javelin High Speed London - Kent coast (only standaed class). The seats on both trains are hard, the ride on the LNER train not always as smooth and comfortable as it should be, but on the Southeastern although going faster (140mph v 125mph on LNER) the ride was much more comfortable. Probably a better track. Both trains fine to use, but I feel a loco hauled train will always be queiter than an EMU with the (albeit muted) whine from electric engines on most carriages.
While I enjoy seeing some of the countryside, it would be nice to see some of the train. Thank you
You did right in going First Class.
I was on an Azuma earlier this month (May 2021) and to say the seats in 'Standard' (or should that be 'Lower'!) Class were uncomfortable would be the understatement of the year. A wooden bench would be comparable, it was not just a proverbial 'pain in the neck' but in other parts of the anatomy as well!
......and for the record I was only travelling from Grantham to the next station on the line (Peterborough).
First Class in the Azuma is awful as well. I endured it for five hours between Aberdeen and York and it was hell. So bad that next time I am flying via Heathrow to Newcastle from Aberdeen rather than sitting in the Azuma.
I'd agree with Louise about the Azuma seats. I had 6+ hours from York to Inverness in standard class and came back first class. Both are pretty awful, the first seats made slightly more bearable by the ability to recline. Next trip will be with an inflatable cushion ;-)
Hi! Came across your videos the other week, they're interesting and I enjoy them, especially the train ones. What app is that on your phone that shows the train speed? Thanks :)
What is the app you are using as a Speedometer? I'd be interested in trying that out
Superb 🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾
At train prices the lunch has to be worth over a tenner. That is to say if you had to buy it on the train rather than it being included.
Trainline has a split ticketing feature now
Was the meal included in the first class ticket?
Is there a similar train deal from London to Glasgow?
Good journey though the weather was pretty dismal. Split ticketing is a surprisingly easy way to travel cheaply .
Would you prefer the train or the flight Scott?
Hopefully they could still maintain social distancing. 9 to 5 cars is a bit shocking. And they’ve upgraded the food offering. When I travelled it was a bag of crisps and water or tea and coffee.
Hi Billy. I have a feeling 'social distancing' in standard class meant people sat in the window seats only (unless travelling with someone). This way they were maximising the distance between passengers and people walking down the aisle. I'm so glad I missed that experience!
Could you only order food/drinks once, or was it unlimited times?
Hi Nimra, from memory you could get food or snacks only when offered. It wasn't an open bar or anything, although I'm sure they would have helped you with a water of can of Coke if you asked.
Are there any direct trains from London king cross to Dundee with 0 changes ? If I want to avail cheaper ticket fare, how early do I have to book t tickets ?
there are direct trains im not sure how early youd have to book though
Yes, in June I travelled from Aberdeen to London, the journey included a stop at Dundee as part of the journey.
That’s not the NMT, the NMT is a HST, that’s just a regular test train, still a cool spot though
How far in advance do you have to buy your ticket ?
From memory I bought my ticket two weeks in advance, but I think the advance purchase tickets can be bought up to 24 hours(?) before departure, subject to availability.
The split ticketing exposes a rip off on through ticket prices doesn't it!
Fantastic video. Do LNER operate class 801s and Class 802s or just the Class 800s?
They operate electric only Class 801s and Class 800s which are bi modal. No 802s with LNER
Thanks for answering that one. I'm more of a passenger and fairly useless when it comes to what's under the bonnet.
@@PlanesTrainsEverything Yeah understandable with all these new trains appearing, and all the numbering having different meanings. Great video!
@@ModernSouthernRegion
Yes you're correct. LNER have only got 23 Class 800 Bi-modes and 42 Class 801 Electrics.
Hull Trains have just 5 Class 802 Bi-modes and use the same tracks as LNER between Doncaster and London Kings X.
So the total No. of 800 / 801 / 802's at Kings Cross is 70 units. 27 of these are 5-coach units and 43 are 9-car.
3:22 great northern?
I find the catering on intercity trains now abysmal. It was only twenty years ago I could catch an LNER train from Wakefield to King Cross and be certain of a full breakfast service in first class, coupled with a full silver service dining experience on the return journey. What has happened, it is tragic and pathetic.
We did this trip two weeks ago (2023). Four hour trip, first class, found the seats quit uncomfortable - very little padding & seats did not recline. Made it difficult to nap.
Me and my family are doing a travel report to North America with to tourists who live in Wharton house in London
I do not get the ticket prices in the UK depending where you find your ticket different prices
UK ticket prices are a mess. You can visit any rail company website and you'll get the same fare for your journey, but always the highest possible price. By breaking your journey along the way, two separate tickets are often cheaper than a 'through' fare.
We used to get a ticket off Red Spotted Hanky is it still on the go.
I managed to get two first class tickets from Peterborough to Edinburgh. Total price of £270 return. These were on the LNER app. Departing October 2021.
That is a fortune
A plane would cost less
My plane fair return to London from Glasgow was only 40-60
N trains in the past use e to be only 40-60
This new service train is a thief
Menu in first class has been downgraded. Two seat configurations mean you are travelling backwards depending on which direction you are travelling . Also less space and narrow carriages.
its been changed greatly for covid reasons
LNER are now at pains to tell you that food and drink are complimentary. The menus quoted often change, my last trip and the dish menu was changed to deli. They didn't have a full range and stock on some things ran out before they made it through all of first class. Compared to previous years, they now appear to ration the food and drink through the journey. It really isn't a selling point anymore. There isn't much to differentiate other than slightly more bearable seats - both classes are pretty uncomfortable.
I'd recommend sticking to standard, bringing your own food and drink and an inflatable pillow to help with the seat.
Travelled from Newark to London recently and I don't think the azuma first class is worth the price anymore. They never put enough coaches on, it's crammed, noisy, the lunch selection is abysmal, that's if they even serve it!!!!. I also feel sorry for the staff who have to run around constantly trying to offer a first class service in a sub standard class train. It's no longer what it used to be. Seriously guys don't waste your money on a first class ticket or book for a quiet coach, because you will get nothing but standard class
It is not comfy in standard clsss. The seats are bad for circulation.
The investment in new trains, infrastructure and station upgrades has been fantastic but this now must slow down because much of this has been achieved through ticket price increases. At the end of the day the railway must be for ordinary people not just business and wealthier private individuals. Fares are now already beyond the reach of many individuals and families. It seems Governments are only green when others have to pay for it. Start by reducing the numbers of operators and costs. Surely we have enough experience now to have no more than half a dozen larger train operators, private or Government owned. Be honest with the public. Expensive electric cars will never have the private ownership figures that petrol and diesel now do. It takes forward planning and investment though to provide affordable public transport, something British Governments seem good at running away from.
for £44 i'd change seats.
Oh dear, they can't pronounce "Alnwick". What would Kathryn Tickell say?
ua-cam.com/video/YgOsDo2c6sI/v-deo.html
The seats are not uncomfortable people just prefer dead animal skin. Lner azuma toilets are tiny.
It's not a question of what the seats are covered with - it's the absence of any padding that is the problem. (At least it is for those who can't afford 1st Class fares!)
The azumas are kool it's just a shame the catering is shit.
Personally I don't give a damn about the catering - you can always buy your own food before boarding. It's the seating in the standard / second / lower (take your pick) class that needs sorting out - about as comfortable as a park bench!
It's the catering that should be part of the first class experience. Which has been downgraded on the Azuma. Nonsense to say it dosn't matter.
Despite all the crap people come out with the class 8000s are better than the out of order useless shabby class 91s and crap class 43s too.The catering is shit and the railway on the East Coast maineline is better nationalised the privatised so that's one good thing about LNER I mean gner we're terrible and Stagecoach we're shit. I love dearly LNERS azuma and prefer them to lners shit leather seats made out of dead animal skin that you receive on older stock of lners older trains.