Lumo

Lumo: direct rail services between London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling

Lumo is a train operator covering the UK's east coast route with direct services between London (King's Cross and Euston), Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling. The company also connects with other stations such as Stevenage, Newcastle upon Tyne, Morpeth, Preston and Carlisle. Its focus is on affordable fares and direct sales through its website and app, with no booking fees.

Fares and ticket booking

The company promotes low-cost tickets with prices that, according to its catalogue, start from £9.90 on routes such as Edinburgh–Newcastle. Other examples shown are London King's Cross–Newcastle from £25.90 and Stevenage–Newcastle from £25.90. Advance booking is one of its hallmarks: it allows you to buy up to 24 weeks in advance, and at certain times it extends the booking window beyond the usual 12 weeks, although in those cases timetables may be subject to change and passengers are notified if this happens.

Purchases are made directly on lumo.co.uk or in the Lumo app, which guarantees you pay no booking fee. For groups of 10 or more, the company directs you to its group travel page.

Onboard services and luggage policy

Lumo offers e-tickets and free seat reservation on Advance fares. The system automatically assigns a seat according to the passenger's preferences; for groups it recommends booking through the website to ensure they travel together. On Anytime, Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak fares, the user can decide whether or not to reserve a seat. Reservation is not always possible, for example on short journeys without reservations, on full trains or when the company has not yet released seats (up to 12 weeks before the travel date).

Onboard there is the LumoEats service, a trolley with snacks and refreshments. The luggage policy limits you to a maximum of one medium-sized suitcase (63 cm high × 41 cm wide × 27 cm deep) and one small bag, rucksack or holdall that fits on your lap or under the seat. Luggage exceeding these limits is carried at the company's discretion and may be refused or incur an additional charge.

Trip planning and digital tools

Lumo's website and app allow you to check timetables, live train times, service status and scheduled engineering works. The company publishes notices about disruptions, such as the planned works between 25 and 28 September, which affected services between London King's Cross and Edinburgh/Glasgow Queen Street with limited operation. It also offers information on connections, seat reservations, business travel, railcards and season tickets.

Available tools include ticket management, changes and refunds, the delay compensation programme, passenger assistance and the revenue protection policy. The LumoGo app and the main Lumo app allow you to buy tickets and check live timetables.

Travelling with special luggage, pets and families

The company sets out conditions for travelling with pets and offers specific information for families. It also has a clearly explained luggage policy and a luggage storage service through Stasher. For travellers who need help, there is the Passenger Assist service.

Offers and loyalty programmes

Lumo offers the '2 for 1' promotion in which ticket holders can access exclusive discounts and offers. The company also takes part in the wildflower seeds programme for customers who choose the train over the car, and has developed railway safety training initiatives for schoolchildren, with 45 participating schools, as well as a commitment to dementia-friendly rail travel.

Fleet, sustainability and team

The corporate website includes sections on the train fleet, the people, sustainability and a virtual tour. The company maintains a blog and a news section with updates on its services and projects, such as the Torbay route proposal. The material does not specify the train models or the fleet's specific certifications.