A brand-new train dubbed the 'Eurostar of Scotland' is set to make its debut in just two weeks, much earlier than initially planned. The new Lumo route, which will stop at 11 stations from London Euston to Stirling, officially launches on Monday, May 25. Previously, tickets were available for purchase from June 9, earlier than the initially announced launch date of July 10.
Earlier Launch and Affordable Fares
Metro informed travelers back in April that an earlier date was on the cards, with a source connected to Lumo indicating that passengers could expect tickets as early as May. The much-anticipated Lumo trains will be a game changer for passengers, with fares starting from as little as £29.90, a fraction of the cost of current LNER and Avanti services.
Route and Stations
Starting at London Euston, the new route will call at: Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds, Larbert, and Stirling. The route will also become the first direct service to the capital for three stations in central Scotland: Whifflet, Greenfaulds, and Larbert.
Cost Comparison
A single ticket between London and Stirling will start from £29.90, while a ticket from London to Preston costs £23.90 and Preston to Stirling £14.90. On May 25, a direct Lumo service from London Euston to Stirling is on sale for £36.90, with a travel time of five hours and 56 minutes. In comparison, the same journey with Avanti West Coast currently costs £97.50 and involves changing at Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street, taking five hours and 37 minutes. Another option involves changing at Carlisle and Edinburgh Haymarket. The Caledonian Sleeper, which takes 7 hours and 44 minutes, is sold out on May 25 but has a seat available for £65 the following day.
Putting Customers First
Stuart Jones, managing director of First Rail Open Access, said the affordable fares are primarily about 'putting customers first.' 'By offering simple, low-cost tickets and direct services between Scotland, the North West of England and London, we're making it easier and more affordable for people to travel for work, leisure and family visits,' he said. 'Launching Lumo on the West Coast Main Line is an exciting step forward, and with our new base in Preston creating jobs and supporting the local economy, this is a service that will benefit both passengers and communities along the route.'
Train Features
Carriages will feature sleek grey and silver interiors, with standard class seating only, 'offering all customers the best seats to take in the picturesque views' during their journey. Sixteen apprentice drivers have switched 'from the classroom to the cab' of these upgraded Class 222s, having started training in June 2025.
Why 'Eurostar of Scotland'?
Zoe Adjey, senior lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London, explained that the new Lumo service is comparable to the Eurostar due to its convenience and cheaper fares compared to flying. 'Air travel requires an initial transit to one of London's airports, followed by a two-hour wait for the flight, then a two-hour flight time,' she said. By comparison, travelling on the train only involves journeying to Euston and sitting on a train for five hours, with WiFi and refreshments available. There is no need to factor in extra time for security or buying mini toiletries, similar to hopping on the train from St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. Adjey added, 'It's like choosing between Eurostar and flying when travelling to Paris or Brussels. The train offers greater convenience despite the longer journey time.' The service is also the only 'open-access' service on that line, meaning it is not subsidised by the government, allowing for more competitive prices.
