RailUK First Class Lounge Guide

[route101]

It's a long time since they've had pop, and then only at Kings Cross.

I wonder why its not offered in the lounges.

 

[Discuss223]

Last time I was at the LNER lounge in Edinburgh it was just biscuits, tea/coffee and water. Would be nice to see some soft drinks as we don't all drink hot drinks.

Doncaster Lounge is similar, tea, coffee (no decaffeinated), one choice of biscuit and water. Looks rather lacklustre, not a good first impression for customers who are travelling with LNER for the first time.

I wonder why its not offered in the lounges.

The alcoholic drinks in LNER First Class lounges are chargeable to the customer. It requires someone to be there to take payment, which isn't possible in some lounges, as they have no dedicated staff, such as at Doncaster. That said, I'd have thought Edinburgh Lounge would be staffed, Leeds certainly is.

 

[route101]

Doncaster Lounge is similar, tea, coffee (no decaffeinated), one choice of biscuit and water. Looks rather lacklustre, not a good first impression for customers who are travelling with LNER for the first time.


The alcoholic drinks in LNER First Class lounges are chargeable to the customer. It requires someone to be there to take payment, which isn't possible in some lounges, as they have no dedicated staff, such as at Doncaster. That said, I'd have thought Edinburgh Lounge would be staffed, Leeds certainly is.

Edinburgh is staffed but I have only seen staff at the desk downstairs.

 

[Discuss223]

Edinburgh is staffed but I have only seen staff at the desk downstairs.

They've probably not got the staff to run a licensed bar then. I wonder if they allow BYOB in the lounges that don't serve alcohol.

 

[Butts]

Edinburgh is staffed but I have only seen staff at the desk downstairs.

There were two staff upstairs on Monday, it' a different entry point since my last visit and you have to go up the stairs with the Reception up there.

I wonder why its not offered in the lounges.

By pop I assume he means soft drinks not Alcohol ?

I assumed you were inferring the "takeaway" opportunities it would afford ?

 

[Egg Centric]

Doesn't seem to be any recent reviews in this thread of it so just to say I was unimpressed with Leeds yesterday. A single (very friendly - none of this reflects on her) actual member of staff plus a couple of others hanging around apparently seeking refuge or just a gossip. No wifi - not even the station wifi worked (SSID was selectable but I couldn't join. Nor could I get usable levels of mobile data on 3. Crumbs on most of the seats. Pretty cramped. Hours looked poor. Train display wasn't very sensible - SLS station like Leeds it either needs more pages than the three it had or it needs to prioritise LNER services. It's also not signposted from trackside (I was changing services there but due to disruption had a couple of hours to wait albeit much of it wasn't in the lounge) so if you didn't actively seek it out you wouldn't have a clue.

 

[Butts]

Doesn't seem to be any recent reviews in this thread of it so just to say I was unimpressed with Leeds yesterday. A single (very friendly - none of this reflects on her) actual member of staff plus a couple of others hanging around apparently seeking refuge or just a gossip. No wifi - not even the station wifi worked (SSID was selectable but I couldn't join. Nor could I get usable levels of mobile data on 3. Crumbs on most of the seats. Pretty cramped. Hours looked poor. Train display wasn't very sensible - SLS station like Leeds it either needs more pages than the three it had or it needs to prioritise LNER services. It's also not signposted from trackside (I was changing services there but due to disruption had a couple of hours to wait albeit much of it wasn't in the lounge) so if you didn't actively seek it out you wouldn't have a clue.

You missed the catering on offer ?

 

[Egg Centric]

You missed the catering on offer ?

Crisps?

There were hot drinks as well, the usual stuff. But not the kind of thing you or I would be interested in I suspect

 

[Deerfold]

Doesn't seem to be any recent reviews in this thread of it so just to say I was unimpressed with Leeds yesterday. A single (very friendly - none of this reflects on her) actual member of staff plus a couple of others hanging around apparently seeking refuge or just a gossip. No wifi - not even the station wifi worked (SSID was selectable but I couldn't join. Nor could I get usable levels of mobile data on 3. Crumbs on most of the seats. Pretty cramped. Hours looked poor. Train display wasn't very sensible - SLS station like Leeds it either needs more pages than the three it had or it needs to prioritise LNER services. It's also not signposted from trackside (I was changing services there but due to disruption had a couple of hours to wait albeit much of it wasn't in the lounge) so if you didn't actively seek it out you wouldn't have a clue.

The WiFi in the Leeds lounge hasn't worked for about 2 years. There's a sign apologising for it, but no indication why, or if it'll ever return. It's annoying, as I get very poor phone signal in the lounge so can't just stick a hotspot on.

 

[Discuss223]

The WiFi in the Leeds lounge hasn't worked for about 2 years. There's a sign apologising for it, but no indication why, or if it'll ever return. It's annoying, as I get very poor phone signal in the lounge so can't just stick a hotspot on.

It sums up the poor state of customer service in 2024. Network Rail Wi-Fi will always be oversubscribed and slow. I've always found Leeds lounge to be chaotic and cramped.

 

[route101]

Anyone used the new Glasgow Avanti Lounge?

 

[A S Leib]

Anyone used the new Glasgow Avanti Lounge?

Yes; it isn't particularly obvious (next to the Avanti ticket office on platform 1), with, at the very least, hot drinks, biscuits and crisps, charging points and usable WiFi.

 

[Butts]

Are Avanti Lounges open Christmas Eve - thinking of Birmingham International in particular early doors.

In the LNER Lounge at Edinburgh Monday and they have upped their game since my last visit.

Cappuccino, Biscuits, Crisps, Muffins.

Almost up to Avanti standards.

To answer my own question the Avanti Lounge was open and I was the only patron at 0930 on Christmas Eve,
Well stocked fridge with pop orange juices and other soft drinks.
Porridge, Croissants, Cheese Pastries, Crisps and other snacks such as popcorn. Plus chocolate bars and festive gingerbread men.
Coupled with the Hot Drinks Machine this really put the LNER Lounge to shame.

 

[Bungle965]

Not sure if anyone has posted it yet but I have put some photos in of the new lounge at Glasgow Central, entrance is a little hidden away between the customer service desk and the recently opened Travel Centre.
Access is via a command unit which does a scan of your ticket and will either accept or deny, if it denies you then you can use the call button to get through to a member of staff.

Of note you have to go through two of these sets of doors to get actually into the lounge.

The lounge itself is the usual Avanti affair, nibbles are available plus some decent coffee machines. I did find the seating a bit weird inside however!

 

[aar0]

I’ll have 45 minutes between trains in Crewe next Thursday from 1930, on a first class advance. There are different closing times on Avanti and National Rail, does anyone know when it actually closes?

 

[renegademaster]

Did Greater Anglia get rid of their lounge at Liverpool Street? National Rail says Liverpool Street does not have a 1st class lounge, the GA website doesn't mention anything and I can only find reviews from ages ago

 

[Doctor Pepper]

Did Greater Anglia get rid of their lounge at Liverpool Street? National Rail says Liverpool Street does not have a 1st class lounge, the GA website doesn't mention anything and I can only find reviews from ages ago

I used it once in 2019 and I was the only person in there. This was a weekday morning though.

 

[renegademaster]

I can confirm, from my trip yesterday, the first class lounge at Liverpool Street has gone

 

[Deerfold]

I can confirm, from my trip yesterday, the first class lounge at Liverpool Street has gone

Greater Anglia have outdone themselves - there's no lounge there, but it's open between 7am and 8pm:

London Liverpool Street

Live departure and arrival times. Find out general information about London Liverpool Street train station

www.greateranglia.co.uk

Station facilities

First class lounge opening times	There is no First Class Lounge at London Liverpool Street station Monday to Sunday: 07:00 - 20:00

 

[merseydrew]

Less of a common sight than they used to be, but what are the best first class lounges on the UK rail network? I used to use the VT/Avanti lounge at Runcorn when commuting to London Euston, very tranquil, good range of food/drink and lovely staff, but that has now gone unfortunately, unsure of exactly when it was closed.

 

[aron2smith]

I've been to a number of them. Not sure about the best overall. But I distinctly remember Paddington's, which was apparently Queen Victoria's personal waiting room back in the day. GWR kept much of the same distinct features and the middle is this octagonal room that was decorated to celebrate its Victorian legacy, I loved it and a surprisingly peaceful place to wait given how mad Paddington can get at times. Didn't want to leave.

Most lounges seem to be shoved in small spaces wherever they could find space at the station. Leeds, Darlington, Doncaster and Truro felt like this. York's was nice, as were the one's at Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.
Euston and Kings Cross Lounges were pretty busy but offered interesting views of their station. I liked all 3 in Scotland's (Edinburgh, Glasgow Central and Aberdeen) the best to be honest. Edinburgh's lounge was a ******* to find though lol.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Paddington, I’d say, but even that has been “enhanced” into a shadow of its former self. A beautiful room still, at least.

 

[Belperpete]

I recently tried the Avanti first lounge at Euston. Nice quiet room with comfortable seating. Decent range of soft drinks. However, the food offerings are designed for people on an extreme diet. The chocolate bar, for example, is only 14g! About two bites. The packet of crisps was likewise only 15g! Compared to the 45g of a normal bag.

EDIT: The bag I had today contained just 10 crisps, each about the size of a 10p piece. I suspect that the bag cost more than the crisps.

I think that you can help yourself to as many chocolates and crisps as you want. However the plated options that you have to ask for are likewise tiny. I think that I could have polished the cheeseboard off in three bites, if it hadn't looked so dried out and unappealing.

This cheapskate provision certainly detracts from the first class ambience.

 

[sh24]

I like the LNER KX lounge, plenty of space and power though the food is a bit meh. Have never been a fan of the VT/Avanti Euston, always packed and the notorious "always out of order" coffee machine. The Glasgow lounge isn't bad. The GWR Paddington lounge is an interesting space but always roasting hot and the refreshments are really sparse.

Rarely use lounges TBH,despite normally travelling First. One of the pleasant things about train travel is being able to pitch up 5 minutes before departure.

 

[Mikey C]

I was quite impressed with the Paddington lounge when I used it a week ago. Plenty of space, quiet toilets and nice to have a cappuccino and croissant before my journey, and especially convenient as my train was from Platform 1 as well

 

[Butts]

In LNER Lounge Edinburgh.

Still just Hot Drinks, Orange Juice and Water accompanied by crisps and biscuits.

Still on an £8 special to Leuchars so shouldn't complain!!

 

[Discuss223]

In LNER Lounge Edinburgh.

Still just Hot Drinks, Orange Juice and Water accompanied by crisps and biscuits.

Still on an £8 special to Leuchars so shouldn't complain!!

That's better than what I've ever found at Doncaster.

It's always been when I've visited, normal tea or coffee or still water (no sparkling) and Meredith & Drew White Chocolate biscuits.

I avoid caffeine, so the only thing I could have was water, I couldn't even have the biscuits.

All lounges ought to have a Host to keep them fully stocked.

 

[Butts]

That's better than what I've ever found at Doncaster.

It's always been when I've visited, normal tea or coffee or still water (no sparkling) and Meredith & Drew White Chocolate biscuits.

I avoid caffeine, so the only thing I could have was water, I couldn't even have the biscuits.

All lounges ought to have a Host to keep them fully stocked.

Edinburgh is manned but in general LNER offering is not up to Avanti Lounge Standards.

 

[route101]

In LNER Lounge Edinburgh.

Still just Hot Drinks, Orange Juice and Water accompanied by crisps and biscuits.

Still on an £8 special to Leuchars so shouldn't complain!!

How far in advance do you book to get that price?

Strange they don't stock soft drinks in the lounges.

 

[Butts]

How far in advance do you book to get that price?

Strange they don't stock soft drinks in the lounges.

Day before - £8.65 each way with a Coffin Dodgers Card.

Cans of pop are portable ?