Avanti West Coast: Tickets, Timetables and Facilities
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Avanti Trains: formerly operated by Virgin Trains
Avanti West Coast, formerly Virgin Trains, offers high-speed, long-distance services from London Euston to destinations in England, Wales and Scotland. First Group and Trenitalia will now operate the West Coast Mainline routes. With Avanti West Coast, you can carry on enjoying the same great connections from London Euston to Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh and more! On 8th December 2019, the Virgin franchise will reach the end of the line (literally).
Not to worry, this change of branding will not affect travellers—all Virgin Train tickets purchased before 8th December remain valid and can be used on all Avanti West Coast routes. Business as usual, and no policies or ticket types will change.
Avanti Trains Timetable
About Avanti West Coast Trains
Avanti Trains offer long-distance passenger services departing from the hub at London Euston. You can travel throughout England, Wales and Scotland, where trains stop only at major train stations in order to arrive at your destination. The high-speed rail route cuts down time spent on the train, offers comfort and operates efficient services across the UK.
Avanti Trains Stations and Destinations
With Avanti West Coast you can travel long distance destinations such as to Glasgow Central Station, Edinburgh, Liverpool Lime Street, Blackpool North, Manchester Piccadilly, Holyhead as well as Shrewsbury and the Midlands including Birmingham New Street. The main hub is at London Euston where almost all train journeys depart from. They have Pendolino (tilting trains) and Super Voyager. The difference is that Pendolino trains have more First Class carriages and different dining options.
Avanti Trains Routes
Avanti Trains are owned by Avanti Group and Stagecoach and has operated the InterCity West Coast franchise since March 1997. They are known for their sleek train designs with bright red branding, which travel at 125mph (or 201kmph), making it a high-speed train. The most popular route includes London Euston to Manchester in as little as 2 hours 6 minutes.
Avanti Trains Trains Ticket Types
There are two class types available: Standard and First Class. In First Class, you can expect some catering and comfier seats. With Avanti West Coast, you can get Advance tickets up to 1 hour before the departure of the train; this is excellent way to make savings.
Besides the standard Anytime, Advance and Off-Peak tickets, Avanti West Coast Trains also offer a plethora of year-round special offers and promotions. A Family & Friends Railcard costs £30 for one year and allows up to 4 adults and 4 children to travel on one card.
Anytime, Advance and Off-Peak tickets are all also available; if you need more clarification on which ticket to buy, see our breakdown of ticket types.
| Journey | Price |
|---|---|
| London to Birmingham | From $22 |
| London to Manchester Piccadilly | From $25 |
| London to Glasgow | From $48 |
| London to Holyhead | From $19 |
| Manchester to Edinburgh | From $30 |
Avanti Trains FAQ's
Can I get assistance as a mobility impaired / disabled passenger?
Avanti Trains are usually quite narrow due to their high-speed capacity, so it's important to ensure the aisles are kept clear. Wheelchair Assistance is available for elderly, injured or disabled passengers who require assistance to feel more comfortable when getting on or off the train. Call the JourneyCare team for more details on +44 8000 158 123 and you'll get help on the day of travel.
What is the luggage allowance on Avanti trains?
You can bring up to 2 items of luggage measuring 30cm x 70cm x 90cm as well as a bad that fits on your lap. You can store suitcases safely in the luggage compartment as you enter the carriage. For smaller items, you can use the luggage racks overhead to place soft items, small shopping bags and laptops; alternatively, place them under the seat in front of you. Make sure your luggage does not block the aisles or exits.
Is there WiFi available on Avanti Trains? Is it better than Avanti trains?
Avanti Trains offer free Wifi unboard their trains, with better connectivity than ever. According to their website—even when you go through a tunnel! Read messages, reply to emails or scroll through social media whilst you're on the way back home to going to work. According to the news, the new fleet of Pendolino trains from First Trenitalia Group will have a more reliable Wifi connection.
Can I take my pet with my on Avanti trains?
You can take your cat, your dog, your small 'domesticated' animal—as long as they are nice to other passengers and do not take up a seat. In First Class you can also take your pet with you. If you want to take even more fluffy animals, a small fee of £5 will be added.
Animals which cannot be kept on a lead should be in a pet carrier no larger than 85 x 60 x 60 cm. Make sure your carrier fits the size of your pet so they are in comfort. If you have a guide dog you can call 0345 528 0253 if you need further assistance on your journey.
What if I've left something on an Avanti train?
Should you lose any luggage or items of clothing or coats, report where and when you think you lost the item on the Avanti West Coast Trains website. Their customer service will contact you if they retrieve it, or if it is handed in. Similarly, if you find anything on a train or at the station then hand it in to train station staff. Remember to keep clear of unattended luggage and inform a member of staff right away.
Taking your bike on an Avanti West Coast train: good to know
Great news - bikes are allowed on Avanti West Coast Trains trains. Folding bikes can be stored in the luggage racks to save space. Ensure to reserve a space online (free of charge) to make sure that there is a space for your bike. The space is limited to 4 bikes per train. You can reserve a spot at the time of booking, or call 0345 528 0253* after booking your ticket. Make sure you know where to store your it by asking a Train Manager. Allow for enough time before your train's departure time to board, load your bike and also when getting off the train. Upon boarding, speak to the Train Manager when you need to get off and they'll arrange for it to be offloaded at your stop.
*charged at standard BT rates.
What if I want to cancel to amend my Avanti train ticket?
Avanti Trains is the first UK train provider to remove the £10 fee for amending or refunding Advance tickets. This is great news, as you can amend your ticket up to 24 hours before you travel without spending extra money on the fee. Plans can always change, so this advantage gives you much more flexibility.
What are the new upgrades compared to Virgin Trains?
The new improvements include the goal of increasing services by 263 by 2022 via 23 new trains being added to the fleet. The existing trains will be refurbished which means 25,000 seats should be added to the current trains—along with more reliable Wifi and upgraded catering.
Can I get a refund on Avanti train tickets just like with Avanti trains?
Some tickets may allow you to apply for a refund if you haven't used them yet, such as if the train is heavily delayed and cancelled.
Under certain circumstances, some cheaper tickets may be non-refundable—such as if it is an Advanced ticket.
For each refund there is a £10 admin fee (around $13). For your claim to be considered, make sure to apply for a refund within 28 days of the ticket's expiry date. Remember, if you're not able to travel, Avanti cannot refund the ticket. Try to change the travel date instead. Omio advice: make sure you check the terms and conditions of the ticket before you buy! If you're able to change your ticket, the refund process will automatically be activated.
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