LNER Prepares for Record-Breaking July and August
30/06/2026
LNER is preparing for its first summer holiday season since introducing thousands of additional services and millions more seats each year through its transformational new timetable.
More than five million journeys were made with LNER in July and August 2025, with this summer on track to be even bigger.
Compared with this point last year, customer numbers for travel this July and August are up consistently across routes including between London and Edinburgh, where bookings are up by over a quarter (25.8 per cent). Holidaymakers travelling between the two capital cities now benefit from faster journey times, including an hourly service taking just a little over four hours.
Since December 2025, LNER has started running a third service every hour between London and Newcastle in both directions. The extra capacity is allowing even more customers to travel between the two cities, with bookings up almost half (49.9 per cent) in July and August 2026 compared with the same point last year.
More people are also exploring the historic city of York, with summer bookings up almost a fifth (19 per cent), as well as discovering culture and entertainment in Leeds – the UK’s fifth largest city (up 3.4 per cent).
More trains and extra seats are enabling more customers to have access to the cheapest Advance fares on offer. Customers travelling between Leeds and London can do so for as little as £28.60*. Londoners wishing to see the sights of York can do so for as little as £28.80*, and Newcastle for as little as £34.90*.
David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said: “With more services and seats than ever, this summer is set to be our biggest yet. It’s fantastic to see so many customers already planning ahead, booking their trips and making the most of everything our new timetable has to offer. With some great value fares to wonderful cities including London, York, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh, it’s not too late to book a memorable and affordable staycation this summer!”
Figures correct as of 09.30 Tuesday 30 June 2026
*Prices:
London <> Leeds: When booked 2 weeks in advance on off-peak Mon-Fri tickets from London King’s Cross to Leeds Station between 09.03.26-29.11.26. Excl. bank holiday weekends. Subject to availability.
London <> York: When booked 2 weeks in advance on off-peak Mon-Fri tickets from London King’s Cross to York Station between 09.03.26-16.07.26. Excl. bank holiday weekends. Subject to availability.
London <> Newcastle: When booked 2 weeks in advance on off-peak Mon-Fri tickets from London King’s Cross to Newcastle Station between 09.03.26-16.07.26. Excl. bank holiday weekends. Subject to availability.
