![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/027A2223Lumo-3ec5.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe rail renaissance is in full swing (Picture: Simon Williams)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tThe rail renaissance is in full swing (Picture: Simon Williams)<\/p>\n
Staycations and rail travel<\/a> have seen a surge in popularity this year.<\/p>\n While eight out of 10 Brits are opting for a UK holiday instead of going abroad in 2025, Department for Transport statistics also reveal that 61% of us travel by train for leisure at least once a month.<\/p>\n With the rail renaissance in full swing<\/a>, Metro <\/strong>has rounded up some of the best new UK train routes coming in 2026 and beyond.<\/p>\n From a \u2018Ryanair of trains<\/a>,\u2019 which allows Londoners to explore Scotland<\/a> for \u00a350, to a famous sleeper train launching a new route<\/a>, there\u2019s a lot to be excited about.<\/p>\n \u2018Ryanair of trains\u2019 launches new London to Scotland route<\/p>\n Getting from London to Glasgow<\/a> (with a quick stop in Edinburgh) has never been cheaper.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up to The Getaway newsletter\t\t\t<\/p>\n Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t Lumo, a budget-friendly rail company hailed as the \u2018Ryanair of Trains\u2019, has recently announced a direct route to Glasgow Queen Street \u2014 and tickets could be as cheap as \u00a350.<\/p>\n The company has been compared to low-budget airlines, including Michael O\u2019Leary\u2019s Irish carrier and\u00a0Easyjet<\/a>, due to its cheap tickets, baggage limits and lack of first-class.<\/p>\n The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) approved the extension of Lumo\u2019s existing London to Edinburgh service, in which Glasgow will be added.<\/p>\n How often will the service run?<\/p>\n According to Lumo\u2019s website, the Glasgow launch will be phased.<\/p>\n From December 14, there will be mid-week services connecting Glasgow Queen Street with London King\u2019s Cross. This includes two northbound services and one southbound service.<\/p>\n From January 1, Lumo will add two Sunday services and an additional mid-week service northbound to Glasgow.<\/p>\n The Caledonian Sleeper train sees biggest change in 30 years<\/p>\n The Caledonian Sleeper train<\/a> is launching a new route in 2026, the first of its kind in three decades.<\/p>\n Currently, the sleeper service serves around 300,000 passenger journeys each year. Now, that\u2019s set to increase.<\/p>\n The Highlander, one of the two routes from London to Scotland, will add a stop at Birmingham International. This change is being made after research revealed demand for a Birmingham stop.<\/p>\n Currently, the Highlander runs to destinations including Aberdeen, Fort William and Inverness.<\/p>\n Caledonian Sleeper\u2019s other route is the Lowlander, which covers Glasgow and Edinburgh from the capital.<\/p>\n Remember: the Lowlander will not be stopping at Birmingham, so make sure you\u2019re on the right train beforehand.<\/p>\n How often will the service run?<\/p>\n From January 15, 2026, the new Highlander route will run six days a week. There will be no services on Saturday nights.<\/p>\n Seated coaches \u2014 which can be compared to flying business class \u2014 start from \u00a354. They include reclining seats, charging points, reading lights and lockable storage. Breakfast is available at an extra cost.<\/p>\n Classic rooms with a twin bunk or single bed are a little pricier, but offer more privacy. Prices from \u00a3270 and \u00a3200, respectively.<\/p>\n \u2018Eurostar of Scotland\u2019 launches new London service spanning 353 miles and 11 stops<\/p>\n Lumo has another London to Scotland service<\/a> rolling out in 2026. This time, from Euston to Stirling.<\/p>\n The new route will stop at 11 stations, and will be the first time three of the destinations \u2013 Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert \u2013 have had a direct service to the capital.<\/p>\n A London to Stirling route already operates through Avanti West Coast, LNER and TransPennine Express. However, Lumo\u2019s is the only \u2018open-access service,\u2019 which means it\u2019s not subsidised by the government.<\/p>\n This equates to cheaper tickets and better service, according to Zoe Adjey, senior lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London.<\/p>\n \t\t Adjey also says that visitors from London will find it easier to access Scotland\u2019s historic sites and natural landscapes around Stirling, while Scottish tourists gain improved access to London\u2019s attractions.<\/p>\n How often will the service run?<\/p>\n Starting next spring, the new Lumo service will run five daily trains. <\/p>\n From London Euston, the train will stop at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds, Larbert and Stirling.<\/p>\n New \u00a31,000,000,000 \u2018Welsh Tube\u2019 with trains every 5 minutes<\/p>\n Since 2013, there\u2019s been rumours of Wales getting its own version of the London Tube. <\/a><\/p>\n Now, 12 years on, it looks like the proposal will finally become a reality.<\/p>\n Costing a whopping \u00a31,000,000,000, the project is set to span 170 kilometres (105.6 miles) worth of track, introducing 36 tram-style trains to connect\u00a0Cardiff<\/a>\u00a0with towns in the valleys and wider South Wales area.<\/p>\n Six core lines will connect the Welsh capital with towns and districts like Aberdare, Coryton, Merthyr, Tydfil, Rhymney and Treherbert. <\/p>\n Like the Tube, all of the stops will be identified by a colour-coded map.<\/p>\n \t\t While the project has largely been dubbed the \u2018Welsh Tube<\/a>,\u2019 the majority of the network is overground. Tunnels between the Cardiff and Caerphilly connection are the only exception.<\/p>\n However, back in April, Metro <\/strong>reported that the new \u2018tube\u2019 had divided opinion, with North Wales residents declaring that the \u2018rest of Wales has been ignored again.\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n How often will the service run?<\/p>\n The \u2018Welsh Tube\u2019 is slated to launch sometime in early 2026. However, there is no specific date. Instead, lines will be introduced in stages.<\/p>\n New trains across sections of the South Wales network have already been introduced, though. Accessibility has also been improved by installing extra lifts and access-for-all bridges.<\/p>\n Other improvements include bike hoops and passenger information screens to make it easier for commuters to find their train.<\/p>\n Proposed direct train from Newcastle to UK\u2019s most walkable city<\/p>\n Grand Central is in the running for a new direct route from Newcastle to Brighton<\/a>, via Gatwick Airport.<\/p>\n This new route would connect the north-east coast of the UK to the south coast.<\/p>\n In April, Arriva Group announced its proposal for Grand Central to operate the service, with plans to call at key stations including York, Sheffield, Birmingham New Street, Oxford and Reading. <\/p>\n The new route would also allow travellers to get from one end of the country to the other without switching at London\u2019s King\u2019s Cross or Victoria stations.<\/p>\n If the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) approves the application, travellers can expect to hop on the service from December 2026. <\/p>\n Brighton was recently crowned the UK\u2019s most walkable city<\/a>, and social media users have welcomed the quicker connection between the two cities.<\/p>\n People have hailed the plans as \u2018brilliant\u2019 and \u2018amazing\u2019, saying they are \u2018all for it\u2019.<\/p>\n How often will the service run?<\/p>\n If the proposal goes ahead, Arriva Group wants to run five services per day in each direction.<\/p>\n In terms of prices, nothing is set in stone. But, considering the current one-way Grand Central Brighton to Newcastle journey costs around \u00a366 \u2014 and often more when booking same-day tickets \u2014 you can get an idea.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/027A6081Lumo-7efe.jpg\")
\n\t\tLumo has been dubbed the \u2018Ryanair of trains\u2019 (Picture: Simon Williams)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-970539750-ea7c.jpg\")
\n\t\tStunning Stirling scenery (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"epa12364099](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEI_265339327-f8ce.jpg\")
\n\t\tSouth Wales is working on its own version of the London Underground (Picture: EPA)<\/p>\n
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