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This 13.5 hour train journey is UK’s longest

Starting in the very north of Scotland and winding its way through Scotland and England, ultimately to Cornwall, the southwestern region… The Aberdeen to Penzance train journey is the UK’s longest – and if you’re a train fan, it’s worth considering!

Here’s all you need to know about this voyage. 

What is the Aberdeen to Penzance train journey?

The Aberdeen to Penzance train journey is the longest direct train route in the UK. 

Operated by CrossCountry, this trip spans over 700 miles and takes approximately 13 hours from start to finish. 

It runs once a day from Aberdeen, leaving around 8:00am and arriving in Penzance at around 9:00pm. It does not run in the opposite direction.

Where does the route go? 

The route passes through some of the UK’s most significant cities and towns but doesn’t go to London (CrossCountry was established to offer connections outside of the nation’s capital). 

Along the way, the train serves 40+ stations including Edinburgh, Newcastle York, Leeds, Derby, Birmingham, Bristol and Exeter. 

Are the landscapes scenic? 

I wouldn’t dub the entire CrossCountry service as a “scenic train”, but you’ll definitely pass pretty parts. 

Here are some of the highlights:

  • From Aberdeen, you’ll travel through Scotland’s northeast. On the way to Edinburgh, the route hugs the coastline.
  • Some of Edinburgh’s historic buildings can be spotted from the train. 
  • Crossing the border into England, the train enters Northumberland and takes in this glorious underrated stretch of coastline. 
  • Then there’s Tyne Bridge in Newcastle.
  • The Midlands area is quite built up, but the South West is also stunning. 
  • You’ll pass down the River Exe and to Dawlish, an area sometimes thought to be Britain’s most scenic.
  • Crossing over the Tamar Bridge and venturing deeper into Cornwall, ultimately spotting St Micheal’s Mount before arriving in Penzance, is another highlight!

What’s the train like?

I’d be lying if I said CrossCountry trains were my favourite – in all honesty, they’re quite dated (I’m much more of a GWR fan) and they have a lot of scheduling issues. 

Still, the trains are equipped with standard and first-class seating, free Wi-Fi (though signal strength can vary) and (usually) a catering service offering drinks and snacks. 

In first class, enjoy complimentary refreshments and larger, more comfortable seats. 

How to book the journey

Book your tickets in advance – it should come as no surprise that this route can be expensive! Generally, trains in the UK are released around three months before the date.

I’d recommend using Trainline to see if you can get split tickets. 

Also, make sure you reserve a seat. You don’t want to be without one for 13 hours!

If you don’t already have one and are eligible, grab a Railcard. You can see the different types of Railcards here.

If your train is delayed, don’t forget to claim for compensation with Delay Repay

CrossCountry offers Delay Repay if trains are delayed, starting from 50% for half an hour. 

Is it worth doing the Aberdeen to Penzance train journey? 

It depends on how much you love train travel and why you’re travelling from A to B!

I took this train when I was already in Aberdeen and needed to get back to the South West. 

I probably wouldn’t have taken it just for the fun of it (if there was a night train from Aberdeen to Penzance that would be another story!). 

But if you’re a big train fan and want to try the longest train in the UK, then yes, it may be worth doing. 

Take a look at my other South West train posts!

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