Coventry to London by train

Trains from Coventry to London go direct to London Euston, with no change. Avanti West Coast is the faster company, taking just over an hour. London Northwestern Railway trains stop more often and take about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Both leave from Coventry station, and a train from either company can be the right one, as long as your ticket matches it.

Board at Coventry station for Euston

Coventry has one main station, and both companies use it. It has step-free access to all platforms, lifts, a ticket office and machines, and shops and refreshments. Buses and taxis are outside, so you can get there from the city without a car.

Check the departures board for the company and the final stop. Trains to London Euston show either Avanti West Coast or London Northwestern Railway. The fast ones are Avanti, with the quickest in about 58 minutes. London Northwestern Railway trains are slower and run often.

Choose the fast train unless price matters more

If your day is tight, take Avanti: the gap is about 20 to 30 minutes each way, and it has reclining seats, wi-fi and power sockets at every seat. If you are flexible and the fare is the point, the London Northwestern Railway trains cost less on the cheapest tickets and still go direct to Euston. Compare the two on one booking screen, then look at the arrival time and the company name before you pay.

Your ticket may only work on one company

This is where visitors lose money. An Advance ticket is for one named train. Avanti Advance tickets are valid only on the train you book, and London Northwestern Railway sells its own advance fares for its own trains. Do not expect a cheap ticket from one company to be accepted on the other's train.

Advance tickets are cheapest and go on sale about 12 weeks ahead. Off-Peak tickets are priced the same on any booking date and exclude the busiest times. Anytime tickets cost the most and can be used on any train that day. If you may miss your train, pay more for an Off-Peak or Anytime ticket, and check it for any company restriction.

London Northwestern Railway advance fares start from £9 and Avanti Advance fares from £15. A Railcard can cut up to a third from most fares. Fares go up closer to the day.

Avanti Advance tickets offer a seat reservation

With an Advance ticket on Avanti West Coast you can pick a seat in the booking where reservations are available. With other ticket types you can reserve one where the train offers it. On London Northwestern Railway, check your booking for seat details before you travel.

Rail pass holders can use both companies

Interrail Global Passes (for people who live in Europe) and Eurail Global Passes (for people who live outside Europe) are valid on National Rail trains in Great Britain, including Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway. You do not need a seat reservation on either company, so you can just board.

If you live in the UK, a Global Pass covers only one outbound and one inbound journey in your own country, so you cannot use it for an ordinary trip like this one. The Interrail Great Britain Pass is sold to residents of other European countries, not to UK residents.

Arriving at London Euston

Euston has the Northern and Victoria lines, bus and taxi links, and lifts to every platform. Euston Square, nearby, has the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines. There is no parking, so use the Underground, a bus or a taxi to reach the rest of London, and bike hire is available.

Check the date you are travelling, because timetables change.