CrossCountry
CrossCountry runs long-distance trains linking Scotland, the North, Midlands, Wales and the South West without changing in London.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Official website
- Official website
- Train tickets
- Direct
CrossCountry operates direct long-distance trains across Britain, from Aberdeen and Glasgow in the north to Penzance in the south west, and from Cardiff to Stansted Airport in the east. Unlike most UK long-distance operators, its network deliberately avoids London. Travelling between regional cities, you often do not need to change trains at all.
Where CrossCountry runs
Birmingham New Street is the backbone of the network, acting as the main interchange for services heading in every direction. Popular direct routes include Glasgow to Edinburgh, Manchester to Birmingham, Newcastle to Edinburgh, and Leicester to Birmingham.
The CrossCountry network crosses more of the country than any other single UK train operator. Think of it as a cross shape rather than a single corridor, with routes meeting in the Midlands instead of London.
Trains and onboard experience
The fleet includes Voyager diesel-electric trains, some fitted with an on-board shop, and Turbostar units on shorter regional legs. Both offer Standard and First Class seating, with WiFi and catering available on board.
Bikes travel in limited numbers. Voyager trains carry two bikes in Coach D, or Coach F on Voyager trains with an on-board shop, while Turbostar trains carry one bike in Coach C. Reserving a bike space is free and strongly recommended, since a train that is already fully booked for bikes may not take another. Collect the reservation from a ticket machine rather than as an e-ticket. Road-legal e-bikes are allowed, but e-scooters are banned across the whole network, in line with the rest of National Rail.
Tickets and fares
CrossCountry sells the standard range of UK ticket types: Advance, Off-Peak and Anytime. Advance tickets are the cheapest option if you can commit to a specific train. They go on sale up to 16 weeks before travel, are single, non-flexible, and come with a reserved seat, but CrossCountry offers free amendments if your plans change. Railcards apply to Advance fares, in both Standard and First Class.
Book through the CrossCountry website or app, or at a station. Advance tickets can be bought up to three months out, but seat reservations are not released until closer to the travel date. On a popular route, check the exact booking window rather than assuming a seat is guaranteed the moment you buy.
CrossCountry is part of the Arriva group, which also runs bus and rail operations elsewhere in Europe. On the ground, that mostly shows up as shared customer service and accessibility standards rather than anything that changes how you book or travel.
Where to book
Train tickets
- Buy direct from CrossCountry
CrossCountry
Frequently asked questions
Does CrossCountry go to London?
No. CrossCountry's network is built to link regional cities directly, avoiding London entirely, with Birmingham New Street acting as the main interchange instead.
Can I take my bike on a CrossCountry train?
Yes, but space is limited to one or two bikes per train depending on the type, so book a free reservation in advance rather than turning up and hoping for space.
What is the cheapest way to book CrossCountry tickets?
Advance tickets, bought up to 16 weeks ahead for a specific train, are usually the cheapest option and include a reserved seat, though seat reservations themselves are not released until closer to the travel date.
Can I use a Railcard on CrossCountry?
Yes, Railcards can be applied to CrossCountry Advance tickets as well as other ticket types when booking.
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Official website
