Travel
New train route to connect two major UK cities for the first time ever
A NEW train service launching next month will connect two major UK cities for the first time.
CrossCountry has revealed a new direct service will launch between Cardiff and Edinburgh.
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The 455 mile journey will connect the Scottish and Welsh capitals with passengers not having to make any changes.
The direct journey will travel to 22 train stations, joining at Birmingham New Street or Gloucester.
The weekday service will depart from Cardiff in the morning, before arriving in Edinburgh.
There will be one weekday service going each way from Cardiff-Edinburgh and Edinburgh-Cardiff.
The new service will start next month from December 15.
CrossCountry’s interim managing director Scott Maynard said: “We’re delighted to introduce this new service joining Cardiff and Edinburgh directly by rail for the very first time – meaning even more connections for customers across the length and breadth of the country.
“Thanks to colleagues across CrossCountry and the wider rail industry for their support in delivering these new services linking two of Great Britain’s capital cities, as well as many other key towns and cities in between.”
Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop added: “The launch of a new direct weekday train service between Edinburgh and Cardiff for the first time is welcome news for rail users wishing to travel between these two capital cities.”
The current fastest route is around six hours, while changing in Crewe.
It is hoped that the new journey will be a similar time.
If you’re thinking of visiting either city, here is an insider guide to both of them.
Cardiff
Last year Conde Nast Traveller crowned Cardiff as the UK’s best city thanks its “exciting independent restaurants, buzzy bars, and up-and-coming neighbourhoods.”
I lived in Cardiff for just over one year and I can see why it was named it.
There is Cardiff Market, housed under a Victorian glass ceiling across two floors selling everything from local cheese and Welsh cakes.
Make sure to visit some of the amazing pubs too, including the UK’s very first Tiny Rebel pub as well as the Cambrian Tap and the City Arms.
End with a late-night takeaway on Caroline Street, known locally as Chip Alley, where you’ll find fish and chip shops and fast food galore.
– Hope Brotherton, Travel Reporter
Sun Travel’s favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel’s journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
Edinburgh
Wander around the historic closes – the narrow winding adjoining lanes off the main streets – of the Old Town and stop at he Grassmarket, a historic market place with independent shops and places to eat and drink.
Don’t forget the amazing National Museum of Scotland too – the rooftop terrace is the best place to catch the .
As an activity, do the Pickering’s Gin tour at Summerhall.
It is based in the old vet school which in itself is a really interesting place and you get to learn all about the process and taste some gins.
– Susan Doherty, local
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The carrier will fly to 17 destinations from Luton next summer, including Alicante, Girona, Madeira and Verona
Continue reading Jet2 launches London Luton base at Business Traveller.
RYANAIR is launching a new route between Teesside and Malaga, with flights to start operating in March.
Earlier this year, Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, vowed to bring new Costa del Sol flights to the tiny UK airport.
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Direct services will start operating between Teesside and Malaga on March 31, 2025.
The twice-weekly service will operate every Monday and Thursday until October 23, 2025.
Monday flights will depart Malaga at 5.50am, touching down in the UK at Teesside at 8am.
Return journeys will then leave the UK airport at 8.25am, arriving in Malaga at 12.35pm local time.
Thursday flights will operate slightly later, with services leaving Malaga at 7am and arriving in the UK at 9.10am.
The return service will then depart from Teesside at 9.35am, landing in Malaga at 1.45pm.
Sun Online Travel have found one-way fares from £68.99 per person, with tickets already on sale.
When the new flights were announced, Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, said: “The people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool have been asking for more sunshine destinations, and we’ve delivered exactly that with Ryanair’s fantastic support.
“This is a huge win for our airport and our region, but we’re not stopping here. Our goal is to keep growing, breaking records and getting more holiday flights for local people.”
A statement from the airport reads: “The announcement follows another successful summer for Ryanair at Teesside, where routes to holiday hotspots including Majorca, Faro and Corfu have seen booming demand.”
The news comes after Teesside Airport announced its pre-tax and interest profit in 12 years.
Teesside is mainly served by airlines like Ryanair and TUI with passengers already able to fly to destinations like Dalaman in Turkey, Corfu in Greece and Majorca in Spain.
It is hoped that more flights will be introduced at the regional airport.
Teesside International Airport was named the favourite small UK airport for leisure travel by passengers at the British Travel Awards in 2023.
Last year, Teesside International Airport saw the highest number of passengers pass through its terminal for 11 years.
Meanwhile, Mayor Ben Houchen has promised to pump £20million into renovating the airport’s train station.
Teesside Airport Station closed in May 2022, and it has yet to reopen.
Houchen told the Northern Echo: “As a serious airport we need a working rail link that passengers can use to get to the airport, and with the current state of the train station this is simply not possible.
“We are ahead of schedule on our plan to turn things around, and the next phase of development following the opening of our business park and cargo facility, will see us build a new station at the airport.”
The other small UK airport set for new flights
RYANAIR looks set to launch three brand new flights at a small UK airport, as it already begins to cast its eyes on next summer.
In April, the budget carrier started new routes from Norwich Airport for the first time.
Passengers in Norfolk were able to book flights to Alicante in Spain, Faro in Portugal and Malta, with some routes starting from as little as £17.
Now the airline could be set to launch more new routes from the regional travel hub, according to its managing director.
Richard Pace has said that he is hoping to see at least two or three more flights added to the airport’s route map in time for summer 2025.
In an interview with BBC Radio Norfolk, he spoke of the success of the first few months of flights from Norwich Airport and said he would know more about the future routes from next month.
At the moment, there is no indication of where the new routes will travel to, or when they will begin.
Meanwhile, Jet2 is set to open a brand-new airport base at London Luton Airport next year.
From the London-based airport, Jet2 will fly to 17 destinations, with 36 flights operating every week next summer.
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The Almaty lounge will operate 24 hours a day and can accommodate up to 100 guests at a time
Continue reading Air Astana opens its first-ever business class lounge at Business Traveller.
The offering will rotate to other suites and first class routes on a three-month rotational basis
Dubai-based carrier flydubai has begun flights to a second destination in Nepal, recently launching direct flights to Bhairahawa. The inaugural flight touched down at Bhairahawa Airport, also known as Gautam Buddha International Airport (BWA), on 9 November, 2024
Continue reading flydubai begins flights to Bhairahawa, Nepal at Business Traveller.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation and ALDAU Development have opened the Hyatt Centric Cairo West – the first art-centered lifestyle hotel in Cairo, promising to take guests on an immersive journey through Egyptian history reimagined for modern travellers.
Continue reading Art-inspired Hyatt Centric Cairo West opens to guests at Business Traveller.
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