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Thanks to UK rail operators investment in Wi Fi internet access, you can now read your emails, surf the web or connect to your companies Virtual Private Network, all while you travel by train! This page details which trains now have Wi Fi and how you can connect on the move. To take advantage of this service you need to have a Wi Fi capable computer or PDA. Use these pages to find out where you can access, how to connect and even where you can find power points (on trains without Wi Fi).

Find out where you can access Internet on board, in the station and who as laptop plug in points

Traveling to Canada? - find out about internet access on VIA Rail

If you are having difficulty getting online, read this handy guide

On Board

Trains which currently provide Wi Fi Internet access are those of the Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) and Southern's Brighton Express.

GNER trains with Wi Fi:

  • ALL - including London - Peterborough / York / Leeds / Hull / Newcastle / Glasgow / Edinburgh / Inverness and Aberdeen. 

The service has a charge in standard class and is offered free in first class. 

Southern Railway trains with Wi Fi:

  • Brighton Express, London - Brighton.  Not all trains have Wi Fi on this line.  The service has been offered free but a charge may be introduced. 
 
In Stations 

A number of Stations now offer Wi Fi access or have locations within their premises with the facility. 

 
Virgin Trains First Class Lounges offer Wi Fi and are located in the following stations:
  • London Euston, Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham New Street,  Coventry and Wolverhampton.

Access is free to first class ticket holders.

 
GNER First Class Lounges offer Wi Fi and are located in the following stations:
  • London Kings Cross, Peterborough, Doncaster, Wakefield, Leeds, Darlington, Newcastle, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh.  Access is free to eligible ticket holders. 

This normally includes all full fare first class tickets but not discounted first class fares including weekend first. 

 
'The Cloud' Internet Service Provider.  This company provides Wi Fi access at a number of stations.  You can find out more at their website:  www.thecloud.net.  Stations with the service currently are:
  • Eurostar - Ashford International
  • Eurostar - Business Lounge at Waterloo Station
  • First Great Western (FGW) - Bath Spa Station
  • FGW - Bristol Parkway
  • FGW - Bristol Temple Meeds
  • FGW - Didcot Parkway
  • FGW - Exeter St David
  • FGW - Newbury Railway Station
  • FGW - Plymouth Station
  • FGW - Reading Station
  • FGW - Slough Station
  • FGW - Swindon Station 
  • FGW - 1st Class Lounge at London Paddington
  • Network Rail - Cannon Street Station, London
  • Network Rail - Charing Cross Station, London
  • Network Rail - Edinburgh Waverley
  • Network Rail - Fenchurch Street Station, London
  • Network Rail - Gatwick Airport Station
  • Network Rail - Kings Cross, London
  • Network Rail - Liverpool Street Station, London
  • Network Rail - London Bridge Station, London
  • Network Rail - Paddington Station, London
  • Network Rail - Victoria Station, London
  • Network Rail - Waterloo Station, London

The Cloud makes a charge for access to it's service, but offers value for money. 

BT Openzone - www.btopenzone.com has a Wi Fi access point at:

  • Chester Le Street Station in The Railway Station Café.  There is a charge for this service. 

 

Laptop Power Points

Many train operators have chosen not to install Wi Fi at this time, but do recognize that business travelers wish to work on the move.  They have responded by installing plug in power points in both standard and first class so you can use your laptop on the move.  Even if you do need internet on the move there are solutions through your mobile phone and connecting it to your laptop, ask your mobile phone provider. 

Trains with laptop plug in power points:

  • First Great Western - all trains except sleeper

  • Hull Trains – all trains

  • Midland Mainline - all trains

  • Scotrail Turbostar Services (Glasgow – Edinburgh, Glasgow / Edinburgh – Perth / Dundee/ Inverness and Aberdeen). 

  • Virgin Trains – all trains, including West Coast and Cross Country Services

  • Caledonian Sleeper refurbished lounge cars (all trains from summer 2007)

 

International - VIA Rail, Canada

In Canada, the main Intercity rail company, VIA rail has extensively installed Wi Fi internet on it's trains and in it's stations along the busy Windsor to Québec City corridor.  Trains with Wi Fi are:

Virtually all trains between Windsor and Québec City, including intermediate stations such as Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.  It is available in VIA 1 (first class) and Comfort (standard) class.  The only exceptions are:

  • Trains 85 and 88 (Toronto-Sarnia)
  • Trains 97 and 98 (Toronto-New York)
  • Wireless Internet access is available on train 650 (Kingston-Toronto) every day except Friday.

Wi Fi internet is also available in all corridor service VIA Rail stations.  Stations with Wi Fi are:

  • Aldershot, Belleville, Brantford, Brockville, Chatham, Cobourg, Cornwall, Dorval, Fallowfield, , Guelph, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Montréal, Niagara Falls, Oakville, Oshawa, Ottawa, Québec, Sainte-Foy, Toronto and Windsor.

The service may also be access in first class 'Panorama' lounges by VIA 1 customers at the following stations:

  • Dorval, Kingston, London,  Montréal, Ottawa, Québec and Toronto

 

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This site was last updated 08-Mar-2007

© Britain By Rail 2006