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Can you drink alcohol on a train in the UK? Scotland’s rules and London Tubes explained

 
 

BOOZING while you are cruising might sounds like a good idea - but can you drink on trains?

Here's everything you need to know about sipping on trains.

 Here are the rules on drinking on trains in the UK
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Here are the rules on drinking on trains in the UKCredit: Alamy

Can you drink alcohol on a train in the UK?

You can drink and/or buy alcohol on most trains in England and Wales.

However some may choose to run booze-less services on the odd occasion.

These will generally be trains to or from football matches or other sporting events.

When this happens there will be signs up warning passengers that they may not bring on, consume or purchase alcohol on these services.

Different companies have different rules, but in general they might ask any person deemed to be intoxicated to leave the train or station.

Most companies, including Northern Railway and LNER, allow drinking on trains.

However, train operators may opt to run "dry" trains, meaning passengers cannot bring alcohol on board nor consume it.

 ScotRail bans drinking between 9pm and 10am on all services
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ScotRail bans drinking between 9pm and 10am on all servicesCredit: PA:Press Association/PA Images

Can you drink alcohol on a train in Scotland?

Drinking on trains in Scotland is not allowed between 9pm and 10am on all trains operated by ScotRail.

The organisation decided to ban boozing during these hours in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour.

However the overnight Caledonian Sleeper train to and from London is exempt.

The ban was introduced on July 20, 2012, and at the time ScotRail managing director Steve Montgomery, said: "Anti-social behaviour fuelled by alcohol has no place on our trains or at stations.

"It's time to call a halt on the irresponsible minority who spoil journeys for the majority.

"These individuals disrupt services, abuse staff and fellow customers, and cause accidents."

It is also banned on certain services during football and rugby matches.

Can you drink alcohol on London Tubes?

Drinking alcohol and carrying open containers have been banned on the Tube, busses, Docklands Light Railway, tram services and at stations.

Offenders can be asked to stop, throw their drinks away or fined if caught.

The law was changed in June 2008 by then Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who said at the time: "I’m determined to improve the safety and security of public transport in London and create a better environment for the millions of Londoners who rely on it."

On May 31, 2008, the day before the ban came into force, revellers celebrated their last day of freedom with a ‘cocktail party’ on the London Underground.

Can you drink alcohol on a train in Italy?

On Italian trains, passengers can usually carry alcohol drinks, as long as they consume only small quantities.

Italo, one of the fast train companies in Italy, says passengers should not drink alcohol till the point where they become intoxicated.

When travelling first class, passengers also usually offered complimentary alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, free WiFi, power sockets and a small table.

Network Rail video montage of drunk commuters and party-goers falling onto train tracks
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