Map shows UK train Wi-Fi costs

On Friday, the ticketing website MyTrainTicket.co.uk released a map showing the extent of Wi-Fi services across the UK's train network, along with the pricing of such services.

The map (above) reflects National Express's announcement on Friday that its East Anglia railway service will become the latest in the UK to provide Wi-Fi access to customers. Trains on the Norwich route will get Wi-Fi from early 2011, with the Stansted Express getting connectivity from May.

According to MyTrainTicket.co.uk, the UK leads the way in Europe when it comes to Wi-Fi provision on train services. The company said that Germany was in second place, although — as with France — only new carriages have been fitted with Wi-Fi connectivity, making the provision of connectivity unpredictable for passengers.

No Wi-Fi is accessible on east German routes, the firm noted, although its map makes clear that the same can be said for south-west England and Wales.

The lines and charges are as follows:

• Virgin Trains (red): £5.00/hour, £10/day, £40/month
• East Coast (blue): £4.95/hour, first 15 minutes free, £9.95/day
• East Midlands Trains (green): £4 per 3 hours, £7.50/day, £40/month, £425/year
• National Express East Anglia (dotted blue; operational from 2011): £2.95/journey, £19/month
• Wrexham & Shropshire (grey): Free
• Heathrow Express (pink): Free
• Grand Central (orange): Free

On all lines with Wi-Fi provision, first-class passengers can use the service for free.