caledonian sleeper journey check

A guide to the Caledonian Sleeper train from London to Scotland

Posted on Last updated: February 15, 2024

A guide to travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper, the overnight train journey from London to Scotland, with everything you need to know, from routes and costs to on-board facilities and accommodation.

* This site contains affiliate links , where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

There’s something romantic about a sleeper train. Being rocked to sleep then woken by your butler knocking on the door with a steaming cup of tea… or there was on the 1930s Orient Express anyway, but is there still any romance to a night on the rails today?

The Caledonian Sleeper is one of just two overnight trains in the UK (the other is the Night Riviera Sleeper from London to Cornwall), whisking travellers from London Euston to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fort William and other Scottish destinations.

There’s been a sleeper service from London to Scotland since 1873. But the current service has been running since 1996, with smart new upgraded carriages brought into service in 2019. I’ve tried out the Caledonian Sleeper at two ends of the spectrum – a shared bunk room on the old trains and an en-suite room with double bed on the new trains.

It’s a great way to travel while you sleep, waking up in time to see the sun rise over the Scottish Highlands. And it also produces less carbon emissions than flying so is more environmentally friendly. So if you fancy an overnight train trip from London to Scotland, this Caledonian Sleeper review tells you everything you need to know.

Travelling to Scotland on board the Caledonian Sleeper train

Where can you travel to on the Caledonian Sleeper?

The Caledonian Sleeper connects London to Scotland and vice versa, running every night of the week apart from Saturdays (except the nights of 24, 25 and 31 December). Although the Caledonian Sleeper sounds like it’s one train, there are actually a few different options so you can reach various destinations around Scotland while you sleep.

The first thing to know is that there are two different sleeper routes – Lowland and Highland . The Lowland Caledonian Sleeper runs from London Euston and splits en route at Carstairs, with one half travelling to Edinburgh and the other to Glasgow .

The Highland Caledonian Sleeper also runs from London Euston but leaves earlier as it heads further north. The train is divided into three sections and splits when it gets to Edinburgh – one section goes north to Stirling, Perth, Aviemore and Inverness , another goes east to Dundee and Aberdeen, and the third goes west to Fort William .

So which should you choose? I’ve travelled on both the Lowland and Highland routes and the Lowland is a good way to make the most of your time by travelling overnight, but as you leave late at night and arrive early the next day you don’t see much on the way.

The Highland gives you chance to see more of Scotland’s beautiful landscapes, either in the morning if you’re travelling to Scotland or in the evening if you’re going to London. The route to Fort William in particular – known as The Deerstalker – is stunning, running along the scenic West Highland Line past lochs, moors and mountains.

How long does the Caledonian Sleeper take?

The Lowland Sleeper takes 7.5 hours to reach Glasgow and Edinburgh. It leaves London Euston at 11.50pm (11.28pm on Sundays) and arrives into Glasgow and Edinburgh around 7.20am. Euston at midnight isn’t the most glamorous place (I was kept company by a mouse feasting on café crumbs!) but you can board the train from 10.30pm.

The Highland Sleeper leaves London Euston at 9.15pm (8.59pm on Sundays), though you can start boarding around 45 minutes before departure – and Club/Caledonian Double passengers can also use Euston’s Avanti First Class lounge for up to two hours before then. The journey takes 8–12 hours depending on your destination.

If you’re heading to Stirling, Perth or Dundee you get in very early in the morning (5am–6am). But other arrival times are more reasonable – getting into Aberdeen at 7.40am, Aviemore at 7.45am, Inverness at 8.42am and Fort William at 9.57am. And in reverse, trains leave Scotland between 7pm–midnight and arrive into London at 7.49am.

One thing to be aware of when you’re planning your trip is that the Caledonian Sleeper (particularly the Highland route) is prone to delays. So allow extra time if you’re booking activities or onward travel on the day you arrive. (And if you are delayed you can reclaim 50% of your fare if it’s 30–59 minutes late or 100% if it’s over 60 minutes late).

What are the classes of travel on the Caledonian Sleeper?

Instead of the usual First Class/Standard Class carriages you find on most trains in the UK , there are four different classes of travel on board the Caledonian Sleeper. The most basic are the seats and the next three are various different sleeper cabins.

Seats are the cheapest option. They come with lockable storage, drop-down tables, wifi, a light and charging point, and there are toilets at the end of the carriage. The seats do recline slightly (though not a lot) and there are shutters on the windows. The lights stay on all night, but you’re given a sleep kit with eye mask and ear plugs.

Next up are the Classic rooms. These compact cabins are available for double or single occupancy. They have upper and lower bunk beds (if you’re on your own the top bunk is folded up against the wall), which are 190cm long and 63cm wide. And if you’re travelling with a group you can book two Classic rooms with interconnecting doors.

Each cabin has a sink and towels and soap are provided. There are also power sockets, USB ports and dimmable lights. And the door locks with an electronic hotel-style keycard. Shared toilets are available at the end of the corridor. Breakfast isn’t included in Classic rooms but you can order it to be delivered to your room at an extra cost.

Then the Club rooms have a similar layout, again with upper and lower berths. But these also have a tiny en-suite bathroom with a private toilet and shower and complimentary toiletry kits. Breakfast is included, which you can have either in your room or in the lounge bar, and you get room service and priority seating in the lounge bar.

Finally the most expensive option is the Caledonian Double rooms. These have a 190cm-long double bed – a bit of a novelty on a train! – and an en-suite bathroom with toilet and shower. And they come with the same extra perks as the Club rooms.

There are also accessible double and twin rooms with wheelchair-accessible en-suite toilets.

How much does the Caledonian Sleeper cost, and how do I book?

Prices for the Caledonian Sleeper vary depending on demand, similar to airlines. If you want to bag the cheapest prices, book well in advance, travel off season and avoid Friday and Sunday nights. The Lowland sleeper tends to be cheaper than the Highland, and the Fort William route is usually the most expensive as it only has two sleeper cars.

Sleeper cabins are priced per room and can be booked for either single or double occupancy. So they’re better value if there are two of you sharing (when I travelled in a bunk room before the upgrade you could share with someone of the same gender if you were travelling solo, but that option’s no longer available unfortunately).

A basic seat starts from £35/$41 on the Lowland Sleeper or £40/$47 on the Highland. And a Classic room from £140/$165 for single occupancy or £170/$200 for two people.

A Club room starts from £205/$241 for single occupancy or £250/$294 for two. And the Caledonian Double starts from £335/$393 single or £395/$464 for two on the Lowland route and £395/$464 single or £470/$552 for two on the Highland route.

So it’s not exactly a cheap way to travel, but when you factor in saving a night’s accommodation it’s not so bad. It’s also a unique experience to leave London, have dinner and drinks on board, fall asleep and wake up surrounded by Highland scenery.

You can book directly * on the Caledonian Sleeper website, and either print out your ticket or show it on your phone. Unlike most UK train tickets which go on sale three months in advance, Caledonian Sleeper tickets can be booked up to a year in advance.

There’s a choice of Fixed Advance tickets, which cover a specific service and can’t be changed or refunded. Or Flexible tickets, which cost more but mean you can change the date for free up to two days before you travel.

There are discounts for children under 16 and under 5s go free (though they don’t get their own bed). If you have a 16-25, Senior or Forces Railcard * you can save a third on seats and single occupancy Classic rooms only, not twin or en-suite rooms.

And if you’re travelling around the UK on an InterRail / Eurail or BritRail pass, you just pay a sleeper supplement on top of the pass – bookable on the Caledonian Sleeper website.

What do you do with your luggage?

Officially you can bring two bags no bigger than 30cm x 70cm x 90cm plus hand luggage. But there’s not a huge amount of space on board so pack as lightly as possible. If you’re in a seat there’s a luggage area at the end of the carriage and overhead racks.

If you’re in a sleeper cabin there’s space for luggage under the bottom bed. It’s around 31cm high x 122cm wide x 54cm deep, so won’t fit large suitcases (and the corridors are narrow so it’d be a squeeze to get them down there), but any bigger suitcases can be left in the guard’s van – you need to contact Guest Services in advance though.

And if you’re travelling with a bike there’s an area to store them in the seats section. It’s free to bring bikes but you do need to reserve a space in advance as there’s limited room.

The sleeper cabins are quite compact – particularly if there are two of you – so it’s a good idea to have a separate bag with essentials for the night or put them somewhere easy to get to. Cabins have soap and towels (plus shampoo and body wash in Club/Caledonian Double rooms). You’re also given bottled water as the tap water isn’t drinkable.

Arriving by sleeper means getting to your destination early, so what do you do with your bags? You can often drop luggage off at your hotel, or there are luggage lockers at bigger stations like Edinburgh Waverley, Glasgow and Inverness. You can also use a service like Stasher to find somewhere you can pay to leave your bags for a few hours.

Can you get food and drink on board the Caledonian Sleeper?

There’s usually a lounge for each section of the train. Though if you’re in the middle of the train it’s not obvious which way you should go to get to the correct one (we ended up spending half an hour waiting in the wrong one as they’re not labelled!).

Sleeper cabins passengers can use the lounge car on both Lowland and Highland services, though those in Club/Caledonian Double rooms get priority at busy times. And seat passengers can get food delivered. Lounges can get very busy when the train is full so it’s advisable to drop your bags in your cabin and head straight there to bag a table.

The revamped dining cars are light and bright, with bays of seats around tables on one side and individual stools along a bar on the other side. Each lounge has a steward who takes food and drink orders and a galley kitchen. You can take drinks back to your cabin and there’s usually room service so you can have drinks and snacks delivered.

The menu focuses on Scottish produce, with a good selection of local whisky and gin as well as beers, wines (by 187ml, half or full bottles) and spirits. You can get snacks and sandwiches plus main meals – with a bigger menu on the Highland route. Ours included haggis, neeps and tatties, braised beef and butternut squash risotto.

Well that’s the theory… things were a bit more chaotic on my last trip. Staff shortages and lack of information meant once we finally got a seat we were told there was no food. Eventually our steward found someone to help and we managed to get a cheeseboard and bottle of wine at 10.30pm, but it wasn’t quite the leisurely dinner we’d hoped for.

Breakfast is also served in the lounge or you can have it in your room. In Club/Caledonian Double rooms breakfast is included – with options from a full Scottish to porridge. And other passengers can buy breakfast. If you’re heading to Scotland you get the best views around breakfast so it’s worth heading to the lounge with its bigger windows.

What’s it like travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper?

Each section of the train usually consists of carriage of seats, six sleeper carriage (one of which is accessible) and a lounge car, though the Fort William section only has two sleeper cars. Once the train is ready to board you can check into your cabin. The carriages have a narrow corridor down one side and cabins with beds running widthways.

In the past I’ve stayed in bunk rooms, but for my last trip we splashed out on a stay in the Caledonian Double. The room is compact but the bed is a good size and it’s well-designed with storage below the bed, charging points above the bed with a shelf for phones and water bottles, and hooks for clothes. Just don’t both try to move around at the same time!

There’s a sink in the bedroom area and a separate en-suite. It comes with a toilet with a fold-up seat which you can put down if you want to use the shower (which is wet-room style so don’t leave anything out if you don’t it to get wet). You’re given a bag of towels and a washbag of toiletries (shampoo, body wash and pillow spray), plus water and chocolates.

But how easy is it to sleep on the Caledonian Sleeper? Well not too bad. The beds are comfortable but ear plugs (which are provided) are useful as it can be noisy and you do feel the motion of the train. Once we reached the Highlands and it slowed down we slept better, waking up around 7.30am to watch the scenery out of the window.

The breakfast views were the best part of the journey – travelling along the banks of Loch Lomond, past the UK’s most remote station at Corrour and across the wilds of Rannoch Moor. Our lounge steward gave us a 10-minute warning before we were due to arrive so we could collect up our belongings and we arrived into Fort William right on time.

Is the Caledonian Sleeper for you?

If you want the journey to be part of the experience, then I’d definitely recommend the Caledonian Sleeper. Sleeping on a train is a bit of novelty and it does feel like a mini travel adventure. It makes the most of your travel time and is also a lower-carbon, eco-friendly way to travel – plus you get some gorgeous views on the Highland route.

It can be quite expensive though, so if you’re on a budget it might not be the best option. If you do want to save money then you can book a seat using a Railcard, and bring your own food and drink. But it’s a much more comfortable trip if you can book a cabin.

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Tuesday 30th of August 2022

I’d love to do this journey! A uni friend used to take the sleeper home to Inverness at weekends, it sounded fantastic. Great to get tips on how to make the most of it!

Lucy Dodsworth

Wednesday 31st of August 2022

What a great way to commute to uni! I really enjoyed the trip – might try out one of the other routes next time.

The Caledonian Sleeper: Britain’s best train journey?

Nov 30, 2020 • 5 min read

The Caledonian Sleeper connects the English capital with the Scottish Highlands © Joe Dunckley / Shutterstock

Ben Nevis sits cloaked in cloud the color of charcoal as the Caledonian Sleeper jolts out of Fort William station. It’s one of those Scottish nights when you’re not sure if dusk fell or was pushed by the abominable weather.

The train gathers speed, leaving the warm glow of the town center behind, as it rattles through dreary housing estates and into the rolling hills of the Highlands . A hush falls over the dining cart as faces press against steamy windows and eyes flicker at passing scenery.

The melancholic landscapes – their bleak indifference still evident in the fading light – contrasts wildly with the warmth and cheer on the Caledonian Sleeper, the name given to the overnight sleeper train service connecting London and Scotland . I’d hopped aboard under the pretence of finding out if this is Britain ’s best train journey. Really, I’m on vacation with my wife. We’re traveling first-class as a treat.

As the train settles into a gentle rhythm, the dining cart comes to life. A youngish couple interact playfully with their inquisitive kids, two lovers share private jokes over wine and a group of rugged, twenty-something-year-old men, who’ve spent the last four days stomping through sodden landscapes, head-to-toe in Gore-Tex, chat about their trip.

They tell us how they trekked to Fort William from the UK’s highest railway station, Corrour, which this train will soon pass through. "The hardship got to me," confesses one, who introduces himself as Oliver. "Even at high elevations we were walking through bogs. It was tough going."

Nursing bottles of beer the four men look contemplatively out of the windows as, in a matter of minutes, the train unravels the landscapes they took days to conquer.

Oblivious to the scenery and the men’s adventure – and anything else on the train, in fact – is the woman sat opposite me, who merrily shovels macaroni cheese into her mouth while glued to her iPad.

We go full Scottish with our dinner: haggis, neeps and tatties, washed down with Laphroaig 10 year. The good stuff. The whiskey, I figure, will send us into a deep slumber when we retire to our cabin. That proves wishful thinking. Lying in bed that night, listening to the rat-a-tat-tat of the railway, I muse that a more apt moniker for the train might be the Caledonian Insomnia. It’s at that point my wife starts snoring.

There are a few things you need to know before traveling on the Caledonian Sleeper. One, it’s not a single train. There are two services: The Highlander, which links London with Aberdeen , Inverness  and Fort William , with a few stops in between; and The Lowlander, which connects the English capital with Glasgow and Edinburgh .

Both the 16-car sleepers depart London late at night and both stop at some ungodly hour, somewhere in Scotland, to be dissected: The Highlander is split into three and the Lowlander two. These severed services then go on to their respective destinations with the reverse happening on the return leg.

Deep-sleeping passengers don’t notice any of this, but I’m not a deep sleeper and on the outbound leg had been roused from my slumber as the carriages and their human cargo were shunted around. My wife hadn’t stirred.

Competition from low-cost airlines and high-speed railways had driven many overnighters into the buffers, but sleeper trains are now  making a comeback in Europe . Britain is blessed with two such services: the Caledonian Sleeper and the Night Riviera , which rattles between London and Penzance , Cornwall. In what many see as a vote of confidence in Britain’s overnighters, both services have been given overhauls of late, with £150 million being ploughed into the Caledonian Sleeper in 2019 alone.

The train’s refurbished hotel-style en suite cabins feature double beds. But it's not just the high-end rooms that received attention – both the Classic Rooms and Club Rooms (both sporting bunk beds) were given the once over, while the reclining chairs in seating class (the cheapest tickets) were completely redesigned, now boasting personal lockers, reading lights and charging points. It’s these touches that the company running the service hoped would elevate the Caledonian’s reputation among rail enthusiasts to one of the best train rides in Britain, and perhaps even Europe ( though Norway will likely have something to say about that ).

In a country where grumbling about the railways is a national sport – and commuter services are synonymous with overcrowding and poor value for money – the Caledonian Sleeper clings defiantly to the Golden Age of rail travel. It’s an old romantic, an anachronism.

Mercifully, I manage to catch a few ZZZs in the end, nodding off somewhere around Cumbria. To say I arrive in London feeling refreshed, though, is pushing it.

We are sent into the day with breakfast in bed – Scottish smoked salmon and eggs – which we scoff before joining the morning commuters in the English capital. They have the same bleak indifference of the Highlands only with none of the romance.

I sigh. Perhaps next time it’ll be a one-way ticket for me.

How to do it yourself

Here's everything you need to know to have your very own night train journey across Britain. However, bear in mind that during COVID-19 there are restrictions on travel. Check the latest guidance before departure, and always follow local health advice.

How do I get tickets?

Tickets can be purchased a year in advance from the Caledonian Sleeper website . They sell out way in advance during holidays and busy periods so book far ahead to avoid disappointment.

How often do trains go?

The Caledonian Sleeper Highlander Service to Fort William departs London Euston at 21:15 every weeknight and at 20:59 on Sunday. The Lowlander Service to Edinburgh leaves London Euston every weeknight at 23:50 and at 23:30 on Sunday. There’s no service on Saturday.

The southbound Highlander starts in Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William, while the Lowlander sets off from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Timetables for each station are available online .

How much does it cost?

From £40 for a reclining seat; £180 for a bunk in a two-bed sleeper; £300 if you go for a superior en suite cabin with Priority Club Car access. All prices are one-way.

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This article was first published Jul 7, 2019 and updated Nov 30, 2020.

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The Caledonian Sleeper Train: A Complete Guide

There’s something about a sleeper train; something about boarding in one place, and waking up in another, watching the scenery roll quickly past as you drink your morning coffee. A sense of glamour, or romance? Whatever it is, I’m very into it. And I recently took one of the sleeper trains I’ve wanted to do most: The Caledonian Sleeper. 

Ever since my first sleeper train experience between Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai back in 2011, complete with bar cart party during which revellers from all over the world partied together over large bottles of Chang, I have been a little bit in love with sleeper trains. I’ve not done too many, but I’m collecting these experiences and this one has been on my list for a very long time. Who am I to turn down an opportunity to travel up to the capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness , on the Caledonian Sleeper train?

Caledonian Sleeper Blog Contents

How long is the journey on the caledonian sleeper.

It depends where you’re going! There are two services: a Highlands service and a Lowlands service. 

The Highlands service departs Euston at 21.15 and the Lowlands service departs at 23.45 each night bar Saturday, when there is no service. There are services from various places in Scotland each evening to London too (you can check specific timings here .)

My train was made up of 16 cars which split off once somewhere in Scotland to three different destinations: Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness. We boarded at 20.30, departed at 21.15 and arrived at Inverness at 08.45. 12 glorious hours of sleeper train glamour to lap up!

TOP TIP:  Sometimes the Caledonian Sleeper is subject to delay. Remember you can claim back some of your ticket cost on delay repay if this happens! It’s a big wedge for this trip, so a must to follow up if you are unfortunately delayed.

What are the rooms like on the Caledonian Sleeper Train?

There are 3 options for rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper:  Classic, Club  and  Double .

The Club and Double rooms include an en-suite, breakfast, snack and priority access to the bar and Club car. Classic rooms use shared toilet facilities, and whilst you have access to the Club Car, in busy times there may not be room. 

There is also a seated option which allows you to travel on the Caledonian Sleeper route for a lot less. The seats are in a carriage so they lack privacy and have no access to the Club car. However you can order some food from the menu to your seat. It may not be the comfiest sleep, but it’s a good option if you want to get to Scotland for a decent price!

How comfortable is it?

The beds and bedding on the Caledonian Sleeper are by far the most comfortable I’ve experienced. That said, don’t expect the best nights sleep unless you’re a fantastic sleeper. It does get quite rocky and loud (ear plugs recommended!)

How much space is there?

The hallways that run along the cabins are very narrow and the cabins are definitely compact . There are no seats, so to spread out a bit head to the Club Car for food and drink. Cabin luggage can easily fit under the bottom bunk to save space. If you have larger luggage you will need to arrange for this to be stored elsewhere.

Do they have family rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper?

All rooms are for max two people, but the Classic rooms can act as interconnecting rooms. If travelling with children under 12, they must travel in the same or connecting room to an accompanying adult. Children above 12 can sleep in their own room.

Good news! Kids 4 years old and younger travel for free (one child per paying adult). Bear in mind that it may be a bit of a squeeze as the beds are quite narrow. If you want a child to have their own bed, you will need to pay for a child’s ticket. Please note the cabins are too narrow for a tavel cot.

TOP TIP:  There are family tickets available, which allows you to save up to 33% overall – a great saving!

How accessible is it?

There are accessible rooms available on every Caledonian Sleeper, and also accessible areas in the seated carriage.

Are dogs allowed on the Caledonian Sleeper ?

Yes! I had the privilege of bunking next door to a beautiful cocker spaniel. And cats are allowed too!

There is a £30 cleaning fee for pets as they give the cabin a deep clean after.

What is the restaurant cart like?

On the Caledonian Sleeper the restaurant cart is called the Club car. It’s the best of all the restaurant cars I’ve been to on a train. There are approx 4 booths that seat 4-5 people each, and then individual tables on the other side facing the windows. These have swivel chairs that can turn to face each other to change a table for one into an intimate table for two with little effort. There is a restaurant car for each area of the train that splits.

Drinks on offer include a variety of wines – two of each red and white by the glass and two further by bottle, as well a rose option by the glass and a bottle of champagne for what feels like a very reasonable £40 given the cost of a bottle of Prosecco in a London pub these days. Whisky and Scottish gins are of course an option, and the food menu is led by traditional favourites including Scottish smoked trout pate (£12) and haggis, neeps and tatties in a whisky sauce (£14).

I had the full Scottish breakfast in the morning and it was excellent! Black pudding, bacon, Lorne sausage and potato cake served with baked beans – delicious. As a Club passenger, breakfast was included with my ticket, but it is available for purchase to all. You can choose to have breakfast in the Club Car or your room, thought due to space issues I’d opt for the Club Car.

Can everyone use the Club Car on the Caledonian Sleeper?

Seated passengers cannot use the Club Car, but can order food from the menu to their seats.

Club and Double customers get priority access to the Club Car, but on a Friday in January you were safe from it being too busy. The peak summer months are when this becomes a problem. I would personally jump to the the Club fare in order to have priority access and make the most of those incredible vistas from the big Club Car windows.

What is the Caledonian Sleeper Euston lounge like?

This was my first train lounge experience (I peek into the Belmont one at Victoria a lot, and it looks fab, but it is Belmond), so I have nothing to compare to – I think perhaps an airline lounge comparison would be unfair.

A range of soft drinks and snacks (crisps and shortbread) are complimentary, whilst alcoholic drinks and a hot menu is available for purchase. It’s worth noting that the same menu is available in both the lounge at Euston and in the Club Cart of the train, and prices seemed to match. I had a serious sushi craving that needed to be met and there was no issue taking in and eating that in there, so don’t feel like you can’t grab something beforehand.

Showers are obviously a great perk if you’re heading to straight to work, but I wouldn’t say lounge access is reason enough to purchase a Club or Double cabin ticket – the onboard perks are the real pull. Were it an option to purchase lounge access as a separate extra, I probably wouldn’t go for it, but it was a nice to have with the ticket type I had.

How much does the Caledonian Sleeper cost?

• Seats start from £50
• Classic from £190 for solo occupancy and £240 for double
• Club en-suite from £250 for solo occupancy and £320 for double
• Doubles en-suite start from £360 for solo occupancy and £425 for double

It’s to your advantage to book in advance for the Caledonian Sleeper train. Prices hike up nearer to time of departure, and bank holidays get very busy. I was lucky to get 25% off in their Black Friday sale, but it was only valid for bookings in the off-peak months of January and February.

I originally booked a Classic room and then after a peek on SeatFrog , paid £40 to upgrade to the Club room – a steal considering those rooms were selling for £330 the week I travelled and I paid under £200 all in!

Is the Caledonian Sleeper worth it?

For me, absolutely. I love sleeper trains and whilst this one was the most expensive one I’ve done, it was also the best experience I’ve had. Unfortunately it is usually cheaper to fly, but for me it’s about the special experience. It helps that you are saving on a night’s accommodation with your travel and sleep all in one.

I will definitely do it again. I have my heart set on doing the Fort William route in the summer months and then hopping into a camper van to explore the Hebrides!

FOUND THIS USEFUL? PIN FOR LATER!

Would you do the Caledonian Sleeper? Let me know below in the comments!

Written January 2024.

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Absolutely loved reading your experience on the Caledonian Sleeper! Your vivid descriptions make me feel like I was right there with you. It’s clear you have a passion for sleeper trains, and I share that enthusiasm! If anyone else is itching to embark on their own railway adventure, they should check out Cheap Train Tickets for great deals on sleeper train journeys. Trust me, it’s a journey you won’t want to miss! 🚂✨ Check it out here: https://www.cheaptraintickets.co.uk/

Wow, what an adventure you had on the Caledonian Sleeper! Your enthusiasm for sleeper trains is contagious, and reading about your journey makes me want to hop on board myself. From the scenic views to the cozy cabins, it sounds like an unforgettable experience.

I loved how you detailed every aspect of the journey, from the different room options to the delicious meals in the Club car. It’s clear you made the most of your time on the train, soaking in the atmosphere and enjoying every moment.

Your tips about booking in advance and taking advantage of discounts are super helpful. It’s great to know there are ways to make the trip more affordable while still enjoying all the perks of a luxurious sleeper train experience.

And how cool that pets are allowed on board! Traveling with a furry companion sounds like a lot of fun.

Thanks for sharing your adventure. After reading your blog, I’m seriously considering booking a trip on the Caledonian Sleeper myself!

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

Caledonian Sleeper Review: Using the Sleeper Train in the UK

Last updated: April 8, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 24 Comments

Sleeper trains! Jess and I are big fans, and we’ve taken them in a wide variety of countries. We’ve ridden all sorts of sleeper trains, from creaky old eastern European models through to the vintage Orient Express .

We’ve also ridden one of the UK’s sleeper trains a number of times. The Caledonian Sleeper is a service which links London, England, with a number of cities and towns in Scotland. In this post we’re going to share our experiences using the Caledonian Sleeper service to travel between England and Scotland.

There are some benefits and also some drawbacks to using this service, and we wanted to share them all so you can make an informed decision as to whether or not this might be the right option for you.

This will be based on our personal experiences travelling with the Caledonian Sleeper , which we have done on a number of routes, including between Edinburgh and London, and Inverness and London.

Initially we rode the Caledonian Sleeper thanks to an invite from the service operators, but we have also ridden the service a number of other times and paid for it ourselves.

First though, you might be wondering why the UK needs a sleeper train service. After all, the UK isn’t exactly that big. You can get from London to Edinburgh in under five hours by train, so why would you want a sleeper version?

Well, there are a few reasons.

First, you save on the cost of a hotel night by sleeping on a train from London to Scotland.

Second, you don’t waste precious exploration time stuck on a train – instead, you arrive bright and early in your destination, ready for a full day of adventure.

Third, unlike many train services in the UK, the Caledonian Sleeper service can be booked a whole year in advance, helping you figure out your transport well in advance.

And fourth – well, fourth, it’s kind of fun and certainly one of the more unique ways to travel in the UK!

In this post I’m going to share our Caledonian Sleeper review.

This post will cover the different classes available on board the Caledonian Sleeper, our review of the Caledonian Sleeper service experience between London and Scotland, and all the information you need to know about when planning a trip on the Caledonian Sleeper.

What is the Caledonian Sleeper?

The Caledonian Sleeper is a sleeper train service which operates a number of routes which link London with cities in Scotland, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, and Aberdeen. Services run both ways six days a week, with the exception of Saturdays.

A sleeper train to Scotland has been running from London since the 1850’s, although the service has been updated a few times since then – with the most recent a major update coming into service is the 2020s.

It’s been running in its current name, the Caledonian Sleeper, since 1996, and in 2016, Lonely Planet named the journey from London Euston to Fort William the best sleeper train journey in the world.

What Sleeping Options Are There on the Caledonian Sleeper?

As of 2021 there are four main options for travel on the Caledonia Sleeper. These are a Sleeper Seat , Classic Room , Club Room and Caledonian Double .

Please be aware that the Caledonian Sleeper service was fully upgraded in 2019/2020, with entirely new carriages.

We have travelled on both the newer and older services, and we have updated the post to reflect the new products and experience, which is much improved.

Previously there were three options for travel, a sleeper seat, standard sleeper room and first class sleeper room. None of these were en-suite or offered a double room, and there was no WiFi or proper power outlets (although there were USB outlets).

The new trains are far more luxurious, with upgraded sleeper seats as well as en-suite sleeper rooms and even a double en-suite room option for couples. There are also fully accessible rooms, as well as WiFi throughout.

Here are the current options for accommodation on the Caledonian Sleeper.

1. Sleeper Seat.

The Sleeper Seat is generally the most economical way to travel on the Caledonian Sleeper. These are reclining seats in a 2 + 1 arrangement, which are similar in layout to first class seats on a normal British train.

As you will be sharing with other people in the same carriage, this is likely to be the least comfortable option, and you won’t be able to lie flat.

There’s a counter-service, but the lounge / dining car (called the Club Car) is off limits to sleeper seat passengers. All Caledonian Sleeper Seat passengers receive a sleep kit which comes with earplugs and an eye mask. Seats also feature a tray table, access to lockable storage, Wi-Fi, charging points and an individual reading light.

2. Classic Sleeper Room

The Classic Sleeper Room is an excellent option if you actually want a lie-flat bed and some privacy – especially if you’re travelling with a friend or as couple or family.

If you are travelling as a group or family you can book interconnected rooms for access to the adjacent room without having to go into the corridor.

The sleeper rooms accommodate two people, with two bunks on the walls – one above the other. If you are travelling on your own you will have the whole room to yourself. Note that on the old service you would have to share with a stranger but this is no longer the case.

You get a sleep kit with eyemask and ear plugs, and the room also has a sink, towels, bedding, standard AC and USB power outlets.

You are also able to access the lounge car, subject to space (priority is given to club class passengers), which has a range of seating options as well as a drinks and meal service. Breakfast is not included but is available for a fee. You can see an idea of available on board meals here .

The room doesn’t have a toilet, but individual ladies and gents toilets are available at the end of each carriage.

There are also no showers in these rooms, but showers can be found at many of the stations along the route – there’s a small fee to use these.

The Classic Sleeper Room grants access to the Club Car where dining and drinks are available. However, be aware that priority access to the Club Car is given to guests in Club Rooms or the Caledonian Double.

3. Club Room

If you’re looking for a more luxury hotel-like experience for your overnight train between London and Scotland, or are travelling alone and really value your privacy, consider the Club Room .

This offers similar sleeping arrangements to the Classic Sleeper Room, in that it’s a twin bunk.

However, you also get an en-suite facility which has both a toilet and a shower, although note that the toilet has a bench cover over it, so you effectively shower over the toilet. Still, it’s nice to have your own private toilet and shower on board.

As well as all the amenities included in the standard sleeper room, including WiFi and power points, you also get access to the station lounges at departure and arrival stations, as well as a free hot or continental breakfast, which you can enjoy either in your room or in the Club Car.

You also have priority access to the Club Car on the train.

In terms of the lounge access, we have used the lounge at both London Euston and Inverness. Both had free refreshments, which included soft drinks, coffee or tea, and snacks (think cookies and pretzels). Alcoholic drinks were available for purchase. The Euston lounge is on platform one, and is open to both arriving and departing passengers. It’s the flagship lounge and is very comfortable.

The Inverness lounge is a lot smaller, and was actually full when we tried to access it. Thankfully, the Caledonian Sleeper has an arrangement with a nearby hotel, so you can get free coffee or tea over there if the Inverness lounge is full, which is what we did.

Both lounges had free WiFi access as well as power sockets.

4. Caledonian Double

The ultimate in luxury, the Caledonian Double offers all the same amenities and facilities as the Club Room, but with a double bed instead of twin bunks.

If you’re traveling as a couple, or simply want a more comfortable solo sleeping experience, this is going to be a great option. That said, do bear in mind that the train moves around, so some might prefer the single bunk bed so as not to bump into your partner all night.

Again, you get breakfast included, your own private en-suite toilet and shower, complimentary toiletries, station lounge access, priority boarding, priority club car access, Wi-Fi, charging points etc.

Caledonian Sleeper Review

Jess and I have travelled on both the overnight “lowland sleeper” route, from Edinburgh to London, and the “highland route”, specifically from Inverness to London. We have actually taken the lowland route a number of times in both directions, and the highland route once.

The lowland route is one of the shorter journeys available on the Caledonian Sleeper, lasting around eight hours. It operates between London and Glasgow/Edinburgh.

The highland route is a longer service. We took it from Inverness to London Euston, which took around 12 hours when we did it. It also operates from Fort William and Aberdeen, with various stops through Scotland as it works south.

Lowland Sleeper Experience

First, I’ll cover our Lowland Sleeper experience. We have done this a number of times in both directions, so I’ll provide an overall summary of this experience from Edinburgh to London.

In Edinburgh, which was where we started our journey, the train is available for boarding from 11pm, and the train itself departs at 23.40. We traveled in the original train and had a sleeper cabin, and we got on board in plenty of time to take advantage of everything the train had to offer.

On arrival our rooms were allocated and our breakfast order was taken. After popping our luggage in our rooms, we headed to the lounge car to try out an evening meal from the options available.

This was actually very good (and reasonably priced!), even though the galley on the original train was restricted to sandwiches and microwaveable meals (the new service now offers a much improved menu selection).

Then, ready for bed, we headed back to our cabins. Cabins do lock, but when we travelled only the steward had the keys, so to get back into our cabin we had to find our carriage steward (this has changed with the new service, and all guests have their own keycard for room access).

Back into our cabins, we got ourselves ready for bed, I plugged my phone into one of the available USB ports, and went to sleep.

I’m pleased to report that we both slept well on the train down to London, although certainly we appreciate this won’t be an experience for everyone.

Trains move around and make noise as they travel, and whilst the earplugs certainly help, it’s really down to the individual as to how you will sleep.

I would also add that to get the most sleep you should arrive as soon as the train is ready for boarding, having eaten beforehand, and just head straight to bed.

On this journey our train arrived into London at just after 7am, and as we wanted breakfast in the lounge car, we had to be up by 6.30am to take advantage of that. A wake-up call was available, but we just used my phone alarm.

We woke with my alarm and headed for breakfast. We were particularly impressed by breakfast – Jess had Scottish smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, whilst I went for the full highland breakfast. Then, finding ourselves already in Euston, we offloaded and started our London adventure.

Our return trip was similar, with the exception that on the journey north, the train from London to Edinburgh can be boarded at 10pm, meaning you can get a bit more sleep should you wish – or just enjoy a dram of whisky or two in the lounge car.

It still doesn’t leave until just before midnight, so if falling asleep whilst the train is moving is a problem for you, getting on board a little bit earlier might be the best option.

We were also a little disappointed on our northern version of the trip that an issue with food delivery meant that the highland breakfast wasn’t available.

Jess again availed of the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, and I went for the bacon bap, which was excellent. It was also particularly nice to have breakfast in the dining car as we headed into Edinburgh, as the scenery on this part of the journey is really lovely, and is an excellent way to start getting excited for your Scottish adventure.

Highland Sleeper Experience

We took the Highland Sleeper service from Inverness to London on the new train, which came into service in 2020.

When we took it, track works meant it was running to a slightly different timetable, with a Sunday evening departure at 8.25pm and an arrival into London Euston at 8.45am. We actually preferred this slightly later arrival as it gave us a bit more time to relax on board.

We booked the Club Room. We had actually hoped to try the Caledonian Double, but despite booking many months in advance, these were already all sold out.

So as a tip, be aware that rooms sell out very far in advance. Our train was actually fully booked when we travelled. We travelled in April 2024, and the room cost us £430 for two people. That included breakfast, lounge access at both ends, and priority access to the dining car.

Our train was due to depart at 8.25pm from Inverness, with the Club Lounge open from 6.30pm and boarding from 7.45pm. We headed to Inverness train station at 7pm, but were disappointed to arrive and find the fairly small lounge across the road from the station was already full.

The very nice lady did however give us tea/coffee vouchers for a nearby hotel, and also let us avail of snacks from the lounge.

We went over to the hotel and waited for half an hour, and then headed to the station where we waited until 7.45pm. One tip, if you are travelling on a busy service like we were and you intend to eat on the train, we’d advise getting in line early.

It takes a while to board everyone onto the train because everyone has to be checked in (much like a hotel). There is also limited dining car room, and while Club sleepers get priority access, it can fill up quickly if the service is full.

We were actually the first to board the train, and after dropping our bags in our room we headed to the restaurant to secure a table. As you can see, we got one with no problem, although it filled up within a few minutes of us sitting down.

The dining car has been noticeably upgraded in the new trains, with a much-improved seating experience as well as a better menu.

We put our breakfast order in, slightly disappointed to learn that the highland breakfast wasn’t available. This seems to happen regularly, and is a bit disappointing because it was delicious the one time we were able to have it!

We had the choice of breakfast in our room or in the Club car, and we opted for the Club car as it gave us a slightly wider choice of breakfast options.

We also ordered dinner of course, as that was what we were primarily there for.

The food focuses on Scottish themed dining, and so obviously we had to order the haggis, neeps and tatties. We also had a nice glass of red wine as well as a delicious clootie dumpling for dessert. Overall the food was excellent and the staff were very friendly.

By the time we ate the train was well underway, having departed on time from Inverness. After dinner we headed back to our room where we used our bathroom (having our own bathroom was a big upgrade from our previous experience), got ready for bed, read a bit, and then went to sleep.

The beds are bunk style in the room we had, with each bunk bed having its own USB power outlet and reading light. There are also some UK style 240v power outlets in the room.

We then went to sleep. I can highly recommend using the provided eye mask and ear plugs. Whilst you can turn the lights off in the room of course, there are emergency lights and lights around the light switches that can’t be turned off for obvious reasons.

So if you are sensitive to light when sleeping, you will definitely want to wear the eye mask.

Overall, we both slept pretty well. Sleeping on a train is not for everyone as there is a fair bit of movement and background noise, but we did alright. We definitely preferred the longer train journey as it meant we got more sleep, being able to go to bed a little earlier than on the Edinburgh train.

We got up at 6.45am for the 7am breakfast service (the latest time available).

We both had bacon rolls and coffee for breakfast, which we enjoyed as the train rolled towards London.

We arrived a few minutes late into London Euston at 8.50am. The train arrived onto Platform one, and as we were too early to check into our hotel, we stopped at the Caledonian Sleeper lounge, which is conveniently located on Platform one.

Here we availed of the free coffee, WiFi and restrooms before heading on to our hotel. It’s definitely the nicest Caledonian Sleeper lounge we have tried and it wasn’t busy with morning arrivals as presumably most people had somewhere else to be! However we think it’s worth popping in on your arrival for a free hot drink if nothing else.

How Much Does the Caledonian Sleeper Cost?

As an indication, prices for the Caledonian Sleeper London to Edinburgh start from around the following:

• £48 for a Seat
• £145 for a Classic (single occupancy), £175 for a Classic (double occupancy)
• £205 for a Club (single occupancy), £250 for a Club (double occupancy)
• £335 for a Double (single occupancy), £400 for a Double (double occupancy)

Price for the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Fort William start from around the following:

• £53 for a Seat
• £195 for a Classic (single occupancy), £235 for a Classic (double occupancy)
• £245 for a Club (single occupancy), £300 for a Club (double occupancy)
• £395 for a Double (single occupancy), £470 for a Double (double occupancy)

Prices for the Caledonian Sleeper vary depending on time of year and the specific journey you book. You can check the prices for your specific journey online here .

Things to Know About the Caledonia Sleeper

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your Caledonian Sleeper adventure from London to Scotland (or vice versa).

Train arrival times

The lowland trains to and from Edinburgh and Glasgow arrive early into their respective destinations. This is great for giving you lots of time to sightsee, but if you are travelling with luggage you will have to factor that in as you’ll have to find somewhere to leave it.

Many hotels will let you leave luggage if you arrive early for no additional fee, otherwise you may have to look at left luggage options. For example, this site provides Baggage services at a number of stations in the UK.

WiFi on the Caledonian Sleeper

The Caledonian Sleeper has full WiFi coverage. However, as this is a moving train, expect speeds to vary and for WiFi to drop out in areas of low signal or when passing through a tunnel.

Food / Drink on the Caledonian Sleeper

For travellers in one of the sleeper rooms, the Caledonian Sleeper Club Car has a range of drink and meal options including full dinners and breakfasts. Room service is also available.

There is a counter service available to guests in the sleeper seats for snacks and refreshments.

Pets on the Caledonian Sleeper

Pets are welcome on board the Caledonian Sleeper. Assistance dogs are free, whilst all other pets have a charge of £30 room cleaning fee at time of writing. Note this is per room rather than per pet. Up to two pets can travel per room.

Pets are not allowed in the seated carriage, on beds or in the Club Car.

Power on the Caledonian Sleeper

Power is available is the form of standard three-pin AC power outlets as well as USB sockets for each room. Power points are also available at each seat in the Comfort Seats.

Toilets / Showers on the Caledonian Sleeper

For travellers in the Comfort Seats or Classic Rooms, toilets are available at the ends of each carriage, but there are no onboard shower facilities.

Caledonian Double and Club Rooms feature an en-suite shower and toilet.

A number of stations offer Caledonian Sleeper passengers the option to shower either on departure or arrival. This is free for travellers in the Caledonian Double or Club Room, while there is a small fee for standard sleeper and sleeper seat passengers.

Stations with showers are London Euston, Glasgow, Edinburgh Waverley, Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen.

Toilets are located at the end of each carriage, and unusually for a UK train, can be used when in a station.

Accessibility on the Caledonian Sleeper

The new Caledonian Sleeper trains have a number of fully accessible rooms. These include twin and double accessible rooms. The Club Car also has dedicated wheelchair space, and the Seated Coach also has a dedicated wheelchair space.

Accessible rooms feature an in-room lowered sink, large floor space to accommodate wheelchair turning and two emergency alarms. Read more about the accessible rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper and how to book them here .

Overall Caledonian Sleeper Review

I’m now going to go through the positives about the Caledonian Sleeper service, as well as some things to be aware of when taking this service.

Good things about the Caledonian Sleeper

There’s lots to like about the Caledonian Sleeper. Here are some of the good things:

• The service offers a comfortable way to travel between Scotland and England, combining transport and accommodation in one. Instead of wasting time traveling in the day, you can make the most of your time by traveling through the night and maximise sightseeing time in the day.
• If you compare the cost of travel and a night’s accommodation, the Caledonian Sleeper can be a cost-effective way to travel between England and Scotland
• Unlike a flight, the train gets you into the heart of the city. There also aren’t any liquid restrictions you need to worry about, and your luggage isn’t weighed or anything like that.
• You can book your travel very far in advance, and most options are refundable up to a certain time before travel should your plans change.
• The staff are super friendly, making for a positive experience overall.
• The food on board is good (with the caveat that there can be availability issues sometimes).

Things to be Aware of with the Caledonian Sleeper

The Caledonian Sleeper experience isn’t all positives. There are some things to be aware of.

• Trains can be late. On one of our trips from London to Edinburgh our train was significantly delayed and then actually cancelled near Glasgow. We all had to be decanted into buses for the onward journey, which was quite inconvenient. Of course, this is often beyond the control of the Caledonian Sleeper, and can occur with any transport option.
• Sleeping on a train is not for everyone. The beds are very comfortable, but the train moves a fair amount and there is quite a bit of noise from the track and wheels. The train also stops and starts through the night. Whilst ear plugs and an eye mask are provided, you may or may not have as good of a night’s sleep as you hope compared to a hotel bed.
• Arriving early into a city sounds great in theory, but can provide logistical challenges as you will have to figure out what to do with your luggage. We’d advise heading straight to your hotel and dropping of any luggage if you are overnighting in your destination city, and then heading out to explore. Having a plan is key to a good experience.
• The same issue can be said for departing as well as arriving. Departing a city late in the evening will require you to figure out what to do with your bags. Most hotels will let you leave a bag with them, but if you are staying in an Airbnb or similar , you will want to consider luggage storage options.
• The service can be very popular, so you will need to book well in advance if you want to guarantee a particular room type.

Overall, we’d definitely recommend you consider the Caledonian Sleeper for your transport needs when visiting the UK. You’ll save the cost of an overnight stay, won’t lose time travelling in the day, and will experience one of the world’s great sleeper train journeys.

Further Reading

As you can see, we thoroughly enjoyed our trips on the Caledonian Sleeper. Hopefully you found our review helpful.

As well as this review, we have lots of content and resources to help you plan your trip to the UK , as well as some other train related experiences. Enjoy!

• Click here if you want to book a trip on the Caledonian Sleeper train service
• If you want to read more about our sleeper train experiences, look no further than our luxury voyage on the Orient Express from London to Venice . For a shorter luxury train experience in the UK, you can read about our journey on the Belmond British Pullman . Yes, we like trains.
• For your time in London, take a look at our Two Day London Itinerary to help you see all the highlights of London. There’s also a 1 day version if you’re short on time.
• London transport can be confusing. That’s why we wrote a guide to buying and using the London Oyster Card , and a guide to public transport in London to help you get around without spending too much money
• London’s also photogenic – check out our tips for finding the best Photography Locations in London
• And, to really save money in London, read our full review of the London Pass to help you decide if this can save you money on your visit to London
• Beyond London, we’ve got lots of experience in the UK as well. Take a look at our detailed itinerary for  two weeks in the UK , and the 1 week version , for inspiration.
• We’ve written a number of guides to Edinburgh, including a guide to visiting during the August festivals , the Highlights of Edinburgh , Hidden Gems in Edinburgh and a 2 day Edinburgh itinerary , to name a few
• We’ve also visited Glasgow of course – and put together a comprehensive Glasgow guide for you
• Heading even further north in Scotland, here are some ideas, including information on the epic North Coast 500 road trip, exploring the Highlands and Skye , things to do in Inverness , and even whisky tasting !

And that sums up our experience on the Caledonian Sleeper train service between London and Scotland! Have you ever considered travelling by overnight train in the UK? Have any questions for us? Let us know in the comments below!

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There are 24 comments on this post

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Laird G.Edward M Mangar says

2nd May 2022 at 2:46 pm

Outstanding

Laurence Norah says

2nd May 2022 at 3:51 pm

Thank you 🙂

Ian Smith says

27th December 2021 at 10:14 pm

We used this service last week for our boys to sample an overnight train and going to sleep in London and waking up in Scotland and to see friends up there. We took the sleeper from Euston to Edinburgh. We waited around a bit at Euston until 1030, when they let us on the train. The staff were very helpful and we soon found our berths. The rooms were narrow but with a bit of manoeuvring we found a way round it (it helps to pack carefully!) The beds are lovely and comfortable with the duvets especially nice and warm. We got into Edinburgh at 730 and left at about 745, to an empty Edinburgh with nothing open but that’s another story. The sleeper we would definitely use again and we would recommend others to do it.

28th December 2021 at 11:56 am

Thanks for sharing your experience using the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Edinburgh. It sounds like you had a lovely experience. Hopefully you had a nice time in Edinburgh too and managed to find some things to do 🙂

All the best for 2022!

Joan Roberts says

31st October 2021 at 2:00 pm

I was booked on the 21,43 sleeper from Aberdeen to Euston on Friday 29th October, this was cancelled and I had to get the Cross County to Edinburg at 21.35. On arrival at Edinburgh I had to sit in a waiting room, which was not very warm until 3am. The sleeper train arrived in London over two hours late. The cost for this leg of the journey was £128,70. I told that I could claim a refund. Let me know if you require any further proof of my journey.

31st October 2021 at 2:41 pm

Sorry to hear about your experience with the Caledonian Sleeper. To be clear, we’re not associated with the Caledonian Sleeper, this page is just a review of their service. You will need to contact them directly about a refund, which you can do on their official website on the contact us page here:

https://www.sleeper.scot/contact-us/

Hopefully they are able to help,

26th September 2021 at 10:55 am

Wow, you seem to have had a great experience! Unlike my recent trip on the same train with 2 Club rooms… showers didn’t work, toilet doors didn’t close properly. Very limited breakfast in room only (porridge or bacon roll) and guess what, we weren’t the only people to experience the aforementioned problems. I received a discount after a complaint but the journey up and my first day of a 2 day break were pretty miserable..

Hey Gab! Wow, that doesn’t sound good at all. I’m glad to hear you got some compensation but I would hope they improve the underlying issues as well. Thanks for letting us know!

Richard Gaunt says

28th July 2021 at 4:14 pm

A friend of mine booked a berth and a bicycle, but was informed he could not take an electrically power-assisted bike, indistinguishable from a normal bike. After much prompting, Caledonian declined to give a reason apart from “its policy”. Other railway companies love these bikes. Perhaps you can persuade them to provide a real reason.

9th August 2021 at 5:08 pm

Hi Richard,

Sorry about the lengthy delay to my response. I reached out to Caledonian Sleeper as you soon as you left your message, but I wanted to wait until they responded before getting back to you. Unfortunately, whilst they did say they were going to get back to me with a response, that hasn’t happened yet. I have followed up, and if they get back to me with something improved on what you heard, I will let you know

26th September 2021 at 10:49 am

You won’t get a response. We arrested still waiting.

26th September 2021 at 10:54 am

You are correct, a reply is still lacking. Rather disappointing.

Lawrence Davidson says

7th June 2021 at 1:11 am

Thanks for an interesting report. I try to do the Fort William sleeper a couple of times a year as it’s such a brilliant experience. One thing you might like to correct in the report is that now you will never have to share a cabin with a stranger, two people sharing must be friends or family. And you do get a key to your cabin door now so no searching for the attendant. If you do get round to doing it you must do the Fort William one. Best wishes.

7th June 2021 at 11:13 am

Thank you so much for this input Lawrence, it’s very helpful. I’ve updated the post accordingly. It definitely seems like the service has been much upgraded and we are itching to give it a go!

Carol Marion says

15th March 2020 at 7:56 pm

Please add me to newsletter list.TY

16th March 2020 at 10:32 am

Sandra Hatton says

6th May 2019 at 10:35 pm

Great info which I hope to use one day soon.

7th May 2019 at 5:29 pm

Thanks Sandra! The new trains are also starting to roll out, so the service is even better than this. We hope to experience it soon and update the post!

Cindly says

13th January 2019 at 10:26 pm

I really love this idea to visit Edinburg. Where do you keep your luggage for the day when you take the sleeper train? Are there lockers large enough to hold carry on sized bags?

14th January 2019 at 11:04 am

There’s a left luggage service at Edinburgh train station itself, as well as some other options not too far from the station. I think they charge by the bag rather than being lockers, but they should most size bags 🙂

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Rianna Galvez says

28th August 2018 at 9:55 pm

Just booked purchased tickets for our trip to Edinburgh from London! We can’t wait for my toddler to experience this 🙂

28th August 2018 at 9:59 pm

Awesome! We’re taking it down to London later on in the year too from Edinburgh as they are rolling out the new carriages and we want to see what they are like and update our pictures 😀

Kathryn Burrington says

23rd August 2017 at 7:04 am

I had no idea I could sleep my way to Scotland! I’ve yet to visit but hope to soon and this sounds like an excellent idea.I’ve only been on a sleeper train once, many years ago in Egypt and it was great fun. Would really love to experience it again but does this one come with a dancing waiter balancing drinks on his forehead?!

Laurence says

23rd August 2017 at 7:40 am

Ha! Waiter, yes… Not too sure about the drink balancing part though!

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Guide to the Caledonian Sleeper Train (Review & tips)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: November 7, 2022

Considering a trip on the Caledonian Sleeper? Good choice! Our guide contains our review of the service plus practical tips and advice to make the most of your trip on one of the most popular train journeys in the world.

There is no better way to travel!  Train lovers like ourselves always prefer rail travel to any other form of travel, not just for the considerable advantages over other modes of transport but also for the environmental benefits.

Sleeper travel is even better!

• Traveling overnight saves the cost of a hotel. It is amazing to fall asleep in one country/state and wake up in another and enjoy the views along the way!  The contrast in scenery can be incredible!
• Saves time when on a tight travel schedule, travelling whilst asleep, waking up refreshed and ready for the next adventure.
• Sleeper train travel provides fantastic travel memories and stories to tell with some of the  best train journeys of the world incorporating overnight travel.
• It is amazing fun!

In this article discover one of the most popular sleeper train journeys in the world – the Caledonian Sleeper service from London to Scotland (and vice versa). You will find essential tips to make the most of your journey plus a first-hand review of our own experiences using this service multiple times.

If you are considering booking the Caledonian Sleeper for your next journey from London to Scotland you will find everything you need to know in our article.

What is the Caledonian Sleeper

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The Caledonian Sleeper train is the name of the service that runs on the train route between England and Scotland 6 days a week. 

This service runs on the West Coast Main railway line from London Euston to 5 Scottish locations on the Northbound services with Southbound services running in the opposite direction.

The word Caledonian is taken from the Latin word which generally refers to the land in the north, Caledonia, the name the Romans used to describe Scotland.

This post is a review of our most recent experience using the northbound Highlander Caledonian Sleeper between London Euston and Fort William where we share not only our experience of the journey in ‘Our View’ but also details alternative available train routes, travel classes, accommodation types, costs and much more.

This is our favourite route we prefer to travel on when possible for various reasons… read on to find out what these are!

Though we have travelled on this service on numerous occasions this was our first time travelling on the new and updated sleeper service in January 2020.  Having travelled on sleeper service around the world we think this is one of the best, and the Lonely Planet also agreed in 2016.

The newer more modern services incorporate more hotel-style cabins, or berths, as they are termed, with lighter/brighter accommodation.  Also improved is the WIFI throughout the train and greater accessibility arrangements that increases inclusivity for all.

➡️ Click for further information and to book your Caledonian Sleeper Train tickets

The Caledonian Sleeper – Route information

The sleeper service provides a Highlander and a Lowlander train service options for passengers to choose from travelling either Northbound from London Euston or Southbound from Scotland. 

Each route and destination are as follows, also showing the principal train station stops along the route.

South Bound Caledonian Sleepers

• Fort William – Station stops include Dumbarton, Helensburgh Upper and all the listed West Highland Line railway stations.
• Aberdeen – Station stops include Kirkcaldy, Leuchars (station stop for St. Andrews), Dundee, Carnoustie and Arbroath.
• Inverness – Station stops include Stirling, Gleneagles, Perth, Pitlochry, and Aviemore.
• Edinburgh Waverley – Station stops include Watford Junction and Carlisle and Carstairs.
• Glasgow Central – Station stops include Watford Junction, Carlisle, Carstairs and Motherwell.

North Bound Caledonian Sleepers

• Principal trains station stops – As per South Bound Services (in reverse).
• Highlander Route – Departs Sunday to Friday each week (not on Saturdays) from Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness 
• Lowlander Route – Departs Sunday to Friday each week (not on Saturdays) from Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central.
• Highlander Route – Departs Sunday to Friday each week (not on Saturdays) from London Euston as one train before dividing/splitting into sections at Edinburgh Waverley railway station (in the middle of the night).  Then three individual trains then travel onwards to Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness.
• Lowlander Route – Departs Sunday to Friday each week (not on Saturdays) from London Euston as one train before dividing/splitting into two separate trains at Carstairs (a station south and between Glasgow and Edinburgh) and then two trains travelling onwards to Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central.
• NOTE – Important to check booking for timetables alterations that may occur due to unforeseen circumstances, i.e., weather, unplanned engineering works etc, safety, public holidays or winter months. 
• Always check departure and arrival times prior to travel, the week or day before. 

Click to book your Caledonian Sleeper train tickets

Caledonian Sleeper – Options for sleeping or seating

There are options to choose from for your accommodation for each journey depending on your preferences and budget. The class of travel choice is highlighted for each option and our experienced opinion is expressed in ‘Our View’ for the options we have tried out.

• Cheapest option available for passengers by buying a valid train ticket through any regular ticket outline/outline.
• Passengers required to call the ‘Guest Service Centre’ to make a reservation, this is no extra cost for Seated accommodation only.  The telephone number is a UK telephone number 0330 060 0500.
• The seating configuration is the same as conventional UK First class seating carriages with 2 -1 seats in an airline type set up.
• The seats are part reclining with a slide forward for the seat cushion section.
• A Drop-down footrest.
• Tray table, drop down.
• Lockable storage for peace of mind.
• Seat specific reading light.
• Multiple at seat charging point or socket.
• Complimentary sleep kit (ear plugs, mask)
• Call button for at seat service food and drink (menu provided at the seat).
• NOTE: Northbound travellers between London Euston and Fort William have to change seats at Edinburgh Waverley train station from one train to another.
• Prices around £70 to £75.

OUR VIEW – We have not taken any journeys on the Comfort Seats on the new improved services, but I did quite a few years ago on the older trains.  This was generally very uncomfortable and I did not sleep at all! There was no WIFI, no charging sockets and the lighting was terrible.  The new service looks 100% improved.

• Luxury Double bed and not two separate bunk type beds.
• Breakfast is included.
• Priority train boarding.
• En-suite toilet and shower.
• In room wash basin.
• Complimentary sleep kit, including Scottish toiletry items.
• Priority Club Car Access
• Electrical charging points.
• Room Service.
• Key card door access.
• Berth Temperature control.
• Lights dimmer control.
• Prices around £345 to £405 for all guests depending on Lowlander or Highlander service.

OUR VIEW – We have never stayed in one of these rooms. The feedback from other travellers is that the double room (s) get booked up quickly as the demand is always high.  The advice would be book early if this is what you want.

• Twin bunk- beds.
• Breakfast included.
• Station Lounge access. (see later section).
• Room Key card access.
• Available for single or shared occupancy.
• Prices around £180 to £315 for the Highlander service and around £150 for the Lowlander service.

OUR VIEW – This is the type of room we prefer and generally settle on, it seems to tick the boxes for us in facilities, availability, as well as the cost value for money.

Note – Check when making a booking if travelling alone if a single person supplement fee is applicable .

• Breakfast is NOT included but can be purchased.
• Interconnecting door options.
• Prices around £155 to £222 for the Highlander service and around £100 for the Lowlander service.

OUR VIEW – The classic type berth we have used in the past due to our budget but we now prefer the Club option if possible, mainly due to the benefit of the en-suite toilet which we think is worth paying a little more for. 

The new Club car option is a designated coach to buy food and drink on the go in a modern, light and friendly setting. The Club car is available to all guests using berth sleeping accommodation only. Comfort seat passengers have at-seat service options.

• Seasonal Scottish food , ranging from snacks to full dinners and breakfasts.
• Drinks menu including Scottish drinks such as whisky.
• Menu in each berth.
• Reasonably priced.
• Access priority is given to the Caledonian Double and Club Room guests.
• Booth seating options and swivel chair options available.

OUR VIEW – We enjoyed sitting have a drink in the evenings and also having breakfast in one of the booths depending on availability. We thoroughly enjoy travelling in the Scottish Highlands eating an excellent Scottish breakfast with a lovely cup of tea. 

NOTE – The Club car can get a little crowded so you may have to wait for a table.  For breakfast, we try to have everything packed ready so we could enjoy the breakfast, just finishing in time to arrive at our destination.

All Caledonian sleeper tickets need to be valid on the ARRIVAL date of your end destination station not necessarily on the date you leave starting point train station. 

It is important to check that if using a Britrail Pass  or Inter-Rail / Eurail (that includes Great Britain) that you check the dates are still valid on your travel pass for your journey before travelling.  

National Rail tickets can be accepted between stations served by the sleeper services with a reservation made via the Guest service Centre telephone line. 

Passengers requiring to book accommodation already holding a national rail ticket or any of the above valid travel passes will be required to book through the service centre and pay a Room Supplement.

Room supplements are available for Solo or Shared room occupancy in Club and Classic accommodation.

Any doubts call the Caledonian Service Centre – (UK Telephone number) 0330 060 0500 for further information or to check terms and conditions of purchase.

⭐️ CLICK TO PURCHASE A BRITRAIL PASS

There are 2 types or categories of purchased sleeper tickets available for all services for general ticket sales, the Flexipass is for a collective purchase: (information from the Caledonian Sleeper Homepage 13/12/2021).

• Available for Classic and Club rooms.
• Includes reservation costs and accommodation.
• Can be purchased 12 months in advance.
• Single journey ticket purchases, you buy 2 tickets for a return journey.
• Available for Classic, Club rooms and Caledonian Double rooms.
• Check terms and conditions regarding breakfast or room type. 
• Purchased Tickets – See earlier section for Approximate seat or berth prices (correct as 14 th December 2021).

OUR VIEW – Using the fixed tickets suited our needs best of all, knowing with our research and itinerary planning exactly when and how we planned to travel we could manage our travel cost better throughout. For the same reasons, the Flexible tickets was also not an option. The Flexipass was not an option for us with only one journey planned at that time. 

Travel on the Caledonian Sleeper – FAQs

Depending on whether you are travelling on the north or southbound Highlander or Lowlander Caledonian Sleeper service from the start of the service or joining the train en-route, you may want to take advantage of the station lounge facilities. 

These are available at the following stations.

• Showers/Toilets available.
• Drinks/snacks provided.
• Edinburgh – With LNER.
• Glasgow Central – With Avanti.
• Euston – With Avanti.
• Aberdeen – With Scotrail.

OUR VIEW – As a rule we do not use the station lounges too often, preferring to eat a meal before arriving at the station and spending as much time on board the train and using the onboard facilities as much as we can.  This includes the onboard showers and lounge facilities as well as enjoying the unique sleeper berth experience.

The Caledonian Sleeper accessible travel policy (2021) includes information for:

• Helping older and disabled passengers – Summary leaflets provides key/vital information for journey planning and booking/arranging assistance.
• Station Accessibility Guides – On depth information about the train stations the sleeper train service stops at.
• Train Accessibility Guides – Provides the information relating to the features on board the train designed to help everyone.

Key Points (Selected)

• Guest Service Centre – All travel information, regarding planning, booking tickets, berths and all questions regarding accessibility can be provided to help guests to make their own choices.   UK Telephone number 0330 060 0500.
• On board Host service – See below under Boarding the train.
• 48 hours in advance for international travel bookings is requested.
• Customer assist is not compulsory but is recommended for peace of mind.
• Accessibility Enquiries – Call UK Telephone 0800 904 7267 (up to 12 weeks in advance of travel).
• No Charge for Customer Assist.
• Dedicated wheelchair space in each Seated Coach – Priority for wheelchair spaces is given to reservations in advance.
• Wheelchairs/Scooters. – Requested to be no bigger than 70cm wide, 120cm long. Overall weight with guest and luggage does not exceed 300kg.
• One hand luggage (able to be held by guest on the lap if required) and up to two items of luggage no bigger than 30cm x 70cm x 90cm.
• Assistance Dogs – Welcome on board.  Call the guest centre for further information regarding further assisting the dog’s comforts.

One item of hand luggage and up to two items of luggage no bigger than 30cm x 70cm x 90cm is permitted as space is of a premium onboard the train.

When advised from the station electronic boards which station platform your train will be departing from the easiest way to find your correct coach is to ask one of the train hosts. These are Caledonian Sleeper staff who greet guests at the train. 

Even if you know the number of the coach your seat/berth is in sometimes it is still not the easiest thing to find.  A top tip is to ask the first host you can and ask them to direct you to the correct host who will have your name and booking on a list.

OUR VIEW – All the on-board hosts we have ever come across have been extremely helpful and knowledgeable not just about the train and the facilities but have excellent train route knowledge about what to see on the way.  On top of all that they do seem very friendly. Unlike some countries, they do not expect a financial tip at the end of the service.

We have a love for train travel and enjoy exploring the UK by train. If you are unsure about travelling around Britain by train our Guide to Train Travel ebook contains everything you need to know (including 10 itineraries)

You can purchase our ebook here !

Click to book your Caledonian Sleeper train ticket

• Best of Britain by train (14 day itinerary)
• 10 scenic train journeys in the UK
• Best day trips from London by train
• How to travel on the Harry Potter train in Scotland
• Guide to the 9 main train stations in London
• Guide to overnight sleeper train travel (tips)
• Podcast Episode 5 – Guide to the Caledonian Sleeper Train
• Things to do in Fort William
• 13 Tips to save money on rail travel in the UK

Caledonian Sleeper: 16 Things You Need To Know Before Riding

The Caledonian Sleeper is one of the most luxurious sleeper car trains in Europe. It is an incredible way to experience a trip to Scotland from London.

• 1 What is the best Caledonian Sleeper Route
• 2 What are the best rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper
• 3 Is food included on the Caledonian Sleeper
• 4 Is the Caledonian Sleeper Safe
• 5 Are there showers on the Caledonian Sleeper
• 6 What are the seats like on the Caledonian Sleeper
• 7 How long does the Caledonian Sleeper take
• 8 Do you have to share a room on the Caledonian Sleeper
• 9 Is the Caledonian Sleeper worth it
• 10 Do you get towels on the Caledonian Sleeper
• 11 Can you smoke on the Caledonian Sleeper
• 12 Are dogs allowed on the Caledonian Sleeper
• 13 Do you have to change trains on the Caledonian Sleeper
• 14 Can you upgrade your room on the Caledonian Sleeper
• 15 Is the Caledonian Sleeper Expensive
• 16 How long before departure can you board the Caledonian Sleeper

What is the best Caledonian Sleeper Route

Starting from London Euston and heading north, the route to Fort William is the best Caledonian Sleeper route. Much of the reason you’ll be riding on this train is to experience the train, and this is the longest route which will give you the most time on board. It’ll mostly be dark outside for your whole trip, so don’t judge based on scenery, or lack thereof.

On shorter routes to Glasgow and Edinburgh, the Caledonian Sleeper ride is so short at around 8 hours that you’ll hardly experience the train during waking hours. On a trip to Fort William from London it’ll take 13 hours, giving you plenty of time to enjoy your journey.

What are the best rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper

The best room on the Caledonian Sleeper is the Caledonian Double. Unique in that two people can sleep on the same level, it is one of the few sleeper rooms in the world that doesn’t utilize bunkbeds. We found the bed to be plenty big for our needs and the included shower and toilet is a real bonus.

If the Caledonian Double is out of reach, the Club Room is also a great choice. It has bunk beds and the same shower and toilet combination as the Caledonian Double. If neither of you feel comfortable going on the top berth you should opt for the double.

Is food included on the Caledonian Sleeper

Breakfast is included on the Caledonian Sleeper, but evening snacks and meals must be purchased from the Club Car. Breakfast was a limited offering, and we thought the evening meals were good, but the portions were smaller than at a restaurant. On our trip we opted for the nachos and sliders. They both tasted good, and at that late hour are about all you will need.

If you show up having not eaten since lunch, just understand you may need to order a few different things.

Is the Caledonian Sleeper Safe

The Caledonian Sleeper is very safe! The staff and security work hard to ensure passengers are safe and comfortable during their entire trip. We felt safe at all times including while boarding, eating, sleeping and getting off the train. You should not have any concerns over safety on the Caledonian Sleeper.

Are there showers on the Caledonian Sleeper

Caledonian Double and Club car rooms come with a private shower on the Caledonian Sleeper. The shower is integrated into the bathroom, so you’ll flip the toilet seat cover down and it then doubles as a bench for the shower. Water was warm and plentiful when we tried the shower, and overall it was a good experience.

What are the seats like on the Caledonian Sleeper

Comfort Seats on the Caledonian Sleeper are very nice and provide a comfortable ride to your destination. If we were riding this train though, and were not going to get a room, we’d probably opt for one of the day trains from London, which would be faster and cheaper than riding in the Comfort Seats. The main purpose for riding this train is to experience sleeping on the train, and it is hard to sleep in the Comfort Seats on the Caledonian Sleeper.

How long does the Caledonian Sleeper take

The fastest the Caledonian Sleeper can get to its destination is the route to Glasgow which takes 7.5 hours and the longest route, to Fort William, is almost 13 hours. The routes to Glasgow and Edinburgh are too short to fully enjoy.

Do you have to share a room on the Caledonian Sleeper

Rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper all sleep 2 people only. If you book a room with 2 passengers, you won’t be sharing a room with anyone else. There are no 4 or 6 person rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper.

Is the Caledonian Sleeper worth it

The Caledonian Sleeper train is one of the nicest overnight trains in the world and is worth the money it costs to ride. If you want to experience an upgraded luxury feel to your sleeper car accommodations, the Caledonian Sleeper is not to be missed on your next trip to Scotland.

Do you get towels on the Caledonian Sleeper

Towels are provided in sleeper car rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper. You will not need to bring your own towels to utilize the shower facilities while riding.

Can you smoke on the Caledonian Sleeper

Like most trains, smoking is not permitted on the Caledonian Sleeper in any area. You are able to smoke at the station before you board, and when you get off, but there aren’t many opportunities to smoke while riding.

Are dogs allowed on the Caledonian Sleeper

Dogs and cats are allowed in the sleeper rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper. They must remain on the floor and not sleep in the beds. They are not allowed to come to the Club Car with you while you eat. A cleaning fee of 30 pounds is charged per room and you are allowed to bring 2 pets with you on your trip.

Do you have to change trains on the Caledonian Sleeper

You will not have to change trains while riding the Caledonian Sleeper. All of the trains go directly to their destinations without the need for changes so you can sleep while the train is moving.

Can you upgrade your room on the Caledonian Sleeper

You can upgrade or change your room type on the Caledonian Sleeper Flexible Ticket up until two days before your trip. If you are on a Fixed Advance ticket, no refunds, changes, or upgrades are allowed.

Is the Caledonian Sleeper Expensive

The Caledonian Sleeper is an expensive train to ride, and the high cost is justified by luxury feel and updated train cars. While more expensive than other sleepers in Europe and the USA, it is the most updated experience you can get on a train and is worth the price.

How long before departure can you board the Caledonian Sleeper

We were surprised to know that we could board the Caledonian Sleeper quite early before our train departed. Take advantage of this, as the train ride isn’t very long. Trains to Edinburgh and Glasgow are available to board up to 1 hour and 40 minutes before departure. On longer routes to Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen, you can expect to board 45 minutes before departure.

Robert Marmion

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Hop on board the Caledonian Sleeper and travel to the beautiful country of Scotland while sleeping. Wake up early and spend the last part of the journey by looking out the window, enjoying the beautiful Scottish nature. Before you know it, it's time to disembark and to start discovering your destination in Scotland!

The Caledonian Sleeper route

The Caledonian Sleeper runs from London Euston station to 5 destinations in Scotland: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness. Travel time varies from 7,5 hours to almost 13 hours.

The Caledonian Sleeper runs on the following routes:

• London Euston - Edinburgh - Aberdeen
• London Euston - Edinburgh - Glasgow - Fort William
• London Euston - Inverness

Reservations

Reservations on the Caledonian Sleeper are compulsory. We recommend you to make your reservations as soon as possible, this is possible up to 1 year in advance online, up to 3 months in advance when you buy your reservation at the station. 

How to make reservations for the Caledonian Sleeper?

You can reserve your seat or sleeping accommodation on the Caledonian Sleeper in the following ways:

• On the website of the Caledonian Sleeper  (for a seat reservation, contact the Guest Service Centre)
• At any station ticket office in Great Britain
• By calling the Guest Service Centre: +44 3300 600 500 

Reservation fees

• Seat: no additional charge (contact the Guest Service Centre to book your seat)
• Classic Room solo: £145
• Classic Room twin: £165
• Club Room En-suite solo (first class Passes only): £195
• Club Room En-suite twin (first class Passes only): £225
• Caledonian Double En-suite: Not availablr for Pass holders

Travel classes

1st class accommodation (Club Room En-suite):

• Access to station lounges and shower facilities
• Priority access to the on-board lounge
• Including breakfast
• Including a complimentary sleep kit and Arran Aromatics toiletries

2nd class accommodation (Classic Room):

• Access to the on-board lounge if space permits
• Including a complimentary sleep kit

Good to know

The Club Room En-suite accommodation can only be booked with a 1st class Interrail Pass.

If you are travelling solo with a 2nd class Interrail Pass and you want to book an accommodation, you can only choose the Classic Room. In this case you might have to share the space with another guest of the same sex, for example when the train is fully booked.

Facilities and services

• Restaurant (Lounge Car)
• Luggage storage space
• Charging points

Facilities may differ per train and route. 

Change of currency

You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Remove the Pass, and then change the currency on the website header.

Riding the Rails – Caledonian Sleeper Review, Edinburgh to London

Flying Fluskey

Travelling between Edinburgh and London, travellers have a wide variety of options. They can whizz down on a high-speed train in just four hours, zoom down on a short-haul flight or even drive in a day. However, there is no mode of transport so exciting as the final option, the night train. So what is it like onboard? Join us for our Edinburgh to London Caledonian Sleeper review.

If you are planning to take the sleeper train between London and Scotland, check out our 10 top tips for travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper HERE

The UK’s Sleeper Trains

The caledonian sleeper, caledonian sleeper review, edinburgh waverley, exploring the caledonian sleeper, the journey, london euston, final thoughts in our caledonian sleeper review.

The U.K. is blessed with two sleeper trains and I cannot tell you how much I have wanted an excuse to hop aboard one! We love a night train . One price and you’ve covered your transport and your accommodation. You can get up and wander around at any point unlike a coach and you can pack a whole bottle of wine, unlike a flight. It’s a dream. Plus, they are so much fun!

• The Riviera Sleeper is operated by Great Western Railway and runs from London Paddington Station to Penzance in Cornwall.
• Leaving London in a distinctly Northerly direction, the Caledonian Sleeper heads up to Scotland from London Euston.

There have been night trains running between London and Scotland for almost 150 years. The Caledonian Sleeper in its current iteration has been running since 1997. It was originally part of Scotrail but since 2015, it has been its own company.

By the late 20teens, everything was looking rather old and tired so in 2019, new carriages were introduced and the older ones retired. Reviews written before 2019 bemoan USB plugs above the cabin windows, beaten up surfaces and no personal wash areas.

So what is it like on board the shiny new Caledonian Sleeper MX5 carriages? Let’s start in Edinburgh.

The Caledonian Sleeper leaves from Edinburgh’s Waverley Station. This huge station sits in the valley between the Old and New Town sides. Most of the station looks like a normal, slightly dismal station, especially at night. However, there is the most divine waiting hall. A huge dome rises from the centre of the patterned glass ceiling. This dates from 1897 and is truly impressive. However, it is pretty chilly in here and feels slightly creepy by night. We popped in to have a look and then head to the train.

For those in the Club Rooms, a first-class lounge was available serving snacks and drinks. I am sure it’s a much more comfortable spot to wait.

A quick thing to mention – Our trip was taken during the COVID-19 pandemic so certain things were off-limits to us. Where this impacted our journey, this has been noted.

We scanned our mobile tickets onto a wide platform and the waiting purple train. Hosts immediately came to tick us off the list and direct us to the right carriage. We were on and getting comfortable within ten minutes of arriving at the station entrance. It was all very easy and efficient.

The Caledonian Sleeper is a normal width train. This means that the corridors are all on one side of the train, and quite thin. It can feel quite cramped when you encounter another passenger going in the opposite direction but as people are mostly in their cabins, this doesn’t happen often. We had our backpacks so it was easy enough to squeeze on but it might be a pain with a wider form of luggage.

During our trip, we were in Room 10 in coach D. It was a Classic Twin so our berths were 10U and 10L (upper and lower). The room was very thin. Thinking back over our previous night train experiences, it probably isn’t any less floor space than we would normally have but having the wall on one side instead of another set of bunks means there was a little less room for shifting. We were in each other’s way quite a lot of the time. That being said, there was a good amount of space under the bunks for our backpacks.

When we boarded, we thought that the cabin was very clean, bright and neat as a pin! The carpets and warm colours of the wood and wool-style decor even made it feel a little cosy. It was built straight across the train with a window at one end and the door to the corridor to the other. There was a door that connected to the next door cabin. This would be unlocked if we were travelling with family as part of the same booking. The main door was locked automatically and opened with a keycard just like a nice hotel.

One nice detail was the fold-out table that came out from under the sink With such limited space, this was a very nice detail.

The Amenities

In the room, we had a sink with towels and soap below the window. I had googled whether we would need towels. We had travel towels with us anyway but if you were travelling to a nice hotel, it is nice to know you don’t need to drag one with you.

Each bunk had a set of dials and plugs to fiddle with…I mean use sensibly. On the lower bunk, there were two mains UK plugs and two USB plugs, plus the switch for the window light and a call button for the train host. We resisted pressing the host button, we figured the poor person deserved some sleep! On the top bunk, there were a couple more light switches for the mains, a USB plug and the temperature controls.

Taking a look around the bed, we found two cute little bags which contained earplugs, eye masks and little bottles of drinking water. There was also a luggage bag (for those fancy cases that don’t like being scratched across the floor) and a menu full of Scottish favourites. What isn’t enhanced by an Irn Bru?! Usually, you can pop along to the restaurant car for dinner or a beverage but it was shut so they were doing delivery to the cabins instead. It was really fun discovering all these lovely touches.

The Bathroom

The reason you are unlikely to bump into too many of your fellow passengers is the provision of a sink in every cabin. This means the bathroom is purely used for its toilet function. The way the toilet is built means you cannot bend over to wash your face or brush your teeth over the sink. It is just another reason to use your own sinks for these activities.

The toilet is quite compact, think an airline toilet rather than the lovely big disabled toilets found on the U.K. trains these days. When we embarked it was spotlessly clean but obviously, got a little worse as the night went on. It was never bad mind you.

Don’t forget to check out our 10 tips for taking the Caledonian Sleeper HERE

Before heading to Waverley Station, we popped to Sainsbury’s to grab some dinner. We love a train picnic and to be honest, we needed to kill a little time. Everything in Edinburgh was shutting and our train wasn’t due to leave for ages. Plus, we knew that the lounge car was shut so we couldn’t go and have a sit-down meal in there anyway. Crisps, sandwiches and some mini bubbles, what else do you need?

What a difference having our own sink made! There were no inpatient queues outside the communal toilet as everyone takes turns brushing their teeth, having a wee and washing their faces. it was so lovely to get into our pyjamas and brush our teeth without being in a hurry or trying not to drop our clothes on the toilet floor. Plus, Caledonian Sleeper provides towels. These are only for onboard use, not souvenirs!

I normally sleep pretty badly on night trains. The movement can be jerky and the train noise too much. However, I only woke up twice on this journey and slept like a baby for about four straight hours at the end of the night. The blackout blind was great and having plugs next to my head meant I could easily listen to an audiobook to block out the noise of the rails. I think having a cabin closer to the centre of the carriage helps to make the ride smoother and quieter for the occupants within.

I opened the window to have a little peek outside and film our arrival into London. To my shock, we were already there! I decided I might as well wake Mr Fluskey up and start getting ready to be in public again.

A few minutes later, our train host wrapped on the door to check we were awake. We were then presented with a small paper bag and the question of which hot drink we would enjoy. We weren’t expecting breakfast so the steaming cup of coffee was a very welcome surprise. The menu had a breakfast option that could be ordered. For £6.50 you could have a bacon roll or granola and yoghurt, plus a Quaker Oats bar, orange juice and a hot drink. Turns out, in the sleeper cabin, you get the drinks and oat bars anyway!

Euston Station breaks my heart. It was once a beautiful old station with gorgeous iron gates and plenty of Victorian charm. However, some bright spark in the 1960s decided to completely overhaul it and build a concrete monstrosity in its place. Work has been done to improve things but, along with New York’s Penn Station, it is probably beyond help.

We mentally prepared ourselves and descended into the messy London Underground Station, bound for home. Thank the lord for that little caffeine boost!

There can be a few downsides to travelling overnight by train. Sometimes they are really noisy or brightly lit and you arrive in desperate need of a nap. Often they are busy with lots of stops and people getting on and off at all hours of the night. In some places, hygiene is less than desirable. However, let me put all your fears to rest. The Caledonian Sleeper is quiet, direct and perfectly clean.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip onboard. I’m not sure we would have faired so well in the seats but as with a hostel, once you have paid for two seats, you might as well splash out on a private cabin! Seats start from £48 each and with my railcard, the cabin was £105…so it made total sense. I would absolutely take the Caledonian Sleeper again. Next time, I think we might even splash out on a Club Room.

3 responses to “Riding the Rails – Caledonian Sleeper Review, Edinburgh to London”

Do you think there is anywhere on the train I could snuk away and unroll my Thermarest (with a chair booking)!?

I guess you could try under the chairs but only if you are rather small and you aren’t located by a bin or similar. Anywhere else, you’d be a major tripping hazard and I bet the staff would get you to move again.

The top 10 tips for taking the Caledonian Sleeper train to Scotland, making your journey easier, more comfortable and much more enjoyable.

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Privacy Overview

The Ultimate Family Guide to Amtrak Sleeper Car Travel: Comfort, Convenience, and Fun

E mbark on a unique and memorable family journey aboard Amtrak sleeper cars. These private rooms, available on many routes across the country, are designed for families seeking privacy, comfort, and a truly distinct travel experience.

Amtrak offers a range of room options to suit your family’s needs and budget, each packed with amenities to enhance your trip.

What Amtrak Sleeper Car is right for you?

For families prioritizing both privacy and budget, the Roomettes are an ideal choice. These compact spaces feature comfortable daytime seating that transforms into upper and lower beds at night, complete with a big picture window, newly upgraded bedding, and convenient access to restrooms and showers. Your dedicated First Class attendant will ensure your family’s journey is comfortable, assisting with everything from meal service to luggage handling.

If your family desires extra comfort and space, the Bedrooms provide twice the space of a Roomette, featuring a sofa, a separate chair, and a private in-room sink, restroom, and shower.

For larger families or those seeking the ultimate first-class experience, the Bedroom Suites combine two adjoining Bedrooms, offering ample space, comfort, and privacy.

Amtrak’s Family Rooms are specifically tailored for those traveling with children, spanning the width of the car to accommodate two adults and two children comfortably. These rooms feature seating for four during the day and transform into sleeping spaces at night, with two upper and two lower beds.

Complimentary Items

When you book a sleeper car, your family will enjoy a range of complimentary amenities, including meals with a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Lounge access at major stations provides a comfortable space with refreshments and dedicated assistance, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable start to your journey.

Amtrak’s sleeper car experience is not just about getting from point A to point B; it’s an adventure that brings families together, offering a unique perspective on the landscapes of America and a chance to create lasting memories.

Arriving at the Station

Simplify your arrival with Amtrak’s easy check-in process. Utilize the family-friendly lounges available at select stations for a relaxed start to your journey. Pre-purchase parking, enjoy comfortable waiting areas and avail yourself of assistance from Red Caps for a smooth transition onto your train.

Related: The Ultimate Packing List for Family Vacation

Family Luggage Tips

Manage your family’s luggage smartly with Amtrak’s flexible options. Pack efficiently, utilize room storage creatively, and opt for free luggage check-in if needed. Remember to keep essential items in a small overnight case for easy access during your journey.

Dining on the Rails

While Amtrak’s dining car meals are mostly microwaved, the experience remains enjoyable for families. Take advantage of the included meals, room service, and consider bringing your favorite snacks. This ensures a variety of options for all family members.

Family Sleeping Arrangements

Create a cozy sleeping environment in your private room. Roomettes are perfect for small families, offering day-to-night transformations with upper and lower beds. For more space, consider Bedrooms or Bedroom Suites, which feature additional amenities like in-room sinks, restrooms, and showers. The Family Rooms, spanning the width of the car, are ideal for larger families, providing ample space for two adults and two children.

Keeping Clean

Maintain hygiene with Amtrak’s practical bathroom and shower facilities. Learn about the Amtrack amenities in different sleeper car types and be prepared, so that you and your family have a comfortable experience.

Related: How To Stay Healthy On Vacation

Family-friendly Amenities

Explore the range of complimentary amenities available, including meals, beverages, and lounge access at major stations. Your dedicated attendant will assist with everything from meal service to luggage handling, ensuring a smooth journey.

Planning for Delays

Prepare for the unpredictable nature of train travel with games and other family distractions. This will ensure the disappointment and frustration of a delay becomes just another adventure on your journey.

40 Best Family Vacation Movies And Where To Watch Them

Amtrak’s sleeper car experience offers more than just transportation; it’s an adventure that brings families together. From the variety of room choices to the range of amenities, these journeys provide unique perspectives across the landscapes of America and opportunities for creating lasting memories.

Whether you’re traveling a short distance or across the country, being prepared will help you arrive at your destination rested and ready for more family fun.

Caledonian Sleeper FAQs

If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us

We take security and fraud very seriously; all credit and debit card holders are subject to validation by ourselves and the card issuer when placing orders through Sleeper.scot

Create an online account with us and manage your online sleeper bookings. You can check your travel information, store cards for faster payment, refund bookings and resend your confirmation emails.

Previously in our Standard shared occupancy rooms, unless both beds in the room were booked by you or your party, you may have had to share with another guest. Following consultation with user groups, we have removed the largely unpopular accommodation option to ‘Share with a Stranger’. There is a general consensus that this was outdated and no longer appropriate for overnight travel. Instead, we have introduced a new option known as the Standard Classic Solo for guests wishing to travel alone in our Classic accommodation. Because of the removal of Share with a Stranger, we no longer require information regarding gender for booking.

There is no Saturday night Caledonian Sleeper service.

Please visit the Ticket Types pages for more information.

You can make your payment using the following types of payment card:

• Visa Credit
• Visa Electron Mastercard Credit (not Debit)
• American Express – cannot be used for on train sales

E-Ticket or Self Print purchased through Caledonian Sleeper

Please contact our Guest Service Centre .

3rd Party Paper Tickets

We do not accept responsibility for lost or mislaid tickets. In order to travel you will need to book new tickets if you are unable to find the original tickets.

No. All tickets within the same booking will always display the name of the lead guest.

Please visit the Room Supplements page.

Online booking – You can now purchase Caledonian Sleeper up to 12 months in advance, saving you money by purchasing early. Book online using your credit or debit card.

Book by phone – If you need any help purchasing tickets, call our dedicated support team on 0330 060 0500* *Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate

Flexipass is a collection of 10 single sleeper tickets that can be used for any journey on Caledonian Sleeper.

Discover more about our Flexipass.

For passenger groups up to 8 you can book through our website.

If you want to purchase tickets for 9 or more people please contact our Guest Service Centre or split your booking into smaller groups.

Day train services are available on the following routes:

Kingussie – Inverness

Edinburgh – Fort William

Fort William – Edinburgh

Day tickets are only available to buy a maximum of 7 days before travel.

These services will require a reservation. Anyone who does not hold a reservation will not be allowed to travel.

Reservations can be made when purchasing tickets through stations or other on-line retailers.

Caledonian Sleeper do not sell tickets on these services. They are not available from this website.

We only sell E-tickets for our service. You will receive an email with a link to your ticket.

In your confirmation email, you will receive two types of link:

• PK pass – this is used to download the ticket to an Apple wallet. To download your ticket click on the Add to my Apple Wallet button.
• PDF – If you don’t have an Apple device or if you wish to print your ticket on A4 paper we also include a PDF option. To download your PDF ticket click on the Download PDF button.

You must download your e-ticket to travel.

Our E-Tickets can be shown to your on board Host either on your device as a PDF or added to an Apple wallet.

Please allow up to 30 minutes to receive your confirmation email. Please also check any spam or junk folders in your email account to see if the email has been filtered there. If you cannot find the confirmation email then please get in touch with our Guest Service Centre , they can check that your order has been successful and issue you with another confirmation email.

If you use a BT email address you may not receive your tickets. Please contact our Guest Service Centre .

We only sell E-tickets for our service. You will be sent a confirmation email with a link to download your ticket. You will have to download your ticket from the link in this email to travel. You can either print your ticket at home or just show it to our staff on your device as you are checking in.

A confirmation email is not valid for travel and you must present a valid e-ticket when boarding or on board. If you do travel with a confirmation email only, you may be liable to pay a fine as well as purchasing a full price ticket. If you have had any issues receiving your tickets, please contact our Guest Centre Service Team before travel.

We only sell E-tickets for our service. You will receive an email with a link to your ticket. You must download your ticket from this link.

• PDF – if you wish to print your ticket on A4 paper we also include a PDF option. To download your PDF ticket click on the Download PDF button.

If you wish to print your tickets download your ticket from the PDF link. You can print this PDF file on a printer.

Please note: e-Tickets will all show the same Lead Guest name and are not individual to each guest. Your ticket(s) will be sent to the email address supplied during your booking.

Yes. You will receive an email with a link to your ticket. You must download your ticket from this link.

• PDF – If you don’t have an Apple device or if you wish to print your ticket on A4 paper we also include a PDF option.. To download your PDF ticket click on the Download PDF button.

No. We only sell e-tickets for our service.

Caledonian Sleeper will only refund Caledonian Sleeper E-tickets purchased from www.sleeper.scot or our Guest Service Centre. If you bought your ticket at a station ticket office or from a third party, please contact the original vendor.

Refund conditions

Caledonian Double, Club, Classic, Seated tickets or Room Supplements

• 100% refund up to 7 days before travel.
• 50% refund less than 7 days and up until 12pm day before travel.
• Refunds are not available after midday the day before travel.
• For departures between midnight and 2am, refunds are only available up until midday 2 days before travel.

You can cancel Flexipass reservations up to midday the day before travel. After this time, you will lose any journeys booked and not travelled from your Flexipass total.

National Rail Tickets

Subject to the conditions of the operator who prices the fare.

How to apply for a refund

Caledonian Sleeper E-Tickets

You can apply for a refund in the “My Account” section on www.sleeper.scot or by using our contact form and quoting your CSW or CST reference number.

Please provide details of the journey(s) you wish to cancel. If you do not provide any information, we will assume that you wish to cancel the entire booking.

All refunds are subject to the conditions detailed above.

We will pay the refund directly to the credit or debit card you bought the ticket with. We will ask your card issuer to make a refund within ten working days of receiving your request. The card issuer will refund the purchase price under the terms of the card agreement. The refund may not appear on your card statement immediately.

Tickets purchased at a Station Ticket Office or Vending Machine

If you bought your ticket from a station ticket office or a ticket vending machine, you can apply for a refund at any station ticket office.

The company you bought your ticket from will pay the refund.

Tickets purchased through a Third-Party vendor

If you bought your ticket from any other agent, ticket-selling website, or telesales outlet, you must return the ticket to where it was purchased to claim a refund.

We work closely with our industry partners to make sure that we keep to our scheduled train timetable and avoid trains being delayed or cancelled. However, when things do go wrong, we will provide compensation where relevant for your journey.

Please check if you are eligible for compensation, by reading the details below.

If the Caledonian Sleeper arrives late at your destination station, we will refund you part of the cost of your ticket depending on how long you were delayed. Figure 1 shows the compensation levels.

Figure 1  Compensation

Please note if the Caledonian Sleeper is late by 120 minutes or more and you have bought a National Rail return ticket, you will receive a full refund of the fare and Sleeper Room supplement. If you have bought a ‘Caledonian Sleeper-only’ ticket you will receive a full refund of the single fare.

Applying for Compensation

Will i be compensated automatically.

If you booked a ticket to travel on a Caledonian Sleeper service through our website or Guest Service Centre then you’re covered by our Automatic Delay Repay scheme.

You’re eligible for Automated Delay Repay if:

• You booked a ticket directly from sleeper.scot or via our Guest Service Centre.
• You travelled on a journey that was delayed.

What happens next?

If you’re delayed by 30 minutes or more we’ll process a claim for you automatically within 24 hours of your journey. We’ll then drop you an email asking you to confirm the details of your journey. Once you’ve confirmed your journey we’ll process your payment.

Third party bookings

If you booked through a third party, please  contact us,  and our team will assess how much compensation you may be due, and send it to you by the method you prefer.

Alternatively, our claim forms are available on our trains, at our main departure stations (London Euston, Aberdeen, Edinburgh Waverley, Fort William, Glasgow Central and Inverness), and from our Guest Services Centre.

You can also download and print a  Delay Repay form . Please complete this form and return the form together with your ticket by post to  Caledonian Sleeper, 1 Union Street, Inverness, IV1 1PP .  Please ensure that your tickets are appropriately insured against loss in the post as we can only process compensation when we receive the tickets. Please state your payment preference when submitting your claim.

Claims must be received within 28 days of the date of travel. We aim to process your claim in 10 working days.

What is Delay Repay?

Delay Repay is a national scheme that makes it easier to claim compensation when your journey is delayed.

You can claim Delay Repay if your journey with Caledonian Sleeper has been  delayed by 30 minutes or more.  Depending on the length of your delay, you may be entitled to compensation equivalent to all or part of your ticket cost.

Delays are calculated against the planned timetable, which is published in advance and is available on our website. The length of a delay is based on the time your train arrives at your destination compared to its scheduled arrival time, not the delay when you first set off.

All Delay Repay claims must be submitted  within 28 days  of the affected journey.

How will I receive my Compensation?

We will usually offer compensation as:

The same payment method you used to buy the original ticket; National Rail Travel Vouchers, to be used for payment or part payment of a future journey; Credit or debit card.

Under the terms of the  National Rail Conditions of Carriage , which apply to all train operating companies, the Caledonian Sleeper is not liable for any loss (including consequential loss) or extra costs incurred as a result of a train delay or cancellation. If you are travelling to an airport or onward travel connection such as Eurostar, we request that you ensure that you allow sufficient time when booking arrangements.

We will also compensate you if certain facilities or your booked accommodation are not available for your journey.  For more information please read our  Guest Charter.

If you believe that you are entitled to compensation please contact our  Guest Service Centre .

As long as you have selected Print at home or Collect at Station (tickets are uncollected) as your delivery method you can refund through your account – you must have also selected a flexible refundable ticket type. You will be advised when you choose to refund through your account if your tickets can be refunded or not.

Tickets which have already been collected at the station or posted out need to be sent to the Guest Service Centre along with a  refund form .

For more refund rules please see our  ticket types page .

Refunds may take up to 10 days to be processed, you will be notified by phone or email once the money has been returned.

Any refund must be paid out in the same way the ticket was paid for. For example, if you paid by credit card, your refund will go back on to your credit card. It cannot be paid back to you in cash.

If you are claiming compensation under Delay Repay because your journey was delayed, please visit the section “Can I claim compensation if my train is delayed?”.

If your train was cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund.

All of our boarding times can be found at the top of each service timetable in our   Timetables section . Please check our Service Alterations page before you travel.

We offer secure storage space within the Seated Carriage for up to six cycles.

Please visit our Travelling with  Bikes section for further information. Please note, we cannot accommodate tandem bicycles.

Each guest can bring onto the train, free of charge, three items of personal luggage – two items (such as a suitcase or rucksack, not bigger than 30cm x 70cm x 90cm) plus one item of hand luggage.

There is space under the bed for your suitcases. Please do not put your luggage in the en-suite in Club and Caledonian Double rooms because if it falls it can block the door from opening.

If you have any larger luggage items you can let our on-board teams know and they show you where to store it in a secure area– our rooms are cosy therefore smaller luggage is recommended in the room.

Seated guests have access to lockers which are located above your seat. These are suitable for small personal items only.

All guests travelling with us receive a complementary Sleep Kit. Each kit includes an eye mask and ear plugs.

In accordance with the National Rail Conditions of Travel Caledonian Sleeper will not accept firearms on board.

Our staff hand all items left on our train to the Lost Property departments at our destination stations. We do, however, dispose of all perishable items.

For all belongings left on:

All Southbound services  to London Euston Northbound Lowlander services  to Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley

– lost property is managed by Network Rail. You can contact them through  www.lostproperty.org  or by calling 0330 024 0215.

For property lost on our  Northbound Highlander services , please contact ScotRail Lost Property on: Inverness: 0330 109 2624 Aberdeen: 0330 109 2171 Fort William: Items left in Fort William will be held for seven days and then transferred to Glasgow Queen Street lost property.  Glasgow Queen Street can be contacted on 0330 109 2833 , who will contact Fort William lost property on your behalf.

We accept no responsibility for items left on our services. You can find details of stations at  www.nationalrail.co.uk

For more information on our accessible facilities, and to find out how to book Passenger Assistance for your journey, please visit the Accessibility section of our website. You can also contact our  Guest Service Centre  to find out more.

Guests travelling in Caledonian Double and Club Rooms will be able to make use of an en-suite shower and toilet.

For guests traveling in our seated coach or classic rooms and would like to freshen up before  your journey, you can purchase a shower token for £10 from our lounges in Fort William and Inverness.

Our guests departing from Fort William showers are available from 1600 to 1700 and guests departing from Inverness showers are available from 1830 to 2000. Please be aware that this is subject to availability.

Guests arriving into Fort William, Inverness and London Euston can purchase a shower token from our on-board teams and showers are available on arrival.

Caledonian Sleeper operated lounges cost £10.00.

Please let us know by 15.00 on the day of travel that you will be travelling with an assistance dog. For more information please see our Accessible Travel section ,  Guest Charter  and  Disabled People’s Protection Policy  (DPPP).

Infants aged 0 to 4 inclusive travel free of charge provided that they share a seat or sleeper room with an accompanying adult. A maximum of one infant can share with one adult (two infants with two adults etc)

To obtain a separate seat or bed for an infant aged 0 to 4, select “Child (age 5-15)”.

No. We operate on a first come, first served basis. Caledonian Double and Club guests have priority access to the Club Car. Classic guests can access the Club Car subject to availability.

Seated guests can order from our menu to enjoy at their seat. Seated guests will not be able to access the Club Car.

Caledonian Double and Club guests have priority access to the Club Car. We operate on a first come, first served basis. Classic guests can access the Club Car subject to availability. We also have a room service menu available.

Seated guests can order from our menu to enjoy at their seat. Seated guests will not be able to access the Club Car. If you would like to order breakfast for the seated coach, let our hosts know within 30 mins of departure.

Caledonian Double and Club guests have complimentary breakfast available, served to your room or in the Club Car. Please fill out your breakfast card and leave it on your door handle for our hosts within 30 minutes of departure.

Classic guests can order breakfast using the breakfast card in your room. Please fill out your breakfast card and leave it on your door handle for our hosts within 30 minutes of departure.

If you would like to order breakfast for the seated coach, let our hosts know within 30 mins of departure.

You can take up to two pets in a room for a fee, including dogs and cats. Visit our Travelling with Pets section for more information.

Please view our Guest Lounges page.

No, we supply towels for our guests travelling in rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

No. All our services are non-smoking. This includes e-cigarettes and vaping devices. Once you are on board you will not be able to leave the train until your destination. All UK train stations are non-smoking.

No. Sorry, you cannot use CPAP/BPAP machines, ventilators and other medical equipment on board our services.

No. Sorry, we are not able to offer charging facilities for powered wheelchairs on board our services. Charging facilities are available at Caledonian Sleeper lounges

No, sorry.  We are not able to store medication in any of our fridges onboard our trains or in our lounges.

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