These ticket types should be used for making reservations for Scotrail staff and Gold Status pass holders. Mercifully it was a bit cleaner as youre sharing with other people in your carriage rather than the whole train. The back of the door at a floor-to-ceiling mirror which gave the illusion of more space in the room. The Caledonian Sleeper is a sleeper train service linking London with cities in Scotland. They write: "Britrail / Inter-Rail / Eurail / FIP Coupons will need to be valid on the date you arrive in your destination but not necessarily on the date you join the train for departures before midnight.". Heres everything you need to know about booking and travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper. Caledonian Double and Club car rooms come with a private shower on the Caledonian Sleeper. Take advantage of this, as the train ride isnt very long. Access priority is given to the Caledonian Double and Club Room guests. Please read: Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised by Scottish ministers, More here from the BBC: Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised. In fact, we arrived at the leisurely time of 9:57 am, so it wasnt really an early start! By submitting your email you will be subscribed to my monthly newsletter. The only downside is you dont have much space in your room and theres nowhere else to go. Watching the sunrise over the passing hills was one of the highlights of my trip. He tweeted: 'In 15 . Even if you know the number of the coach your seat/berth is in sometimes it is still not the easiest thing to find. Is it worth upgrading or downgrading from the Classic Room? Requested to be no bigger than 70cm wide, 120cm long. With Caledonian Sleeper, you get to say goodnight to queuing, and wake up to something different while you travel between Scotland and London. Hailed as one of the worlds greatest train journeys by Lonely Planet, the Caledonian Sleeper offers a greener way to travel too. Do you have to share a room on the Caledonian Sleeper. Read about our approach to external linking. You are able to smoke at the station before you board, and when you get off, but there arent many opportunities to smoke while riding. Receive the latest tours, offers, and inspirational travel content right in your inbox. The word Caledonian is taken from the Latin word which generally refers to the . Free goodies such as sleeping masks and earplugs, Breakfast room service - complimentary if you upgrade, Free eye mask that I still use months later, More eco-friendly than flying and driving, The carriages and rooms are a bit cramped, Food is expensive and dishes are on the small side, The lounge car isnt open late so dont rely on it to eat, Its not as nice waking up extremely early in London, Could do with having entertainment on board. It would have been much better, cheaper and quicker to get the LNER for the return journey. The seats are part reclining with a slide forward for the seat cushion section. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Mr Whitehurst also said that since Serco took over the management of the Caledonian Sleeper in 2015, it had brought about "massive improvements to every aspect of the service for our employees, our passengers and for Scotland, despite having made significant losses on the contract". The Caledonian Sleeper site is contradicting my understanding of night trains and Eurail passes. One thing obviously missing from the Classic Room is an ensuite bathroom. The Scottish Government has moved to nationalise the Caledonian Sleeper service after ending the contract with operator Serco seven years before its scheduled date. Baggage Assist Guest consideration is requested for the size/weight/and quantity in relation to available space on the train and being safe for staff to manually handle. If the Caledonian Double is out of reach, the Club Room is also a great choice. The Glasgow train stops at Motherwell before joining the Edinburgh train at Carstairs. The fact that you can board and alight for up to 1h before / after avoids any rushes, there isn't any of the hassle of airport security or queues. Friday 4, Sunday 6 and Tuesday 8 November Some services will arrive at the destination later than usual with services to Aberdeen / Inverness / Fort William . Also improved is the WIFI throughout the train and greater accessibility arrangements that increases inclusivity for all. Includes reservation costs and accommodation. JavaScript is disabled. Looking for more Scotland travel tips? Breakfast was a limited offering, and we thought the evening meals were good, but the portions were smaller than at a restaurant. Read more: 10 Best Things To Do In Edinburgh For The Ultimate Travel Itinerary. The out-sourcing company will stop operating the cross-border rail Geoff Riley FRSA has been teaching Economics for over thirty years. Although Caledonian Sleeper staff are not participating in the strike action it does have a significant impact on the overnight Sleeper services. 16-25, Disabled, Disabled Child, Friends & Family, HM Forces, Senior, Two Together and Veteran are accepted. I normally need quiet and stillness. If you are on a Fixed Advance ticket, no refunds, changes, or upgrades are allowed. Boston House, To what extent will state-ownership under Scottish Rail Holdings bring about a change in business objectives and pricing? 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. If we were riding this train though, and were not going to get a room, wed probably opt for one of the day trains from London, which would be faster and cheaper than riding in the Comfort Seats. . For other queries, you should find the information on our website, or you can e-mail us . There is a Lowlander route between London and Glasgow and Edinburgh, and a Highlander route to Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. Whether you are travelling to London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen or Fort William, travel in comfort and enjoy a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. No spam, just awesome travel content. As an Amazon Associate, I also earn from qualifying purchases. The Scottish government announced last year an offer to rebase the Serco contract did not represent value for money. It has been announced today that the Caledonian Sleeper service will move into public hands. Starting from London Euston and heading north, the route to Fort William is the best Caledonian Sleeper route. bbc.co.uk - The Caledonian Sleeper rail service is to be nationalised later this year, the Scottish government has announced. Club and Double Room guests are meant to get priority over Classic but we were still allowed in. If it isnt clear no you dont need to change trains if youre travelling past Edinburgh or Glasgow (e.g. From 25 June 2023, the service will be run by Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH), an arm's length company owned by the Scottish government. "Given all that, there can be no conclusion other than that this is an ideological decision. Rather than a train getting you from A to B, this sleeper train is part of the experience of travel. All of the trains go directly to their destinations without the need for changes so you can sleep while the train is moving. Email: francesca@littlelosttravel.com, Your email address will not be published. The Caledonian Sleeper is an expensive train to ride, and the high cost is justified by luxury feel and updated train cars. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Hello. I cant really comment on the seats as I travelled in the Classic Room. It may not display this or other websites correctly. If I had to sit then I would book the LNER or Lumo trains and get there much quicker and for a cheaper price. Includes 2 adjacent berths which sleep 4 in total, Accessible twin or double from 140 (London Edinburgh or Glasgow) or from 170 (London north of Edinburgh or Glasgow). Sleeper trains run between London Euston and Scotland in both directions ( The Caledonian Sleeper ), and between London Paddington and Cornwall in both directions ( Great Western Railway's Night Riviera Sleeper ). These costs may be higher than the revenue generated by the service, especially if there are . Station Accessibility Guides On depth information about the train stations the sleeper train service stops at. The Club Car has a range of different seating types from booths to small tables. Scroll down to the FAQ section to learn more about routes, popular stops and how long it takes to travel to each one! If neither of you feel comfortable going on the top berth you should opt for the double. Editors tip: These are one-way fares. I had a small tub of porridge and my partner had a sausage bap all packaged up in a paper bag. Caledonian Sleeper contract to end next year, Plan to tackle 'unsatisfactory' Caledonian Sleeper, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Inside the enclave surrounded by pro-Russia forces, China looks at reforms to deepen Xi's control, 'The nurses wanted me to feel guilty about my abortion, From Afghan TV fame to a US factory floor. The now conjoined train travels down to Carlisle and Watford Junction before arriving at London Euston. Good choice! 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. A cleaning fee of 30 pounds is charged per room and you are allowed to bring 2 pets with you on your trip. When is Eurovision and how do you get tickets? You will not need to bring your own towels to utilize the shower facilities while riding. Note Check when making a booking if travelling alone if a single person supplement fee is applicable. The Caledonian Sleeper rail service will be nationalised after Scottish ministers moved to terminate the operating company's franchise agreement seven years early. Then, retire to your comfortable cabin for a night on the rails. The sleeper is very much a loss maker and I think the subsidy is still around 100 per passenger with the higher fares. I would like to make it very clear that the Caledonian Sleeper staff will transfer to the Scottish government-owned entity, with their terms and conditions protected.. The decision to end Serco's contract came after the company tried to renegotiate the deal through a "rebase clause", to put the loss-making service on "a more sustainable financial footing". Available for single or shared occupancy. There are a few on the train, each catering to wherever the section of the train is going. Now it is possible to reserve sleeper berths and pay the supplement only at the Caledonian Sleeper website. We had to make sure we were in the right section of the train as it was going to split at Edinburgh. The out-sourcing company will stop operating the cross-border rail service when its contract expires in June. The service, which connects Highland stations with London, has been operated by Serco since March 2015 and was due to run for 15 years until 2030. John Whitehurst, managing director of Sercos transport business, told BBC News that the company was disappointed that the Scottish government did not ensure value for money by examining the possibility of a direct contract award to Serco. 5. The best room on the Caledonian Sleeper is the Caledonian Double. 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. Scottish Conservative transport spokesperson Graham Simpson criticised the decision and said: The minister agreed that the sleeper has surpassed any other train company in the UK in its recovery from the pandemic and was thriving and a world class service. Serco received the current franchise in an 800m agreement, under which it was responsible for operating the service from 2015 to 2030. In all honesty, no. (This is to be reduced to 2 hours from 1st April 202). Dont worry, we wont bombard you with emails, and you can unsubscribe at any time, but our e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date every step of the way. Its only available to guests staying in rooms though. 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. So, did the sleeper train live up to my expectations? I was so excited to book the Caledonian Sleeper up to Fort William for my trip to the Scottish Highlands. Now, I understand why that might be the case for the trains that depart Edinburgh or . The train cant be wider as it has to operate on standard train tracks. All in all a very easy, and fun way to travel from Edinburgh to London and you arrive smack bang in the middle of London so no transfers required in from Heathrow either . Call button for at seat service food and drink (menu provided at the seat). Opted for sleeper seat based on price and with view to gaining most time from our few days in London. Comfort seat passengers have at-seat service options. Towels are provided in sleeper car rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper. Unique in that two people can sleep on the same level, it is one of the few sleeper rooms in the world that doesnt utilize bunkbeds. I suggest bringing your own if you want to keep costs down. 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. On a trip to Fort William from London itll take 13 hours, giving you plenty of time to enjoy your journey. THE Caledonian Sleeper service will be brought into public hands this summer, the Scottish Government has announced. 2023 Little Lost Travel. Accessibility Enquiries Call UK Telephone. The capital of the UK and one of the worlds most spectacular cities, London needs little introduction and gives you access to business, entertainment and leisure on a grand scale. There was no WIFI, no charging sockets and the lighting was terrible. It was painfully early and there were no pretty views to enjoy. It was taken after Serco tried to renegotiate this agreement using a rebase clause, which allowed the firm to put forth alternative financial arrangements before the government for the franchises remaining years. I justify it by seeing it as one nights accommodation and transport rolled into one. The sleeper train to Scotland has different accommodation types to suit a range of budgets and travel styles. It was a good thing we found a carriage from the platform rather than walking through the train as the corridor was very narrow. John Whitehurst, managing director of Serco's transport business, said the company was disappointed that the Scottish government "did not ensure value for money by examining the possibility of a direct contract award to Serco". Caledonian Sleeper to be nationalised. 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. Whether it is for business or leisure, Caledonian Sleeper will take you to some of the UK's most wonderful destinations. The Scottish Government has announced it will take over providing Caledonian Sleeper services following the expiry of the current franchise on 25 June this year. Francesca Brooking is the Founder of Little Lost Travel. The move confirms widespread expectation in the rail industry that the service would be . The Scottish Government will provide the services from June 25, 2023 after it decided to axe the current operator Serco's . First launched in 1996, it has become an icon the world over and a symbol of train travel at its best. But Jim Metcalfe, a regular user of the Caledonian Sleeper service from Scotland to London, experienced a first - he woke up to discover the train hadn't actually left. That means you dont have to go far from your room or worry about spaces filling up. With everything in place for a relaxed No spam, just awesome travel content. The Caledonian Sleeper breakfast was arranged by ticking the items that we wanted off a paper menu after boarding and hanging it on the door outside to be picked up. Book your trip The price is by the room. Hello from both of us Tracy and Doug Collins. Prize winners will receive a welcome bottle of champagne upon arrival and enjoy a return trip in either a Caledonian Double or Club room [], Caledonian Sleeper has entered into a partnership with North Coast 500, voted one of the worlds top coastal touring routes. Narrow was a theme that carried right through to our room. All cabins now come with essential amenities to make your trip as comfortable as possible, including a 'sleep kit' with Scottish toiletries. The Caledonian Sleeper offers an excellent alternative, take the train late at night, get 7 hours of sleep and wake up refreshed and in the centre of Glasgow, all before 7:30 in the morning so you can make . You can upgrade or change your room type on the Caledonian Sleeper Flexible Ticket up until two days before your trip. Planned engineering works throughout February and March please check our service alterations page. In my opinion, yes it is. However, the food is overpriced. There is no better way to travel! The new Club car option is a designated coach to buy food and drink on the go in a modern, light and friendly setting. Any doubts call the Caledonian Service Centre (UK Telephone number) 0330 060 0500 for further information or to check terms and conditions of purchase. Cheapest option available for passengers by buying a valid train ticket through any regular ticket outline/outline. The contrast in scenery can be incredible! Like all trains, its recommended that you buy your tickets as far in advance as possible. The toilet was a couple of doors down from us and pretty similar to your typical plane or train facilities. What is the route of the Caledonian Sleeper? You are using an out of date browser. The line technically has two routes - the Highlander and the Lowlander with the train splitting into sections depending on where it's going. Train Accessibility Guides Provides the information relating to the features on board the train designed to help everyone. The Caledonian Sleeper Route information, Caledonian Sleeper Boarding Times and Timetable, Caledonian Sleeper Options for sleeping or seating, Comfort Seats (sometimes referred to as sleeper seats), Click for further information and to book your Caledonian Sleeper Train tickets, Best of Britain by train (14 day itinerary), 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, 13 Tips to save money on rail travel in the UK. Yes, you can take up to two pets with you (including dogs and cats) but it will cost you extra. The Caledonian Sleeper, the night train between London and Scotland, was in 2014 in need of a fresh start. The staff travel restriction for Winter 2017/18 don't mention any changes to berth/seat types - as you would expect, they do specifically say: The current 1st class only option of single use of a cabin will be the only option available to solo travellers so keeping this as 1st Class would mean that only couples could travel Std.