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), Click to book your Caledonian Sleeper train ticket, Visiting the London Eye (Best Tips, Tickets & Tours). These tickets must be valid between stations served by Caledonian Sleeper for part . I had arranged my travel through Byway Travel who handled all the bookings for me. In 2019, Serco put an improvement plan in place after the service was hit by strike action, technical faults and the late delivery of new trains. 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. Boston Spa, For breakfast, we try to have everything packed ready so we could enjoy the breakfast, just finishing in time to arrive at our destination. A new fleet of trains was introduced in 2019, Caledonian Sleeper contract to end seven years early, Serco agrees Caledonian Sleeper improvement plan, Harry: I always felt different to rest of family, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, Mbappe breaks PSG goal record in win over Nantes, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78, Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty. 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. Although small and simple, the room was clean and comfy enough for a night. In terms of the Caledonian Sleeper timetable, most trains depart at around 21:00 or 23:00 and terminate at the above stations between 07:00 and 10:00 just in time for breakfast! The Inverness train stops at Stirling, Gleneagles, Pitlochry, Perth and Aviemore. With Caledonian Sleeper, you get to say goodnight to queuing, and wake up to something different while you travel between Scotland and London. Staff travel holders are not permitted to travel in the overnight seated accommodation on these services. We have a love for train travel and enjoy exploring the UK by train. There is a Lowlander route between London and Glasgow and Edinburgh, and a Highlander route to Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. 2023 Little Lost Travel. Posted by Francesca Brooking | No-Fly Holidays, Scotland | 0. All rooms on board our new trains capture the spirit of Caledonian Sleeper and remain the most civilised way to travel between London and Scotland. possible, including a 'sleep kit' with Scottish toiletries. It was painfully early and there were no pretty views to enjoy. 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. of stunning coastal scenery, the North Coast 500 (NC500) naturally follows the rugged coastal edges of the North Highlands one of Scotlands best-kept [], We have been looking at ways to make our service more sustainable and we are constantly working with our partners to help reduce our carbon footprint. In my opinion, yes it is. Rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper all sleep 2 people only. 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). Ticket name. Read more: Get My Complete Scotland Travel Guide. Read more about them here. The Classic Room suited our needs perfectly at a reasonably decent price point. 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. Lowlander Route Departs Sunday to Friday each week (not on Saturdays) from Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central. I just wanted to check when booking the Caledonian Sleeper, the classic twin berth room booking also includes your journey fare? There were no showers though. 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. If you book a room with 2 passengers, you wont be sharing a room with anyone else. Breakfast is NOT included but can be purchased. but we made it to Fort William in one piece. Jenny Gilruth said nothing about how this world class service can be improved under the Scottish government.. This post may contain affiliate / compensated links. It will be operated by an arms length company owned by the Scottish government from 25 June, transport minister Jenny Gilruth told MSPs in Holyrood on Thursday. If neither of you feel comfortable going on the top berth you should opt for the double. Rooms / seats are available 30-45 minutes before departure. There are several reasons why the Caledonian Sleeper service may make a loss: Overall, the Caledonian Sleeper service is a complex operation with high fixed costs and fluctuating demand. The Caledonian Sleeper is to be taken into public hands in June, transport minister Jenny Gilruth has confirmed to MSPs. The Club car is available to all guests using berth sleeping accommodation only. 5 Of The Best Cycling Routes In Scotland For Epic Views, Complete Scotland Packing List: What To Wear For Every Season, 9 Best Scotland Small Group Tours You Need To Book (2022), Isle of Skye 2 Day Itinerary: Amazing Things To Do, 12 BEST Day Hikes In Scotland You Need To Experience, The Best Cyprus Itinerary for a Long Weekend (Or More!). The Caledonian Sleeper rail service will be nationalised after Scottish ministers moved to terminate the operating company's franchise agreement seven years early. The Flexipass was not an option for us with only one journey planned at that time. Dont worry, if you book a Classic Room for yourself, you wont have to share it with another solo traveller! MINISTERS have confirmed they are to nationalise the key Caledonian Sleeper service which operates overnight . On our trip we opted for the nachos and sliders. RMT wins public ownership for Caledonian Sleeper Rail union, RMT warmly welcomed today's decision by the Scottish government to take Caledonian Sleeper into First launched in 1996, it has become an icon the world over and a symbol of train travel at its best. I was looking at the Staff T&Cs for travel on the Sleeper, and the RDG website tells me only to book First Class (single occupancy birth and what not) only if I have the First Class entitlement. Scotland's Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth has confirmed that Caledonian Sleeper services will be taken over by the Scottish Government once Serco's current franchise expires on 25 June 2023. Family room and accessible room options for wheelchair users are available. On shorter routes to Glasgow and Edinburgh, the Caledonian Sleeper ride is so short at around 8 hours that youll hardly experience the train during waking hours. Caledonian Sleeper passengers arrive "too early". Customer assist is not compulsory but is recommended for peace of mind. 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. journey, you could enjoy ever-changing views and indulge in a wee "Given all that, there can be no conclusion other than that this is an ideological decision. No spam, just awesome travel content. Our ride started at London Euston Station and ended at Glasgow Centra. Sorry to hear that. Take advantage of this, as the train ride isnt very long. Theres something special about closing your eyes in one location and waking up to views of another world, ready to start an adventure. Whether it is for business or leisure, allow yourself to unwind from the stress of everyday life as you dream all night, in comfort and wake up at your destination refreshed. If it isnt clear no you dont need to change trains if youre travelling past Edinburgh or Glasgow (e.g. But rail unions welcomed the transport minister's announcement. The move comes after ministers decided last year to terminate Serco's contract to run the service seven years early. 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. Essential resources. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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). It would hardly be the first time that ATOC/RDG have been behind the curve when it comes to accurate information. Can you take dogs on the Caledonian Sleeper? Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Much of the reason youll 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. Those wishing to arrange assistance onto Sleepers should call the Caledonian Sleeper Assisted Travel helpline on 0330 0600 500 or Assisted Travel Typetalk 01463 231 951 (for customers with hearing impairments). While space isnt one of its strongest points, the trains beds are comfy and have cosy Glencraft mattresses. Call button for at seat service food and drink (menu provided at the seat). 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. 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. 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.. Sadly my 26-30 railcard didnt make the cut :(. We had to make sure we were in the right section of the train as it was going to split at Edinburgh. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. No spam, just awesome sustainable travel content! The line technically has two routes - the Highlander and the Lowlander with the train splitting into sections depending on where it's going. 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. He enjoys doing landscape and astrophotography while on the road. Image credit: Richard Clinnick. Caledonian Sleeper - Staff Travel Tickets. Over the years, the service has been upgraded and modernized, and today the journey takes around 8 hours. Highlander Route Departs Sunday to Friday each week (not on Saturdays) from Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness. Its only available to guests staying in rooms though. A senior union source said . Ms Gilruth said the decision not to rebase was "in no way a reflection on the quality of the product that has been developed, nor on the commitment of the staff who deliver this service every day". Water was warm and plentiful when we tried the shower, and overall it was a good experience. If I did the Caledonian Sleeper again I would only book a one-way ticket to the Scottish Highlands. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Comfort Seats on the Caledonian Sleeper are very nice and provide a comfortable ride to your destination. When you book your tickets, youll only be asked about where youre departing from and the station you want to arrive at. To what extent will state-ownership under Scottish Rail Holdings bring about a change in business objectives and pricing?
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