Me and my partner both have staff travel cards (priv pass) non safeguarded (standard class). 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. Our train was due to depart from London Euston at 21:15 so we got there an hour before. 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. Check terms and conditions regarding breakfast or room type. Over the coming months Serco [], We have partnered with Visit Inverness Loch Ness to offer you the chance to win a fantastic family city break to the stunning landscapes of the Highlands to find the Loch Ness monster! I would rather have a bed than a seat even if I were travelling alone. The Caledonian Sleeper first began operating in 1873, when the Caledonian Railway Company opened the service between Glasgow and London. Where does the Caledonian Sleeper train go? However, Lindsay said he was disappointed that the Caledonian Sleeper and ScotRail franchises are not being combined, something Gilruth told MSPs she is in favour of. Today is has been announced that the Scottish Government have decided to appoint a public body to manage and operate Caledonian Sleeper, known as Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH). 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. Ticket name. To book customer Assistance Needs to be booked prior to 6 hours before the train leaves its starting point station. The newer more modern services incorporate more hotel-style cabins, or berths, as they are termed, with lighter/brighter accommodation. It really depends on your personal preferences and what accommodation type you choose. However, I cant comment on it as A) I booked a Classic Room, and B) the lounge was closed anyway. "Soft" sleeper on the Beijing-Lhasa train.. Sleeper trains combine travelling with a place to sleep.Before the breakthrough of air travel, sleeper trains were the preferred way of travelling long distances overland.A few trains, including the "Orient Express" which used to run from Paris to Istanbul, became famous through film and literature.The rise of aviation (now cheaper than many long . Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; 38.75 each is the cheapest tier for that journey so is probably correct. Currently, its one of only two sleeper trains in the UK. However, Ive heard that even those rooms are a bit cramped (I overheard a tall man complain about it in the Club Car). The best room on the Caledonian Sleeper is the Caledonian Double. Image credit: Richard Clinnick. There is no better way to travel! You should not have any concerns over safety on the Caledonian Sleeper. The routes to Glasgow and Edinburgh are too short to fully enjoy. The staff and security work hard to ensure passengers are safe and comfortable during their entire trip. However, arriving in London at seven in the morning was not the one. However, they may travel in the seated accommodation on the legs of the journey between Fort William and Edinburgh and vice versa, and Kingussie and Inverness where the sleeper train forms a day service (reservations are not required). We were keen to try the cheeseboard, but it was sold out sadly! It was a bit of a scramble making sure we had packed everything up hint, dont unpack all your belongings in the tiny room! Caledonian Sleeper is the collective name for overnight sleeper train services between London and Scotland, in the United Kingdom.It is one of only two currently operating sleeper services on the railway in the United Kingdom, the other being the Night Riviera which runs between London and Penzance.. A sleeper service has been run along the West Coast Main Line since 24 February 1873. Try to get there at least an hour before departure to board the train as smoothly as possible! The Club car is available to all guests using berth sleeping accommodation only. Jenny Gilruth said nothing about how this world class service can be improved under the Scottish government.. Comfort seat passengers have at-seat service options. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. The Aberdeen train stops at Montrose, Stonehaven, Leuchars and Dundee. For the Caledonian Sleeper, its not necessarily because of the price rather availability. Take advantage of this, as the train ride isnt very long. Finally the review! The contract for the overnight London to Scotland service will be removed from Serco in June. To enjoy the discount, simply visit a ScotRail booking office and show your Caledonian Sleeper paper or e-ticket to get 20% off your Off-Peak ticket. Caledonian Sleeper passengers arrive "too early". Boston Spa, 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. In all honesty, no. Caledonian Sleeper tickets go on sale up to 12 months before you travel so book them as early as you can! I still use the sleeping mask today its pretty good quality, to be honest! The sleeper service will be the second rail operation to be taken into state hands in Scotland in recent times. Our latest 2023 vacation brochure is now available. Caledonian Sleeper train review: My verdict. Boston House, The shower is integrated into the bathroom, so youll flip the toilet seat cover down and it then doubles as a bench for the shower. Its only available to guests staying in rooms though. It was a good while before we found our carriage, but eventually, we bundled through the door and looked for our room. If you try and book two weeks before you travel, theres a very good chance your ideal accommodation wont be available. Theres secure storage space for up to six bikes in the Seated Carriage. but we made it to Fort William in one piece. Note Check when making a booking if travelling alone if a single person supplement fee is applicable. 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 . 2002-2023 Tutor2u Limited. Read more: 10 Best Things To Do In Edinburgh For The Ultimate Travel Itinerary. Caledonian Sleeper: 16 Things You Need To Know Before Riding, Edinburgh Waverley Station: A Complete Guide, Caledonian Sleeper Train: Caledonian Double Review, What Its Like In A Caledonian Sleeper Club Room, Kuranda Scenic Railway: 12 Things You Need To Know Before Riding, Spirit Of The Outback: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Riding, The Indian Pacific Train In Australia: 12 Things You Need To Know Before Riding, The Ghan: 11 Things You Need To Know Before Riding This Australian Train, 20 Must Have Items For Your Next Amtrak Trip. We were surprised to know that we could board the Caledonian Sleeper quite early before our train departed. The Caledonian Sleeper is to be taken into public ownership later this summer, the transport secretary has announced. Club and Double Room guests are meant to get priority over Classic but we were still allowed in. Given all that, there can be no conclusion other than that this is an ideological decision. Alternatively, you can use a valid National Rail ticket provided you also have a reservation to travel on the Caledonian Sleeper. Hello. our Scottish holiday. THE Caledonian Sleeper service will be brought into public hands this summer, the Scottish Government has announced. 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. RMT Announcement on strike dates during March and April please check our service alterations page. We started off with a sandwich platter (four sandwich quarters), mac n cheese and a vegetable soup with crusty bread. 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. 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. 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. Lowlander Route Departs Sunday to Friday each week (not on Saturdays) from Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central. Home to many a lively ceilidh where the celebrated local malt is the toast of the guests Fort William is an idyllic escape from the rat race. Since Serco took over the Caledonian Sleeper, the operation has encountered a series of . The contrast in scenery can be incredible! The move comes after ministers decided last year to terminate Serco's contract to . Theres something special about closing your eyes in one location and waking up to views of another world, ready to start an adventure. If that were the case, I would skip the Club Room and go for the Caledonian Double upgrade from a bunk to a double bed! From 25 June 2023, the service will be run by Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH), an arms length company owned by the Scottish government. Do you have to share a room on the Caledonian Sleeper. 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). 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. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The Caledonian Sleeper is a sleeper train service linking London with cities in Scotland. journey, you could enjoy ever-changing views and indulge in a wee 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). 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). Want to stay informed about the latest developments with Caledonian Sleeper? There wasnt a standard plug so if you want to use your electronics on the train, make sure you bring a lead or power bank with you. The price is by the room. 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. This is a handy feature if youre booking as a group. On board Host service See below under Boarding the train. For full information, please see my disclaimer here. By submitting your email you will be subscribed to my monthly newsletter. For other queries, you should find the information on our website, or you can e-mail us . Required fields are marked *. The Lowlander train dissects at Carstairs and the two halves continue . This follows the announcement on 5 October 2022 of the Scottish Governments decision to terminate Sercos Franchise Agreement on 25 June 2023. There are options to choose from for your accommodation for each journey depending on your preferences and budget. 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. The back of the door at a floor-to-ceiling mirror which gave the illusion of more space in the room. The out-sourcing company will stop operating the cross-border rail 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". Highlands-London service will be run by state-owned company after operator Serco loses contract seven years early. Off the train, Club and Double Room guests also have first class lounge access at the station while they wait to board the train. The decision was taken when Serco attempted to renegotiate the agreement through a rebase clause, to ensure the loss-making service was on a more sustainable financial footing. From 25 June 2023, the service will be run by Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH), an arm's length company owned by the Scottish government. Whether it is for business or leisure, Caledonian Sleeper will take you to some of the UKs most wonderful destinations. This follows the announcement on 5 October 2022 of the Scottish Government's decision to terminate Serco's Franchise Agreement on 25 . 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. It is an incredible way to experience a trip to Scotland from London. 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. There is a Lowlander route between London and Glasgow and Edinburgh, and a Highlander route to Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. Serco said that on-board staff had received full pay during the pandemic, despite working reduced hours. The now conjoined train travels down to Carlisle and Watford Junction before arriving at London Euston. Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth made the announcement this week that services will be provided by an arm's length company owned . The Glasgow train stops at Motherwell before joining the Edinburgh train at Carstairs. Read more: 5 Of The Best Cycling Routes In Scotland For Epic Views. If Im being honest about the food if youre on a budget I recommend bringing your own such as snacks and sandwiches rather than eating in the Club Car. Rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper all sleep 2 people only. Is it worth upgrading or downgrading from the Classic Room? The sleeper is very much a loss maker and I think the subsidy is still around 100 per passenger with the higher fares. It meant waiting on the station concourse (which isnt the nicest!) The Scottish Government has moved to nationalise the Caledonian Sleeper service after ending the contract with operator Serco seven years before its scheduled date. Image: Andrew Smith. Caledonian Sleeper services will be provided by the Scottish Government from the expiry of the current Caledonian Sleeper franchise on 25 June 2023.. Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised by Scottish ministers, Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised. It will be the second rail operation to be taken into state hands in Scotland, after ScotRail returned to public ownership last April. These include train failure . Rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper all sleep 2 people only. 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). 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! He enjoys doing landscape and astrophotography while on the road. Comfort Seats on the Caledonian Sleeper are very nice and provide a comfortable ride to your destination. It is important to check that if using a Britrail Passor Inter-Rail/ Eurail (that includes Great Britain) that you check the dates are still valid on your travel pass for your journey before travelling. The line technically has two routes the Highlander and the Lowlander with the train splitting into sections depending on where its going. Southbound, the train departs from both Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverly. Transport minister Jenny Gilruth said the service, which connects some of Scotland's most rural stations to London, will be operated by an arms-length company owned by the Scottish Government from June 25. Thanks for the link. The Scottish Government has moved to nationalise the Caledonian Sleeper service after ending the contract with operator Serco seven years before its scheduled date. Yes. For that, youll need to book a Club or a Double. magical journey through the English countryside on the Caledonian I was able to pay by card. The one big downside is that although you get a slight discount on the room overall, the cost is still much higher than if you were splitting it with someone else. Traveling overnight saves the cost of a hotel. This was generally very uncomfortable and I did not sleep at all! SUS should be used for Standard Class facility holders, FUS should be used for First Class facility holders. NOTE: Northbound travellers between London Euston and Fort William have to change seats at Edinburgh Waverley train station from one train to another. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The Caledonian Sleeper services will be provided by the Scottish government from the expiry of the current Caledonian Sleeper franchise on June 25, 2023. . I can relax now! Bringing together more than 500 miles (516 miles, to be exact!) 16-25, Disabled, Disabled Child, Friends & Family, HM Forces, Senior, Two Together and Veteran are accepted. From outside the UK, call us on: +44 20 7841 8274. Unsubscribe at any time. The Caledonian Sleeper rail service will be nationalised after Scottish ministers moved to terminate the operating companys franchise agreement seven years early. If it isnt clear no you dont need to change trains if youre travelling past Edinburgh or Glasgow (e.g. Available for Classic, Club rooms and Caledonian Double rooms. 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 2022-20223, ticket prices start as follows: Comfort Seat from 35 (London Edinburgh or Glasgow) or from 40 (London north of Edinburgh or Glasgow), Classic Room from 140 for solo travellers or from 170 if youre sharing, Club Room from 205 for solo travellers or from 250 if youre sharing, Double Room from 335 for solo travellers or from 400 if sharing (London Edinburgh or Glasgow) or from 395 for solo travellers or from 470 if sharing (London north of Edinburgh or Glasgow), Family Deal Classic from 140 (London Edinburgh or Glasgow) or from 185 (London north of Edinburgh or Glasgow). Company Reg no: 04489574. Narrow was a theme that carried right through to our room. JavaScript is disabled. Let them know ahead of time if youre travelling with an assistance dog. The Caledonian Sleeper is an expensive train to ride, and the high cost is justified by luxury feel and updated train cars. Rob is married to Allie and together they have been traveling the world for the past 5 years. After dropping our bags off in the room, we went to get a seat in the Club Car. The Caledonian Sleeper is to be taken into public hands in June, transport minister has told MSPs. Read about our approach to external linking. Assistance Dogs Welcome on board. Sleeper train travel provides fantastic travel memories and stories to tell with some of the, Highlander Route Departs Sunday to Friday each week (not on Saturdays) from: . Speaking in a statement to Parliament today (Thursday 2 March 2023), Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth announced that from 25 June 2023, Caledonian Sleeper services will be provided by an arm's length company owned and controlled by the . Transport minister Jenny Gilruth said the service, which connects some of . MINISTERS have confirmed they are to nationalise the key Caledonian Sleeper service which operates overnight . 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". Luxury Double bed and not two separate bunk type beds. Rail Staff taking children have two options they can travel in a 75% discounted adult fare or use free or a 2.00 inter-available . Sleeper trains run nightly from Sunday to Friday. 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. National Rail tickets can be accepted between stations served by the sleeper services with a reservation made via the Guest service Centre telephone line. On our trip we opted for the nachos and sliders. Book your trip Read more: Get My Complete Scotland Travel Guide. For breakfast, we try to have everything packed ready so we could enjoy the breakfast, just finishing in time to arrive at our destination. Book another train if you just want to get from A to B as quickly and cheaply as possible. You also dont have access to the Club Car if you choose the seats! These cookies do not store any personal information. Single journey ticket purchases, you buy 2 tickets for a return journey. To what extent will state-ownership under Scottish Rail Holdings bring about a change in business objectives and pricing? To mark our new trains and a new era in rail travel, we commissioned a series of posters to commemorate the long history of the service. March 2, 2023. Here, you can discover the best ecolodges in the world, sustainable destination guides and so much more! The Caledonian Sleeper service is a train service operated by Serco that runs overnight between London and various destinations in Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William. With Caledonian Sleeper, you get to say goodnight to queuing, and wake up to something different while you travel between Scotland and London. I havent included a menu here as it changes frequently depending on the season! A cleaning fee of 30 pounds is charged per room and you are allowed to bring 2 pets with you on your trip. We did get a free tea, juice and a biscuit though! Do you know this baby? Arrive refreshed at your destination of choice following your overnight journey. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Ministers nationalise cross-border train service after Serco stripped of franchise. The word Caledonian is taken from the Latin word which generally refers to the . Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson said the service had seen its highest revenue since the start of the franchise over the past year, with passenger numbers back to pre-Covid levels and guest and employee satisfaction all going up. Rather than a train getting you from A to B, this sleeper train is part of the experience of travel. In this Caledonian Sleeper review, I share what its really like to travel on this iconic train. 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. 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. JavaScript is disabled. OUR VIEW We have never stayed in one of these rooms. 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. All cabins now come with essential amenities to make your trip as comfortable as possible, including a 'sleep kit' with Scottish toiletries. The Scottish Government will operate the Caledonian Sleeper service from the end of June. 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. 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. London to Scotland sleeper service tipped for renationalisation, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. I was fortunate enough to ride it twice with my partner from London to Fort William and from Edinburgh back to London. Call the guest centre for further information regarding further assisting the dogs comforts. Messages. One of which is the Caledonian Sleeper. He tweeted: 'In 15 . Trains to Edinburgh and Glasgow are available to board up to 1 hour and 40 minutes before departure. Heres everything you need to know about booking and travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper. 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.. I would still bring flip-flops or wear shoes if youre getting up in the middle of the night! The Caledonian Sleeper rail service is to be nationalised later this year, the Scottish government has announced. How early can you board the Caledonian Sleeper? Theyre often considered a more romantic way to travel, offering luxury, glamour and leisure. There are a few on the train, each catering to wherever the section of the train is going.