Dont worry, if you book a Classic Room for yourself, you wont have to share it with another solo traveller! There is no better way to travel! 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. 5. It is amazing to fall asleep in one country/state and wake up in another and enjoy the views along the way! For full information, please see my disclaimer here. Available for Classic, Club rooms and Caledonian Double rooms. About an hour before we were due to arrive, the cheery train staff member knocked on the door to make sure we were awake and ready for breakfast plus our imminent departure. However the booking system is changing next year. The Caledonian Sleeper rail service is to be nationalised later this year, the Scottish government has announced. Certainly haven't seen any news articles on the RDG website to the best of my knowledge. 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. 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. An important and useful applied example of nationalisation here. Little Lost Travel is your complete guide to nature-based and sustainable travel. 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. You book rooms like you would in a hotel. Read more: Get My Complete Scotland Travel Guide. Can you take dogs on the Caledonian Sleeper? First launched in 1996, it has become an icon the world over and a symbol of train travel at its best. Then three individual trains then travel onwards to Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness. I justify it by seeing it as one nights accommodation and transport rolled into one. Customer assist is not compulsory but is recommended for peace of mind. Putting names to archive photos, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, In photos: India's disappearing single-screen cinemas. Alternatively, you can use a valid National Rail ticket provided you also have a reservation to travel on the Caledonian Sleeper. possible, including a 'sleep kit' with Scottish toiletries. These ticket types should be used for making reservations for Scotrail staff and Gold Status pass holders. 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.. Station Accessibility Guides On depth information about the train stations the sleeper train service stops at. Top 10 Sustainable Glamping Sites in the UK. When you book your tickets, youll only be asked about where youre departing from and the station you want to arrive at. Review of Caledonian Sleeper. If you try and book two weeks before you travel, theres a very good chance your ideal accommodation wont be available. Each route and destination are as follows, also showing the principal train station stops along the route. You had to go single file and good luck if you had large luggage items with you! Train drivers' union Aslef also backed the move but said it was disappointed that the minister had not taken the opportunity to bring the sleeper service into ScotRail. These costs may be higher than the revenue generated by the service, especially if there are . 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. Itll mostly be dark outside for your whole trip, so dont judge based on scenery, or lack thereof. Your email address will not be published. National Rail (NR) Priv Discount on Oyster for holders of the Rail Staff Leisure Card - Update. Caledonian Sleeper passengers arrive "too early". Inside the compartment was a bunk bed, a sink and hand towel in the far end with a window above it and a small table that could be pulled out. For those staying in rooms, there are Club Cars, a lounge car which serves drinks and hot food. 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. Caledonian Double and Club car rooms come with a private shower on the Caledonian Sleeper. The Caledonian Sleeper is to be taken into public hands in June, transport minister Jenny Gilruth has confirmed to MSPs. Hello, the trains that go long distances are almost always, I love your website an YouTube videos. However, the government did not agree to the new terms, which according to Serco were aimed at putting the service on a more sustainable financial footing. 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. It had been due to run from 2015 to 2030. Call the guest centre for further information regarding further assisting the dogs comforts. It really depends on your personal preferences and what accommodation type you choose. Transport minister Jenny Gilruth said the service, which connects some of Scotland's most rural stations to London, will be operated by an arm's-length company owned by the Scottish Government from June 25. As a gateway to the Highlands, Inverness has matured to become one of the UKs most spectacular cities. Starting from London Euston and heading north, the route to Fort William is the best Caledonian Sleeper route. RMTs general secretary, Mick Lynch, said the Scottish government had done the right thing, while Aslefs Scottish organiser, Kevin Lindsay, said Sercos control of the service had been an abject failure. Do you have to share a room on the Caledonian Sleeper. On our trip we opted for the nachos and sliders. Geoff Riley FRSA has been teaching Economics for over thirty years. One thing which made it 100% worth the sleepless night was the dawn light breaking as we sped through the Scottish Highlands. Our latest 2023 vacation brochure is now available. + Free Scotland packing list for ALL SEASONS, + 5-step guide to planning a trip of a lifetime, + Monthly newsletter with helpful travel tips. Off the train, Club and Double Room guests also have first class lounge access at the station while they wait to board the train. 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. 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. The Caledonian Sleeper train is the name of the service that runs on the train route between England and Scotland 6 days a week. 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. This is a handy feature if youre booking as a group. The Caledonian Sleeper first began operating in 1873, when the Caledonian Railway Company opened the service between Glasgow and London. Image credit: Richard Clinnick. Station Lounge access. On board Host service See below under Boarding the train. The Caledonian Sleeper rail service is to be nationalised later this year in what has been hailed as a huge win for the unions. However, I cant comment on it as A) I booked a Classic Room, and B) the lounge was closed anyway. The routes to Glasgow and Edinburgh are too short to fully enjoy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The newer more modern services incorporate more hotel-style cabins, or berths, as they are termed, with lighter/brighter accommodation. 2023 Little Lost Travel. He tweeted: 'In 15 . Water was warm and plentiful when we tried the shower, and overall it was a good experience. Despite that, it's been pretty well loaded every time I've taken . Caledonian Sleeper tickets go on sale up to 12 months before you travel so book them as early as you can! Please read: Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised by Scottish ministers, More here from the BBC: Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised. However, the food is overpriced. We had to make sure we were in the right section of the train as it was going to split at Edinburgh. So, book it if youre interested in the experience of sleeper train travel from England to Scotland. 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. All cabins now come with essential amenities to make your trip as comfortable as possible, including a 'sleep kit' with Scottish toiletries. The out-sourcing company will stop operating the cross-border rail service when its contract expires in June. 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. It wasnt an issue with the facilities. Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised by Scottish ministers, Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised. The Caledonian Sleeper services will be provided by the Scottish government from the expiry of the current Caledonian Sleeper franchise on June 25, 2023. . Here, you can discover the best ecolodges in the world, sustainable destination guides and so much more! Northbound from London Euston, the Lowlander Route takes the Caledonian Sleeper to Carstairs where it splits off and travels to Edinburgh Waverly and Glasgow Central. 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). The line technically has two routes the Highlander and the Lowlander with the train splitting into sections depending on where its going. In my opinion, yes it is. The move follows widespread expectation in the rail industry that the . 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. Email: francesca@littlelosttravel.com, Your email address will not be published. New opening hours Monday-Friday 24 hours Saturday Midnight to 1600 Sunday 1200- [], We have teamed up with Mackies of Scotland to grant one lucky winner and their plus one an unforgettable railway experience aboard the Caledonian Sleeper and a years supply of chocolate. A senior union source said . Franchise Update. I suggest bringing your own if you want to keep costs down. Can you take bikes on the Caledonian Sleeper? T he Caledonian Sleeper has revealed its long-awaited makeover.. I took the overnight Caledonian sleeper service from Edinburgh south to London Euston on 25th February, travelling in a Club Solo Room. Francesca Brooking is the Founder of Little Lost Travel. 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. With the Sleeper franchise ending on 25 June 2023, we have carefully assessed the options for successor arrangements by the current legislative framework and our Franchising Policy Statement.. Sadly my 26-30 railcard didnt make the cut :(. Whether you are travelling to London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen or Fort William, travel in comfort and enjoy a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. I should add that I didnt actually book the tickets myself. The Silver City with the Golden Sands, also known as the Granite City, Aberdeen has established itself as a dining and entertainment destination. The Caledonian Sleeper Train was relaunched in 2019 to feature However, Gilruth added that the decision to bring the service into public hands would not be a permanent one, saying she and officials would continue to monitor market conditions. Always check departure and arrival times prior to travel, the week or day before. It would hardly be the first time that ATOC/RDG have been behind the curve when it comes to accurate information. Highlander Route Departs Sunday to Friday each week (not on Saturdays) from Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness. Its northernmost station is Inverness. Southbound, the train starts in thirds from Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William and heads down towards Edinburgh. I had never ridden on any form of sleeper transport, so it was a first for me in many ways. We were keen to try the cheeseboard, but it was sold out sadly! View the latest recommended public transport travel guidelines from the UK Government and Scottish Government. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. for about 20 minutes before we heard the announcement called. The Caledonian Sleeper, the night train between London and Scotland, was in 2014 in need of a fresh start. our Scottish holiday. All cabins now The Scottish Government has moved to nationalise the Caledonian Sleeper service after ending the contract with operator Serco seven years before its scheduled date. Required fields are marked *.