This follows the announcement on 5 October 2022 of the Scottish Governments decision to terminate Sercos Franchise Agreement on 25 June 2023. I havent included a menu here as it changes frequently depending on the season! We took on the task with the vision of upgrading the . He enjoys doing landscape and astrophotography while on the road. A creative scene like no other, Glasgow is famous for the arts, live music, and comedy. Read and find out! The service between Inverness and London takes 11 hours to travel 444 miles. Saves time when on a tight travel schedule, travelling whilst asleep, waking up refreshed and ready for the next adventure. Call the guest centre for further information regarding further assisting the dogs comforts. I had a small tub of porridge and my partner had a sausage bap all packaged up in a paper bag. The Flexipass was not an option for us with only one journey planned at that time. The contract for the overnight London to Scotland service will be removed from Serco in June. Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; Yes the on board staff know that your ticket class must match your travel facilities. Sorry to hear that. I normally need quiet and stillness. Club and Double Room guests are meant to get priority over Classic but we were still allowed in. Comfort seat passengers have at-seat service options. National Rail (NR) Priv Discount on Oyster for holders of the Rail Staff Leisure Card - Update. Theres something special about closing your eyes in one location and waking up to views of another world, ready to start an adventure. So if London's calling you this summer, wherever you're travelling from in Scotland, we'll help you get there . The Classic Room suited our needs perfectly at a reasonably decent price point. 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. The wall opposite the bed had a locked door which led to the neighbouring 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. No spam, just awesome travel content. Even if you know the number of the coach your seat/berth is in sometimes it is still not the easiest thing to find. Rather than a train getting you from A to B, this sleeper train is part of the experience of travel. 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. The Glencraft mattresses were nice and firm too. Breakfast is included on the Caledonian Sleeper, but evening snacks and meals must be purchased from the Club Car. Its northernmost station is Inverness. UK Telephone number. Hello, the trains that go long distances are almost always, I love your website an YouTube videos. Book your trip Jenny Gilruth said nothing about how this world class service can be improved under the Scottish government.. Revenue was 3.06bn in 2022, up from 2.25bn in 2021. To book customer Assistance Needs to be booked prior to 6 hours before the train leaves its starting point station. dram of malt whisky in the Club Car. 27 Eco-Friendly Travel Products You Need For Your Packing List. I would again recommend bringing your own breakfast rather than paying for this one. For full information, please see my disclaimer here. Unlike some countries, they do not expect a financial tip at the end of the service. 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. West Yorkshire, A cleaning fee of 30 pounds is charged per room and you are allowed to bring 2 pets with you on your trip. 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. For the Caledonian Sleeper, its not necessarily because of the price rather availability. Inspired by the destinations we serve across the UK, the six posters are designed to celebrate the heritage of Caledonian Sleeper while also looking to the future. 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 . 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! The other one is the Night Riviera Sleeper from London to Penzance! bbc.co.uk - The Caledonian Sleeper rail service is to be nationalised later this year, the Scottish government has announced. I should add that I didnt actually book the tickets myself. You dont need to worry about which half of the train is going where, as the staff will do that for you when you board. However, I cant comment on it as A) I booked a Classic Room, and B) the lounge was closed anyway. On our trip we opted for the nachos and sliders. I suggest bringing your own if you want to keep costs down. Geoff Riley FRSA has been teaching Economics for over thirty years. 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. Some of the UKs best destinations are connected by the Caledonian Sleeper. Admittedly, Im not the best sleeper so no, I didnt. 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 Caledonian Sleeper route goes from London right up to the Scottish Highlands. The line technically has two routes - the Highlander and the Lowlander with the train splitting into sections depending on where it's going. 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. 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. 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". These are: Heres a table of whats included with each one: Editors tip: All rooms are available for shared or single occupancy. Breakfast was delivered to our rooms early the next morning about an hour before we were due to arrive in Fort William. That all depends on where youre going. Whether it is for business or leisure, Caledonian Sleeper will take you to some of the UKs most wonderful destinations. Overall was better than expected after reading reviews and we both managed to get enough sleep to allow us to do some sightseeing before checking into hotel room - however . Description. Theres an option to add a bike when you book your ticket. Since Serco took over the Caledonian Sleeper, the operation has encountered a series of . This includes the onboard showers and lounge facilities as well as enjoying the unique sleeper berth experience. The loss was offset by a final 274m "availability" payment from the government . If you are sending us cards or passes by post, we strongly suggest you use Signed-For Delivery. The Caledonian Sleeper site is contradicting my understanding of night trains and Eurail passes. Privacy PolicyTerms of Use & CopyrightDisclosure & Disclaimer, Directory 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. The advice would be book early if this is what you want. View the latest recommended public transport travel guidelines from the UK Government and Scottish Government. Heres everything you need to know about booking and travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper. Essential resources. On board Host service See below under Boarding the train. magical journey through the English countryside on the Caledonian If you try and book two weeks before you travel, theres a very good chance your ideal accommodation wont be available. Complimentary sleep kit (ear plugs, mask). 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. They must remain on the floor and not sleep in the beds. Is it worth upgrading or downgrading from the Classic Room? Single journey ticket purchases, you buy 2 tickets for a return journey. Read more about them here. 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. On top of all that they do seem very friendly. 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). So, did the sleeper train live up to my expectations? The Caledonian Sleeper service will be brought into public hands from this summer, the Scottish . Breakfast was a limited offering, and we thought the evening meals were good, but the portions were smaller than at a restaurant. Although it was nice to have hot food, it was expensive and a little on the basic side. Then, retire to your comfortable cabin for a night on the rails. No spam, just awesome sustainable travel content! It would have been much better, cheaper and quicker to get the LNER for the return journey. Required fields are marked *. This news item applies only to non-safeguarded staff who entered rail service after 31 March 1996 and hold the Rail Staff Leisure Card. Traveling overnight saves the cost of a hotel. If it isnt clear no you dont need to change trains if youre travelling past Edinburgh or Glasgow (e.g. He argued that the award would have "allowed Scotland to benefit from the expertise of our Serco Transport senior management team who understand this complex and unique hospitality-focussed train operation like no-one else, while also enabling Scottish ministers to be in complete control of the contract". Mr Simpson also said Ms Gilruth had given no idea of how much the nationalisation would cost, or how Scottish taxpayers would receive value for money from the move. THE Caledonian Sleeper service will be brought into public hands this summer, the Scottish Government has announced. Whether you are travelling to London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen or Fort William, travel in comfort and enjoy a friendly and relaxed . Geoffrey Morrison. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Our phone lines are only for those without internet access. The new service looks 100% improved. Available for single or shared occupancy. 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.. RMT wins public ownership for Caledonian Sleeper Rail union, RMT warmly welcomed today's decision by the Scottish government to take Caledonian Sleeper into Until recently, holders of BritRail passes and all-line Rail Rovers had to reserve and pay for sleeper berths by telephone, or in person at a rail station, as the reservations system only sold reservations complete with a travel ticket. 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. There is a Lowlander route between London and Glasgow and Edinburgh, and a Highlander route to Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. An experience which harks back to a bygone time, we enjoy a The move comes after ministers decided last year to terminate Serco's contract to . Ticket code. Then three individual trains then travel onwards to Fort William, Aberdeen and. The Caledonian Sleeper is a sleeper train that connects England with Scotland. The price is by the room. Overall weight with guest and luggage does not exceed 300kg. Transport minister Jenny Gilruth said the service, which connects some of . The toilet was a couple of doors down from us and pretty similar to your typical plane or train facilities. Sleeper trains run nightly from Sunday to Friday. There are a few on the train, each catering to wherever the section of the train is going. Starting from London Euston and heading north, the route to Fort William is the best Caledonian Sleeper route. There were no showers though. Our ride started at London Euston Station and ended at Glasgow Centra. 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. The Caledonian Sleeper is a sleeper train that connects England with Scotland. The staff and security work hard to ensure passengers are safe and comfortable during their entire trip. Room supplements are available for Solo or Shared room occupancy in Club and Classic accommodation. Our latest 2023 vacation brochure is now available. The Caledonian Sleeper rail service is to be nationalised later this year, the Scottish government has announced. London to Scotland sleeper service tipped for renationalisation, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. + Free Scotland packing list for ALL SEASONS, + 5-step guide to planning a trip of a lifetime, + Monthly newsletter with helpful travel tips. However, the food is overpriced. For those staying in rooms, there are Club Cars, a lounge car which serves drinks and hot food. The leading site for news and procurement in the railway industry, ZeroEyes and United Safety: AI gun detection technology now used for Transport, The future of rail: automated object inspections, Travel app Sojo to reward passengers for choosing sustainable transport, Caledonian Sleeper service to go into public ownership from June, SWR joins initiative to support passengers with non-visible disabilities, Thales taps LTTS and Qualcomm for 5G in urban rail, Freight segment drives Q3 sales growth at Wabtec, Europe is seeing a hiring jump in railway industry digital media roles, Industrial automation hiring levels in the railway industry rose in August 2022, Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport reimagines airport messaging with new digital displays, Electrification, Traction and Power Supply, Why license plate reader (LPR) systems can, and should, do more for your agency than just collect plate reads, moved to nationalise the Caledonian Sleeper service, received the current franchise in an 800m agreement, Scotland Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said, Internet of Things in Railway: Centralised train control system, Innovation in Ship: Ship loading/unloading pipelines, Innovation in Ship: Ship loading/unloading cableways, Internet of Things in Railway: Electrodynamic braking system, Internet of Things in Ship: Marine seismic data acquisition, Morgan Sindall named delivery partner for Beckton Depot upgrade, CJSC-RVNL consortium places lowest bid for Vande Bharat trains, New regulator statistics note decline in train reliability. 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. We did get a free tea, juice and a biscuit though! Family room and accessible room options for wheelchair users are available. Not a bad compromise. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. From 25 June 2023, the service will be run by an arms length company owned by the Scottish government. The only downside is you dont have much space in your room and theres nowhere else to go. The sleeper train to Scotland has different accommodation types to suit a range of budgets and travel styles. Principal trains station stops As per South Bound Services (in reverse). If you were delayed by 30 or more minutes, you may be entitled to compensation, Find out the latest Caledonian Sleeper timetable alterations. On both occasions, I stayed in a Classic Room. Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised. JavaScript is disabled. I would like to receive periodic email communications about Caledonian Sleepers' services, news updates and promotions. Ministers nationalise cross-border train service after Serco stripped of franchise. This means theyre available for single occupancy as well as sharing. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The Inverness train stops at Stirling, Gleneagles, Pitlochry, Perth and Aviemore. 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). Yes, you can take up to two pets with you (including dogs and cats) but it will cost you extra. In fact, we arrived at the leisurely time of 9:57 am, so it wasnt really an early start! One thing which made it 100% worth the sleepless night was the dawn light breaking as we sped through the Scottish Highlands. That means you dont have to go far from your room or worry about spaces filling up. Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised by Scottish ministers, Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised. The new Club car option is a designated coach to buy food and drink on the go in a modern, light and friendly setting. Rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper all sleep 2 people only. but we made it to Fort William in one piece. As a gateway to the Highlands, Inverness has matured to become one of the UKs most spectacular cities. journey, you could enjoy ever-changing views and indulge in a wee 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. This follows the announcement on 5 October 2022 of the Scottish Government's decision to terminate Serco's Franchise Agreement on 25 . 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). Please read: Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised by Scottish ministers, More here from the BBC: Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised. It is an incredible way to experience a trip to Scotland from London. However, arriving in London at seven in the morning was not the one. The Caledonian Sleeper train is one of the nicest overnight trains in the world and is worth the money it costs to ride.