Thats the absolute minimum time youll want to get there though. Our latest 2023 vacation brochure is now available. An experience which harks back to a bygone time, we enjoy a 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. View the latest recommended public transport travel guidelines from the UK Government and Scottish Government. You will not need to bring your own towels to utilize the shower facilities while riding. No spam, just awesome travel content. The sleeper train to Scotland has different accommodation types to suit a range of budgets and travel styles. Luxury Double bed and not two separate bunk type beds. The Caledonian Sleeper is to be taken into public ownership later this summer, the transport secretary has announced. 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. 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Our train was due to depart from London Euston at 21:15 so we got there an hour before. magical journey through the English countryside on the Caledonian The Scottish Government has moved to nationalise the Caledonian Sleeper service after ending the contract with operator Serco seven years before its scheduled date. 2002-2023 Tutor2u Limited. 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. The routes to Glasgow and Edinburgh are too short to fully enjoy. Currently, its one of only two sleeper trains in the UK. All cabins now come with essential amenities to make your trip as comfortable as possible, including a 'sleep kit' with Scottish toiletries. 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. The 800m agreement, signed in 2015, had been due to run until 2030 . Its northernmost station is Inverness. Rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper all sleep 2 people only. In a statement to MSPs, Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said an arm's length company of the government would take over the franchise on 25 June. Good choice! Rob is one of the most published photographers in the world, having published over 1 million images in the last 20 years. Please read: Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised by Scottish ministers, More here from the BBC: Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We found the bed to be plenty big for our needs and the included shower and toilet is a real bonus. There is a Lowlander route between London and Glasgow and Edinburgh, and a Highlander route to Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. Email: francesca@littlelosttravel.com, Your email address will not be published. The Caledonian Sleeper service will be brought into public hands from this summer, the Scottish Government has announced. 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. Finally the review! The Caledonian Sleeper is to be taken into public hands in June, transport minister Jenny Gilruth has confirmed to MSPs. bbc.co.uk - The Caledonian Sleeper rail service is to be nationalised later this year, the Scottish government has announced. The only downside is you dont have much space in your room and theres nowhere else to go. "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 . 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. Comfort Seats on the Caledonian Sleeper are very nice and provide a comfortable ride to your destination. Includes reservation costs and accommodation. To what extent will state-ownership under Scottish Rail Holdings bring about a change in business objectives and pricing? They both tasted good, and at that late hour are about all you will need. Can you take bikes on the Caledonian Sleeper? The toilet was a couple of doors down from us and pretty similar to your typical plane or train facilities. The Club Car isnt always open though. The Silver City with the Golden Sands, also known as the Granite City, Aberdeen has established itself as a dining and entertainment destination. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? Click for further information and to book your Caledonian Sleeper Train tickets. With everything in place for a relaxed It had been due to run from 2015 to 2030. There is no question that from March 2018 onwards the 1st class designation no longer applies. Whether it is for business or leisure, Caledonian Sleeper will take you to some of the UKs most wonderful destinations. "I would like to make it very clear that the Caledonian Sleeper staff will transfer to the . Dedicated wheelchair space in each Seated Coach Priority for wheelchair spaces is given to reservations in advance. In this Caledonian Sleeper review, I share what its really like to travel on this iconic train. Is it worth upgrading or downgrading from the Classic Room? And the full restriction (which didn't seem relevant to the original question) says. Caledonian Sleeper 2023. The service was initially operated by steam locomotives, and the journey took around 12 hours. Now, I think you should be aware of the 'full' experience prior to booking this means of travel-. Principal trains station stops As per South Bound Services (in reverse). 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: . First launched in 1996, it has become an icon the world over and a symbol of train travel at its best. Top 10 Sustainable Glamping Sites in the UK. With Caledonian Sleeper, you get to say goodnight to queuing, and wake up to something different while you travel between Scotland and London. The Classic Room suited our needs perfectly at a reasonably decent price point. Travelling by Caledonian Sleeper, the lucky winner will be based in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, for two nights with a [], Guest Service Centre Our Guest Service Centre is here to help our guests every step of the way and weve extended the opening times of our Social Media and Live Chat team to be on hand when you need them. The train is certainly comfortable for a 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. The three sections terminate at Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. Each route and destination are as follows, also showing the principal train station stops along the route. The RMT Union has announced new national strike action for 5, 6, 7 and 9 November. Me and my partner both have staff travel cards (priv pass) non safeguarded (standard class). That all depends on where youre going. Looking for more Scotland travel tips? All of the trains go directly to their destinations without the need for changes so you can sleep while the train is moving. I was so excited to book the Caledonian Sleeper up to Fort William for my trip to the Scottish Highlands. - A sustainable travel guide featuring tips on where to stay, getting around and planning an ethical itinerary! Transport Scotland. When you book your tickets, youll only be asked about where youre departing from and the station you want to arrive at. Wheelchairs/Scooters. First launched in 1996, it has become an icon the world over and a symbol of train travel at its best. An important and useful applied example of nationalisation here. The Scottish Government has decided to end the contract that Serco has to run the iconic albeit loss-making Caledonian Sleeper service which connects Highland stations with London. Can you take dogs on the Caledonian Sleeper? The service between Inverness and London takes 11 hours to travel 444 miles. March 2, 2023. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The new service looks 100% improved. 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.". It may not display this or other websites correctly. The Lowlander train dissects at Carstairs and the two halves continue . On both occasions, I stayed in a Classic Room. Tel: +44 0844 800 0085. Serco received the current franchise in an . 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. In my opinion, yes it is. 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 . Read more about them here. Mercifully it was a bit cleaner as youre sharing with other people in your carriage rather than the whole train. Club and Double Room guests are meant to get priority over Classic but we were still allowed in. KOVERED Eden Backpack Review: The Best Travel Carry-On? The Scottish Government will operate the Caledonian Sleeper service from the end of June. The problem for me was the subtle movement and the noise of the train. Call button for at seat service food and drink (menu provided at the seat). OUR VIEW We have never stayed in one of these rooms. JavaScript is disabled. The line technically has two routes the Highlander and the Lowlander with the train splitting into sections depending on where its going. On longer routes to Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen, you can expect to board 45 minutes before departure. Rob is married to Allie and together they have been traveling the world for the past 5 years. What is the route of the Caledonian Sleeper? 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. On top of all that they do seem very friendly. The Caledonian Sleeper rail service is to be nationalised later this year, the Scottish government has announced. Cheapest option available for passengers by buying a valid train ticket through any regular ticket outline/outline. As we wined (or whiskied, in this case) and dined, the train slid out of Euston station and sped northbound. Image: Andrew Smith. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union, which represents many Sleeper staff, renewed its call for nationalisation on Friday after the impending statement was announced. Study notes, videos, interactive activities and more! 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". If youre wondering about WIFI, yes there was but it wasnt particularly fast when we tried to watch a film. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Arrive refreshed at your destination of choice following your overnight journey. Do you know this baby? Mr Whitehurst said then that the business had inherited an "unreliable and outdated" fleet of carriages which dated back to the 1970s. He added: "Most importantly, this would have allowed the Scottish government to compare the price of such an award with that of their arm's length operator of last resort company.". The move comes after ministers decided last year to terminate Serco's contract to run the service seven years early. 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. While space isnt one of its strongest points, the trains beds are comfy and have cosy Glencraft mattresses. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Water was warm and plentiful when we tried the shower, and overall it was a good experience. He tweeted: 'In 15 . But Gilruth insisted the decision to terminate the contract seven years early and take the service under the Scottish governments control should not be seen as a reflection on the firms operation of the service. The train cant be wider as it has to operate on standard train tracks. If you were delayed by 30 or more minutes, you may be entitled to compensation, Find out the latest Caledonian Sleeper timetable alterations. Our phone lines are only for those without internet access. So, book it if youre interested in the experience of sleeper train travel from England to Scotland. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The current franchise was awarded to Serco in a deal worth 800m. 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. Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; 38.75 each is the cheapest tier for that journey so is probably correct. You can buy National Rail tickets from ticket machines at stations, which can apply discounts for Disabled Persons Railcard holders. In all honesty, no. 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). RST Ref: 90-007-002 Rail Staff Travel Restrictions Summer 2022 v2 Page 11 Caledonian Sleeper Please note the restrictions that apply to ALL operators' services detailed on pages 6 and 7 above in addition to the information below. 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. Sorry to hear that. 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. It is amazing to fall asleep in one country/state and wake up in another and enjoy the views along the way! Scottish Conservative transport spokesperson Graham Simpson said Caledonian Sleeper had offered a world class service under Serco. Boston House, 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). 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. Note Check when making a booking if travelling alone if a single person supplement fee is applicable. Opted for sleeper seat based on price and with view to gaining most time from our few days in London. Yes well, some. 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. The Caledonian Sleeper is one of the most luxurious sleeper car trains in Europe. I would like to receive periodic email communications about Caledonian Sleepers' services, news updates and promotions. Trackside you're greeted by a member of staff, and they're delightful. The RMT said it would give the Scottish government "an opportunity to ensure this sustainable, low carbon route between Scotland and London can be run for passengers' interests, not private profit". Yes. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. our Scottish holiday. The now conjoined train travels down to Carlisle and Watford Junction before arriving at London Euston. Inside the room, there were handy control panels above each bunk which had a USB charging port, a reading light, a thermostat, a room light and a dimmer. 214 High Street, On a trip to Fort William from London itll take 13 hours, giving you plenty of time to enjoy your journey. However, Ive heard that even those rooms are a bit cramped (I overheard a tall man complain about it in the Club Car). 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. I had never ridden on any form of sleeper transport, so it was a first for me in many ways. The seating configuration is the same as conventional UK First class seating carriages with 2 -1 seats in an airline type set up. 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 . Rail Staff Travel, PO Box 72071, London EC1P 1JD. For those staying in rooms, there are Club Cars, a lounge car which serves drinks and hot food. The feedback from other travellers is that the double room (s) get booked up quickly as the demand is always high. . How long does the Caledonian Sleeper train take? We have a love for train travel and enjoy exploring the UK by train. Caledonian Sleeper to be nationalised. THE Caledonian Sleeper service will be brought into public hands this summer, the Scottish Government has announced. However the booking system is changing next year. Check out these posts! The fastest the Caledonian Sleeper can get to its destination is the route to Glasgow which takes 7.5 hours and the longest route, to Fort William, is almost 13 hours. The Caledonian Sleeper rail service will be nationalised after Scottish ministers moved to terminate the operating company's franchise agreement seven years early. 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. It would have been much better, cheaper and quicker to get the LNER for the return journey. Hailed as one of the worlds greatest train journeys by Lonely Planet, the Caledonian Sleeper offers a greener way to travel too. . Ministers nationalise cross-border train service after Serco stripped of franchise. In a statement to Parliament, Scotland Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said: Having stated in October that the existing Caledonian Sleeper franchise would come to an end in June 2023, I want to give rail staff and passengers as much certainty as I can about the future. Then, retire to your Accessibility Enquiries Call UK Telephone. That means you dont have to go far from your room or worry about spaces filling up. The Scottish Government will provide the services from June 25, 2023 after it decided to axe the current operator Serco's . Comfort seat passengers have at-seat service options. Ticket name. 48 hours in advance for international travel bookings is requested. There was no WIFI, no charging sockets and the lighting was terrible. Theyre often considered a more romantic way to travel, offering luxury, glamour and leisure. The routes to Glasgow and Edinburgh are too short to fully enjoy. If you show up having not eaten since lunch, just understand you may need to order a few different things. 2 March 2023. We started off with a sandwich platter (four sandwich quarters), mac n cheese and a vegetable soup with crusty bread. It was impossible for two people to be in there wearing backpacks though! 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". West Yorkshire, The sleeper service will be the second rail operation to be taken into state hands in Scotland in recent times. 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. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Hello, the trains that go long distances are almost always, I love your website an YouTube videos. It will be the second rail operation to be taken into state hands in Scotland, after ScotRail returned to public ownership last April. Helping older and disabled passengers Summary leaflets provides key/vital information for journey planning and booking/arranging assistance. 16-25, Disabled, Disabled Child, Friends & Family, HM Forces, Senior, Two Together and Veteran are accepted. Read about our approach to external linking. Become part of the Little Lost Travel community and get: - a FREE quick guide to sustainable travel, - Monthly newsletter featuring the latest blog posts. 2023-03-02 16:22. in News. Staff travel holders are not permitted to travel in the overnight seated accommodation on these services. Messages. 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. The Caledonian Sleeper Train was relaunched in 2019 to feature elegant furnishings and onboard Wi-Fi throughout. That being said, I dont think I would upgrade unless it were for a special occasion. 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 . The Glasgow train stops at Motherwell before joining the Edinburgh train at Carstairs. 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 really depends on your personal preferences and what accommodation type you choose. Southbound, the train departs from both Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverly. 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). On board Host service See below under Boarding the train. Any doubts call the Caledonian Service Centre (UK Telephone number) 0330 060 0500 for further information or to check terms and conditions of purchase. (see later section). Serco had unsuccessfully attempted to renegotiate its Caledonian Sleeper contract last year. It has bunk beds and the same shower and toilet combination as the Caledonian Double. These are Caledonian Sleeper staff who greet guests at the train. If I had to sit then I would book the LNER or Lumo trains and get there much quicker and for a cheaper price.