Has anyone here taken the Calendonian Sleeper train from Edinburgh to London (or the reverse trip)? I'm thinking of doing it to save us both a lot of money on a night of hotel and give us more time to explore both cities. Will we be able to get some decent sleep? If I can't get the Bargain Berths, is the regular seat (not the bed) acceptable?
Thank you.
My husband and I also want to take a night train from Edinburgh to London. Is the Calendonian Sleeper a special train or just one the regulars? I also have the same questions as Suzanne.
Greetings
The Caledonian Sleeper(s) is a different train from the normal day trains. Most of the cars have a series of double or single berths, plus a there is car or two of 'seated sleeper' and a lounge car.
I took it down to London (and am taking from London this month) and found it to be quite comfortable. You can access your berth up to an hour prior to departure so you can get to sleep before the train leaves. There is a gentle swaying, but I found the berths to be quite comfortable. There's a free tolietries pack and a breakfast pack & tea or coffee are delivered to your compartment with a wake-up call.
I don't know about the seats - really depends whether you can sleep sitting up and whether you want to do that for seven hours. Also - as I found out - the sleepers can get behind schedule, so you should leave ample time for any flight/train/bus connections.
If there are two of you, I'd think a berth makes sense since you could share it and have a bit of privacy.
Kate
Thank you, Kate! I really hope I can get Bargain Berths for our trip - I'm checking every day :)
Here is the URL for a page, with pictures, that describes the Caledonian Sleeper: www.seat61.com/CaledonianSleepers.htm.
Check out this website for a special 2 for 1 on the Caledonian sleeper. It's not as good as the bargain berths, but the next best thing. I just booked it for my husband and myself for August!
www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1282
www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1283
The service is delightful, but it ain't the Ritz very Scottish. Clean, comfortable, cozy. If you go, check the schedule very carefully: when you arrive in the morning, you will have anywhere from 15 mins. to over an hour to leave the train. Edinburgh Waverly station is right in the middle of town: great location. It also has public showers (for a fee.) London Euston is on or near six Tube lines. Convenient. I'd do it again.
There are no on-board showers. In the double cabins, each berth has a little sink and the toliets are the end of the car. First class cars are the same, except there's one berth per cabin and it's a bit more spacious.
And all compartments ARE air-conditioned - my memory is that my berth was on the chilly side. In addition, I can only think of 1 or 2 days in the last 4 years when heat would have been an issue. It's July and we're still bundled up - weather warm enough for air conditioning is but a dream here.
Also, I found the service excellent. The staffperson (people) in charge of the train personally checks you in, and they are up far earlier than the passengers (I'd forgotten to change my mobile back from Denmark time so got up an hour early thinking I'd missed my wake up time :o) )
Perhaps you are thinking of a different train or a trip long time ago when the cars and/or company was different. I've never heard complaints about the Sleeper from anyone here.
Suzanne and all,
I had one of the worst travel experiences of my life on this night train. I was with my teenage son and the UK was having a rare heat wave in early June. They don't have airconditioning in the overnight cabins so I had to prop the door open all night to breathe. The cabin was very cramped and our shower overflowed into the cabin soaking the floor. The noise, smell, heat kept me from sleeping. We finally got to sleep and no one woke us for breakfast which we paid for and we barely got dressed in time to get off in Edinburgh. Next time I would just sleep in my seat, they lean back, put on the headphones and night shades and take my chances. And it was very, very expensive.
I'm confused - according to their official website - http://www.firstgroup.com/scotrail/content/caledoniansleeper/about-the-sleeper.php - there are no on-board showers.
my horrible adventure on the overnight was 4 years ago. And maybe it was another train, is there one called the Flying Scotsman? I have taken the overnight twice and both times it was uncomfortable for me but the second time was the worst.
What are the Bargin Berths? How can I get one?
Thanks!
That must a train that no longer exists. The Flying Scotsman is now (and has been for a while) just the name given to the 10am GNER express from Edinburgh to London.
The Caledonian Sleeper is run by FirstScotRail, and is the only overnight train that runs in Scotland. And they've never had showers - there isn't room on these train cars.
The Sleeper isn't for everyone - some people just aren't comfortable in that kind of bed and/or don't like the swaying of the train. But I've found it quite pleasant, and a nice alternative to expensive early morning flights.
Kate
Here's a link to a page that tells about Bargain Berths and how to book them: http://tinyurl.com/g9ehd.
