The Caledonian Sleeper Train: A Complete Guide

There’s something about a sleeper train; something about boarding in one place, and waking up in another, watching the scenery roll quickly past as you drink your morning coffee. A sense of glamour, or romance? Whatever it is, I’m very into it. And I recently took one of the sleeper trains I’ve wanted to do most: The Caledonian Sleeper. 

Ever since my first sleeper train experience between Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai back in 2011, complete with bar cart party during which revellers from all over the world partied together over large bottles of Chang, I have been a little bit in love with sleeper trains. I’ve not done too many, but I’m collecting these experiences and this one has been on my list for a very long time. Who am I to turn down an opportunity to travel up to the capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness, on the Caledonian Sleeper train?

Caledonian Sleeper Blog Contents

How long is the journey on the Caledonian Sleeper?

It depends where you’re going! There are two services: a Highlands service and a Lowlands service. 

The Highlands service departs Euston at 21.15 and the Lowlands service departs at 23.45 each night bar Saturday, when there is no service. There are services from various places in Scotland each evening to London too (you can check specific timings here.)

My train was made up of 16 cars which split off once somewhere in Scotland to three different destinations: Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness. We boarded at 20.30, departed at 21.15 and arrived at Inverness at 08.45. 12 glorious hours of sleeper train glamour to lap up!

TOP TIP: Sometimes the Caledonian Sleeper is subject to delay. Remember you can claim back some of your ticket cost on delay repay if this happens! It’s a big wedge for this trip, so a must to follow up if you are unfortunately delayed.

What are the rooms like on the Caledonian Sleeper Train?

There are 3 options for rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper: Classic, Club and Double.

The Club and Double rooms include an en-suite, breakfast, snack and priority access to the bar and Club car. Classic rooms use shared toilet facilities, and whilst you have access to the Club Car, in busy times there may not be room. 

There is also a seated option which allows you to travel on the Caledonian Sleeper route for a lot less. The seats are in a carriage so they lack privacy and have no access to the Club car. However you can order some food from the menu to your seat. It may not be the comfiest sleep, but it’s a good option if you want to get to Scotland for a decent price!

How comfortable is it?

The beds and bedding on the Caledonian Sleeper are by far the most comfortable I’ve experienced. That said, don’t expect the best nights sleep unless you’re a fantastic sleeper. It does get quite rocky and loud (ear plugs recommended!)

How much space is there?

The hallways that run along the cabins are very narrow and the cabins are definitely compact. There are no seats, so to spread out a bit head to the Club Car for food and drink. Cabin luggage can easily fit under the bottom bunk to save space. If you have larger luggage you will need to arrange for this to be stored elsewhere.

Do they have family rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper?

All rooms are for max two people, but the Classic rooms can act as interconnecting rooms. If travelling with children under 12, they must travel in the same or connecting room to an accompanying adult. Children above 12 can sleep in their own room.

Good news! Kids 4 years old and younger travel for free (one child per paying adult). Bear in mind that it may be a bit of a squeeze as the beds are quite narrow. If you want a child to have their own bed, you will need to pay for a child’s ticket. Please note the cabins are too narrow for a tavel cot.

TOP TIP: There are family tickets available, which allows you to save up to 33% overall – a great saving!

How accessible is it?

There are accessible rooms available on every Caledonian Sleeper, and also accessible areas in the seated carriage.

Are dogs allowed on the Caledonian Sleeper?

Yes! I had the privilege of bunking next door to a beautiful cocker spaniel. And cats are allowed too!

There is a £30 cleaning fee for pets as they give the cabin a deep clean after.

What is the restaurant cart like?

On the Caledonian Sleeper the restaurant cart is called the Club car. It’s the best of all the restaurant cars I’ve been to on a train. There are approx 4 booths that seat 4-5 people each, and then individual tables on the other side facing the windows. These have swivel chairs that can turn to face each other to change a table for one into an intimate table for two with little effort. There is a restaurant car for each area of the train that splits.

Drinks on offer include a variety of wines – two of each red and white by the glass and two further by bottle, as well a rose option by the glass and a bottle of champagne for what feels like a very reasonable £40 given the cost of a bottle of Prosecco in a London pub these days. Whisky and Scottish gins are of course an option, and the food menu is led by traditional favourites including Scottish smoked trout pate (£12) and haggis, neeps and tatties in a whisky sauce (£14).

I had the full Scottish breakfast in the morning and it was excellent! Black pudding, bacon, Lorne sausage and potato cake served with baked beans – delicious. As a Club passenger, breakfast was included with my ticket, but it is available for purchase to all. You can choose to have breakfast in the Club Car or your room, thought due to space issues I’d opt for the Club Car.

Can everyone use the Club Car on the Caledonian Sleeper?

Seated passengers cannot use the Club Car, but can order food from the menu to their seats.

Club and Double customers get priority access to the Club Car, but on a Friday in January you were safe from it being too busy. The peak summer months are when this becomes a problem. I would personally jump to the the Club fare in order to have priority access and make the most of those incredible vistas from the big Club Car windows.

What is the Caledonian Sleeper Euston lounge like?

This was my first train lounge experience (I peek into the Belmont one at Victoria a lot, and it looks fab, but it is Belmond), so I have nothing to compare to – I think perhaps an airline lounge comparison would be unfair.

A range of soft drinks and snacks (crisps and shortbread) are complimentary, whilst alcoholic drinks and a hot menu is available for purchase. It’s worth noting that the same menu is available in both the lounge at Euston and in the Club Cart of the train, and prices seemed to match. I had a serious sushi craving that needed to be met and there was no issue taking in and eating that in there, so don’t feel like you can’t grab something beforehand.

Showers are obviously a great perk if you’re heading to straight to work, but I wouldn’t say lounge access is reason enough to purchase a Club or Double cabin ticket – the onboard perks are the real pull. Were it an option to purchase lounge access as a separate extra, I probably wouldn’t go for it, but it was a nice to have with the ticket type I had.

How much does the Caledonian Sleeper cost?

Prices as follows are for one journey one way:

• Seats start from £54 per person
• Classic from £200 for solo occupancy and £270 for double
• Club en-suite from £260 for solo occupancy and £340 for double
• Doubles en-suite start from £380 for solo occupancy and £445 for double

It’s to your advantage to book in advance for the Caledonian Sleeper train. Prices hike up nearer to time of departure, and bank holidays get very busy. I was lucky to get 25% off in their Black Friday sale, but it was only valid for bookings in the off-peak months of January and February.

I originally booked a Classic room and then after a peek on SeatFrog, paid £40 to upgrade to the Club room – a steal considering those rooms were selling for £330 the week I travelled and I paid under £200 all in!

Is the Caledonian Sleeper worth it?

For me, absolutely. I love sleeper trains and whilst this one was the most expensive one I’ve done, it was also the best experience I’ve had. Unfortunately it is usually cheaper to fly, but for me it’s about the special experience. It helps that you are saving on a night’s accommodation with your travel and sleep all in one.

I will definitely do it again. I have my heart set on doing the Fort William route in the summer months and then hopping into a camper van to explore the Hebrides!

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Would you do the Caledonian Sleeper? Let me know below in the comments!

Updated July 2025.

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