The Caledonian Sleeper: the BEST way from Scotland to England? (TRIP REPORT) 

Absolutely! For this journey, I had to go back to London - but for a future journey, it's hard to say no!

It’s a standard product. There is showers you can use for a charge

What doesn't make sense to me is that this depends, as I said, on the station. As far as I'm aware, some let you in only on Club tickets, some let you in on any sleeper ticket, and some let you in on all tickets. Very confusing!

@@trainlagged yes I am going on sleeper next week in classic from Euston. I thought you had lounge access, no biggy for me

@@trainlagged - It's partly because some of the First Class customer lounges which have shower facilities are managed by other Train Operating Companies (ie Avanti West Coast at London Euston) and Serco Group plc won't pay them to allow holders of Standard tickets (eg Classic cabins without an en suite toilet/shower) to have access. I've noticed this myself and thought it rather odd. It pays to check just who is allowed to use what, where, before you travel. I believe that some Caledonian Sleeper lounges allow passengers travelling in "Classic" sleeping compartments (which, of course, have a wash basin, soap and a towel) to enter on payment of a £5 supplement in order to use the showers. I know that holders of Caledonian Sleeper "Family" tickets can't use the free showers at London Euston!

That’s how it is there in the UK… trains are extremely expensive 😔

@@trainlagged - Unless you book in advance, travel at quiet times, and use a discount railcard?

You say that but they often slap a regular IET on it instead of the sleeper train which is a bit annoying

@@Jeagles Really? When have they done that?

@@hoof2001 I went to Exeter a couple of weeks ago and it was an IET

@@Jeagles Interesting. Probably faster than catching the night sleeper though

@@hoof2001 was pathed at the same times though we did arrive about 10 mins early

Note that for the price, I found an absolute bargain. Note that prices are generally much higher than that on the Caledonian Sleeper. The breakfast in this class… yes it’s small but it does the trick - normally it’s just a drink and not even a snack. That being said you can purchase a good breakfast, and in higher classes of travel you’ll get it for free. Thanks for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed :)

I haven't tried the seats on the Caledonian Sleeper, I'd like to do it one day to compare. Honestly the train doesn't actually stop in a lot of places especially on the Lowlander (on the Highlander, it's another story), so compared to other night trains I'd assume it's not so bad. The prices of the seats are attractive though, for sure!

As others have noted Cal Sleeper's selling point is the saving on a night's accommodation. If you need a daytime train its pays to take Lumo.

Not always cheaper nowadays… but a much nicer ride, overall.

They are very smart and a fantastic product. Major downside is their absolutely shocking ride quality.

@@trainlagged I agree

@@trainlagged - Shocking ride quality being something which you don't really want on a "Sleeper" train!

It isn't what it was because Serco are mistaking this for a luxury service. It should not be one. It should be considered a regular passenger service, full stop, not as a five star hotel. New rolling stock shouldn't have been a reason to increase prices by such an extortionate amount - and a good refurbishment of the MkIIIs could have sufficed! I haven't tried with my bike yet, is that an easy experience ?

@@trainlagged My bike had a warmer & more comfortable journey than me. To be fair the bike storage area is an improvement over previous stock. That is where the praise stops.

Night train seems fit for you then… sadly the onboard shower (Club sleeper) makes the price extremely expensive…

@@trainlagged yes, that's a pity. I can do a wash in communal toilet area but that's not really my thing. I can fought it anywhere, camping or hostel, but I want the private facilities if paying so much for transport.

Davinci Resolve

Thanks! You get what you pay for if like me, you got a cheap fare. In my opinion you absolutely do not if you paid £150.

@@trainlagged Fair enough. Maybe that's just how it is. It's an expensive hote.

What’s the difference ?

@@trainlagged - You find sinks in kitchens, where they are used to wash clothes and crockery, and washbasins in bathrooms, where they are used to wash hands and faces.