From this date, the Caledonian Sleeper services will be provided by Scottish Rail Holdings, an arm's length company owned . This website uses cookies to improve your experience. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Caledonian Sleeper service to be taken into public ownership I would like to receive periodic email communications about Caledonian Sleepers' services, news updates and promotions. 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. Scottish Conservative transport spokesperson Graham Simpson said Caledonian Sleeper had offered a world class service under Serco. Caledonian Sleeper | ScotRail I had never ridden on any form of sleeper transport, so it was a first for me in many ways. 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. This is good news but I wouldn't get your hopes up for ticket prices to reduce much from where they are now. 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. Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised : r/Scotland From 25 June 2023, the service will be run by an arms length company owned by the Scottish government. Check out these posts! He enjoys doing landscape and astrophotography while on the road. The Caledonian Sleeper is to be taken into public hands in June, transport minister has told MSPs. The Caledonian Sleeper rail service is to be nationalised later this year, the Scottish government has announced. You can buy National Rail tickets from ticket machines at stations, which can apply discounts for Disabled Persons Railcard holders. OUR VIEW We enjoyed sitting have a drink in the evenings and also having breakfast in one of the booths depending on availability. Read about our approach to external linking. Caledonian Sleeper contract to end next year, Plan to tackle 'unsatisfactory' Caledonian Sleeper, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Inside the enclave surrounded by pro-Russia forces, China looks at reforms to deepen Xi's control, 'The nurses wanted me to feel guilty about my abortion, From Afghan TV fame to a US factory floor. Note Check when making a booking if travelling alone if a single person supplement fee is applicable. Caledonian Sleeper confusion | Community - Eurail The shower is integrated into the bathroom, so youll flip the toilet seat cover down and it then doubles as a bench for the shower. The one big downside is that although you get a slight discount on the room overall, the cost is still much higher than if you were splitting it with someone else. In all honesty, no. 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". It was utterly magical and encapsulated the romanticism of train travel for me. Caledonian Sleeper service to go into public ownership from June It may not display this or other websites correctly. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Narrow was a theme that carried right through to our room. The Caledonian Sleeper is one of the most luxurious sleeper car trains in Europe. The Club Car wasnt open for breakfast during my journey which was a shame as it would have made the experience more enjoyable. I havent included a menu here as it changes frequently depending on the season! About an hour before we were due to arrive, the cheery train staff member knocked on the door to make sure we were awake and ready for breakfast plus our imminent departure. NS records 304m operating loss in 2022 as passenger numbers drop Inside the revamped Caledonian Sleeper train, with double beds and One hand luggage (able to be held by guest on the lap if required) and up to two items of luggage no bigger than 30cm x 70cm x 90cm. Caledonian Double and Club car rooms come with a private shower on the Caledonian Sleeper. Thank you for subscribing to updates from Caledonian Sleeper well keep in touch with you via our e-newsletter! And the full restriction (which didn't seem relevant to the original question) says. 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. "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 . There were no showers though. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Me and my partner both have staff travel cards (priv pass) non safeguarded (standard class). 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. Our classic cabin was functional and perfectly adequate; and certainly more comfortable than economy class flying. If there are three of you, book two berths adjacent to each other. With over 35 years experience exploring the UK we are here to help you plan your travels to (and around) the UK. The contrast in scenery can be incredible! Mr Whitehurst said then that the business had inherited an "unreliable and outdated" fleet of carriages which dated back to the 1970s. Book another train if you just want to get from A to B as quickly and cheaply as possible. As a gateway to the Highlands, Inverness has matured to become one of the UKs most spectacular cities. The Caledonian Sleeper is to be taken into public ownership later this summer, the transport secretary has announced. I justify it by seeing it as one nights accommodation and transport rolled into one. It was a bit of a scramble making sure we had packed everything up hint, dont unpack all your belongings in the tiny room! I have subscribed. Unlike some countries, they do not expect a financial tip at the end of the service. Sleeper Trains - National Rail There was no WIFI, no charging sockets and the lighting was terrible. There are a few on the train, each catering to wherever the section of the train is going. Lowlander Route Departs Sunday to Friday each week (not on Saturdays) from London Euston as one train before dividing/splitting into two separate trains at Carstairs (a station south and between Glasgow and Edinburgh) and then travelling onwards to Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central. Rob is one of the most published photographers in the world, having published over 1 million images in the last 20 years. The move confirms widespread expectation in the rail industry that the service would be . He added: "The minister agreed that the sleeper has surpassed any other train company in the UK in its recovery from the pandemic and was thriving and a world class service. The Caledonian Sleeper is a sleeper train that connects England with Scotland. 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. Caledonian Sleeper: Ministers nationalise cross-border train service One thing obviously missing from the Classic Room is an ensuite bathroom. These tickets must be valid between stations served by Caledonian Sleeper for part . 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. You can upgrade or change your room type on the Caledonian Sleeper Flexible Ticket up until two days before your trip. 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 . The Caledonian Sleeper rail service will be nationalised after Scottish ministers moved to terminate the operating companys franchise agreement seven years early. 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). 5. Planned engineering works throughout February and March please check our service alterations page. Image credit: Richard Clinnick. JavaScript is disabled. In my opinion, yes it is. So, is the Caledonian Sleeper worth it? Each route and destination are as follows, also showing the principal train station stops along the route. 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). for about 20 minutes before we heard the announcement called. Then, retire to your The Caledonian Sleeper rail service will be nationalised after Scottish ministers moved to terminate the operating company's franchise agreement seven years early. A new fleet of trains was introduced in 2019, Caledonian Sleeper contract to end seven years early, Serco agrees Caledonian Sleeper improvement plan, Harry: I always felt different to rest of family, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, Mbappe breaks PSG goal record in win over Nantes, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78, Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty. The Caledonian Sleeper service will be brought into public hands from this summer, the Scottish Government has announced. magical journey through the English countryside on the Caledonian 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.". There are several reasons why the Caledonian Sleeper service may make a loss: High Operating Costs: Operating an overnight train service requires significant staffing and maintenance costs, including train crews, station staff, and maintenance teams. Now, I understand why that might be the case for the trains that depart Edinburgh or . Comfort seat passengers have at-seat service options. UK Telephone number. Is it worth upgrading or downgrading from the Classic Room? Southbound, the train starts in thirds from Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William and heads down towards Edinburgh. 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. I can relax now! I took the overnight Caledonian sleeper service from Edinburgh south to London Euston on 25th February, travelling in a Club Solo Room. Franchise Update | Caledonian Sleeper The Aberdeen train stops at Montrose, Stonehaven, Leuchars and Dundee. The capital of the UK and one of the worlds most spectacular cities, London needs little introduction and gives you access to business, entertainment and leisure on a grand scale. Thats the absolute minimum time youll want to get there though. Caledonian Sleeper Train Double Bed From London To Glasgow - YouTube 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. If youre wondering about WIFI, yes there was but it wasnt particularly fast when we tried to watch a film. Then three individual trains then travel onwards to Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness. 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. Available for Classic, Club rooms and Caledonian Double rooms. our Scottish holiday. The seats are part reclining with a slide forward for the seat cushion section. You had to go single file and good luck if you had large luggage items with you! Call the guest centre for further information regarding further assisting the dogs comforts. All cabins now come with essential amenities to make your trip as comfortable as possible, including a 'sleep kit' with Scottish toiletries. Caledonian Sleeper: 16 Things You Need To Know Before Riding, Edinburgh Waverley Station: A Complete Guide, Caledonian Sleeper Train: Caledonian Double Review, What Its Like In A Caledonian Sleeper Club Room, Kuranda Scenic Railway: 12 Things You Need To Know Before Riding, Spirit Of The Outback: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Riding, The Indian Pacific Train In Australia: 12 Things You Need To Know Before Riding, The Ghan: 11 Things You Need To Know Before Riding This Australian Train, 20 Must Have Items For Your Next Amtrak Trip. PDF Staff Travel Restrictions - Rail Delivery Group Alternatively, you can use a valid National Rail ticket provided you also have a reservation to travel on the Caledonian Sleeper. Scottish Conservative transport spokesperson Graham Simpson criticised the decision and said: The minister agreed that the sleeper has surpassed any other train company in the UK in its recovery from the pandemic and was thriving and a world class service. You book rooms like you would in a hotel. You will find essential tips to make the most of your journey plus a first-hand review of our own experiences using this service multiple times. One of which is the Caledonian Sleeper. 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. National Rail tickets can be accepted between stations served by the sleeper services with a reservation made via the Guest service Centre telephone line. Franchise Update. No spam, just awesome travel content. 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. On a trip to Fort William from London itll take 13 hours, giving you plenty of time to enjoy your journey. On top of all that they do seem very friendly. 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 . For that, youll need to book a Club or a Double. OUR VIEW We have never stayed in one of these rooms. . If it isnt clear no you dont need to change trains if youre travelling past Edinburgh or Glasgow (e.g. Although it was nice to have hot food, it was expensive and a little on the basic side. dram of malt whisky in the Club Car. Mull Accommodation: 11 Best Places To Stay In 2023, 10 Best Fort William Day Trips: Hikes, Castles And Epic Train Journeys. Any doubts call the Caledonian Service Centre (UK Telephone number) 0330 060 0500 for further information or to check terms and conditions of purchase. Even if you know the number of the coach your seat/berth is in sometimes it is still not the easiest thing to find. I was looking at the Staff T&Cs for travel on the Sleeper, and the RDG website tells me only to book First Class (single occupancy birth and what not) only if I have the First Class entitlement. 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. If I had to sit then I would book the LNER or Lumo trains and get there much quicker and for a cheaper price. There are several reasons why the Caledonian Sleeper service may make a loss: Overall, the Caledonian Sleeper service is a complex operation with high fixed costs and fluctuating demand. On board Host service See below under Boarding the train. All rights reserved. National Rail Enquiries - Caledonian Sleeper 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.". https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/online-prv-on-cal-sleeper.175891/. For those staying in rooms, there are Club Cars, a lounge car which serves drinks and hot food. Have your films downloaded before you travel. Sleeper seat - Caledonian Sleeper, Fort William Traveller Reviews come with essential amenities to make your trip as comfortable as A top tip is to ask the first host you can and ask them to direct you to the correct host who will have your name and booking on a list. For more information, please read ourprivacy policy. She added: "Rather, the decision that I had to take on rebasing was a question of the terms of the rebase offer and that, in the government's view, these terms did not represent the best value for money.". The newer more modern services incorporate more hotel-style cabins, or berths, as they are termed, with lighter/brighter accommodation. Therefore, the Scottish Government chose Serco Transport to procure and develop a modern, market-driven concept developed for both business and private travellers and tourists. All rights reserved. The Caledonian Sleeper Train was relaunched in 2019 to feature Serco had its licence to operate the overnight cross-border rail link terminated early by MSPs last year after the firm attempted to renegotiate its contract. This is a handy feature if youre booking as a group. For more information, read our privacy policy. Overall weight with guest and luggage does not exceed 300kg. The Scottish Government will provide the services from June 25, 2023 after it decided to axe the current operator Serco's . This news item applies only to non-safeguarded staff who entered rail service after 31 March 1996 and hold the Rail Staff Leisure Card. Much of the reason youll be riding on this train is to experience the train, and this is the longest route which will give you the most time on board. The Scottish government has announced . I would rather have a bed than a seat even if I were travelling alone. Caledonian Sleeper Classic Room! Has it improved? - YouTube Times may differ on return and from weekdays to weekends. Industrial action to affect Caledonian Sleeper services on 5, 7 and 9 Whether it is for business or leisure, Caledonian Sleeper will take you to some of the UKs most wonderful destinations. Want free and helpful Scotland travel tips? He said 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-focused train operation like no one else, while also enabling Scottish ministers to be in complete control of the contract. Caledonian Sleeper Train, London: See 178 reviews, articles, and 116 photos of Caledonian Sleeper Train, ranked No.2,587 on Tripadvisor among 2,587 attractions in London. Putting names to archive photos, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, In photos: India's disappearing single-screen cinemas. Its worth noting that Club and Double get a free cooked breakfast but the Classic room and seats have to pay extra. There is a Lowlander route between London and Glasgow and Edinburgh, and a Highlander route to Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. The Caledonian Sleeper train is the name of the service that runs on the train route between England and Scotland 6 days a week.. 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. They must remain on the floor and not sleep in the beds. Thanks for the link. Breakfast is NOT included but can be purchased. Caledonian Sleeper train service to be nationalised Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; 38.75 each is the cheapest tier for that journey so is probably correct. Theres secure storage space for up to six bikes in the Seated Carriage. The Caledonian Sleeper offers an excellent alternative, take the train late at night, get 7 hours of sleep and wake up refreshed and in the centre of Glasgow, all before 7:30 in the morning so you can make . To get from London to Glasgow is either a 7-8 hour car journey (depending on traffic), a flight away, or a 4 and a half day train journey. Room supplements are available for Solo or Shared room occupancy in Club and Classic accommodation. A cleaning fee of 30 pounds is charged per room and you are allowed to bring 2 pets with you on your trip. For the Caledonian Sleeper, its not necessarily because of the price rather availability. This means theyre available for single occupancy as well as sharing. 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. (see later section). These costs may be higher than the revenue generated by the service, especially if there are . That's a pain when options for buying these tickets are so limited and it isn't the first time such difficulties have been highlighted. The Caledonian Sleeper is a sleeper train that connects England with Scotland. There wasnt a standard plug so if you want to use your electronics on the train, make sure you bring a lead or power bank with you. Principal trains station stops As per South Bound Services (in reverse). For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Departing London Euston, the Highlander train splits into three at Edinburgh Waverley in the wee small hours of the morning. Caledonian Sleeper rail service to be nationalised - BBC News Top 10 Sustainable Glamping Sites in the UK. It meant waiting on the station concourse (which isnt the nicest!) 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. Caledonian Sleeper strike: Rail union blames talks breakdown on row Caledonian Sleeper to be brought back under public control The decision to terminate this agreement was announced by the government in October last year. The move comes after ministers decided last year to terminate Serco's contract to . I was fortunate enough to ride it twice with my partner from London to Fort William and from Edinburgh back to London. Like most trains, smoking is not permitted on the Caledonian Sleeper in any area. Dogs and cats are allowed in the sleeper rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper. On longer routes to Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen, you can expect to board 45 minutes before departure. The Caledonian Sleeper Train was relaunched in 2019 to feature elegant furnishings and onboard Wi-Fi throughout. Ive been to two booking offices but to be honest they didnt fill me with great confidence that they knew what they were doing. Receive the latest tours, offers, and inspirational travel content right in your inbox. There is no question that from March 2018 onwards the 1st class designation no longer applies. Caledonian Sleeper Train - Vacations By Rail Not a bad compromise. Staff travel holders are not permitted to travel in the overnight seated accommodation on these services. How long does the Caledonian Sleeper train take? 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). Jenny Gilruth said nothing about how this world class service can be improved under the Scottish government.. Rail Staff Travel - Rail Delivery Group 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). NOTE: Northbound travellers between London Euston and Fort William have to change seats at Edinburgh Waverley train station from one train to another. Train Accessibility Guides Provides the information relating to the features on board the train designed to help everyone. 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". I recommend doing the trip at least once. Read and find out! The Caledonian Sleeper rail service is to be nationalised later this year in what has been hailed as a huge win for the unions. Trains to Edinburgh and Glasgow are available to board up to 1 hour and 40 minutes before departure. The inspector told us to walk down the platform to our carriage where a colleague would check us in, and give us keycards for the room and a menu for our breakfast orders. John Whitehurst, managing director of Sercos transport business, told BBC News that the company was disappointed that the Scottish government did not ensure value for money by examining the possibility of a direct contract award to Serco. Whether you are travelling to London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen or Fort William, travel in comfort and enjoy a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Transport minister Jenny Gilruth said the service, which connects some of . The Scottish Government will operate the Caledonian Sleeper service from the end of June. Caledonian Sleeper train review: My verdict. 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. Caledonian Sleeper Train: Not the luxury travel it promises - See 181 traveler reviews, 122 candid photos, and great deals for London, UK, at Tripadvisor. To mark our new trains and a new era in rail travel, we commissioned a series of posters to commemorate the long history of the service.