Overnight trains

The Caledonian Sleeper and other overnight trains between England and Scotland

An overnight train is the best way to cover a long distance in Europe without wasting any of your precious daytime hours traveling—and getting a reasonably priced place to sleep in the bargain.

Unlike on the Continent, which is criss-crossed by high-speed overnight trains, there really is only two overnight rail routes in the U.K: between London and Scotland ("The Caledonian Sleeper")—and onward into the Scottish hinterlands—and between London and Devon and Cornwall ("The Night Riviera"). 

What are the cabins like on a British overnight train?

Overnight trains in the U.K. come with both single and double sleeping berths. (Those are the only options; none of those old-fashioned six-person couchettes like you get on the Continent sometimes.)

Each cabin has drinking water, hot water, a wash basin, towels, and bed linens. There's a shared bath down the corridor.

A solo person booking a double berth may share it with a stranger of the same gender.

There is a lounge car for meals; first-class customers get a voucher for it (first class passengers can also order breakfast to be delivered to their cabin).

Reservations are required.

The Caledonian Sleeper to Scotland

• London Euston to Aberdeen/Inverness/Fort William (Sunday to Friday, between 20:00 - 21:15) Departs from London Euston calling at Crewe and Preston for boarding only. At Edinburgh (where no alighting is possible), the service separates into three trains for Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William (known as 'The Deerstalker'), calling at intermediate stations.
• Fort William/Inverness/Aberdeen to London Euston (Sunday to Friday, between 19:00 - 21:40)Three separate trains depart from Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen calling at intermediate stations. At Edinburgh (where boarding is not possible) they are formed as one train to continue the journey calling at Preston and Crewe (both stops for alighting only) arriving at London Euston the following morning.
• London Euston to Edinburgh/Glasgow (Sunday to Friday, between 22:00 - 23:00) Departs from London Euston calling at Watford Junction (for boarding only) Carlisle and Carstairs (both stops for alighting only). At Carstairs the service separates into two trains for Edinburgh and Glasgow Central (also calling at Motherwell).
• Glasgow/Edinburgh to London Euston (Sunday to Friday, between 21:00 - 23:00)Depart from Glasgow Central (calling at Motherwell) Edinburgh and Carstairs where they are formed as one train to continue the journey calling at Carlisle (for boarding only) arriving at Watford Junction and then London Euston the following morning. Note: Seated Sleeper customers cannot board the northbound service at Watford Junction.

Sleeping berths on the Caledonian Sleeper cost:

• Single berth cabin: £43  (First Class travel ticket required)

• Twin berth cabin: £38 per berth; Child £19 per berth (Standard Class only, sharing with someone of the same sex)
• Caledonian Solo (exclusive use of a twin berth cabin):  £54 (Only available to holders of Standard Anytime and Off Peak returns tickets)

The Night Riviera to Cornwall

The Night Riviera train travels from London's Paddington station through Southwest England, Devon, and Cornwall to Penzance, with early morning stops in Plymouth, Truro, Redruth, and Camborne along the way.

The full ride takes a bit over eight hours, currently leaving London at 23:45 (11:45pm)—though you can board starting at 22:30 (10:30pm)—and arriving in Penzance just before 8am or 9am the next day (it varies by day of week).

• London Paddington to Penzance:
  • Sunday: Departs London Paddington at 23:50 and arrives at Penzance at 08:59.
  • Monday to Friday: Departs London Paddington at 23:45 and arrives at Penzance at 08:00. 
• Penzance to London Paddington: 
  • Sunday: Departs Penzance at 21:15 arrives at London Paddington at 05:06.
  • Monday to Friday: Departs Penzance at 21:45 and arrives at London Paddington at 05:43.

Tip: Your sleeper ticket entitles you to use the First Class lounge by Track 1 at Paddington Station, so make sure you get there early enough to enjoy the free sandwiches and check out the part of the lounge was once Queen Victoria's private waiting room.

Sleeping berths on the Night Riviera cost:

• Solo berth: £60

• Twin berth: £70 per cabin (£35 per person)

More on train travel in the U.K.