Exploring Great Britain by night train
Exploring the island by rail is a real treat. Find out what your options are and how to travel in the greatest style, right here.
Board the train in London in the evening. Maybe have dinner or a drink in the bar car. Drift off to sleep in a cosy bed. And then wake up the next morning in the Scottish Highlands or on the enchanting coast of Cornwall.
It might sound like a dream, but the night train makes it a reality.
Great Britain is not only the birthplace of the railway, but also a classic stronghold of night train travelling. In its heyday, England, Wales, and Scotland were criss-crossed by a dense network of night trains. Today, two independent night train services remain: the Caledonian Sleeper to Scotland and the Night Riviera Sleeper to England's southwest coast.
Both are among the best night trains out there: extremely comfortable carriages, impressive routes, and hospitality that is second to none. Very British, indeed.
In this guide, we'll take a closer look at Great Britain's night trains. What routes are there? What's the comfort like on board? And, of course, we'll also let you in on how to get the cheapest tickets. Because that's the only small catch: the pleasure doesn't come cheap. But it's worth it, we promise.
Table of Contents
Caledonian Sleeper: Night train to Scotland
Enchanted castles, lonely moors, and mystical islands – Scotland is a dream destination for any train journey. And with the Caledonian Sleeper, the journey there becomes a real treat. From London, the comfortable sleeping cars travel on a total of five lines – to exciting cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, to the gently rolling green cliffs of Aberdeen, or right into the wild nature of the Highlands.
After being run by various private companies for a long time, the Scottish government took over operations in the summer of 2023. With modern carriages, beautiful routes, and first-class service, a trip on the Caledonian Sleeper is one of Europe's great night train adventures.
Routes
The Caledonian Sleeper service consists of two independent night trains, which in turn are made up of several portions: the Lowland Sleeper with portions to Glasgow and Edinburgh, and the Highland Sleeper with portions to Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William. The train portions are split during the night and continue independently to their respective final destinations in the morning.
Both trains depart from London Euston station. It's just a few minutes' walk from St Pancras station, where the Eurostar trains from Brussels, Paris, and Amsterdam arrive.
The Caledonian Sleeper trains run daily except on Saturdays. Depending on the route, the journey time is between 8 and 13 hours.
Lowland Sleeper: Edinburgh & Glasgow
The Lowland Sleeper serves the relatively short routes from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both cities are in the southern part of Scotland and are very well connected to London by day, with a journey time of just under four hours. Nevertheless, the night train is also very popular, especially with business travellers and weekend commuters.
The Lowland Sleeper's route runs via Watford Junction and Carlisle, before the train is split into two portions for Edinburgh and Glasgow at the Scottish station of Carstairs.
- London – Edinburgh and back
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and, with its picturesque Old Town and Edinburgh Castle, is a must-see for lovers of history and architecture. The Caledonian Sleeper stops at Edinburgh Waverley station, right in the city centre. - London – Glasgow and back
On the way to Glasgow, the Caledonian Sleeper also stops at Motherwell station before pulling into Glasgow Central station. Glasgow isn't as pretty as Edinburgh; it's edgier, louder, and sometimes a bit gritty. But it wins you over with its creative cultural scene and big heart.
Highland Sleeper: Aberdeen, Inverness & Fort William
From a tourist's perspective, the Highland Sleeper is much more interesting, with its three portions to Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William. The journey is significantly longer, so you can have a proper lie-in and start your day relaxed. What's more, the railway lines it travels on in the morning are among the most beautiful in Scotland.
By the way: since the beginning of 2026, the Highland Sleeper has been running via Birmingham, connecting England's West Midlands region with Scotland overnight.
- London – Aberdeen and back
Aberdeen is on Scotland's east coast. On the journey, the Caledonian Sleeper crosses the Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the equally impressive Tay Bridge near Dundee. The route repeatedly runs beautifully alongside the open sea. - London – Inverness and back
The route to Inverness passes through the central Highlands, where the landscape is particularly rugged and snow-covered in winter. Near Dalwhinnie, the train climbs to the highest point on the British railway network. Inverness is considered the capital of the Highlands and is the perfect base for a trip to Loch Ness. - London – Fort William and back
The route to Fort William is a true classic. The train portion, also known as the Deerstalker, winds its way through the magical scenery of the western Highlands, made world-famous by the West Highland Way long-distance trail. Fort William itself lies at the foot of Ben Nevis and is a true outdoor paradise.
On-board comfort
Besides the fantastic destinations, the Caledonian Sleeper impresses above all with its facilities and service. The rolling stock was completely renewed in 2019 and offers maximum comfort in a compact space. The motto 'hotel on rails' is no exaggeration here.
All train portions have sleeping cars, seating cars, and, with the 'Club Car', a full-service dining car. Couchette cars are not common in Great Britain – this is because carriages are generally a bit smaller than on the European mainland.
Sleeping car
The sleeping cars have three different types of compartment, known as Classic, Club, and Double. All compartments can be used by one or two people. You always book the entire compartment, so you don't share it with strangers.
- Classic Room
The most affordable type of compartment has two bunk beds. There is a small washbasin by the window, plus modern tech like electronic key cards, Wi-Fi, and USB sockets. The compartments are small, but the ambience, with its tweed accents and elegant colours, is impressive. Two adjacent compartments can be connected by an interconnecting door to form a small suite, perfect for families.
- Club Room
The compartment is identical to the Classic Room, but it also has a small bathroom with a toilet and shower. Other benefits include breakfast, which is included in the price, as well as access to the station lounges and priority access to the dining car. - Caledonian Double
The luxury class on the Caledonian Sleeper. This much larger compartment features a proper double bed, 140 cm wide. A rarity on European rails – which, of course, comes at a price. It also comes with its own bathroom and all the other benefits of the Club Room.
Seating car
For a less comfortable but particularly budget-friendly journey, you can travel in the seating car. These are open-plan carriages. The seatbacks can be reclined by 10 degrees, and each traveller receives a kit with overnight essentials, including a sleep mask. For hand luggage, there is a lockable compartment above each seat.
Club Car
The heart of the Caledonian Sleeper is the Club Car, a full-service dining car with a bar area. Here, you can choose from an extensive, refined menu – including Scottish classics like haggis. But don't worry, there are also lighter and vegetarian dishes available. And of course, you can just stick to a nightcap.
A visit to the Club Car is reserved for sleeping car guests. Travellers in Club or Double compartments are given priority when it's busy. Those travelling in the seating car do not have access, but can have food and drinks served to their seat.
Tip: Don't just rush to a table; wait briefly to be seated by the service staff. The Club Car is cashless; payments can only be made with credit and debit cards.
Other facilities
- Accessibility
Each train portion has one accessible Classic Room and one accessible Caledonian Double. The compartments are accessible from a widened entrance door and are located right next to an accessible toilet. - Bicycle transport
Bicycles can be taken on board free of charge with a reservation. However, some stations are excluded from bicycle transport. - Pets
Up to two pets can be brought into a sleeping car compartment for a fee of £30.
Breakfast
Depending on your preference, breakfast is served to your compartment in the morning or in the Club Car. The choice includes a hot Scottish breakfast (also available as a vegan option) and a continental breakfast, along with coffee and tea. If you're travelling in a Classic Room, you pay extra for breakfast; it's included in the price when travelling in a Club Room or Caledonian Double.
Tickets & Prices
A trip on the Caledonian Sleeper is not a cheap pleasure. The base price is quite high, but on the plus side, prices vary only slightly, so they are hardly dependent on when you book or how full the train is.
Compare prices for the Caledonian Sleeper here!
Below are the typical prices for a compartment for single occupancy. For double occupancy, the price increases by £80–£100.
Edinburgh & Glasgow
- Classic Room: £210–£270
- Club Room: £270–£360
- Caledonian Double: £410
- Seat: from £54
Aberdeen, Inverness & Fort William
- Classic Room: £265
- Club Room: £350
- Caledonian Double: £475
- Seat: from £59
As of January 2026. £1 is approximately €1.15.
Tip: The Caledonian Double category usually sells out very quickly, often months in advance. In the other categories, however, tickets are generally still available at short notice.
Interrail
Travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper is a bit cheaper with an Interrail pass. As a pass holder, you need a paid reservation for the sleeping car. This is available online; to get it, select the 'Room Supplement only' option when booking. The reservation price is the same regardless of destination or travel period:
- Classic Room:
£165 for 1 person
£215 for 2 people - Club Room (1st Class):
£215 for 1 person
£275 for 2 people
A 1st Class Interrail pass is required for a Club Room. The Caledonian Double compartment type is not available to Interrail travellers.
Travel in the seating car is possible with Interrail at no extra charge. However, you still need to reserve a seat, which can be done for free on the Caledonian Sleeper website.
Exchange & Refund
If you cancel your ticket up to 7 days before departure, you will receive a 100% refund of the fare. For later cancellations (up to noon on the day of departure), you'll get 50% back.
Night Riviera Sleeper: The night train to Cornwall
A real insider tip is the second night train in the United Kingdom: the Night Riviera Sleeper from London to Penzance. It departs from Paddington station and travels along England's southwest coast, serving many exciting destinations in the regions of Devon and Cornwall.
The Night Riviera is operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) and is in no way inferior to its big brother from Scotland when it comes to comfort. The recently renovated sleeping cars, with their extremely comfortable beds, are even a touch classier than on the Caledonian Sleeper. And in terms of price, the night train to Cornwall also comes out on top.
Route
The Night Riviera travels on the approximately 500-kilometre railway line from London Paddington via Plymouth to Cornwall. The final destination is Penzance, located on the southwestern tip of England (here you can find all connections in the opposite direction). GWR also offers a regular daytime train service on this route with modern multiple-unit trains. For those who prefer to cover the distance in a relaxed sleeping car, the night train is a comfortable alternative.
Between Plymouth and Penzance, the Night Riviera crosses the wild and romantic heart of Cornwall, stopping in Liskeard, Bodmin, St Austell, and Truro, among other places. Beautiful coastal towns like Looe, Newquay, and St Ives can also be reached via branch lines.
Tip: From Penzance, you can continue by bus to Land's End, the westernmost point of mainland Great Britain, and by ferry to the picturesque archipelago of the Scilly Isles.
The Night Riviera runs daily except on Saturdays. With a pure journey time of 7 to 8 hours (depending on the direction), it's relatively short for a night train. But: you can board at London Paddington more than an hour before departure, and in the opposite direction, the train remains at the platform for almost two hours after arrival. This way, you can significantly extend your time on board and get a good night's sleep.
On-board comfort
The Night Riviera consists of sleeping cars, seating cars, and a bar car. The carriages were completely renovated in 2018 and combine maximum comfort with modern facilities.
Sleeping car
With elegant carpets and hotel-standard beds, the sleeping cars of the Night Riviera are a real gem. The compartments each have two bunk beds and can be booked for single or double occupancy. There is a fold-out washbasin by the window. The bed linen is of particularly high quality. At the head of the bed, there are USB sockets and a reading lamp. The compartment door can be locked from the outside with an electronic key card.
The service is also excellent: every traveller gets a towel, toiletries, and a bottle of mineral water. In the morning, a small breakfast is served to your bed – a choice of porridge or a sausage roll, plus tea or coffee. Breakfast is included in the price.
Tip: Sleeping car guests have access to the GWR Lounge at London Paddington, Penzance, and Truro stations. Here, you'll find not only free snacks and drinks, but also shower facilities.
Seating car
For those travelling on a tight budget, the Night Riviera also has seating cars. These are simple open-plan carriages. No supplement is required for travelling in a seat.
Lounge Car
The Lounge Car is not a full-service dining car, but rather a cosy living room with a bar. You can round off the evening with a drink in the stylish seating areas and lounge sofas. Small snacks are also available.
Tip: Water, tea, and coffee are free for sleeping car guests.
Other facilities
- Accessibility
Each train has one accessible compartment, located right next to an accessible toilet. In addition, there is a wheelchair space in the seating car. - Bicycle transport
Bicycles can be taken on the Night Riviera free of charge, but a reservation is required. - Pets
Up to two pets can be brought into a sleeping car compartment for a fee of £30.
Tickets & Prices
The fare is made up of the ticket, which covers the journey, plus a supplement for the sleeping car. The Night Riviera is fully integrated into the sometimes rather complex British fare system. In practical terms, it's a regular train that offers overnight accommodation in a sleeping car as an additional service.
The cheapest way to travel in a sleeping car is with a Super Off-Peak fare; the journey from London to Penzance costs £86.70 per person. On top of that comes the supplement, which depends on the travel date, the time of booking, and how busy the train is. For single occupancy, this starts at £49, and for double occupancy, it starts at £59 per compartment.
This results in a starting price of £135.70 for solo travellers. For two people sharing a compartment, prices start at £116.20 per person.
No supplement is needed in the seating car; a simple ticket for the respective route is sufficient. The cheapest option is the train-specific Advanced fare, starting from £69 for the journey from London to Penzance.
Tickets are available online at gwr.com, by phone, or at the station ticket counter. Please note: paying online with non-British credit cards can sometimes be problematic.
Interrail
The Night Riviera is well-suited for an Interrail trip. For a night in the sleeping car, you only need to pay the supplement. The only catch: the supplement alone cannot be purchased online, only in person. A good place to do this is at the GWR ticket counter at Paddington station. However, there is a risk that the sleeping car will already be fully booked on the day of travel. If possible, you should take care of this a few days before departure.
Tip: There are reports from Interrail travellers who were able to purchase the supplement by phone. It helps to ask for a supplement for an existing ticket (e.g., an Off-Peak) and not to mention Interrail.
Exchange and refund
The travel date can be changed up to one day before departure. If the ticket is more expensive on the new travel date than on the original one, the difference must be paid.
Tickets can be refunded 100% up to 14 days before departure; between 14 and 7 days before departure, you get 75% of the ticket price back. After that, cancellation is no longer possible.
Conclusion
On Great Britain's night trains, a true culture of travel is still alive and well. Comfort and service are of the very highest standard, with an added touch of elegance. And regardless of whether your destination is Scotland or Cornwall, the routes travelled by the Caledonian Sleeper and the Night Riviera are among the most beautiful on the entire British railway network.
Admittedly, the journey isn't cheap. But it's a unique pleasure that every night train fan should experience at least once. Plus, the price can be brought down to a more manageable level with an Interrail pass, which is a good deal in Great Britain anyway.
About the author: Sebastian Wilken is a passionate (night) train traveller and writes about train journeys in Europe in his Zugpost. For nightride.com, he keeps an eye on the night train market and provides you with the best tips and tricks for the most beautiful routes – including stunning photos, all of which he takes himself.
Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write to us at info@nightride.com.
