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Last updated:Today at 07:35
Train companies affected:Greater Anglia, Stansted Express
Last updated:Today at 01:28
Train companies affected:National Rail

Sleeper Trains

Get where you’re going in style, and catch some z’s at the same time, on a sleeper train

Travelling on a sleeper lets you make long journeys while also having a good night’s sleep. You arrive early, right at your destination, saving a day’s travel and avoiding the queues at the airport!

Sleeper trains run between London Euston and Scotland in both directions (The Caledonian Sleeper), and between London Paddington and Cornwall in both directions (Great Western Railway’s Night Riviera Sleeper).

Sleeper trains run nightly from Sunday to Friday. If you are getting on the train at the starting point, you can occupy your cabin/room well before departure. At the destination station, you can leave the train up to approximately 8:00 from services that arrive earlier in the morning (except London Paddington, where you must leave by 7:00).

Sleeper train routes

Here’s where you can go on a sleeper.

The Caledonian Sleeper

There are 2 services:

The Highlander

  • London Euston > Crewe > Preston > Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William (stopping at intermediate stations)

  • Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William (stopping at intermediate stations) > Preston > Crewe > London Euston

The Lowlander

  • London Euston > Watford Junction > Carlisle > Carstairs > Glasgow Central (also calling at Motherwell) and Edinburgh

  • Glasgow Central (also calling at Motherwell), Edinburgh and Carstairs > Carlisle > Watford Junction > London Euston

For more detailed timetable information, see our Journey Planner or visit the Caledonian Sleeper website.

The Great Western Railway Night Riviera Sleeper

There is 1 service:

  • London Paddington > Penzance (stopping at intermediate stations)

  • Penzance > London Paddington (stopping at intermediate stations)

For more detailed timetable information, see our Journey Planner or visit Great Western Railway’s Night Riviera Sleeper website.

Sleeper train accommodation

Most services will have a choice of seats and cabins/rooms with single or double berths (beds). Some also have en suite facilities.

See The Caledonian Sleeper website or Great Western Railway’s Night Riviera Sleeper website for more details.

Sleeper train facilities

Both sleeper services have onboard lounge cars for you to relax in before you turn in for the night. Depending on your journey and ticket, you may also have access to guest lounges and shower facilities at stations, and breakfast on the train.

Booking a sleeper train ticket

To find a sleeper service, select your journey and time in our Journey Planner and, if available, sleeper fare information will be shown. You can also find timetable information on The Caledonian Sleeper website or Great Western Railway’s Night Riviera Sleeper website.

You can buy tickets online, at main rail stations, at rail appointed travel agents, or by phone.

If you already have a ticket for your journey, you may be able to pay a supplementary fare to use a sleeping berth on the train. Check with your train company for more information.

There are some Railcard discounts available, but this does not apply to all accommodation (for example, you may be able to get a discount on seated travel but not a cabin/room). Contact your train company for more information.

FAQs

Sleeper trains run between London Euston and Scotland in both directions (The Calendonian Sleeper) and between London Paddington and Cornwall in both directions (Great Western Railway’s Night Riviera Sleeper). Sleeper trains run nightly from Sunday to Friday.

Yes, you will need to make a reservation on your chosen service, even if you have only booked a seat, not a berth. Visit The Caledonian Sleeper website or Great Western Railway’s Night Riviera Sleeper website for more information.

Yes, you’re welcome to bring your pet on sleeper trains. Animals are not allowed in restaurant cars, except for assistance dogs.

If you’re bringing your dog on a sleeper service, there will be an additional charge for a heavy duty clean, except if you’re travelling with assistance animals. Check with your train company for details.

Yes, but some rules apply. In general:

  • where children travel in sleeper accommodation, they must either share a room with another member of their travelling party or have sole occupancy of a room

  • where children have sole occupancy of a room, there must be an accompanying adult travelling in the same coach

  • where children travel in seated accommodation they must be accompanied by an adult in the seated coach

Visit the Caledonian Sleeper website or Great Western Railway’s Night Riviera Sleeper website for more detailed information.

Yes, but you must reserve a space for your bike. Bikes are kept in a separate storage area. Contact your train company for more information.

View of Fort William image credit: Steven Marshall