Is the Caledonian Sleeper train worth it?

If you have heard of the Caledonian Sleeper train, chances are you would quite like to try it. It is prized for being a cool experience, where you leave London or Birmingham in the evening and wake up in the Scottish Highlands. Due to the views as you wake up, the Caledonian Sleeper train comes highly recommended by other train travellers. It’s even included in this list with the 8 most scenic train rides in the UK. But is it really worth the price? In this blog, I’ll give my honest thoughts on the sleeper train running between London Euston and Scotland.

Ticket prices

To get the full experience of a (luxury) sleeper train like the Caledonian Sleeper, you will want to book a bed. The prices I’m about to mention are based on the London to Inverness route in the second half of 2026. The classic room is the smallest and therefore cheapest option, but still comes at a price of at least £215. This allows 1 person to sleep in the private bunk room. When filling both beds, you are looking at £295 to £405 for a single journey. If you want an en-suite room with a double bed, be prepared to pay a whopping £570. Seats are a lot cheaper, as prices start from £59. Ideal if you’re using the train to simply get from A to B, but obviously not great for sleeping.

Room supplements and cheaper tickets

There are some ways to get your ticket for less. First of all, travelling off-season and booking several months in advance helps. Secondly, get yourself a Railcard if you can. Even if you only apply the Railcard discount to one Caledonian Sleeper journey, you are likely to earn it back. My other tip is to book a room supplement only, and buy your train ticket separately. Room supplements come at a flat rate of £165 for 1 person. Especially in high season, that can make a big difference.

With a room supplement, you can buy your actual train ticket via another provider such as Trainpal or ScotRail. This also allows you to use a Railcard and other discounts. In addition, it means your ticket price may be lower if you get off at an earlier station. Via the Caledonian Sleeper website, ticket prices are the same no matter which station you alight at. Alternatively, you can use an Interrail pass. You choose whether you count the departure or arrival date as your day of travel, so you don’t need to use up 2 Interrail days. Whatever you do, your trip with the Caledonian Sleeper will probably still be quite expensive. It is marketed as a luxury experience and obviously covers both travel and a night of accommodation, but still. Is it worth it?

Departure

The Caledonian Sleeper train to Inverness leaves almost daily from London Euston, platform 1 at 21:15. Boarding starts about 30 minutes before departure. You can view all of the timetables here. Checking in and receiving your bedroom key is very straightforward. It is possible to bring a bike if you have a reservation for it. Bike reservations are free, but do sell out, so make sure to book ahead. The staff were friendly and helpful, and I learned that the train only stops at intermediate stations on request. The main downside to the pre-departure services is that you only gain access to the Caledonian Sleeper lounge on platform 1 if you have booked one of the more expensive rooms. As I booked a classic room, I had to wait on a bench near the platform, rather than in the lounge. I found this to be a bit cheeky, as my ticket was certainly not cheap.

The room

As I expected, the room was tiny, but this was no problem for me. I still had space to store my luggage and move around, but it would be a really tight squeeze with 2 people. I also wouldn’t have been able to properly open my suitcase. Because I anticipated this, I had packed my toiletries and clean clothing in my rucksack. What did (positively) surprise me were the provided towels, the ample charging points and the small rubbish bin in the room. All very convenient! On top of that, the bunk bed was comfortable. Especially the duvet was nice and soft. The mattrass was mediocre, in my opinion, as were the pillows.

Sleep (or the lack thereof)

My main critique of the Caledonian Sleeper train experience is that the journey is actually a bit too short to get a full night’s sleep. I travelled to Pitlochry, where the train arrives at 06:16. To allow some time for breakfast and vacating the room, this meant I got up at 05:30. Only if you travel all the way to Inverness or Fort William, do you get to sleep until a more reasonable hour. Arriving this early also meant I had to wait at the station before cafés and shops opened. Luckily the weather was good and there were a few other passengers I had a nice chat with.

In general, I found it surprisingly hard to sleep on the train. The Caledonian Sleeper was my first overnight train experience, so this would presumably have been the same for any sleeper train. Sitting upright, I’m normally not at all concerned about the speed of the train I’m on. Lying down, however, I suddenly sensed how quickly the train was moving. In addition, I could feel every little bump on the tracks. Combined with thinking I really shouldn’t forget to wake up on time, I couldn’t sleep very well.

The views

Leaving London in the evening, the train goes through some tunnels. It quickly became dark and I didn’t see much of the sunset. The views upon waking up were a lot more interesting. After Perth, the scenery gets more rural and mountainous, though the really great views start further north, after passing through Pitlochry. If you take the train all the way up to Inverness, you pass through the western end of Cairngorms National Park. The views on the route to Fort William are probably even better.

Food

You can order meals and snacks both in the departure lounge (if your ticket gives you access to the lounge, that is) and on the train. Portions are on the small side, but not extortionately priced. When ordering breakfast, you can choose to enjoy your food in the restaurant car or have it delivered to your room. Either way, you get a free hot drink in the morning. For all meals, there is a vegan option. The menu is small, so there is not much to choose regardless of dietary requirements. It’s good to be aware that the menu for the seated coaches is different from the coaches with bedrooms. One big plus about the food and drinks is that ingredients are sourced in Scotland where possible.

Conclusion

Taking a sleeper train is certainly a worthwhile experience. The luxurious feel of the Caledonian Sleeper makes it even nicer. It is an efficient way to travel across the UK, too. That being said, it’s a real shame this train reinforces the notion that trains are more expensive than flying or driving. It would be great if Caledonian Sleeper offered budget-friendly shared dorms or reclining chairs that are designed for sleeping in. To make the price worth it and ensure you get good views when you wake up, I would recommend taking the Caledonian Sleeper to one of the furthest stations it calls at. Will I tell everyone they need to try this journey at least once in their lifetime? No. Would I take a Caledonian Sleeper train again if I was travelling from London or continental Europe to northern Scotland? Yes. But only after comparing all the ticket options and finding the lowest price!

Most important tips

• Book in advance and bring a travel buddy to share your room with, if possible.
• Compare ticket options and choose a room supplement when using an Interrail pass or if you can get discounts on the train ticket.
• Use the Caledonian Sleeper train for journeys to the final destinations, but not to intermediate stations.
• Don’t arrive at the departure station early if you do not have access to the Caledonian Sleeper lounge.
• To avoid waste and single-use items, bring your own earplugs and sleeping mask, and have breakfast in the restaurant car rather than in your room.
• Pack what you need for the night and following morning in a rucksack or backpack, as the rooms are too narrow for opening a (large) suitcase.

* This post includes affiliate links. Buying your Railcard through this link helps maintain The Sustainable Travel Guide, as I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Similarly, we both get a discount if you book any UK train travel via Trainpal. I only share affiliate links for brands that I support, consider sustainable, and buy from myself.