Luxury Overnight Sleeper Train in the UK - The Caledonian Sleeper
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2024
- Watch this video to see what it’s like to take one of only two luxury overnight sleeper trains in the United Kingdom, the Caledonian Sleeper!
The Caledonian Sleeper may just be the best way to travel from London to Scotland. In this video, you’ll see the most deluxe room - a Caledonian Double Bed - on this luxury overnight sleeper train. I took advantage of everything it had to offer during my stay onboard.
We left London at 9:15 at night to travel around 500 miles northward for just over 10 hours, following the East Coast of Scotland before pulling into Aberdeen at about 7:30 in the morning.
From the tastes of Scotland’s world-famous cuisine to the incredible Scottish Scenery, the solid night’s sleep was the icing on the cake of this luxury sleeper train experience. And all that meant I arrived in Aberdeen ready for the day ahead. Another trip onboard the Caledonian Sleeper is certainly in my future!
0:00 Introduction
1:08 London Euston Station
2:50 Boarding the Caledonian Sleeper Train
4:49 Caledonian Double Room Tour
6:04 Morning on the Caledonian Sleeper
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Chicago has Union, Lasalle Street Station, Millennium Park station and Ogilvie stations.
Mmmm...Black Pudding. When perfectly crispy on the outside and melt in your mouth on the inside, it's the hallmark of a great British breakfast
Chicago has multiple stations even today (Millenium-ICRR) (Ogilvie (C&NW), (LaSalle (Rock Island) Union Station (PRR/Milwaukee/CB&Q). Grand Central (B&O) was torn down and Dearborn (Santa Fe, Grand Trunk) still stands, but no tracks connect it.
Hi Jeb, I thought I'd provide at least some explanation of why London has so many dead end, ie terminal stations. When railways reached the London area, legislation forbade them from extending through the city from one side to the other (this is why it's in 2022, the first full loading guage railway to go from East to West and vice versa across the Capital opened,with Crossrail, aka Elizabeth Line). The station that's closest to the actual City of London, is Charing Cross station, which serves Kent, Sussex and South Eastern suburbs of Greater London
You mean the West End of London ? I say that because the nearest terminus to London's City (its financial area) is Cannon Street.
@@alexmcwhirter6611 As an aside, Fenchurch Street (opened 1841) was the first terminus permitted to be built within the City of London boundary. Liverpool Street (1874), Cannon Street (1866), and Blackfriars (1886) are all later additions.
@@derektaylor2941 and Thameslink
Be interesting to see what Jeb thinks of the Riviera Sleeper
@@derektaylor2941 District line/railway also crosses the city.
It's worth noting that many US cities actually had multiple major rail stations: Boston (North and South Station), New York City (Atlantic Terminal, Penn Station, Grand Central Station, all the former Newark terminus stations), Philadelphia (Market Terminal, 30th Street station), Chicago (Union Station, Dearborn Station, Lasalle Station, Wells Street Station). For a lot of cities, most of these stations were demolished or converted to other uses as the passenger rail service was nationalized, creating more consistent networks. It's a real shame because so many of these buildings are insanely significant and we're only now starting to appreciate what once was.
We travelled from London to Edinburgh via high speed train, 4.5 hrs from city to city. Booked early (6 months in advance) and got a great deal on business class. Plenty of gin and tonics, hot meal, high speed internet.
Nothing tops coming out of the train station in Edinburgh and seeing the castle.
Thing my American friends always ask me is why did they build such a lovely castle right next door to a tatty railways station 😂
I always thought Union Station had an association with Union Pacific Railroad. Thank you for pointing out the correct history.
I've been on the Highlander and the Lowlander and had crap sleeps on both. Conversely, I fell asleep in Reading on the Night Riviera and woke in Plymouth!
That's because the Great Western Railway's "Night Riviera" train uses forty year-old, ex-British Rail Mark 3 carriages with outside-frame bogies! My experiences of the "Caledonian Sleeper" and the "Night Riviera" tally with yours. The new CS carriages, built by CAF in Spain, have numerous design faults, such as lack of storage space for luggage in the cabins - sorry, "rooms" - and that awful vertical ladder with narrow rungs for accessing the top bunk.
Me, my wife and two kids took the Caledonian sleeper from Euston to Fort William the other week. It was a noisy bumpy nights sleep but we all enjoyed it so much it will be a treasured memory for me.
Scotland is beautiful I love it.
That breakfast looks more or less exactly like the ones I had during my latest stay in England a couple of years ago. Nice even though black pudding is not on my list of favorites. But it was ok.
Just for clarification, neeps is Swedish turnip, commonly known as swede, rather than white turnip, commonly known as just turnip.
Was just looking at this train to go to Aberdeen or Edinburg then on to Balmoral. Too bad most of trip in dark. Such a scenic journey. Maybe better in later June when light later!
Lner Azuma first class is really good but this is also a really good train.
You've done the Caledonian Sleeper. Next, do the Riviera Sleeper from London Paddington to Penzance aboard the lovely MKIII coaches.
No 'en suite' though...although it's said the former BR trains provide a better ride.
Really enjoy your narration. Your voice and use of inflection is perfect. Easy Listening
Indeed!
Jeb I loved the video but I do wish you would make some more long form videos, those are my favorite
Jeb, sorry you missed Stonehaven, a wonderful small town, with a habour, pubs and very much history to discover.
JEB, this video deserves a PBS documentary award. ❤❤❤
That’s so nice of you to say! Thanks!!
Great choice of getting an early breakfast in the club car and watching the scenery go by. If you go to Glasgow and Edinburgh the train leaves later so (as I did) you can go to a West End show beforehand. Ps I’d recommend Fort William or Inverness for scenery…..plus always go northbound (breakfast through London suburbs is not the same as highlands) plus winter might be good for snow but daylight hours mean you see much less
This is on my bucket list. You're full Scottish breakfast had a square sausage and black pudding on you will need to Google what black pudding is. The night Rivera service is the other one on my bucket list along with the Gerald of Wales which offers a full on dinning service between Cardiff in South Wales and Holyhead in North Wales
Loved the video Jeb. We are from Kirkcaldy (the stop you filmed). We feel privileged to think the mighty Jeb has been to our wee town.
That is awesome! Thank you!!
London has so many stations because they were each built by different competing companies
Waterloo - LSWR - London and South Western Railway
Charing Cross - LCDR - London, Chatham, and Dover Railway
Cannon St - SER - South Eastern Railway
Fenchurch St - LTSR - London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway
Liverpool St - GER - Great Eastern Railway
Moorgate - GNCR - Great Northern and City Railway
Kings Cross - GNER - Great North Eastern Railway
St Pancras - MR - Midland Railway
Euston - LMS - London Midland and Scottish railway
Marylebone - GCR - Great Central Railway
Paddington - GWR - Great Western Railway
Victoria - LBSCR - London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway
The other reason is that railway companies weren't allowed to build stations inside the centre of London as that would disrupt too many buildings and neighbourhoods. Thus you find the stations serving the Midlands and North along that road from Kings Cross to Euston and the others scattered around the edge of the central zone. That in turn influenced the building of the Underground system to serve all the termini - just look at the Circle Line and it all makes sense.
There was a law that stated the northern companies could not build south of what is now Euston Road, so there could not be a great "union" station in London. But, of course, that is not unique in Europe or even the UK. Paris, Berlin (back in the day), Milan, Birmingham, Glasgow and many more, all have multiple large stations. Berlin now has one main station, but that is a very recent change.
@@bishwatntl Yes. Rail author Christian Wolmar has a book about this .
Also they were banned from building in the city centre hence why they all form a ring around the city
Very interesting! We need some of this competition in the US. We are stuck with state owned and poorly managed Amtrak and no other train options.
Even though there are lots of vids on the Caledonian sleeper already, this is one of the first vids I’ve seen where someone goes to Aberdeen and not Inverness and fort William! Thanks for the review Jeb!
I'm a pretty picky eater but I fell in love with Haggis. I couldn't get enough when I was in Scotland.
I traveled Edinburgh to London on this train service several years ago. I had booked far in advance and the new carriages were supposed to have been in service. Alas, they were much delayed and my trip was on the very old and run-down consist with broken toilets, a horrible breakfast (I sent it back), and lackluster service. Looks like you had a much better experience, Jeb. Thanks for the review.
You're correct about Washington, D.C. having only one big train station. However, Chicago has the Ogilvee Transportation Center which serves several Metra commuter lines. New York has both Penn Station and Grand Central. Philadelphia's downtown has three train stations (30th Street plus Jefferson and Suburban).
This train actually looked more fun than taking a plane. If I have the time, the train is more enjoyable as you can see the area that you are going through.
You need to do the GWR Riviera Night Sleeper from Paddington down to Penzance to compare different trains and different train companies.
I live in Aberdeenshire and us the Sleeper fro time to time. Brilliant 👏.
Welcome to Scotland Jeb, one of my fav travel bloggers and vloggers!
I heard about the old train a few years ago and checked out the prices. The headline price was £60 or so and when I checked I found it really was possible to book a cabin a few weeks in advance for around that price with more immediate cabins going up to £120. That's not a bad deal given that it's a car and a hotel room and you arrive in Scotland ready to explore. OK so you would have to hire a car to do that and those prices are only one way.
Then they got their new trains. Now the headline price is about £300 and even if I scroll to the point just before the sun becomes a super nova the thing's fully booked and the real price is off the scale. It'd be cheaper to build your own train.
Then there's the term luxury. It's not meant to be a luxury trsin. It's meant to offer public transport and the decor didn't look remotely luxury to me. Utiliarian I would say, like a budget hotel.
Whatever I wouldn't go on the thing now as I'd always think I was being ripped off.
I hope you liked Aberdeen Jeb. It is a lovely route up the East Coast of Scotland. It is a good thing you came on a nice day, in the summer the granite buildings shimmer. However, in mid-winter Aberdeen can be cold, windy and wet. I like to refer to the city as Abergloom.
My first ever experience of Scotland was Aberdeen in the first weeks of January (many years ago now) and I must say it was a cold harsh baptism. Since then I've explored more of it and in more favourable weather thank goodness
Wow, now I was not expecting to see you here in the UK. Glad you enjoyed the trip and yes the overnight sleeper is on my list too.
Sorry there was no meatballs 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Haggis vs Meatballs….🤣
I've travelled on the Caledonian Sleeper a few times up to Aberdeen. That coastal section between Edinburgh and Aberdeen is some of the best countryside in this country. Especially between Dundee and Stonehaven and not forgetting St Andrews as well.
It has had a troublesome past, especially when the new train came onboard. But, it's good to see that they've put that behind them now and you had a good trip.
But, i hear that the Edinburgh to Inverness section is breath taking.
Train will be faster and has more scenery on the way🥹 and with discount the price will be affordable as well😂
I’m from Aberdeen and watch all your videos. This was a great surprise. Hope you loved it and great video as always 👍
Hi Jeb I traveled from Inverness to London in a club room what a fantastic experience that was back in February this year
I've been on this!!!! Even the bunk beds are great and the service is great. The feeling of the train going along puts you alseep and it is probably the best night's sleep I've had.
What an adventurous and memorable trip.
I am starting to get hooked on your channel. I have also been on the Caledonian Sleeper a couple of years back. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I spent a few days in Inverness, and then up to the scenic Highlands. And yes, I ate Haggis, 'Nips and Tatties, which was delicious. Loved every minute of it. Thank you for the upload. Tourist tip: When the dining car opens, leave it an hour or so, and then go for supper, as it is then very quiet (Looks as though you did okay though).
Wise advice.
Neeps and Tatties …Nip is what you have afterwards ( a dram )
Do you know if one can book a round trip ticket on the Caledonian? I wish to travel Scotland and see it but traveling alone makes me wish for the security of the train.
@@caroleinwv Tickets are sold on a one-way basic. So buy two one-ways for a return.
@@alexmcwhirter6611 Thank you!
We went on this in 2002. Crewe to Inverness. Appalling. Staff disappeared from the bar car at about 10pm. Worst night's sleep ever. It was 20 years ago though...it was the night the Commonwealth Games opened in Manchester.
Jeb, had to say, Chicago has two major stations. Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center.
That looked like a fun trip. I'd love to take that train trip one day. Haggis, HP Sauce and blood pudding.👍 Great stuff. Also a wristwatch enthusiast. Always fun to see what you're sporting. Nice Grand Seiko.
My answer is in two parts: Part 1 We took the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Inverness before the trains were upgraded. Upgrade or not it was one of our favorite trips ever. Can't wait to take this one. Maybe I've watched too many old Sherlock Holmes films but there's some so romantic about this sort of travel. We will definitely move this trip to the top of our queue. Thanks. Part 2 Your video is one of the best of it's kind I've seen on You Tube. Very well produced and entertaining and informative as well. Thank you so much.
Its seems like you guys had a ton of fun. Great video as always, look forward to Saturday Morning every week
Historically, the US had that dynamic as well. For operational reasons, Amtrak eventually consolidated their services in most of those cities (Boston is perhaps the most notable exception, where trains to North Station like the Downeaster to Maine can't (easily) also serve South Station... the main transit connection between the North Side and South Side is the MBTA's Orange Line between North Station and Back Bay). Before that (and persisting for different amounts of time afterwards), in New York the Pennsylvania Railroad went to Penn Station (not surprisingly...) and the New York Central (with which the Pennsy disastrously merged) went to Grand Central. The New Haven railroad served both (coming from New England, if going down to New York, Grand Central was generally preferred, but connections to the other side of the Hudson required going through Penn: everywhere the NYC served west of Albany was better reached from New England via Springfield on the NYC-owned Boston & Albany); Amtrak's service along the former NYC, like the Lake Shore Limited, went to Grand Central until the mid-90s when a track connection between a branch of the former NYC and Penn was built... up to that point, getting from Albany to Greensboro (for instance) would have required a taxi in Manhattan, so not quite like a JFK-EWR connection, but not that far off.
In Chicago in 1965, say, you'd have, for instance:
* the Pennsylvania; the Burlington; the Milwaukee Road; and the Gulf, Mobile, & Ohio going to Union Station
* the Chicago & North Western going to the C&NW station (now Ogilvie as a commuter-only station)
* the Norfolk & Western; the New York Central; and the Rock Island going to LaSalle Street
* the Illinois Central; the New York Central; and the Soo Line going to Central
* the Santa Fe; the Louisville & Nashville; the Grand Trunk Western; the Monon; and the Erie Lackawanna going to Dearborn
* the Baltimore & Ohio; and the Chesapeake & Ohio going to Grand Central
Of the long-distance trains that go to Union Station nowadays, only the California Zephyr and Empire Builder (operated by the Burlington into Chicago) would have gone to Union Station in 1965; the Southwest Chief went to Dearborn; the Texas Eagle only went to St. Louis; the Capitol Limited and Cardinal to Grand Central; and the City of New Orleans and Lake Shore Limited to Central
A similar situation existed in Los Angeles, with each company operating their own station, until they joined forces and built a Union Station in 1939, the last of the large, grand stations built in the US.
Malaysia was dynamic as well. Before 2015/2016 KTM focused most of their long distance train services in most of the main cities. The Rakyat, Senandung Langkawi, Senandung Mutiara and Sinaran Utara Express served KL Central and Butterworth, Penang (and vice versa), while the Rakyat, Senandung Sutera and Sinaran Selatan served KL Central and JB Central. There used to be Wau Express from KL Central to Tumpat, Kelantan for passengers who wished to go to the East Coast but due to the great floods of 2014 the train service was terminated. So passengers had to ride the Sinaran Selatan Express, wait for hours from 5 pm to 11 pm at Gemas (the main East/West Coast transit station in Malaysia) and board the Timuran Express from JB to Tumpat at 0000 hrs..
As always, thank you for the escape. I may actually try this one someday!
Brilliant Journey man
The West coast is the best coast for scenery. Next time try Fort William then carry on to Mallaig. You will be amazed.
Chicago has several stations. Union Station, Ogilvie transportation center, Lasalle Street station, Millenium station and Van Buren Street Station.
Really glad you did an overnight train trip while you were in the UK, and that you enjoyed it so much.
I'm booked to travel on the Caledonian sleeper in a couple of weeks' time, just crossing my fingers that I can work around upcoming strikes.
Euston is unfortunately one of the ugliest London stations though I think it was beautiful before the awful 'modernising' wreckers came up with their dreadful plans post WW2.
Beautiful trip!
Jeb as always a great vlog !
The food looks amazing !
Great video jeb loving the contents and a belated welcome to Scotland 😃
Each second was very interesting.
Thank you very much, Jeb, for sharing your wonderful documentary with us.
Wonderful video.. gives a good insights on this special sleeper train across UK.
Wow! That looks quite amazing! That bed looks incredibly comfortable and surprisingly roomy and most importantly it looks very clean. The food looks delicious and I would love to try haggis it sounds delicious. The scenery is so beautiful too! This really made me want to take a similar kind of trip, but until then I can live vicariously through your videos 😊
As always! An incredible review of your experience. Always been coming back to your videos for years !
You don't need the bed to convert. Just lean against the wall as you sit on the bed and drink your coffee or whatever with your shoes off while you look out the window at the passing views. :) That train ride looked relaxing and I love how much privacy it looks like it gives. Thanks for sharing, Jeb.
Love your videos. Makes me want to travel. Nice down to earth guy.
Wow just love trains 🚂🚃 safe travels 😃
I have loved your channel since the start and paid attention when I saw you on my favourite train!
It is amazing
I just can't wait to take this one day!! Great review and wonderful videography!!
Great video, Jeb!
Hey Jeb that looked awesome!
I rarely think all the train trips look that fun to try versus flying, but from what I can see I’d certainly try The Caledonian Sleeper! It looks AWESOME what a fun way to get from London 🏴 up to Aberdeen 🏴 😊
Congratulations, Jeb on another wonderful video and your first European rail trip. The Caledonian Sleeper is on my bucket list and you showed the train at its best! I am even intrigued by the menu and want to try everything. British rail was my first experience with high speed intercity rail and it was great!
Crikey. British Rail. That's a name from the past !
Love your vids!!!
Hope you had a great time,I’m from Kilmarnock ,Scotland (west coast),nothing beats our food 😃,loved the video 👍 I travelled from Amsterdam to Glasgow on the train last Thursday absolutely loved it 😊
Great vlog as always! That is on my list! My mother and father did this one during the 80s. My father loved it! This is like the former Businessman train, or the whole day in London. Why rush to a plane when you can wine, dine and sleep? Keep up the good work! Looking forward to the next one! Be safe!
OMG. Amazing.
I'm doing this soon, in a smaller room, can't wait. I hear service is great, scenery spectacular.
Thanks for this lovely video! I really enjoyed watching it and I'm hoping to treat my family to a trip up to Scotland on the sleeper train at New Year :)
Never thought I'd see the day you pass over the River Tay (the river which my home city of Dundee stands on) in one of your videos. Super video as per usual!
Hey Jeb, nice to see you did this route.
This route got off to a rocky start with the train having a few issues and then Covid. See Paul Lucas winging it back in the day.
Noel Phillips had a later crack at it and then you
I took my wife up to Fort William and the scenery over breakfast is fantastic !
You need to do the “Gerald of Wales” and fly back from Angelsey !
Fantastic video Jeb!
Very nice. Thank you.
You’re the only American luxury traveler I follow, love you and Suzanne!
Great vid, I live in the middle of the UK so there’s no point in me getting this train. I’ve just come back from Switzerland and I highly recommend you see the trains there
Fantastic vlog Jeb would love to travel this train and am gutted as my younger brother lives near Aberdeen so if I knew u we’re going on it cud have met your good self but the good is proper Scottish food but great vlog
Awesome vlog
FYI, your picture of Glasgow at 5:54 is not Glasgow, but is in fact of Gatineau, Quebec, as seen from Ottawa, Canada's Capital😄 That 's the Alexandra bridge in the foreground (An old railway bridge built in 1899), with the the Canadian Museum of History in the background!
It took awhile. I'm old. I have nothing left but to count time. I looked at 5:54 timeline, and the Alexandra bridge, and they are not the same. You can take that time to look yourself. Anyway, mistake or not, at least you got to see his video which, like all others, are rewarding of themselves.
Close enough for Government work
@@kevinwells4986 you have the kind of mind and mannerisms that I really appreciate.
If you’re British, I’m proud to share an island with the likes of you.
Have a lovely day
@@bettysparkles4988 Thank you. That island is called Earth. I'm glad you are here also.
It's funny how at a brief glance out the dining car windows, the Caledonian livery looks like airplane winglets!
I've only taken the older Caledonian Sleeper and it was probably 10 years ago now, but I travel part of the line you took fairly regularly.
Nice video 👍📷 brother Iam from London
Great video Jeb
As always, your videos are informative and entertaining. Btw, congratulations are in order for you and the Mrs! Well done. Now, an odd request, show and maybe chat about what appears to be your extensive watch collection.
Hope you had a great time here in Scotland! Warm wishes from Edinburgh 😊🏴
Now that you are in Aberdeen, are you taking the ferry to Shetland? Wonderful overnight trip. Perfect for your video review.
The old Caledonian was a little rougher but way more charming. The club car felt a little like you were living the introduction of an Agatha Christie novel.
We also had the haggis. Good choice.
The previous Anglo-Scottish sleeper consisted ot rolling stock which was 40 years old. This new stock was manufactured by CAF of Spain.
@@alexmcwhirter6611 good to know
I liked the old train. The new one looks a little sterile and boring.
Very nice but I wouldn’t have been able to eat that dinner! Love the sleeper room!❤️
First comment from me - love your videos and this was excellent. I come from the UK but now reside in Warsaw, so I've not done this trip: it looks cool. But I have to say for the distance and looking at your route map, I think I'd prefer a First Class seat and day journey - there's some decent train windows viiws missed while sleeping. Thanks for sharing!
As always live your videos Jeb. Worth noting though that as a Glasgow local, I've never seen that bridge before! Think you may have your pics mixed up haha!
Nice trip😊☺️
Jeb, you really need to come to Canada and try VIA Rail’s Ocean and Canadian!
Thank u for sharing😍 Another useful content besides European rail offer video😌 Hope everyone enjoy their travel to Europe 🚂
Nice
Wow Tnx bro good
I love your positive tone. Some vloggers are absolutely insufferable in their incessant moaning.
Very nice train
Well now, didn't expect to see Kirkcaldy and Montrose on the channel.