Sleeper trains in the UK
Sleepers trains in the UK offer comfort, luxury and practicality. Whether you want the romance of travelling by moonlight or to save on time and money, everyone should experience a night in a hotel on the rails.
Hit the button above to start your search for Caledonian Sleeper tickets, or keep reading to find out more about sleeper trains in the UK. Our guide to overnight trains will tell you all you need to know.
How to book sleeper tickets on Trainline
We'll be honest - booking sleeper tickets on Trainline isn't as straightforward as booking normal tickets. But if you follow these instructions closely, you'll be able to find a variety of fares for sleeper trains - from single seats to cabins.
Booking sleeper services on Trainline is a bit trickier than other services. It's by no means impossible though; you've just got to pay a bit more attention than usual. Here's a step-by-step guide.
- Click on the button above to enter our Advanced Search Journey Planner.
- Enter where you're travelling to and from, for instance, London to Penzance.
- Important: make sure you select a departure time in the evening, preferably after 20:00. This will filter out all the day-time services from the results.
- You will be taken to a page telling you that a Sleeper service is available. Hit 'Continue'.
- Sleeper service will have 'sleeper' written underneath the number of changes on the journey. We display the cheapest (seated) fares by default.
- To see the full list of accommodation options available, click on 'View all single tickets' below the price matrix.
- Select your desired berth and check out.
This applies to the Caledonian Sleeper and Night Riviera services. We're working on integrating sleeper trains into our booking system in a more user-friendly way, so watch this space. But follow these instructions and you should very quickly be on your way!
Sleeper trains to Scotland
With rolling hills and beautiful scenery Scotland is the perfect destination for a leisurely train journey.
Caledonian Sleeper
Available on Trainline
This sleeper train from London to Scotland (and vice versa) runs six nights a week, offering different journeys on Highlander and Lowlander routes. Both Caledonian Sleeper routes depart from London Euston station:
- The Highlander route takes you to popular Scottish destinations like Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William. The Inverness service calls at Aviemore in the Cairngorms national park and Corrour – the most remote station in the UK.
- The Lowlander route takes you to Glasgow and Edinburgh. The train splits in the early hours of the morning, taking passengers to Edinburgh Waverly or Glasgow Central.
There are several seating options available on the Caledonian Sleeper, from Double Rooms to Comfort Seating. Learn more and book Caledonian Sleeper or Caledonian Sleeper First Class tickets.
Image: "92023 Caledonian Sleeper at Glasgow" by D.J.H Photography is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Image: "66743 Tay Bridge" by Derek Hoskins is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Belmond Royal Scotsman
Not available on Trainline
This luxury sleeper train offers scenic tours around the Scottish Highlands, from three- to five-day trips depending on which package you opt for. More like a cruise than a way of getting from A to B, hop onboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman to enjoy Scotland’s breath-taking scenery, fine dining and even an on-board spa. The Royal Scotsman follows two routes:
- The Classic Splendours route takes you on a 5-day round trip from Edinburgh to Kyle of Lochalsh, Boat of Garten, Rothiemurchus and back to Edinburgh. Prices start at £6,200.
- The Taste of the Highlands route goes from Edinburgh to Rothiemurchus and back to Edinburgh for a shorter, three-day excursion. Prices start at £3,200.
All cabins feature plush bedding, luxurious Scottish décor and en suite facilities. Find out more about the Belmond Royal Scotsman.
Sleeper trains to Cornwall
The Night Riviera winds its way southwest from London, reaching beautiful Penzance in the morning.
The Night Riviera
Available on Trainline
This sleeper train from London to Cornwall (and vice versa) is a Great Western Railway service that travels overnight through Devon on its way to scenic Penzance. Think of the Night Riviera as a moving hotel – recently refurbished carriages mean modern décor, a stylish Lounge car complete with a trendy bar and cosy airline-style seating. And, don’t forget the comfy beds that’ll give you a fantastic night’s sleep!
The route begins at London Paddington at 22:30, travelling through the night to Cornwall. The service calls at Truro, St Erth and finally at Penzance, among other stops.
Remember to have a quick read of the information above on how to book Night Riviera tickets - it takes a bit of sleuthing to find the correct fares!
Image: "57603 Night Riviera from Paddington to Penzance" by Train Photos is licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0
Other sleeper services from London
Eurostar Ski Train
Available on Trainline
This night train only operates during the winter ski season (December to April) and takes passengers from London St Pancras station to ski resorts in the French Alps. The Eurostar Ski Train night service departs on Fridays and arrives on Saturday morning, leaving the entire day to hit the slopes. There’s dedicated space for your skis and snowboards, so there’s no need to pay extra to bring larger luggage with you.
The service calls at Moûtiers-Salins, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-St-Maurice, where you can catch connecting bus services to your resort.
While not strictly a sleeper service, there is also a day-time Ski Train to the Alps, which departs on Saturday mornings Find out more and book tickets on our Eurostar Ski Train page.
Sleeper train coaches
Overnight trains in the UK normally feature a couple of different travel options, seating carriages or shared or private cabins. Below, we’ve explained the different types of coaches you’ll usually find when you board a sleeper train in the UK.
Seating carriages
The most cost-effective way to travel on sleeper trains, seating carriages feature wider than normal, plush seats that recline when you’re ready to sleep. These airline-style seats often have their own fold-down tables or can be seated around tables of four – ideal for those travelling in a group.
Sleeper cabins
The most comfortable way to travel on sleeper trains, most cabins feature cosy beds with duvets and pillows, a wash basin and selection of toiletries. Some cabins also feature en-suite bathrooms, depending on which overnight train you’re travelling on. Go full of luxury and book a cabin to yourself, or if you’re travelling as a group, there’s sometimes an option to book a two-person cabin with connecting doors.
Lounge bar
Most overnight trains in the UK will feature a Lounge or buffet car to venture to during your journey for snacks, drinks or just to stretch your legs. Depending on the service, the lounge bar is usually open for the duration of your train journey and can be an enjoyable place to relax and socialise.
Good to know – on some overnight services only passengers in sleeper cabins have access to the Lounge bar.
Popular UK sleeper train destinations
UK Sleeper train FAQs
From taking pets on board to the types of accommodation available, these are some of our customers' most frequently asked questions.