Review Caledonian Sleeper: Both Monkey and I had wanted to travel on an overnight train for some time being big fans of rail travel. It had even made it onto my 40 before 40 lists. A trip to Edinburgh seemed like the natural choice especially since I have loved Edinburgh for a number of years, there are so many things to do in Edinburgh. However, I have not had much of a chance to explore as many of my trips have been for work.
Coupled with the fact that the Christmas market was in town which meant there would be plenty to do. Initially, it was only going to be me and Monkey that travelled up. Partly because of the whole idea of taking a toddler on a sleeper train. Or any kind of long-distance train travel filled me with dread. However, once we realised the extent of the festivities it seemed unfair to leave both Kipper and Hubby at home. So we decided to brave the Caledonian sleeper train, I mean how hard could this iconic Scottish railway journey be with kids?
Review Caledonian Sleeper
Getting to London Euston
The Caledonian sleeper services trains go from London’s Euston station. Top Tip. We had parked at Heathrow and I was super impressed with just how easy it was to get across London, even with a small buggy. The Heathrow express took around fifteen minutes and then it was a short journey on the tube. Despite working in and around London I had never visited London Euston and so did not know what to expect. It is a large mainline station with lots of different options for food. We arrived around six and had a meal in an Italian restaurant.
Caledonian Sleeper Service – Departing London Euston Station
The sleeper train did not leave until 11.50 pm so I was a little worried that we would be sitting around for a long time. So I was pleasantly surprised when the service came up on the boards and we could get onto the train at 10 pm. We were greeted on the platform and shown our cabins. We had two classic room cabins next to each other with an adjoining door and standard class ticket.
The Lounge – Caledonian Travel
The door is permanently open so I could lay in my bunk and look across to the shared cabin, other room and have a conversation with Monkey easily. Each comfortable cabin sleeps two people in bunk beds, there is a washbasin and towels provided as well as a small bottle of water each. Once we were settled in we went down to the lounge car to try out the lounge facilities. Access is available subject to space. It wasn’t very busy when we arrived allowing us to have a drink while the boys tried out some Haggis crisps with their soft drinks.
If we had been travelling without the boys then we would have looked to eat there because the food not only smelt good, it was also great value for money. Children under the age of 12 will eat free with an adult in the dining car. All the ingredients are sourced from Highland suppliers, soup starts at £4.50 with Haggis, Neeps and Tatties £8.70. There is a full menu available online on their website and even the opportunity for a wee dram of malt whisky
Our Cabins – Review Caledonian Sleeper
Toilets can be found at the end of each coach. Monkey couldn’t quite get his head around the fact that the flush was on the floor. But they were clean and didn’t smell at all. The corridors were very narrow and I am glad we brought a travel buggy. As it would not have fitted down them. As you would expect there is not much storage space in the cabin. But we managed to keep three rucksacks, one particularly large! Four big winter coats and a buggy in our two. All up off the floor and out of the way. I think this is because they have utilised the space and put racks up near the ceiling.
Naturally, the boys were super excited, Monkey decided that he wanted to sleep on the top bunk with Hubby below. I slept with Kipper in the other room. I was a little worried because there was no bed rail on the bottom bunk and Kipper is still in the cot at home. However, the bed linen was very well secured and he managed to sleep in the bed all night without even a stir. In fact, both Hubby and I were extremely surprised by just how well we all slept on the highland sleeper.
What we thought of our Cabin – Caledonian Travel
The twin bunks were very comfortable with good quality duvets and pillows, which I think helped a lot but the boys didn’t stir until around 6.30 am. I was semi expecting to be woken with the movement of the night train but that didn’t happen. If anything I think the gentle rocking through the Scottish highlands probably helped to keep us all asleep. Each cabin has a window with a blind. Travelling in November meant that we arrived in Edinburgh Waverley station in the dark which is a real shame as I would like to have glimpsed the scenery. The train had an arrival time of around 7.20 am and we had until 8 am to get off.
Arriving into Edinburgh
There was something quite special arriving into the city while much of it was still sleeping. The train station is located in the centre just off of Princes Street which made life very easy for us. Edinburgh is a walking city with most of the main attractions within walking distance. We were staying in the Grassmarket area which is around a ten – fifteen-minute walk from the station.
So as it turns out travelling with a toddler on the Caledonian travel Is more than doable and it is the perfect way to travel. The boys loved the adventure. And we are all agreed that it is something which we hope to do again in the Summer months. Although I think I will have to set an alarm. So that we can wake up in time to watch the scenery on the run into Edinburgh. Otherwise, we may end up waking up only on arrival in Edinburgh.
If you would like to find out more about Caledonian travel or even book your own Caledonian sleeper tickets then you can do so on their website. We travelled from London Euston to Edinburgh, but they also travel to railway stations Aberdeen, Fort William (highland route), Inverness and Glasgow central its final destination as well. We really enjoyed our first time on a sleeper train. I am sure this will not be our last visit to the overnight rail service as we really enjoyed our sleeper train service experience.
Update Review Caledonian Sleeper – since this post was written. They have released a new fleet of trains and new sleeper trains. These new trains include a double bed and double room.
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41 Responses
We do this once a year – great way to travel and fun for the little ones
I love Edinburgh & would love to go when it’s all festive in December. I haven’t heard of The Caledonian Sleeper trains before so I am very interested in learning more.
Oh wow. I’d love to visit Edinburgh at Christmas. What amazing photos!
I am fascinated to find out about this as I didn’t know you could get to Scotland like this!
For honeymoon we travelled by sleeper from Paris to Venice, we plan to do this once the kids are a bit older, I didn’t know there was a sleeper to Scotland so this is very exciting news! Looks good!
Looks a great train
Such wonderful photos and a lovely place to visit! A place I would love to go to!
I’ve never travelled on a sleeper train, but that sounds surprisingly restful. If it works out, it must be a brilliant way of making the most of your waking hours.
that’s nice that you can do adjoining sleeper compartments. sounds restful and like a fun experience for the kids.
What an adventure, I would love to take my girls on this!
Great adventure
That is so cool to travel by train. That is something I would want my daughter to experience some day. Edinburgh looks like a great place
That awesome, i should experience riding one of those sleeper trains. I think my son would ebjoy that kind of traveling.
We have travelled this way before too! It’s a great way to travel and the little ones love it!
I have not been to Scotland since I was a kid, my cousins live in Aberdeen. I would love to take my kids but the long drive is off-putting. The sleeper train would be great, something to look into for sure.
I’ve never tried riding a sleeper train before. Yours was quite an experience, and I’m glad to know you enjoyed the ride with your kids. 🙂
That is quite an adventure for those little guys. They are soooo cute, BTW!! Thank you for sharing that experience!
Sounds great but also sounds expensive both in time and money. I am tempted to ask how it compares to a cheap flight and a hotel room to sleep in in Scotland.
This sounds like it would be such an amazing time. I have never taken a trip on a train like this but it would be such an awesome adventure.
I’ve always love travelling by train! It must have been so fun for the little ones!
This looks like a great trip! My youngest is obsessed with trains, so I know he would love it. I’m in London once a year but haven’t made it to Edinburgh yet. This looks like a great way to get there!
Hi.
I loved so much your post. Our first trip with our baby was to Edimburgh and, it was so perfect. We just love Scotland and, your post made us remember so many good times!
A brilliant adventure! #BloggerClubUK
Omg, these kids… So cute little trip! I bet you had so much fun on the train!
Ive never been to Edinburgh but I would love to visit different parts of the country one day 🙂 I’ve also never heard of this type of train, looks like a great way to travel to me 🙂
That was a great review and something I haven’t really thought of. However, my daughters friend is at uni in Edinburgh so that could be a fun way to travel up there. Thanks. #bloggerclubuk
Edinburgh looks so stunning and it sounds like you had a lovely time. I would really love to visit the Christmas market.
The kids are so cute they look so really excited about the trip. It is a wonderful experience. Thank you for sharing.
I would love to visit Edinburgh and after reading your post, I know I am travelling by train 😀 It’s so beautiful to see the kids this way. Lovely photos!
That looks like a great comfortable trip, thanks for sharing your experience with Caledonian sleeper train.
You brought back very fond memories of visits to Edinburgh when I was a child with my parents. Apparently I once had a day at the castle where I nearly choked and then nearly fell off the castle walls and was saved by my knickers! Later, we went to the lovely railway hotels with my Dad’s work trips that they organised – I am right back there having read your post #BloggerClubUK
I have always wanted to sleep on a train
This sounds amazing! I bet it will beats flying LOL. your cabin looks so warm and comfy & seems you really had a great time
Aww this looks like such a cool little adventure. I don’t think my children even know sleeper trains exist, they would love it
I love travelling by sleeper train. My husband & I backpacked across North India by train almost 40 years ago, using sleeper trains to keep costs down. It was a great way to see more of the country. Then we repeated part of the trip with our kids 15 years later and they really enjoyed it. Although I was a bit disappointed that most of the old steam trains we had ridden on in 1980 had been replaced by diesel or electric trains, I still found it exciting to wake up and open the blinds to see different scenery: farmland, semi-desert or desert, buffaloes, camels and people going about daily life in the villages. I’ve also done several overnight journeys through Central and Western Europe and those were also great.
Hi, is on my bucket list and has been for a while, maybe next year. Glad to see it was child friendly #blogggerclubuk
That sounds fantastic! I’d love to go on a sleeper train! I’ve never thought too much about it, but it looks like a great experience. Maybe I’ll be able to take my little boy when he’s a little older (He’s only 4 months at the moment) 😊
Another fabulous adventure for the boys. Thanks for the excellent review.
Edinburgh is beautiful, i especially love the castle and camera obscura
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I am considering using the sleeper train but I was wondering where you go when you get to Edinburgh as it arrives before 5am. Did you have hotel access that early in the morning or did you do something else? any tips would be appreciated. Thanks 🙂
Hi Jane, thank you for your message. When we visited ours arrived in just before 8 am so we headed straight to the hotel to drop the bags off. I am sorry I can not recall the actual station very well but you will come out next to the park. You could walk up to the mile to see if any of the coffee shops are open but I doubt they open much before 6.30 if not later. I guess it depends if you are travelling during the working week. Edinburgh like any city has a large number of offices so you may find more things alive as such to cater for the commuters. Sorry I can not be of much more help.