Travelmonkey
Member
Trouble in 3s in other words, bit unfortunate for both TOCs & passengers, suppose Avanti couldn't reasonably deny ticket acceptance in that case
and those pushed onto day trains will be refunded at least,
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Caledonian Sleeper
- Thread starter Essexman
- Start date
and those pushed onto day trains will be refunded at least,
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What is the general consensus on the seated sleeper coach?
Are the seats comfortable enough to do Edinburgh - Euston?
Are the lights dimmed at all, as from the photos it looks rather bright...
I did it years ago on the Mk3 stock and I'd like to do it again, just out of nostalgia.
Are the seats comfortable enough to do Edinburgh - Euston?
Are the lights dimmed at all, as from the photos it looks rather bright...
I did it years ago on the Mk3 stock and I'd like to do it again, just out of nostalgia.
I slept pretty well but the mask helped with the lights. It was also a quiet coach with no annoyingly loud passengers.The seat is reasonable. For £35 I wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly surprised. Book an A seat as they are single seats, the BC seats are pairs so you can have stranger next to you
side effect
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From what I can remember the lights can't be dimmed and the seats are very uncomfortable. I struggled even doped up with sleeping tablets and tranqs.
It's the only way I would travel from Eus to Glc and beyond after reading the tweets of irate passengers travelling 3hr standing.
It's the only way I would travel from Eus to Glc and beyond after reading the tweets of irate passengers travelling 3hr standing.
They don't really recline enough, but they aren't uncomfortable as such. It really depends how well you sleep sitting fairly upright.
ABB125
Established Member
If you go into the journey not expecting much sleep, you'll be pleasantly surprised if you actually sleep very well.
A U-shape neck pillow can come in very handy when sleeping in seats, to stop your head flopping over and waking up with a very stiff any mildly painful neck. I have a cheap inflatable one, possibly the single most useful travel accessory I've ever bought (particularly as I'm a cheapskate, so I spend quite a few nights in seats on Interrail trips!).
xotGD
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The only way I can sleep in the seats on an overnight train is to spend the previous night wide awake in the seats on an overnight train.
alistairlees
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The "double"! Absolutely guaranteed success though.
That sounds like a good plan, I'll have to pick one up before I do the trip...
My plan would be to get the 6am train up to Glasgow from Lichfield, spend some time in Glasgow and Edinburgh then get the sleeper back down to Euston, so I'll be ready to sleep as soon as I get on board so it could work!
12LDA28C
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Plenty of decent places to go for a beer or two in Edinburgh which might help you get to sleep on the return journey!
(Looking at it from the other end).
If you have been to the Euston Flyer for a couple of beers of an evening, and woken up the next morning in Edinburgh, with a banging headache, you haven’t lived…
I'm not much of a beer drinker, I find it too heavy, but I do like a good Whisky, the last time I did the sleeper from Edinburgh, I found a little pub just off the Royal Mile for a couple of drams that set me up for the night, it had a really nice atmosphere and decent prices.
I've just tried finding it on Google Maps but had no look!
Give me some more clues and I’ll offer suggestions.
Oxfordblues
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I recommend the fabulous Guildford Arms in West Register Street, a short stagger from Waverley.
Found it, The Royal Mile, however it looks like it suffered a nasty fire last year.
I have travelled extensively overnight in Amtrak Coach class and their seats are very comfy, recline a lot which plenty of leg room and they dim the lights at night. It's a shame that European trains don't have the same level of seating comfort in their seating coaches.
alistairlees
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Try the Halfway House. It's all downhill from there to the station...
As someone else said, the Guildford Arms is usually good too.
12LDA28C
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Indeed. I was there a few weeks ago, a regular haunt of mine when in the city. The Bow Bar on the other side of the railway near the Royal Mile is also worth a look.
D6130
Established Member
....and in Glasgow!
All OK now I think.
There are lots of places nearby, which is best on a particular night depends to an extent on whether there is an orrible stag party or some good musicians. Other places to consider include The Doric and the Captain;s Bar.
Travelmonkey
Member
Usually I'm doing it opisite way round Train Lichfield to London to wake up in Scotland, by all accounts you'll probably get some sleep but not gonna be the best night's rest,
Although given the price they charge on the sleeper Avanti would charge you at least double that I'm sure,
To be fair, at around £35 with a railcard, weather I get any sleep or not, it's still a very good value way to travel.
Travelmonkey
Member
All else fails a good set of headphones and some podcasts and relax, I know I've got a Aberdeen>Crewe run soon in the seats although have a acsess twin and double in my future for a more horizontal journey
I did consider booking a room, but I can't bring myself to pay what they are asking!
185143
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Swap "Euston Flyer" for Euston Tap and I'll fully agree with lots of experience!
Scotrail84
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It's not value for money for what you're getting. Many many comments online relating to that.
BRX
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It's not as cut & dry as that at all. It depends on what you're paying and what you want or expect. I've travelled on it many times when I'd quite happily describe it as reasonable value for money.
And yet they are full (or nearly so) most nights. So some people clearly think they are value for money and a great experience. Many many comments on line relating to that, too.
Tazi Hupefi
On Moderation
The prices of hotels are extortionate these days, especially in the areas that the Caledonian Sleeper serves which are primarily business or tourist orientated.
For business travellers, the 10-12 hours they save by travelling by sleeper likely means they are more productive, the day before and day after, which is likely worth more than whatever the sleeper is charging.
It's the most subsidised train in the UK - it is a financial basket case and passengers are only paying a fraction of the actual cost. The Scottish government obviously sees that the subsidy enables wider economic and social benefits.
Spaceship323
Member
My wife and I want to go to Inverness, Premier Inn want £150 per night, the day train is £115 each one way, that's £380 so makes the sleeper cost exactly the same, plus we're there a day earlier. How can that not be value for money?