I've done both seated and bed on the sleeper a few times and I've not really ever had a good sleep in the seats. The temperature has always been fine and the seat cushions are good but the backs aren't well padded. I've never not slept in the cabins however if you get one above the wheels sets at the end of each coach the noise and vibration isnt great......
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Caledonian Sleeper
- Thread starter Essexman
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I struggled to sleep in the seats, but I can struggle to sleep anywhere at times!
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
An overnight journey is to me an adventure, but if I want to be awake to do work the next day the only viable option is a flight or day train and a hotel.
Similarly I can't sleep on planes (however good a class of accommodation I'm in) so I'd always choose, if I had the option, economy and a day off to recover over business/first if the journey was for work purposes.
Similarly I can't sleep on planes (however good a class of accommodation I'm in) so I'd always choose, if I had the option, economy and a day off to recover over business/first if the journey was for work purposes.
Only thing you can really do is to try it out and see. Some folk could happily sleep on a rock. Others would barely sleep a wink if ensconced within The Lanesborough – the Royal Suite. Price: from £26,750 per night (min 3 nights stay).
side effect
Member
- Joined
- 20 Jul 2015
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- 242
I found them very uncomfortable even with sleeping tablets but I wouldn't pay £200 for a bed. Might as well take the day off if you can.
What icf are you West Ham or the Gers.
What icf are you West Ham or the Gers.
Tetragon213
Member
I've slept just fine in a Night Riviera bunk, but I've heard some... "unflattering" (and likely filtered) comments about Cally's Mk5 stock, usually appended by the comment about how CAF stands for "Cheap As F..." (though I prefer "Call a Fitter"!)
I do, however, sleep with earplugs as a matter of course, worth noting.
I do, however, sleep with earplugs as a matter of course, worth noting.
Harlequinuk
On Moderation
Khalani Ghost Hunter - an American spending alot of time in the UK, took the CS on a trip from London to Scotland, he wasnt overly impressed by the cost and the `comfort` in the sleeping car
Western Gaffer
Member
What's the significance of his opinion?
BRX
Established Member
- Joined
- 20 Oct 2008
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- 4,477
The ride is a little bit more clattery than the mk3s but the beds are more comfortable. Overall it's basically ok.
leightonbd
Member
The big negative about the Edinburgh/ Glasgow sleepers is that the train doesn’t depart till nearly midnight. Not many people will get a decent sleep between then and all the morning activity on the train (the split at Carstairs, for example). Plus, in the seats, no shower in the morning (though your office may have one?).
After a few tries, I decided never to use the sleeper, even with a bed, from Scotland south (on the way to work) but I’m happy to do so in the opposite direction, i.e. when a broadly free day lies ahead.
After a few tries, I decided never to use the sleeper, even with a bed, from Scotland south (on the way to work) but I’m happy to do so in the opposite direction, i.e. when a broadly free day lies ahead.
Well, that's why you can board about 1h15m before departure...
Whilst I get the Highlander down, I tend to get the Lowlander back to Scotland and then spend the day in the office rather than my usual WfH.
I am normally fast asleep long before the Lowlander departs (helped along nicely by a couple of beers from the Euston Tap - other drinking establishments are available).
This also gives me pretty much a full evening in London after whatever event or meeting I'm down for. Plenty of time to socialise with friends.
Am I a bit tired the next day in the office? Yes, but nothing that some caffeine can't overcome and well worth it for the extended leisure time in London.
I know that for me the issue is that I want to enjoy the novelty of the journey, which stops me sleeping well, which makes me not enjoy it!
LickeyIncliner
Member
There are showers at Waverley and Euston - I believe also at Glasgow Central
leightonbd
Member
Yes, but good luck getting to sleep before then. Even with beers.
Showers: as someone else asked - if you’re in the seats, you’re searching for a shower elsewhere other than on the train - ironic, really.
Same in the classic rooms...
xotGD
Established Member
- Joined
- 4 Feb 2017
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- 7,807
The only way I can sleep on an overnight train is if I spent the previous night wide awake on an overnight train. Even then, it isn't guaranteed.
ruaival
Member
As the weekly Caledonian Sleeper lowlander passenger focus rep' in 2005/6 on the Edinburgh Lowlander ...
I achieved a comfortable enough Sunday night's sleep to do a day's work on Monday ... provided that I stayed awake to experience the Carstairs coupling with Glasgow portion after safe passage past the local state hospital (a nervousness shared by 90's policitians of Donald Dewar's generation) ... and didn't travel North until Thursday or Friday.
On the one occasion (in 1996/7) when I rode the Aberdeen highlander South then North on two consecutive nights, I was "truly bushed" when I arrived offshore later on day 3 in the Forties field. One night per working week was my conclusion.
It’s a long time since I did a night train in the seats, but I remember the experience being not dissimilar to a red eye flight back across the Atlantic. Not much sleep, and what sleep there is in fits and starts. Then you wake up near London at some ungodly hour and think about nothing but your bed for the rest of the day.
hexagon789
Veteran Member
Presumably related to the signalling issues still affecting trains through the area?
Tetragon213
Member
I do believe, however, that even with a room supplement, a shower token is about £10 a pop.
Wigan Disruption 20/8/25
Does anybody know the nature of the Signalling problem that is currently causing problems in/around Wigan Northwestern area at the moment? Looks like its going to be causing problems until 12:00 at the earliest so it must be something major that's happened. I know earlier it was even affecting...
www.railforums.co.uk
Looks likely to be the reason why.
Cloud Strife
Established Member
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- 25 Feb 2014
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- 2,962
I've always wondered if they couldn't find a way to allow earlier boarding. Would it really be impossible outwith London to offer it?
gordonjahn
Member
- Joined
- 23 Oct 2010
- Messages
- 146
Tried that... very loud announcement in the berths shortly before departure after getting a 9 year old in bed and whilst nearly asleep myself.
Since that's the way it works, it should really only be used in emergency / in the morning when you need to be getting off - it should just be quiet at night or the intention isn't that you can be asleep before departure!
3rd rail land
Member
What is the announcement just before departure? A welcome onboard, we are calling at these stations type announcement or something genuinely important that needs to be announced?
Well it depends on your definition of comfortable!
I cannot sleep well sat upright at all. Even if you gave me some memory foam seat, I wouldn't sleep well sat upright.
I have however taken a lot of overnight transport where I've had to sleep upright.
I find the CS seats perfectly comfortable. I too find heat much worse than cold, especially when sleeping. You can always take a blanket or sleeping bag, but you can't cool down when it's too hot really. The recline isn't much, but frankly it isn't on any train or plane unless it's going to fold down into a bed. The seats themselves are comfy enough with headrests etc.
One thing I would point out is that nothing really stops you sleeping on the floor. Because I can't sleep well upright, I got into the habit of waiting until the final pickup point had passed, then going to sleep in the corner in the wheelchair area. I used to take it for hiking trips so I often had a sleeping bag which helped, but I sleep fine pretty much anywhere as long as I'm lying down not sat upright. Nobody will care, even staff, and almost everybody will be asleep anyway so who cares.
How late would it require to be in order to impact upon the punctual departure of the southbound departure?
matchmaker
Established Member
Inverness portion was apparently delayed by a fatality near Stirling.