Didcot to Euston then Sleeper to Fort William.

[BML]

My wife and I would like to experience a journey on the Caledonian Sleeper to Fort William where we would like to stay for two days before returning to Didcot Parkway. However, I am extremely hard of hearing so trying to talk to a customer service operative at a busy station is out of the question. It would be most convenient were I to be able to buy tickets that would take me from Didcot Parkway across London to Euston and onto the Caledonian Sleeper. We are not sure if we should return by sleeper and wonder if sitting rather than lying down on such a return journey is advisable. Would anyone who has made such a journey care to offer their views.

 

[Deafdoggie]

I share your deafness! I don't know about a through fare, however using contactless on the tube is easy enough as you get visual confirmation on the readers. Apparently it beeps too. Alternatively if you have a disabled ENCTS bus pass it is valid (after 09.30 & before 23.00 on weekdays) on London buses. It doesn't, however, work the readers and you must show it to the driver. Most-but not all-will wave you on. The others can then be awkward to know what is going on!
Personally, if travelling back overnight, I'd take a berth. If coming back during the day obviously a seat is better.

 

[Watershed]

My wife and I would like to experience a journey on the Caledonian Sleeper to Fort William where we would like to stay for two days before returning to Didcot Parkway. However, I am extremely hard of hearing so trying to talk to a customer service operative at a busy station is out of the question. It would be most convenient were I to be able to buy tickets that would take me from Didcot Parkway across London to Euston and onto the Caledonian Sleeper. We are not sure if we should return by sleeper and wonder if sitting rather than lying down on such a return journey is advisable. Would anyone who has made such a journey care to offer their views.

Whilst you can buy through tickets from Didcot to Fort William and use them on the sleeper, this is likely to cost quite a bit more, as you will have to buy a berth supplement unless you want to 'slum' it in the seats. The berth supplement is priced at somewhat of a premium.

I really wouldn't recommend doing the sleeper in the seats, unless your budget is very tight. Even with the new trains which now operate the sleeper, it's still going to be a very uncomfortable night - exacerbated by the fact that face coverings are still mandatory in Scotland, so you wouldn't even be permitted to take them off overnight. Of course, you may be exempt, in which case that wouldn't be a consideration.

So it's probably best to buy two separate tickets - one from Didcot to London and another just for the sleeper. The latter can best be booked on Caledonian Sleeper's website, which includes a berth selector so you can choose where in the train/carriage you want to be.

This way you can also take advantage of the Advance fares (inclusive of both the journey and the berth) which Caledonian Sleeper offer, which are much better value than the berth supplements.

On the way back south, if you take day trains, you should also be able to get Advance tickets, albeit these are now released much closer to the date of travel than in previous years. For that, you're probably best off searching www.trainsplit.com to see what ticket(s) it suggests. Try both searching to London and to Didcot and that should give an indication as to whether it's worth your while buying a return ticket from Didcot, or just a single.

 

[bangor-toad]

Hi,
My preference for such a trip would be to take the Sleeper service to Fort William and then to catch a daytime service back.

The reason is that the sleeper is an experience worth doing. There's something special about the journey and waking up and seeing the landscape of Scotland is fablous.
The day train on the way back lets you see far more of the scenery throughout the whole journey. You'll only get to see the Lake District pass by on the daytime trains.

If your budget isn't too restricted, what about a 1st class advance for daytime train to London?

Have a great trip,
Mr Toad

 

[Western Sunset]

I share your deafness! I don't know about a through fare, however using contactless on the tube is easy enough as you get visual confirmation on the readers. Apparently it beeps too. Alternatively if you have a disabled ENCTS bus pass it is valid (after 09.30 & before 23.00 on weekdays) on London buses. It doesn't, however, work the readers and you must show it to the driver. Most-but not all-will wave you on. The others can then be awkward to know what is going on!
Personally, if travelling back overnight, I'd take a berth. If coming back during the day obviously a seat is better.

I've never had any problem using my ENCTS pass on any London buses.

 

[Alfonso]

Once you're in Fort William it's well worth considering taking a bus/coach along the lineof the Caledonian canal, and along the shore of loch Ness to Inverness, then taking the train home from there

 

[alistairlees]

When are you planning on going? This is important from a "how much will you see in daylight" point of view, on various train options.

I last went to Fort William on the sleeper in May 2019, using the sleeper both ways. The scenery and the experience was excellent, and riding through the mountains after dawn in one direction, and as the sun sets in the other is extremely enjoyable.

The sleeper is going to be extremely busy this year. Some dates are already sold out. You would be well advised to book soon and, if you can, to be flexible about your travel dates. Thursdays and Fridays nothbound, as well as any date in a school holiday / around a bank holiday, are extremely busy and priced accordingly.

 

[AlterEgo]

Once you're in Fort William it's well worth considering taking a bus/coach along the lineof the Caledonian canal, and along the shore of loch Ness to Inverness, then taking the train home from there

A fine idea and something I often do. The Chieftain southbound from Inverness is very civilised too.

 

[PeterC]

I've never had any problem using my ENCTS pass on any London buses.

I once had a driver insist that I touched in and then wave me on when it didn't work. Otherwise I have just marched on confidently holding up the pass without a problem.