Rannoch - Glasgow by Caledonian Sleeper

[GlitterUnicorn]

Hi

I'm planning a hiking trip ending probably at Rannoch Station. As I'll probably miss the last Scotrail train, I'd like to take the Caledonian Sleeper south to Dalmuir (for Glasgow).

Is there any requirement to book? As I don't know my date of travel, or if I'll be on this train or an earlier one, I'd prefer to just turn up and go. Can I simply board at Rannoch?

I also can't seem to find any option to book on the CS website - can I buy a ticket on the Scotrail website or is there another method?

 

[HighlandStorm]

You can book the sleeper for such a journey on the ScotRail website or app. You can't book internal Scottish journeys on the sleeper website.

 

[GlitterUnicorn]

You can book the sleeper for such a journey on the ScotRail website or app. You can't book internal Scottish journeys on the sleeper website.

Thanks - is a booking necessary?

 

[185143]

Thanks - is a booking necessary?

Yes, CS are reservation only.

Buy a flexible ticket with a reservation on the Sleeper, if you make the last ScotRail service then just get on that. As long as you don't buy an advance for the sleeper, having the reservation does not tie you to it.

 

[GlitterUnicorn]

Yes, CS are reservation only.

Buy a flexible ticket with a reservation on the Sleeper, if you make the last ScotRail service then just get on that. As long as you don't buy an advance for the sleeper, having the reservation does not tie you to it.

Thanks for confirming.

I do wonder if they’d leave someone wbehind at somewhere like Rannoch or Corrour if they didn’t have a reservation? Not a good place to be stuck.

 

[Hadders]

I do wonder if they’d leave someone wbehind at somewhere like Rannoch or Corrour if they didn’t have a reservation? Not a good place to be stuck.

They're unlikely to leave you behind if there is an unreserved seat between Corrour and Glasgow but if all the seats are reserved then they could deny boarding as the service is compulsory reservation.

I think obtaining a seat reservation would be well worth it.

 

[GlitterUnicorn]

They're unlikely to leave you behind if there is an unreserved seat between Corrour and Glasgow but if all the seats are reserved then they could deny boarding as the service is compulsory reservation.

I think obtaining a seat reservation would be well worth it.

To be clear, I would make a reservation if I planned or thought I might use it. I’m just curious about how strict they are, as I know of people missing their train on that line.

 

[xotGD]

If nobody had reserved, might the train go through non-stop?

 

[Bill57p9]

If nobody had reserved, might the train go through non-stop?

Not at Rannoch as it is a token exchange point (TEP) that can't be skipped with a long section token, but potentially at other booked stops. Glasgow Queen Street is the most prominent example where it may be bypassed completely (and is now booked to be southbound other than Sunday evenings).

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Not at Rannoch as it is a token exchange point (TEP) that can't be skipped with a long section token, but potentially at other booked stops. Glasgow Queen Street is the most prominent example where it may be bypassed completely (and is now booked to be southbound other than Sunday evenings).

They still wouldn't necessarily release the doors if nobody was booked would they?

 

[The exile]

You can book the sleeper for such a journey on the ScotRail website or app. You can't book internal Scottish journeys on the sleeper website.

What is the procedure for "reservation only" booking internal Scottish journeys on the CS (seating)? As I'm only doing a short journey I don't mind paying the single fare on top of the rover if it's too much of a faff, but if it's easy I might as well save the money!