Sleeper to Pitlochry - what to do so early?

[Backroom_boy]

I've booked the sleeper to Pitlochry next month for an afternoon thing.

But realised we'll get thrown out about 06.20, at least a couple of hours before usual places open.

Any suggestions of places with early openings or similar?

 

[Iskra]

Why not just continue up the line to a place where something interests you, or things will be open, then travel back enjoying the scenery? It will be the same price as what you’ve paid with CS anyway but just run it by the staff onboard to ensure they are okay with it? You would then get more sleep too. You would obviously need to pay for a ticket back to Pitlochry however.

 

[Backroom_boy]

Thats not a bad idea.... thanks!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

You would obviously need to pay for a ticket back to Pitlochry however.

Quite an expensive option that! An Anytime Day Single from, say, Kingussie back to Pitlochry is something like £26.80. Slightly more if from Aviemore or Inverness. Wouldn't recommend doubling back from Dalwhinnie, Newtonmore or Carrbridge due to the paucity of services after the Northbound sleeper has called.

 

[Iskra]

Quite an expensive option that! An Anytime Day Single from, say, Kingussie back to Pitlochry is something like £26.80. Slightly more if from Aviemore or Inverness. Wouldn't recommend doubling back from Dalwhinnie, Newtonmore or Carrbridge due to the paucity of services after the Northbound sleeper has called.

Appreciated, but for extra time in bed, being warm and dry it may be worth it. Obviously, it’s the OP’s decision to make.

However, if you’re on the Caledonian Sleeper, you probably aren’t too price sensitive in the first place…

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Maybe best then if the OP were to stay on the sleeper all the way to Inverness. Arrival there is 0845 giving maybe a couple of hours in Inverness. Trains (with Scotrail) back from Inverness at 0942 and 1050 (arriving back into Pitlochry at either 1126 or 1226).

 

[Iskra]

Quite an expensive option that! An Anytime Day Single from, say, Kingussie back to Pitlochry is something like £26.80. Slightly more if from Aviemore or Inverness. Wouldn't recommend doubling back from Dalwhinnie, Newtonmore or Carrbridge due to the paucity of services after the Northbound sleeper has called.

Also, I thought Anytime tickets didn’t exist anymore within Scotland?

 

[hexagon789]

Also, I thought Anytime tickets didn’t exist anymore within Scotland?

They are still sold, but are the same price as the Off-Peak equivalent now.

It is the Off-Peak types that will eventually be withdrawn anyway.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Also, I thought Anytime tickets didn’t exist anymore within Scotland?

They are all that Scotrail are offering on most Southbound trains from Inverness to Pitlochry.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd go with staying on. As you don't really get a discount for a shorter Sleeper trip the guard will probably let you if you ask, just need to get a ticket back.

 

[Backroom_boy]

I'd go with staying on. As you don't really get a discount for a shorter Sleeper trip the guard will probably let you if you ask, just need to get a ticket back.

Its still over a month away, would it be easy to change my ticket and make it 'official'?

 

[cactustwirly]

Its still over a month away, would it be easy to change my ticket and make it 'official'?

If it's an advance should be £10 admin fee + price difference

 

[alistairlees]

If it's an advance should be £10 admin fee + price difference

There is no feature for the OP to change their destination. There is no fee or difference to pay.

The OP should contact the Guest Service Centre to inform them of what they would like to do; the GSC will add a note to their reservation, which will be visible to the the on-train host. The OP should then remind the on-train host of this when they board (for breakfast timing reasons, chiefly).

 

[Iskra]

They are still sold, but are the same price as the Off-Peak equivalent now.

It is the Off-Peak types that will eventually be withdrawn anyway.

Thanks for the explanation

 

[Backroom_boy]

So in the end I just asked on the platform to stay in to Aviemore and is was absolutely fine (the main issue is making sure your breakfast is at the right time.)

Other points

Lounge at Euston really is a destination only if you have to, probably best in a local pub till boarding time.

This is my seventh sleeper experience and at least the fifth bad actually sleep ive had. I think i should just face it that im not going to sleep well on them but the Mark 5 coaches seem particularly rattly. No shunting between coaches though so the close coupling works.