Is THIS the Best Sleeper Train in the UK? Onboard the Caledonian Sleeper (Aberdeen to London)

Following my previous journey on the Night Riviera sleeper last year, I thought I'd take a look at the other alternative in the UK - the Caledonian Sleeper to see how it stacks up in terms of accommodation, facilities and value for money.
In this video, I'll give you a detailed tour of the 'Club Room' cabin along with a trip to the lounge car to see what that's got to offer and a quick look at the seated accommodation too. We'll check out the en-suite toilet/shower, the accessible toilet and the breakfast in the morning. After considering all the afore-mentioned facilities, we will ask the question 'is this the best sleeper service in the UK'?
Well, I'll let you be the judge of that, but please feel free to leave your comments below. I look forward to reading them and, as always guys,
Cheers for now!
Mark
🔴 Ko-fi page and shop here: ko-fi.com/letsmakeatrip
🔵 Instagram trip pics: / lets_makeatrip
🔶 Twitter: / lets_makeatrip
🔴 Facebook Page Link: / letsmakeatripwithms
🚄 #railtravel ✈️ #flightreport 🚌 #coachtrip ⛴ #ferrytravel 🚎 #urbantransport 🎲 #random
#letsmakeatrip
Picture Credits:
Map: OpenStreetMap (route added)
www.openstreetmap.org/
📖Chapters
00:00 - Intro
02:13 - Club Room facilities tour
05:43 - Lounge Car
06:07 - Whiskey Tasting
08:48 - The Journey Begins
09:48 - Food, Accommodation and Price Guide
12:20 - Accessible Toilet Review
14:09 - The Next Day (shower and breakfast)
17:28 - Arrival into Euston and Summary

[@mortalclown3812]

I miss the UK and wish I'd moved there ages ago. Great people, lovely country. Peace on your path.🌍🔭💫

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers and thanks for the comment.

[@mq5888]

Myself and my partner did the seated sleeper last year on our way down to London to catch a flight. Actually have to say we were very impressed with them. Comfortable, good recline, and the journey from glasgow to london was really smooth. When we get the chance we are going to take a room and give that a try out. Love your videos :)

[@AdventureswithTrains]

The only story I have heard about Sleeper services during the days of British Rail, came from my Grandfather who worked for British Rail. A sleeper service coming down from Scotland, suffered so many delays and hold ups due to failed engines and other incidents on the journey down, traffic controllers simply sent it straight to carriage sidings. It was not until a yard worker saw people emerging from the carriages still in their nightwear, that it was discovered the train had been left in the sidings with passengers still on board. The whole incident had to be covered up with gracisous acts of customer service inluding fees paid for taxis. I myself am booked to ride on the Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston to Fort William in July.

[@johnclements8534]

The sleeper links up with the fort william and inverness at edinburgh at 1am

[@RB-xl1nd]

Under the mark 3's I used to regularly use the sleeper over day trains. It was comfortable and affordable. All you really need. 2 trips on the mark 5's, one trip delayed by 13.5 hours, and with seating costing as much as a bunk used to, I can't see the improvement. I don't need WiFi when sleeping and it wasn't really working when it was daylight. Beds in Mark 5 are smaller. Staff service is still good. Basically this rdis a luxury cruise rather than a regular commuter product. It's not a bad product but it is aimed at a different market. I am sure a lot of people will use it as,a "one-off" experience. I just miss the affordable and reliable service prior to the "improvements".

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, I generally agree with these sentiments. One of my best trips ever was on the old rolling stock up to Fort William. Yes it was showing it’s age a bit but no one seemed to mind. In those days you had the ‘bargain berths’ too if you were lucky enough to bag one of those. One of the main plus points with the mk 5’s now is en-suite rooms but yes, you don’t half pay for it! Like you said, for me, it’s now a one off and I pity those who use it regularly (or used to). Thanks very much for the comment. Mark 😊👍

[@sweepy8467]

Nice to see this route done from Scotland to London. Most KZbinrs do it the other way around.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 😊👍

[@neilcoram3495]

Looked like a great trip. Did sleeper to Inverness about 8 years. It really is a great way to travel. Didnt return on the sleeper but on the once daily direct service to KGX. 0755.

[@edwardbroomhead4463]

I think a few of those whiskeys Mark and you could do a night on the seats 🤣 Looked like a great trip all told!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, thanks Edward! Since that trip, I've spent a couple of good nights up in Orkney drinking Whiskey so I've definitely got a taste for it now and yes, I would tend to agree it may well have got me through a night on the seats. Maybe that's what everyone else was doing! Cheers, Mark

[@owenbutcher1954]

Excellent thanks 😊

[@218colin1]

Good video thanks for sharing

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Colin, many thanks for the kind words. Cheers 😊👍

[@danielstripreports]

Great video mate, really enjoyed

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hey cheers Daniel, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@wavecreatures]

Another great video!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Phil, thanks for your support as always 👍😊

[@neilcrooks5516]

Great video

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Neil 😊👍

[@simonwhitlock9189]

Another great video of a journey that I hope to take myself one day, all looked very comfortable, looking forward to your next offering so stay safe, cheers.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Simon. Yes I would recommend it, but I would also recommend the Night Riviera too. I think they’re both good in their own way. Cheers 😊👍

[@simonwhitlock9189]

@@LetsMakeaTrip I have been on the Night Riviera and was most impressed had a great journey.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@simonwhitlock9189 yes, older stock but comfortable - especially the lounge car.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

As someone else said, you don’t get shunted out of bed in the middle of the morning either!

[@formidable38]

An excellent and very imformative video! I've heard so many mixed experiances on the CS, looks like you had a good trip where everything worked properly. I will deffinately give it a go one day but i think its important to go into it with an open mind and take it as it comes. Ive done the GW Night Riviera in the old stock that great western use and thought it was great.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

cheers F38 - appreciate the comment. Yep, it did all work ok (this time). But before I started doing this KZbin stuff, I had a previous experience on the new one which was really poor. And prior to that, a trip on the old one up to Fort William in the snow which was an absolutely unforgettable experience! The open minded approach - yep, I like your style!

[@Kenleaty]

If you take a UV light with you, you could see what the score really is regarding how well things are being cleaned....but would you want to 🤔

[@salvatorediprima943]

We’re booked on this trip in 3 weeks time,great video,club room looks decent and breakfast looks very filling

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, pretty good overall. Have a great trip 😊👍

[@jorgestravels]

Great video, and great journey. I did travel by night train a couple of times between Lisbon and Madrid in my twenties on the seats. They where ok but you can never really sleep a lot and not really that confortably either. I then did it again later on the bunk beds and it was definitely better even if I had to share a cabin with 3 other strangers.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes the only time I’ve shared a cabin with strangers was from Paris to Latour a few years back and I did wonder how I’d get on. Funnily enough, it was one of the better nights sleep I’ve had. Also travelling across the US on the Californian Zephyr was fine in the seats, but they’re big seats on that and I didn’t have that much cash in those days so it was the only option really. Great experience though! Cheers 😊👍

[@busesofthenw7706]

Great video, the Caledonian Sleeper is a service I'm definitely doing at some point in the future.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers, yes definitely worth doing but try the Night Riviera too - I reckon that maybe just shades it for the price 👍

[@johnridpeath1728]

Nice video m8

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks John.

[@mabelode7891]

That's one trip I would really like to take. Maybe later this year, surprised the shower worked though, thought Cal Sleeper had issues with pressure and temperature. Anyway great vid, good review keep em coming. o7

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks for the comment, appreciated 😊👍

[@antonymerlyn539]

Another great review. In my experience of c10 trips on the CS, consistency is an issue - too often unreliable food offering, variable quality of staff friendliness and train faults. If they can get the reliability of those factors sorted it could be a journey to really look forward to!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Antony. I will be interested to see what happens when Serco stop running it. Probably worth another review I think 🤔👍

[@BevMattocks]

Best review I've watched of the Sleeper service. Thank you. (Laughed at the bit about the "massive baby" on the baby change unit in the toilets. 😁) PS I expected Kings Cross not Euston??

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Bev, thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoyed it. The baby changing thing is a bit of a running joke in my videos so if you’re inclined to watch any more, you’ll come across it more than once! Cheers 😊👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Oh they all go into Euston btw, not KX. They run down the West Coast Mainline.

[@BevMattocks]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Thanks! Love your videos :)

[@royhorn9412]

I think you might have rather ruined the whiskey. Drink it neat with no ice. Yummy. Great video btw.

[@gemmarie7683]

Been looking forward to this one since you said you were going. Another great video. What did your partner make of it too?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed it. Yes I think Jo enjoyed seeing what I get up to and she’s been on the Calsleeper before (when it was not such a good experience) so was pleased like me to see it had improved. It’s a bit cheaper with two of us going as well 😂

[@enricomonti156]

I travelled twice on sleeper trains, once between Rome and Genoa and once between Bologna and Rome. And i can't commend how safe and efficient they were, particularly cause they were patrolled by police. Yet I remember when I travelled between Bologna and Rome (on my way back to Malta), there was a bit of an argument between the staff and a passenger who could not board the train due to not being fully vaccinated (a condition which was mandatory between December 2021 and March 2022). Then he was told that he could do a COVID test the following morning and travel by local trains the following day. Yet, I'd love to travel on those in the UK

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Enrico, I wanted to do the Milan - Catania sleeper a couple of years back, booked it as well until Cvid came along! I’ll get there one day!

[@enricomonti156]

@@LetsMakeaTrip there is the sleeper and it travels as far as Syracuse too (make sure you visit Ortigia as well). I travelled on a day train however between Naples and Sicily not on a sleeper

[@spacy7test812]

nice video

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks 😊

[@RobRob5656]

Beautiful train movie! Greeting from Japan. 🐾😁😁👍🙌💓💓💕 💕🐾😊😊😍😍👏😀

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hello Japan (I would love to visit there one day!). Thank you very much for the comment 😊👍

[@craiglogistics2092]

Nice to see the missus making a camio appearance

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

She’s enjoying the fame 😂😂

[@Sam-bz1hr]

want to get on the sleeper ! as we get a reduced rail staff "priv rate" but it is always full when I try to book lol

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Sam, maybe book well in advance for winter and you’ll get more availability. I went up to Fort William then and the snow-covered Rannoch Moor was an amazing experience. Unforgettable 👍

[@paulfox1210]

Another top video, thanks Mark. Wd be good to know how much you paid (each) for that trip so we get an idea of the overall value.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Paul. Club room cost £175 for two 👍

[@tomhami]

Nice video. My choice of best UK sleeper would be the Cornish sleeper. GWR excellently refurbished the old BR mk 2 carriages that are smoother and quieter the the Spanish built mk 5's. Also very affordable.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, much better price-wise. I think a lot prefer the old style coaches - I wonder if the CalSleeper would have been more popular had it retained it’s old stock. That said, the rooms on the new trains are nice - especially the ensuites. Not much in the way of bargain fares anymore though sadly.

[@prof.hectorholbrook4692]

Mk3 Sleepers. BR never commissioned a Mk2 Sleeper. Big specification difference.

[@chicoingles1]

Hi there Mark - great channel. I’m thinking about doing this trip with the wife and my daughter next year (she will be 2) as have never been to Scotland before. I’m thinking about the ‘Lowlander’ route to Edinburgh as it seems like a beautiful city. Had to laugh about the baby changing table - I hope she is toilet training by then - any advice? What are the meal options? Are there any toddler/children-friendly meals? Thanks.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Chico, thanks for the kind words - much appreciated. My advice would be to book a Club room rather than the Classic. Sometimes they are not much more expensive and you get your own toilet/shower plus breakfast. I don’t know about kids options for meals tbh but I did this trip about three years ago before I was doing KZbin stuff and you get into Edinburgh quite early. So you can always go and find a local cafe for breakfast I guess. Personally, I would take the Highlander to Fort William or Inverness for better scenery and longer on the train. Good luck with it whatever you decide 😊👍

[@chicoingles1]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Thanks a lot Mark for the detailed reply - I will look into the options and make an informed decision!

[@robharris5245]

I have done the overnight coach London to Edinburgh many years ago. I hardly slept but it was cheap

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’ll be doing that this week Rob. All I can say is I hope it’s better than my last one!

[@mr-wx3lv]

That actually looks nice for what it is. I have to say there's something romantic about long distance train journeys. £400 though for the top flight accommodation!!... I can fly to Africa for that amount....ok not so comfortably maybe. But I would have a go on that if needed...👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I know, that double bed I reckon is great for a solo traveller too if you can afford it! Put it this way, if I can grow the channel by another 40,000 subs, I’ll do it! 😂

[@travelbuzz1]

Cheers for a great video, Mark. In answer to your question, no it's not even the best sleeper train in Scotland. I did the return leg a couple of years ago and went Classic, carefully choosing a cabin in the middle of the coach to be able to sleep (after hearing complaints). Then, when I checked in at Euston, was told that there was no water in my cabin and they'd moved me to a Club (en-suite) instead... at the end of the coach 🙄 So, I hardly got any sleep - and avoided the shower as the water never got more than tepid. I will try the Night Riviera at some point, though 🙂

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks TB, when you do the Night Riviera, you’ll find it more akin to the old Caledonian Sleeper which I miss and, although it was a bit rough round the edges, was a lovely service. I’m glad I did it before it went. Too many recurring issues with the new stock though I think it’s improving. Worst thing though - the price. No bargain berths anymore sadly!

[@raibeart1955]

Whiskey murderer! 😂 All the best to you and yours. Rab

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, cheers Rab! Any whiskey suggestions, please let me know 😊

[@raibeart1955]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Hi, The only thing to put in a whiskey is another one. Seriously though try it with no ice, just a teaspoonful of water is all you would need if you find it a bit too harsh. Give it a try and it is amazing how just a teaspoon of water will mellow it.Any more will ruin the overall flavour. Whisky is a drink to sip and savour no matter what eadjits may say. Slainte Mhath. Rab

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@raibeart1955 well I ended up in a hostel on Papa Westray drinking Highland Park and that was as you describe it. And I really enjoyed it. Best thing was - zero hangover in the morning 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@joethelyon8433 cheers Joe - great comment. I only wish I’d been making KZbin videos a bit earlier and recorded my trip to FW on the old sleeper. Such an amazing experience in the snow. Great memories 😊👍

[@tennysonfordblackbird2087]

Lot better than mega bus .😇

[@derisleybrittain]

Excellent video 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹👍👍👍👍🥂🥂🥂🥂🍾🍾🍾🥳🥳🥳🥳🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks mate 😊😊😊😊🚆🚆🚆🚆🚆🚆🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃

[@baseballfan99]

The seating on Amtrak trains are much better for sleeping on,especially if you can snag 2 seats) and are more akin to the old style business class seats. Such a shame that Amtrak has drastically cut their meal offerings to basic paid for microwave snacks for coach customers and microwave meals for sleeper passengers. I used to love eating in the delicious meals in the restaurant car (extra cost) for the price of a seat I could sleep in.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I seem to recall the seats were massive on the superliner's - really wide. But that was back in the early 2000's and i'm not sure if they've changed much since then although it seems like the meals have. I remember having a lovely meal on the Lake Shore Limited going up to Chicago one evening. Properly cooked and good value but again like I say, that was over 20 years ago now and we're currently living in a world of cutbacks unfortunately!

[@amenerstugard1894]

It is SUCH A SHAME that the UK railways are SO INSANELY EXPENSIVE to use - any class anywhere. My full family just loves trains, but we are only using buses OR OUR OWN CARS! Such a shame. But thank you for the excellent video! Appreciated.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Amener, yep the cal sleeper is expensive but you can still get some good advance bargains and if I were you, give the ‘family & friends’ railcard a try. Could work out cheaper than the car?

[@gerrylewis5281]

Look, you are a train FGS. Of course you are going to get noise etc. It beats driving by car from Scotland to London. It beats a cheap coach option where you are cramped into a seat surrounded by other people who are equally uncomfortable. Or you can opt for a flight to Heathrow that costs more than a flight to Italy, and is still uncomfortable. I have tried all of these options and I now go for the overnight train. Maybe as an ex squaddie I can put up with the lack of luxury. But to arrive at my destination feeling relaxed is what I pay for.

[@garystorey]

I've just watched a video on the Japanese 7 star sleeper and it's a real shame we don't up the game a little bit and make experiences like this something special. Wipe clean, plastic covered MDF and hospital sinks don't really do it for me

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, I get what you mean Gary. Not much choice in the UK though is there. I preferred the old one in a way. Yes it was a bit threadbare but it had loads of character.

[@ecologist_to_be]

Makes me feel a bit claustrophobic seeing how narrow the corridors and small the rooms are!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Sarah, yep I think the double room is better for space - if you can afford it!

[@Bungle2010]

It's on a train.....

[@iainjones5002]

What do you expect on a Sleeper train? A Hotel sized bedroom? The design of these sleeper trains is a throwback to original train designs dating back decades, where the corridor access was along one side of the carriage, and seating arranged into compartments alongside, seating about six people with a sliding door to separate yourself from the corridor. Whilst the Sleeper trains have been modernised over the decades, the same structural design remains, as how else could a Sleeper cabin be incorporated in any other design unless in a Double Sized cabin. But larger sized accomodation would likely cost more, not to mention, reduce the overall occupancy levels and revenue expectations.

[@ICanPlayPiano]

Mark, why don't you launch a whisky tasting channel and call it Slàinte For Now? I seriously thou ght you were giving Jilly Goolden a good run for her money at one time!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, well it would need to be called ‘I haven’t got a clue what I’m talking about tbh! Like most of my other stuff, whiskey falls into the ‘try anything once’ category! Cheers 😊👍

[@michaelstaley2241]

It’s a long way; but I would imagine very tiring excellent experience…

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes it is a long way. Depends if you’re in a proper bed and whether you’re a light sleeper or not I think.

[@rumwilliam2767]

What was the price on this sir

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Price guides detailed in video.

[@rumwilliam2767]

@@LetsMakeaTrip yup they sure are

[@user-bk2ff4cg9e]

WHISKY for Scottish whisky WHISKEY for Irish whiskey

[@panderjitsinghvv8199]

Berths shouldn’t be perpendicular to the direction of travel as they were when I rode that train. The train rocks from side to side constantly making it difficult to sleep soundly. I’d have been better off in standard seat.

[@Bungle2010]

But then they'd have to make the rooms bigger............

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’d like to try the Amtrak roomettes because of this. Just to see whether I would get a better nights sleep.

[@pmb9172]

This is brand new stock and some of the design is poor , to the extent you wonder if those responsible had much experience of travelling on sleepers . The idea of a double bed is appealing the cost not so much . Make a comparison to Rome-Sicily sleeper where the best double cabin (single beds) with properly separate loo and shower can be had for 89 Euro per person against £350 at best . However where the Caley scores is restaurant car , nothing on the Italian . Serco has handed the franchise back to Scots govt so I am wondering if there will be a dumbing down of the service , hopefully not .

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi P, yep, I have lots to say about the Cal sleeper but totally price-wise it’s just quite ridiculous and maybe after Serco it’ll be a bit cheaper but I’m not holding my breath tbh. I mean, I remember the days of ‘bargain berths’ and ok the old sleeper was a bit rough round the edges and the dining car was old fashioned but I had one of my best travel experiences in there heading across Rannoch Moor in the snow on the way to Fort William. Just amazing but those days are gone now sadly.

[@MontytheHorse]

I don’t think that the new Mk.5s have the charm of the old Mk.3s, even though they do have some better features. I’ve read that the ride quality is not as good too. With the increase in price, I’m not sure it’s worth it any more. I used to take the Sleeper occasionally if I was going to London for a day trip. But now I travel down the day before and stay in a hotel as it’s cheaper than the Sleeper. Shame really.

[@MontytheHorse]

I will add that I have used the seated Sleeper when I was a child. From memory, the seats were more comfortable than the ones here look. They look like the typical rock hard seats typical in modern trains.

[@YouTubejys]

Mierda trenes en uk en españa los mejores de europa

[@prof.hectorholbrook4692]

I've had it with this train. After 11 runs in Slepping Cars (Mk5's) from Inverness to Euston & back i can honestly state it's CRAP. Ride quality, sound insulation, quality of service all RUBBISH. To those who think it's brill: please get out more - preferably in Sleeping Cars across Europe.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I prefer the old sleeper I must admit. Going over Rannoch Moor in the snow, sitting in the old dining car was an unforgettable experience- absolutely fantastic!

[@drsteele]

Corridors and rooms just look cramped.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Corridors were narrow, I thought the rooms ok but yep, wouldn’t want to spend too much time in there.

[@Bungle2010]

It's on a train.....

[@Didderly]

To many "er" "erms" for my liking

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Ironic really considering you’ve got one in your name 🤷‍♂️

[@Didderly]

@@LetsMakeaTrip I didn't dislike it m8 lol and yes true

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@Didderly haha, no worries - nice to have a bit of, er banter 😂

[@omygod9062]

The worst explains of my life. Get a plane.it’s cheaper.

[@gar6446]

Looks pretty rubbish to be honest.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Fair enough Gar, all opinions valid 👍

[@andyhogg2228]

Slightly negative attitude methinks.