British Rail Tours Know which side to sit
Caledonian Sleeper
Scenic lineScottish Highlands

Caledonian Sleeper

London Euston → Fort William, Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow
Sit on the left Photos
Photo: train_photos, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Journey timeApprox 12 h 40 min Euston–Fort William; about 7 h 30 min to Edinburgh or Glasgow
  • Distance530 miles
  • FrequencyNightly except Saturday
  • OperatorCaledonian Sleeper

Board in London in the evening and wake up crossing Rannoch Moor: the Highlander portion to Fort William is Britain's only scheduled scenic sleeper.

Two Caledonian Sleeper trains leave Euston every night but Saturday. The Lowlander departs later and divides at Carstairs for Edinburgh and Glasgow, arriving before 7.30 am. The Highlander leaves earlier and runs as one 16-coach train to Edinburgh, where in the small hours it divides into portions for Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William.

The scenic value is in the morning. The Inverness portion follows the Highland Main Line over Drumochter as the sun comes up, and the Fort William portion, having reached Glasgow overnight, spends its last three hours on the West Highland Line: Loch Lomond around breakfast, the Horseshoe Curve, Rannoch Moor, Corrour and Loch Treig, before arrival at Fort William just before 10 am. The Club Car serves a Scottish breakfast on the way. Southbound, the Fort William portion leaves in the early evening for the same run in reverse.

The Mark 5 carriages built by CAF in 2019 offer reclining seats, Classic rooms with bunks, Club rooms with en-suite shower and Caledonian Double rooms. Fares are dynamic and only shown in the booking system; seats start from around £54 and rooms from about £135 one way, with bookings opening a year ahead. Travel is on national rail tickets and railcards apply to seats and to room supplements.

Which side to sit

London Euston → Fort William, Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow

At breakfast Loch Treig, the Monessie Gorge and Ben Nevis are on the left; Loch Lomond, passed early in the morning, is on the right.

Sit on the left3 sights on the left · 1 on the right
  1. 0mi
    StationLondon Euston
  2. 158mi
    StationCrewe
  3. 209mi
    StationPreston
  4. 262mi
    Summit · on the lineShap Summit916 ft, crossed at night
  5. 299mi
    StationCarlisle
  6. 349mi
    Summit · on the lineBeattock Summit1,016 ft
  7. 400mi
    StationEdinburgh WaverleyTrain divides; the Fort William portion heads west
  8. 484mi
    LochLoch LomondSeen from the hillside between Tarbet and Ardlui
  9. 499mi
    StationCrianlarich
  10. 507mi
    Landmark · on the lineHorseshoe CurveLine loops round Auch Gleann below Beinn Dorain
  11. 520mi
    Moorland · both sidesRannoch Moor
  12. 533mi
    StationCorrourHighest station on the network, 1,339 ft
  13. 537mi
    LochLoch Treig
  14. 547mi
    RiverMonessie Gorge
  15. 557mi
    MountainBen Nevis
  16. 562mi
    StationFort William

Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.

Good to know

  • Dogs welcome
  • Bikes carried
  • Wheelchair access
  • Refreshments
  • Sleeper berths
  • Reserve seats

Highlights along the line

  • Rannoch Moor at breakfast
  • Corrour
  • Loch Treig and Monessie Gorge
  • Drumochter on the Inverness portion
  • Club Car breakfast

Photos of the Caledonian Sleeper

3 photos · tap to enlarge
Caledonian Sleeper behind two Class 73s crossing Rannoch Moor
Caledonian Sleeper behind two Class 73s crossing Rannoch Moor
Train threading the hillside above Loch Treig between Corrour and Tulloch
Train threading the hillside above Loch Treig between Corrour and Tulloch
Class 73 in Caledonian Sleeper livery at Fort William station
Class 73 in Caledonian Sleeper livery at Fort William station
Ticket tip: off-peak and advance fares are usually cheapest, and a Railcard takes a third off most tickets. Rover and ranger tickets let you break your journey and explore stations along the way.

Frequently asked questions

Which portion has the best scenery?

Fort William, which runs the West Highland Line in daylight from about 7 am; Inverness gets the Highland Main Line at dawn.

Can I use a rover pass?

Spirit of Scotland and Highland Rover passes are not valid on the sleeper; buy a sleeper fare direct.

Are there showers?

Club and Caledonian Double rooms have en-suite showers; Classic room and seated passengers can use shower facilities at Euston, Fort William and Inverness lounges.

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