Chance of own cabin on Caledonian Sleeper?

amcluesent

AFAIK when you buy 1st class on the Caledonian sleeper you are sure to get a cabin to yourself.

What are the chances of own cabin with Standard - assuming travelling on a week night and going on the Fort William branch? And would booking at the last minute make any difference?

Livingthedream

Not to sure, it's one of the 'things' I want to do when I retire, but IIRC you can buy a 'solo supplement' hopefully, somebody who's travelled on it will post a definite answer. But good luck and enjoy and yes I am jealous.

Livingthedream

Did a bit of digging and found this, from the National Rail website

ScotRail's Caledonian Sleepers

The number of berths available to holders of discounted tickets may be restricted at any time.
There are a number of 'berth inclusive' fares available that include travel and accommodation at one all inclusive price. First Class travel is in single berths while Standard Class is in twin berth cabins.
Sleeper Berths and Supplements are:

• Single berth cabin - £43.00 per berth (First Class travel ticket required)
• Twin berth cabin - Adult £38.00 per berth, Child £19.00 per berth (Standard Class only, sharing with someone of the same sex)
• Caledonian Solo (exclusive use of a twin berth cabin) * - £54.00 one way [Only available to holders of Standard Anytime and Off Peak returns tickets]

Problem is you have to have an Anytime or Off peak return so won't work will cheap advance single tickets, however, you could buy 2 advance singles and hope the attendant doesn't see the empty bed before the train leaves and resells the bed space.

laird

Rumour has it that if you board at Crewe or Preston then the chances of being placed in a two berth cabin on your own are improved.

The Fort William branch portion of the train is only two carriages (usually one first class one standard class from experience). They will be the two carriages next to the engine when heading North.

Previously I've found it cheaper to buy the advance first class tickets than the caledonian solo + off peak return.

I'd have thought if you buy two standard advance tickets with berth reservations and get the two ticked off as being present on boarding by the steward then you won't get disturbed.

amcluesent

>the train is only two carriages (usually one first class one standard class from experience)<

Thanks! I hadn't realised that 1st and standard sleepers were actually different carriages. Assumed 1st was buying you the solo cabin plus the goody-bag, breakfast and use of the Virgin 1st Lounge with showers at Euston.

laird

Technically there is no reason why they can't change the mixture between the two carriages (physically they are the same).

The difference between standard class (including solo) and first class cabins is that in the First Class cabins the upper berth is folded away.

The lounge access at Euston certainly is worth something as its a bit of a boring station to wait in at any time of day.

Livingthedream

laird wrote: »

Previously I've found it cheaper to buy the advance first class tickets than the caledonian solo + off peak return.

Nice idea, will remember that one for the future, just hope that the sleeper services still run when I retire.

But this is my plan, I'm going to use a 7 day 1st Class All Line Rover with a senior railcard which at the present time brings the price down to £375 + a supplement for the sleeper.

Probably no help to you but it is an option.