Travelling doesn\u2019t have to be terrible. If you\u2019re clever about how you plan your trip the journey can become something to look forward to on its own. Sometimes that looks like adding a few extra stops to a road trip, and sometimes it looks like opting for a sleeper train.<\/p>\n
There are only two sleeper services in the UK. The Night Riviera runs from London<\/a> down south, ending at Penzance<\/a>, and the Caledonian Sleeper shuttles passengers between Scotland and the capital. Basically, if you don\u2019t live in London or Scotland, your options are pretty limited, but that will soon be changing.<\/p>\n The Caledonian Sleeper has just announced plans to add Birmingham<\/a> as a stop on half of its journeys. There are currently two routes offered by the company: the Highlander, which goes from the capital and splits off at Edinburgh towards Fort William, Aberdeen<\/a>, and Inverness<\/a>; and the Lowlander, between Glasgow<\/a> or Edinburgh<\/a> and London. It\u2019s the Highlander services which will now go via the Midlands.<\/p>\n At the moment the only stops between London and Edinburgh on the Highlander line are Preston and Crewe, but from January 2026 Birmingham International will become the third. Lowlander trains will continue to stop at Watford Junction, Carlisle, Carstairs, and Motherwell for those terminating in Glasgow.<\/p>\n Nothing will change about the services except for the extra stop in Birmingham. According to managing director Graham Kelly \u2018We are continuing to run our service in its existing and current format\u2026 in terms of the length of the trains and the resourcing on board, it will all continue to remain.\u2019<\/p>\n When you spend a night onboard, you can choose a single bunk bed, a reclining chair, or a luxurious double bed with an en-suite and on-board shower. Trains leave five nights a week \u2013 no service on Saturdays \u2013 and you can book up to a year in advance. This isn\u2019t a cheap option though; double rooms on Highlander journeys start at an eye-watering \u00a3520 for two people.<\/p>\n The timetable changes will come into effect from January 15 2026, and it\u2019s hoped that they\u2019ll add a boost in tourism for everyone. The Mayor of the West Midlands described the move as \u2018a win-win for our tourism and hospitality businesses on both sides of the border\u2019.<\/p>\n You can book tickets on the Caledonian Sleeper website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n When will every major UK rail operator be nationalised? Full list of routes and dates<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Plus:\u00a0The legendary heritage rail line that is closing after 50 years<\/a>
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