Onboard UK sleeper train that travels to some of the country's best beaches (2024)

CORNWALL is one of the UK's best-loved holiday destinations, but its location at the tip of the south west sometimes puts people off.

For most holidaymakers, getting to the county requires a lengthy car journey, or even a domestic flight.

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However, there is another method that transports people there over night, getting them to its warm weather and sandy beaches, with minimal effort.

Six days a week, a sleeper train with private cabins takes passengers direct from London Paddington to Cornwall.

The service is operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) and is known as the Night Riviera service.

En route, the train calls in at Plymouth, Lostwithiel Truro, St Erth and finally at Penzance, among several other stops.

It's among the country's favourite train journeys and is the most efficient way to make the journey from London across ground.

It also opens the rest of Europe up to people from Devon and Cornwall, according to Train expert the Man in Seat 61.

On his blog, he said: "This excellent sleeper train is a travelling hotel, with private single or twin sleeper compartments and lounge car.

"It's the most time-effective way from London to Cornwall, making short breaks possible without a 6-hour drive or a domestic flight.

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"If you live in Devon or Cornwall, it makes trips to central London or even Paris easy."

The trains were also refurbished back in 2018, making it an even more luxurious way to travel.

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Despite that, prices are still fairly affordable, according to the Trainline.

They say that prices range from £25.50 to £135 depending on your accommodation preferences, journey and when you book.

Guests can book a seat on board the train, or for extra comfort, a private cabin.

All cabin guests have access to both lounges and showers at Paddington, Penzance, and Truro.

Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world

Onboard UK sleeper train that travels to some of the country's best beaches (9)

Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.

Davos to Geneva, Switzerland

"After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back toGenevaAirport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass." - Caroline McGuire

Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen

"Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you're whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a greenblur. Make sure to book seat D or E too - as you'll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way." Kara Godfrey

London to Paris by Eurostar

"Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all thetop attractionsfrom the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord." - Sophie Swietochowski

Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail

"From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey fromGlasgowto Fort William gazing out the window.Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond." - Hope Brotherton

Beijing to Ulaanbatar

"The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city's high-rises give wayto crumbling ancient villages andeventually the vast vacant plains ofMongolia,via the Gobi desert.The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of thedesertis among the best I've witnessed anywhere." - Ryan Gray

They're also given a complimentary light breakfast on board, served in the cabin.

Seats meanwhile, offer a cheaper, no-frills experience in an "airline- style seat".

The on-board lounge has a bar stocked with "well-known alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee, soft drinks, bar snacks and light bites".

Room service can also be ordered, adding to the hotel experience and adding an extra element to a trip to some of the UK's most impressive natural scenery.

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It's easy to see why the clear blue seas and soft white sands at the beaches make the towns of Cornwall some of the county's most popular holiday hotspots.

The beaches at St Erth are very popular, while other places like Kynance Cove, Perranporth Beach and Porthcurno are just a handful of some of the many places holidaymakers love to visit.

The route from Paddington to Penzance takes just over eight hours to complete in total and runs every day, apart from Saturday.

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Meanwhile, the most beautiful train journey in Europe is in the UK.

And this UK train route also has some amazing views.

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Onboard UK sleeper train that travels to some of the country's best beaches (2024)

FAQs

What is the best overnight train in the UK? ›

Some of the UK's best destinations are connected by the Caledonian Sleeper. Whether it is for business or leisure, Caledonian Sleeper will take you to some of the UK's most wonderful destinations.

Are there still sleeper trains in the UK? ›

Sleeper trains run between London Euston and Scotland in both directions (The Caledonian Sleeper) and between London Paddington and Cornwall in both directions (Great Western Railway's Night Riviera Sleeper). Sleeper trains run nightly from Sunday to Friday.

What is the longest sleeper train journey in the UK? ›

The Caledonian Sleeper, from London to Scotland

The Caledonian Sleeper is the UK's longest and most spectacular sleeper train route. Starting in London, the Caledonian Sleeper operates different routes directly to the north of Scotland, taking up to 14 hours to reach Inverness.

What is the best sleeper train to Scotland? ›

The Caledonian Sleeper is the most civilised way to travel between Scotland and London, allowing you to arrive refreshed at your destination of choice following your overnight journey.

Is Caledonian Sleeper expensive? ›

Combining travel to and from the heart of London with comfortable overnight accommodation, prices for Comfort Seats start from £50, Classic Rooms from £175 for Solo or £205 for Shared, Club Rooms from £235 for Solo and £290 for Shared and Caledonian Doubles from £345 for Solo and £410 for Shared.

Do sleeper trains have showers? ›

Learn more about your onboard dining options. Do private rooms have bathrooms and showers? Yes. All rooms have access to restrooms and showers.

What is the best luxury sleeper train holiday in the UK? ›

Riding the Belmond Royal Scotsman, you'll be treated to one of the most luxurious trains in the world. Boasting luxurious carriages, a choice of cabins, a well-stocked bar car and even its own spa, journeys are nothing short of exceptional.

Are there showers on the Caledonian Sleeper? ›

All Club and Caledonian Double rooms are equipped with an en-suite shower room. Towels are provided in a bag in your en-suite.

Are sleeper trains expensive? ›

While new sleeper train routes have launched across Europe, fares are prohibitive for many travellers. “Our research found solo travellers and couples would have to pay significantly more to choose the train over the plane.

How fast is the Caledonian sleeper? ›

The Lowland Sleeper has two portions serving routes to Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central. The trains normally operate at a maximum speed of 80 mph (130 km/h), but are authorised to travel at 100 mph (160 km/h) where line speeds permit if the train has been delayed by more than 20 minutes.

How many sleeper trains are there in the UK? ›

Some have couchettes and seat accommodations. Go for a ticket you can afford and ensure you book early. The UK has two sleeper trains.

What is the longest train ride you can take? ›

And the general conclusion people have come to? The planet's longest train trip would come to around 18,755 kilometres, take three weeks, travel through 13 countries and require at least seven different visas. Certain rules were taken into account.

What is the most scenic train ride in Scotland? ›

The West Highland Line is described as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world.

What is the price of a Sleeper ticket? ›

IRCTC Train Ticket Prices/Fare as per Travel Class
Travel ClassMinimum Distance for ChargeBasic Fare at Min Dist
Second Class50 Kms₹30
Sleeper Class200 Kms₹124
AC Chair Car150 Kms₹211
AC 3 Tier300 Kms₹470
2 more rows

How long does it take to get to Scotland on the sleeper train? ›

The journey of a night time on board Caledonian Sleeper

Giving you eight hours to relax and 500 miles of space, you can avoid the crowds by travelling overnight between Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Fort William, Glasgow, Inverness, London Euston and other destinations.

What is the UK version of the Orient Express? ›

These journeys aboard the British Pullman allow you to experience the unrivalled luxury of rail travel while sampling the delights of some of the world's most famous chefs.

Are overnight trains worth it? ›

The first pro of traveling overnight in a sleeper train is you are making a saving on accommodation. Instead of two costs – the train fare and hotel accommodation for the night – roll both into one cost and you instantly are saving!

What is the most famous train in the UK? ›

The Flying Scotsman has to be included, arguably being the most famous British train on this list. The train has been part of several landmark events throughout railway history. It was the first train providing a service from London to Edinburgh, which is how it got its iconic name.

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