The Caledonian Sleeper is a long-distance sleeper prepare that operates every day (besides on Saturdays) between Euston Station in London, England and 5 stations in Scotland — Glasgow Central, Edinburgh Waverley, Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness. It’s one in all solely two in a single day providers in the UK, and supplies each customary seating and personal cabins with beds.

Throughout my latest journey to the UK, I reserved a wheelchair accessible cabin on the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Glasgow, because it offered an economical option to journey between the 2 cities, whereas eliminating the necessity for one night time in a resort.

Reserving a Wheelchair Accessible Trip on the Caledonian Sleeper Prepare

The Caledonian Sleeper’s Mark 5 coaches characteristic two sorts of accessible lodging — one cabin with a double mattress, and one other with a bunk mattress (two single/twin-sized beds). Since I used to be touring alone and with no carer, I opted for the double mattress.

Accessible cabins could be booked straight from the Caledonian Sleeper web site, with a toggle to show accessible seating choices. On the date of my journey, fares have been priced at £205 GBP (about $256 USD) for a non-public cabin, or £50 GBP (about $63 USD) for a seat and wheelchair house in the usual coach.

The web site additionally supplies a fare calendar to check pricing, and I discovered that my date of departure provided the bottom fare throughout the month of April. Different dates confirmed fares of £225, £240, or £250 GBP. I used to be glad to have secured an excellent deal and accomplished my reserving.

Although 200 kilos might appear to be an costly fare, it’s vital to contemplate the price (and problem) of alternate transportation choices between London and Glasgow, in addition to the price of in a single day lodging in a resort. I undoubtedly saved cash reserving a cabin on the Caledonian Sleeper, and didn’t need to take care of airport safety, baggage fees, or being separated from my wheelchair!

Boarding and Departure

Passengers departing on the Caledonian Sleeper prepare to Glasgow are invited to board the prepare as early as 10:15 p.m., with the service scheduled to depart from Euston Station at 11:45 p.m. This affords company loads of time to embark and settle in, in addition to to get a head begin on sleep if desired.

Though clients who’ve booked a non-public cabin have entry to a lounge with mild refreshments at Euston Station, I arrived near departure (a couple of minutes after 11 p.m.), and determined to move straight to the prepare. The conductor scanned my cellular ticket and fetched a boarding ramp to help me onto the prepare. The boarding course of was fast, hassle-free, and I used to be proven to my wheelchair accessible cabin.

Wheelchair Accessible Cabin on the Caledonian Sleeper Prepare

Instantly after boarding automobile J, I turned to the left and observed two massive doorways: one resulting in an accessible shared rest room, and the second resulting in my wheelchair accessible cabin.

The cabin attendant introduced me with a plastic key card, making it appear as if I had simply checked-in to a resort. Certainly, the Caledonian Sleeper has been known as a “resort on wheels” and, with a faucet of the important thing card, the door to the Caledonian Sleeper’s accessible cabin opened to disclose a unbelievable lodging.

My cabin, numbered J1, was simply accessible by way of the large (and automated) sliding door. The accessible cabin, like the usual cabins behind it, takes up the vast majority of the prepare automobile’s width, which offered loads of house to maneuver and park my energy wheelchair.

The accessible cabin includes a wash basin and mirror, excellent for freshening up earlier than mattress, in addition to a desk for work or eating. The big window had a shade, which I drew down to arrange for a restful night time’s sleep.

The double mattress was snug, made up with a beautiful cover and outfitted with 4 pillows. Although any prepare journey will depart riders bouncing up and down and swaying forwards and backwards, I had no problem sleeping — the mattress was a cushty and welcomer sight after a protracted day or air journey and conferences in London.

Controls for the cabin lighting are positioned on a panel over the mattress, and there are a number of energy shops and USB ports unfold all through the cabin. Sadly, I a number of warnings after reserving that acknowledged the ability shops are NOT designed for charging wheelchairs or different medical gear, and are in truth solely obtainable for charging tablets, laptops and cellphones.

Beneath the mattress, I discovered open house appropriate for storing luggage, however consider it was additionally massive sufficient to accommodate using a switch hoist.

Wheelchair Accessible Toilet on the Caledonian Sleeper Prepare

Though customary cabins on the prepare present an en suite bathroom and bathe, wheelchair accessible cabins don’t, and I used to be left to make use of the shared bathroom adjoining to my cabin. I consider that I used to be the one passenger utilizing this bathroom, although it may theoretically be utilized by any passenger on the prepare.

The accessible rest room was designed splendidly, with house to show about in a wheelchair, and in addition to park straight alongside the bathroom for a protected switch. Seize bars on each side of the bathroom made it straightforward and protected to make use of, and the lavatory sink was a roll underneath one. The Caledonian Sleeper prepare had one of the crucial accessible prepare bathrooms I’ve reviewed, and I used to be glad to have it positioned so near my cabin!

Caledonian Sleeper Facilities and Eating

Upon entry to my cabin, I used to be greeted with two chocolate bars on the mattress, in addition to a sleep package with eye shades and earplugs.

Passengers within the Membership Automotive and accessible sleeper cabins obtain complimentary breakfast, both served within the eating automobile (which is partially accessible and positioned within the adjoining automobile Ok) or delivered to the cabin. Given my lengthy journey from america to London the day earlier than, and my plans for a busy day in Glasgow on arrival, I wanted to prioritize sleep and opted for room service.

The choices for breakfast delivered to the cabin included a Scottish Porridge Pot, Granola Yoghurt, Bacon or Sausage Roll, and a Vegan Roll. Extra substantial choices have been obtainable within the eating automobile, together with a standard Scottish breakfast, a smoked fish frittata, and a standard vegan breakfast. I opted for the sausage roll, with orange juice and occasional, however I quickly regretted not visiting the eating automobile for the bigger breakfast (it wasn’t very filling!).

Remaining Ideas

Too few sleeper trains world wide provide a ample degree of accessibility for vacationers with disabilities, however the Caledonian Sleeper prepare actually stands out for its thoughtfully designed wheelchair accessible cabins.

The Caledonian Sleeper prepare affords disabled and nondisabled individuals alike a singular journey expertise that’s snug, accessible and handy. For my part, there isn’t any higher option to journey between England and Scotland, particularly for wheelchair customers, and I hope to expertise many extra rides aboard the Caledonian Sleeper sooner or later.