Watch us take the overnight Caledonian Sleeper train 2 different ways
TPG staff members are known for reviewing flights and airlines all around the world â but this doesn't dampen our fascination with other modes of transport, especially trains.
For more TPG news â and incredible train trip ideas â delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
The Caledonian Sleeper is the overnight rail service operating between Scotland and London, and a trip we've had within our sights for some time. Liam Spencer and I jumped on board this unique service to see what a night would be like comparing one of the train's comfiest suites against a regular seat.
The trains travel from Edinburgh and Glasgow on their Lowland Route, and Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen on their Highland Route into London's Euston Station.
The Caledonian Sleeper completed the rollout of its new trains in October of 2019, which include the Club Car lounge and restaurant, which was unfortunately closed on our journey due to the ongoing pandemic. But more importantly for us, there were different classes of travel to try.
Spencer snagged the swankiest option, a Caledonian Double â an en-suite room with a double bed and breakfast included and whilst there are also Club Rooms and Classic Rooms available, in true TPG style, I would be spending the night at the other end of the spectrum, in the train's Comfort Seats.
My 10-hour journey would be spent in reclining seats equipped with not much more than charging points and lockable storage.
We departed Aberdeen at 9.34 p.m. and arrived the next day at London Euston at 7.49 a.m.
You can watch the full video of our experience here:
Caledonian Double â Liam Spencer
We paid: ÂŁ395 ($544)
The comfortable and large double bed inside Coach B's room 5R made for a totally unique sleeping experience. The spacious room came with its own shower and offered complete privacy from the rest of the train. Spencer enjoyed the fast room service with a sizeable drinks menu.
On the downside, the noise and rattling of the train made it very difficult for Spencer to sleep, despite the comfy bed. There was also no hot meal available for dinner. The communal dining area was closed so there wasn't much opportunity to walk around the train.
Seat - Nicky Kelvin
We paid: ÂŁ73 ($100)
For train seats, I found seat 7C in Coach A relatively comfortable with some recline. The arrangement of the seats made it just about possible to curl up in a ball across two seats, and the carriage was very quiet. The amenities provided were very handy for the journey, especially the eye mask. The crew and service, while limited, were incredibly efficient and friendly.
It wasn't all great, though. I definitely did not arrive in London feeling refreshed. A solid sleep was difficult and that was with the benefit of a spare seat next to mine. There were no significant washing facilities and a shower would have been necessary to really hit the ground running in London.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership RewardsÂŽ points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership RewardsÂŽ points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership RewardsÂŽ points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership RewardsÂŽ point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership RewardsÂŽ Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if youâre approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount â all with no credit score impact. If youâre approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership RewardsÂŽ points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership RewardsÂŽ points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership RewardsÂŽ points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership RewardsÂŽ point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay ItÂŽ lets you tap in the American ExpressÂŽ App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan ItÂŽ gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. Youâll know upfront exactly how much youâll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card. Thatâs up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card at U.S. Dunkinâ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five StarÂŽ Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind â backed by American ExpressÂŽ service and support. Only for American ExpressÂŽ Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.