Sleeper trains carry a certain romance, the golden age of rail travel that Agatha Christie made famous. Minus the murders, that it
I put the Caledonian Sleeper Club Room to the test on a solo trip from London Euston to Fort William, upgrading from the Classic Room to see whether the en-suite shower, breakfast and lounge access are worth the extra cost. Here’s my honest take, based on first-hand experience.
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What’s the difference between a Classic Room and a Club Room on the Caledonian Sleeper?
There’s one significant difference between a Classic Room and a Club Room on the Caledonian Sleeper, though the rooms themselves are identical in size. The Club Room has an en-suite toilet and shower room.
No scuttling down the corridor to the loo in your PJs.
| CLASSIC ROOM | CLUB ROOM |
| Twin bunk beds | Twin bunk beds |
| In-room washbasin | In-room washbasin |
| WiFi | WiFi |
| Complimentary Arran Sense of Scotland toiletries | |
| Breakfast included | |
| En-suite with toilet & shower | |
| Station lounge access where available | |
| Priority access to Club Car | |
| Ochil Fudge |
My experience in the Caledonian Sleeper Club Room
First Class Lounge at London Euston Station
When I travelled, I used the old First Class lounge at Euston, run by Avanti West Coast. Since 2023 there’s a new lounge beside Platform 1, with hot and cold drinks, snacks, food and drink for purchase, showers and charging points.
Boarding
The cheery train attendant checked my ticket at the carriage door and took my breakfast order. She also asked whether I would like room service and updates if the service ran late.
The corridor of the Caledonian Sleeper is so narrow that I wasn’t able to wheel my rolling backpack along it. Instead, I did a sort of side shuffle to my room.
The Caledonian Sleeper Club Room itself
Calling the Club Room compact is generous.
There’s a narrow gap between the bed and the opposite wall, barely enough room to manoeuvre a wheeled backpack, and the space under the bed won’t fit a full-size case. Two hangers complete the storage.
Next to the bed, there is a small sink, beneath which is a pull-out table.
The interior, designed by Edinburgh’s Ian Smith, uses tartan and rust tones against grey and taupe. Lighting and temperature controls are easy to use, and plug sockets and USB points are plentiful.
The Caledonian Sleeper WiFi allowed me to check email but not stream audio or video. Your keycard allows you to leave your room securely.
It’s the en-suite that distinguishes the Club Room from the Classic Room. It’s a clever bit of design: pull the cover over the toilet and it becomes a bench seat for the shower. The water pressure won’t win any awards but it does the job, and the temperature held steady.
Just make sure that your morning routine is in the correct order. I wouldn’t fancy using the toilet after the area is drenched post-shower.
Sleep kit
The Club Room comes with a sleep kit from Arran Aromatics. Inside the bag, you’ll find conditioning shampoo, hand and body wash, body lotion and an aromatherapy sleep spray.
An eye mask, earplugs and a small bottle of mineral water are also provided.
Food & drink
Covid restrictions meant the Club Car wasn’t running when I travelled, which was a shame, but room service still delivered a Macallan nightcap to my door
Breakfast came in a brown bag at the requested time. This mini-feast of a hot bacon roll, orange juice, porridge bar and a cup of tea was an excellent start to the day.
Sleep quality
The bed is narrow but comfortable, with a linen-covered mattress from Royal Warrant holder Glencraft and plump pillows. I didn’t sleep especially well, though that was down to the train’s movement rather than the bed itself.
First-class lounge at Fort William Station
The lounge at Fort William is small but comfortable, with tea, coffee and biscuits from a friendly assistant, plus self-serve crisps and cold drinks. There are toilets and showers too.
How much does the Caledonian Sleeper cost?
Solo travellers need to book a room to themselves. Prices below are for 2026/2027 from London Euston to Fort William.
- Club Room: from £290 solo, £370 per room shared
- Classic Room: from £215 solo, £295 per room shared
- Comfort Seats: from £59
- Caledonian Double: £475 solo, £570 shared (same amenities as the Club Room, with a double bed instead of bunks)
Book as early as you can, up to twelve months ahead, for the best fares. An Interrail or Eurail pass covers the Caledonian Sleeper, subject to a room supplement, and national railcards bring further discounts.
Is the Caledonian Sleeper Club Room worth It?
Travelling first class on the Caledonian Sleeper isn’t cheap, especially solo. I justified it as the cost of a night’s accommodation in Glasgow.
Upgrading from Classic to Club on the Fort William route costs at least £75 solo, less if you’re sharing. For that you get an en-suite, breakfast, lounge access and priority Club Car boarding.
The rooms themselves are the same size, but you won’t have to trot down the corridor to use the bathroom. Other than the presence of a toilet-cum-shower, these two rooms are identical. And equally cramped.
If you want room to spread out, the Caledonian Double is the better bet, though the price puts it out of reach for most solo travellers. Even as a flashpacker, almost £500 for a train journey is hard to justify.
Whichever room you choose, everyone should take the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Scotland at least once. Leaving the grey outskirts of London at night and waking to the Highlands is an experience you’ll never forget, Club Room or not.
For more help with planning your trip, take a look at:
- Best Things to Do in Fort William & Beyond: 3-Day Itinerary (Without a Car)
- A Perfect 3 Days in Inverness: Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
- 10 Best Day Trips from Inverness Without a Car
- 15 Easy Day Trips from Edinburgh by Train or Bus
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.