Another fess up moment. I LOVE overnight train rides. I don’t know if it’s the rhythm of the train as it chugs along (ok, I might be going a bit Harry Potter dreamsville here) or if it’s knowing that I’ll wake up in a new location in the morning. Either way, it’s one of my favourite ways to travel.
ADVANTAGES
Firstly there’s the saving on time, stress, and hassle of getting to the airport. If you’re driving that’s added stress, cue rush hour or (deep joy) motorway navigating. Oh, and of course, there’s also the faffing about getting through security and juggling your max 100ml hand luggage bottles.
On the subject of luggage, you’re not so restricted on the number of bags and weight thereof.
Depending on the start time and duration of your journey, there’s the ever-changing scenery combined with witnessing the sunset and sunrise. For the latter, body clock. I can’t say it’s something I normally see…
You can also be travelling to your next destination while sleeping. That’s always a yay in my books. Instead of spending money on a hotel room, you can snooze comfortably in your sleeper train compartment.
Another advantage (which might not always seem like it at the time as you awake bleary-eyed) but you generally arrive early in the morning. That’s a big tick for making the most of the day to head out and go exploring.
Lastly and most definitely not least, it’s great for the planet. You can reduce your carbon footprint as train travel produces far fewer emissions than travelling by plane or car.
OVERNIGHT TRAIN RIDES TO TEMPT YOU
If you want to have a taster, and not go on a mega-train marathon, you could check out if there are any overnight train rides locally. By locally I mean within your country and that take perhaps 8 – 10 hours.
I’ve taken the sleeper train between London Euston and Glasgow which was great. Departure time is late evening with a journey time of around 7.5 hours. Now with shiny new trains and Glencraft mattresses (handcrafted no less) to give you the ultimate Zzz’s. Accommodation choices comprise of double with an en-suite, club (twin) en-suite, classic (twin or single with wash basin), and seat with lockable storage. On the food front, head to the Club Car (priority access given to Club Room or Caledonian Double guests) but there’s also room service. The Caledonian Sleeper Train destinations include Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Fort William, Inverness, and of course, Glasgow.
If you find you loved the sleeper experience so much and can’t wait to experience more, once in Scotland there’s the Belmond Royal Scotsman. This would certainly come under the header luxury overnight train rides. Hop aboard and immerse yourself in the splendour. Aside from the sumptuous cabins to add a unique touch and further indulge your senses, there’s also a Spa Car and an Observation Car with an open-air veranda.
Fine dining takes place in mahogany-panelled restaurant cars. The dining carriages even have great names, Raven and Swift. Journeys from 2 nights to 7 nights include, but are not limited to, Taste of the Highlands, scenic wonders and Clans, Castles and Isles. All departures are from Edinburgh.
Nicknamed the Cornish Riviera due to the abundance of pristine beaches along its coastline (22 according to the beach guide), it’s no surprize that the sleeper train that transports you to Cornwall is called The Night Riviera.
The train departs from London Paddington and arrives in Penzance around 8-9 hours later. Duration depends on whether you travel during the week or on a Sunday. There’s also an onboard lounge bar for snacks and refreshments for your journey.
Additionally, if you book a cabin you also have access to the GWR First Class lounges (and showers) at Paddington, Penzance, and Truro. Complimentary breakfast included for those in a cabin.
FURTHER AFIELD
A recent BBC News report looked into ‘Why sleeper trains are being revived across Europe‘. Feedback from train aficionados included ‘it’s so much fun’; and ‘it’s adventurous, romantic, and efficient’. Alongside the feel-good of the reduced carbon footprint, it’s ‘putting the joy back into travel’.
One overnight train ride that’s definitely on my to-do list is the Milan to Palermo Sicily sleeper train which also includes a ferry ride. A very unique ferry ride as the train separates into sections and goes aboard the ferry! The night train service (Intercity Notte), operated by Trenitalia, takes between 20 – 22 hours. There’s no dining car so take plenty of tuck with you. Information on Intercity Notte and the route can be found here.
OBB (Austrian Railways) in conjunction with other train partners operates NightJet and EuroNight Trains. Travelling overnight to over 25 European cities gives you plenty of choice for overnight train rides. Accommodation comes in three categories, sleeper cabin, a couchette, and a seating carriage.
Due to start in 2023 are the new NightJet trains with the first routes showcasing the new design commencing in Italy. As well as being ultra-modern, another of the new features include mini cabins for solo travellers. Yay.
Not sure about travelling solo? Check out Safety Tips For Women Travelling Alone.
Across the pond, if you’re heading to the US of A or indeed reside in the USA, of course, there’s Amtrak. I’m loving their strapline and energy stats:
‘MAKE ALL ROADS LESS TRAVELED:
Amtrak is 47 percent more energy efficient than traveling by car and 33 percent more energy efficient than domestic air travel.‘
Their selection of overnight train journeys feels like the train travel equivalent of an as-much-as-you-can-eat buffet. I’m particularly loving the sound of the California Zephyr, where you start your journey in Chicago and travel via the Rockies and snow-capped Sierra Nevadas through to California. A tad over 51 hours, it’s a train lovers dream.
OVERNIGHT TRAIN RIDES – THE FUTURE
Quoting a ‘combination of modern sustainability and glorious Roaring 20’s charm‘ alongside being ‘a train, a hotel, a restaurant, and an app which connects Europe and allows us to travel at will’, Adrien Aumont and Romain Payet have a vision.
Co-Founder of Midnight Trains, Adrien tells the story that vision came to him during a dinner in Athens. ‘From that moment, I knew I had fallen in love‘.
Due to launch from their hub in Paris in 2024, you too can fall in love. Billed as a ‘hotel on rails’, with on-demand films, superior sleeping quarters; single, double, or a 4-bed room to share with friends or family (as opposed to random strangers). For the foodies, there are seasonable products to enjoy as table service or takeaway. And for those that aren’t fussed about food, you can sprint to the wine and cocktail bar. Multiple destinations are planned.
Tempted? Any overnight train rides that have caught your attention? Do let us know in the comments!
Positive : Met some great people on the overnight from Vietnam. Covered many miles, no effort for solo traveller.
Negative: Expect noise & not always 5 star cleanliness inside, but the scenery outside was spectacular.
Love those positives Marie! I also experienced an overnight in Vietnam (Sapa). Ha yes I was stuck with a very noisy family in my compartment but the journey and destination made it all worthwhile!