Francesca Brooking, a 30 year old travel blogger from Dunstable, Bedfordshire, has shared many of her adventures and day trips online with her followers on Tiktok, but what has garnered particular attention was her sleeper train videos, which have gained over 100,000 views.
Credit: (Left) Video 1, (Right) Video 2
Speaking exclusively to Omio, Francesca goes on to share where she has travelled to via sleeper train so far and what she has loved about the experience.
“I’ve travelled on two sleeper trains in the UK," says Francesca. “I have been on the Caledonian Sleeper twice to get to Scotland, going from London to Inverness one time and London to Fort William the other. I’ve also taken the Night Riviera from London to Penzance in Cornwall, which was another great experience.”
“There never was a dull moment”
“During my journey, I got to watch the dawn break over the countryside, which was pretty spectacular, and something that is unique to the sleeper train experience and something you wouldn't be able to fully capture whilst flying. On my journey up into the Scottish Highlands, the sun shone on the misty fields, making everything glow with golden light. As we travelled further north, snow-dusted mountains appeared in the distance, and we trundled past lochs, rivers, and vast moors.”
Image: (Left) Scenic view from the window on Francesca’s trip on the Caledonian sleeper, (Right) A picture of a cabin on the Caledonian sleeper
“You get a much better sense of the diverse landscape when travelling by train, and you pass by some iconic places. It’s also great for wildlife spotting in the early morning. Looking out the window, I saw deer, rabbits, foxes, pheasants, and other birds, so there certainly wasn’t a dull moment!”
When flying, more often than not, you are faced with hefty queues and long security lines, so Francesca wanted to avoid all of that and spend more time enjoying her holiday, and opting to travel via a sleeper train helped with exactly that.
“Since I was travelling in the UK, I wanted to do no-fly holidays. I also wanted to maximise my days on holiday rather than spending that time travelling. Travelling by sleeper train was convenient as I could save time and money I would have spent on a hotel. For the seat on the Caledonian Sleeper one way, I paid £55, which is pretty decent. I probably saved around £100 in comparison to taking the train to Edinburgh, staying the night, and then continuing my journey the next day.”
“Travelling by sleeper train is an experience”
“For me, sleeper trains are also about the novelty of the experience. They don’t get you to your destination in the quickest time, but they’re part of the experience of the trip rather than a way to get from A to B. The great thing about sleeper trains is you don’t need to worry about liquid allowances or whether or not your carry-on bag will fit under your seat or overhead bin. There are luggage restrictions, but they’re not as strict, so it’s a far more relaxing experience!”
Image: (Left) Francesca relaxing in bed on her way to Penzance via the Night Riveria, (Right) Francesca's cabin on the Night Riveria sleeper train.
“Sleeper trains are best for travelling long distances. The more time you have on board, the longer you have to get your head down and relax. A journey of up to eight hours or more is ideal, as it gives you enough time to get settled and into bed and then get dressed and have breakfast before you disembark. If the journey is seven hours or less, it might be worth taking the day train instead.”
Francesca’s top tips for those planning to book a sleeper train? “If you’re travelling in a seat, I really recommend a big scarf or shawl to drape over yourself as it can get chilly. A good eye mask that blocks out the light will also come in handy. Wear comfortable shoes or flip-flops so you don’t walk around barefoot or with just socks on in the corridor or bathroom.
It is also a good idea to bring your own snacks for the journey and have your essentials for the night within easy reach or in a washbag so you don’t have to open every bag to find something as corridors are quite narrow.”
“Plan ahead for a smooth journey”
“Like anything, the earlier you are, more often than not, the more stress-free your experience is, so I would say the best time to get to the station you are travelling from is at least an hour or 45 minutes earlier to get settled and checked in. In most cases, you will be allowed to board around 30-45 minutes before departure, which is great if you’re keen to get your head down as soon as possible.”
“When it comes to booking your train tickets, book in advance as possible and try to aim for outside peak season to get the best prices. If you’re planning to travel with something like a dog or a bicycle, you will also need to book these in advance and follow the train’s requirements as spaces are limited.”
So, where can you travel via night train in the UK and Europe?
“There are many sleeper trains to enjoy in the UK and Europe. In the UK, there are some fantastic night train options, like the Caledonian Sleeper, which Francesca went on. This train service runs six nights a week and serves cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness,” says Omio. “Alternatively, you could also travel overnight from London to Penzance with Great Western.”
“When it comes to European trips, the company ÖBB offers its Nightjet service between destinations in Austria to other major cities in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and France, with its latest night train running between Paris and Berlin. In Italy, the train provider Trenitalia has its Intercity Notte, which travels across the entire length of Italy. It also offers Euronight, which can take customers between Italy and other countries such as Germany and Austria.”
“These are just some of the amazing sleeper train routes available in the UK and Europe, and with the continuing rise of conscious travel and as sleeper trains continue to expand, we are excited to see how this unique way of travel continues to grow.”
More information on sleeper trains in the UK and Europe here.
And finally, why should you opt to travel on a sleeper train?
“Night trains exude the charm of times gone by, yet they’re more convenient than ever—and practical,” says Omio. “Depending on the fare, you can expect a comfortable bed or recliner, snacks, and breakfast in the morning. In the evening, make yourself at home and let the gentle hum of the train lulls you to sleep. In the morning, you’ll wake up refreshed at your destination and can start exploring right away. The advantage of a night train is that you save both time and a night in a hotel, plus you don’t have to worry about luggage allowance.”
Credit: All quotes are exclusive to Omio. If you wish to use this story, please credit Omio and Francesca with a link to their websites.
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