The beautiful view from the windows of one of Francesca’s journeys (Image: Francesca Brooking)
A travel aficionado has swapped plane seats for train carriages, claiming are far superior – particularly when it comes to overnight travel.
Francesca Brooking, a 30-year-old from Dunstable, Bedfordshire, has shared her enchanting experiences traversing the nation via sleeper trains.
She said: “I have been on the Caledonian Sleeper twice to get to Scotland, going from L 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.”
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The cabins are cosy and comfortable (Image: Francesca Brooking)
The discerning blogger painted a magical picture of awakening to dawn’s early light to see a view that would be impossible to spot from a plane window.
“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.”
Furthermore, Francesca pointed out how bypassing airport security checks adds to the allure of her locomotive adventures, not to mention the savings made on nightly accommodations.
“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.”
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Francesca finds more comfort in the sleeper train than a flight (Image: Francesca Brooking)
Global travel booking platform predicts that sleeper trains will be a big trend in 2025.
According to a spokesperson, they offer a calmer, cheaper and more enjoyable journey than flying – as well as being better for the environment.
The spokesperson said: “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.”
If you want to join Brooking in her love of sleeper trains, she has shared her top tips for ensuring comfort on your travels.
“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.”