Adventure, efficiency, immersion – what's not to love about overnight train travel? It’s not surprising sleeper trains are having a bit of a moment right now. My initiation to the world of overnight trains came courtesy of Indian Railways when I moved to Calcutta in my twenties and found this the best way to explore my adopted country. I remember well the vinyl blue seats that stuck to your skin as the temperatures soared; the cockroaches scampering up the walls; the thin sheets that were presented to you in paper packets: the constant stream of passengers by my bunk; and the bright lights and shouting as we passed through stations. I also remember the thrill of watching the Rajasthan countryside rush by, falling asleep to the soft rumbling of rails, and the many conversations with friendly strangers.
Sleeper trains range from the very basic to the ultra glam (think: the Orient Express or the Britannic Explorer), all with their own charms. Below we’ve shared some of Independent Travel’s favourite routes combining train travel with shut-eye.
Read about the sleeper train holiday to Cornwall that doesn’t cost the Earth
|
|
|
Plenty of travel writers have raved about journeys on the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Scotland, and I have to agree. It's comfortable yet no-fuss – and just the right length for a good night's sleep, breakfast and some time to enjoy Scotland's beautiful scenery in the morning.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I probably should have closed my blind to avoid a stare-off with travellers on the platform at Brussels Midi in my pyjamas. But under the thick duvet of my fold-out bunk bed, Infernal’s From Paris to Berlin queued for my headphones, I hadn’t been able to resist watching the dregs of sunset as I rolled through the Belgian countryside. Four hours earlier, I’d boarded European Sleeper’s overnight train from Paris Gare du Nord to Berlin Hauptbahnhof, and had so far broken bread with my carriage mates and unearthed a corkscrew to divvy out pale rosé into paper cups. Almost 12 hours remained of the route, revived in March 2026 after being abandoned by Nightjet last December.
Thomas, a sleeper train regular from Paris, warned me on boarding that this journey is always “a bit haphazard”. Our carriage toilets were broken, the air conditioning was temperamental even in the “comfort plus" category, and I’d managed to lock myself out of my cabin in the first 20 minutes. Yet once I’d mastered the unexplained etiquette of the Travelodge of sleeper trains, it was easy to tuck in for a comfortable, if chaotic, journey to the German capital.
|
|
|
|
Natalie's overnight train travelled to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Getty)
|
|
|
Explore the highlights of Southern Italy for less with this fantastic value deal from Exoticca. Discover the beauty of Puglia and the Amalfi Coast, from Ostuni, Alberobello and Bari to Lecce, Otranto, Sorrento and Positano, while enjoying stunning scenery, rich history and authentic local flavours.
Includes return flights, accommodation, breakfast, transfers and activities, with prices from just £849 per person. Learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stay in the elegant Montpellier Quarter at the highly rated White Hart Hotel, with breakfast, late checkout and a bottle of prosecco included.
|
|
|
|
|
Want to sharpen your culinary skills and cook dishes from around the world? We've spotted a tempting discount on this cookery class for two.
|
|
|
|
|
Relax at the popular Washington Central Hotel, a great base for exploring the Lakes. Includes breakfast, £30 dinner credit per person and more.
|
|
|
|
|
Huge demonstrations have been held in Albania after Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner revealed plans to open luxury development on one of Europe's most important ecosystems
|
|
|
|
|
In search of a truly secluded getaway, Daniel Gayne explored Ireland's most remote islands – and met the couple selected to take care of their rugged shores
|
|
|
|
|
A Better Place in Seoul is one of the city’s newest – and most stylish – places to stay. Hayley Spencer checked in to discover more
|
|
|
Love it or hate it, we’re currently in the midst of another UK heatwave and, whether you have a sunny getaway planned or not, SPF has become essential. After extensive testing, we’ve finally found a face sunscreen we enjoy wearing – because finding one you’ll happily apply every day is no easy feat. We’ve also rounded up the best reef-safe sunscreens for both home and holiday, so you can help protect the planet as well as your skin.
While we all try to stay cool, our tech expert has been putting a range of portable fans through their paces, with options ideal for commuting and travelling. Dyson’s £100 wearable fan, which sits hands-free around your neck, earned praise for its “incredibly powerful airflow” and premium design. For a budget option, we were impressed by John Lewis’s £12 handheld fan, which is quiet, compact and folds away neatly into your bag.
With many of us packing our suitcases and jetting off for summer holidays, it may also be time to upgrade our luggage. If you’re flying short-haul with a budget airline, this £30 cabin bag was named “the best under-seat bag” in our tests, meeting even Ryanair’s strict hand-luggage requirements. For checked luggage, Antler consistently scores highly, and its £425 trunk suitcase combines a durable, premium build with sleek styling – making it an investment worth considering. Staying closer to home? Floyd’s surprisingly spacious weekend bag is a solid option for a UK break.
Finally, if you do have a flight booked and your portable fan packed, it may be worth treating yourself to a few beauty essentials to keep your skin feeling fresh in transit. This collagen face mask kept our tester’s skin “hydrated for 14 hours” during a long-haul journey and comes highly recommended. CeraVe's eye repair cream is currently reduced to under £11 and will help revive tired eyes after hours in the air. And if you want to arrive smelling fresh, Jo Malone’s unisex miniature fragrances are a foolproof choice.
|
|
|
Join the conversation and follow us
|
|
|
Please do not reply directly to this email
You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Travel newsletter.
To unsubscribe from The Independent's Travel newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.
This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345
Read our privacy policy and cookie policy
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep a civil tongue.