New Era of overnight rail for Caledonian Sleeper: Birmingham Stop Starts Jan 2026
The iconic overnight rail service linking London with the Scottish Highlands is set for its most significant transformation in more than three decades, as sleeper trains begin calling at Birmingham International.
From Thursday night, passengers will be able to travel directly between Birmingham International, which also serves the city’s airport, and Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William on the Highlander service operated by Caledonian Sleeper.
overnight rail for Caledonian Sleeper
The operator said the change represents a historic timetable update and addresses long standing gaps in transport options between the West Midlands and the Highlands.
Northbound services from Birmingham International will depart at 22:42 on weeknights and 22:35 on Sundays. After reaching Edinburgh in the early hours, the train will divide into three separate portions. These will arrive in Aberdeen at 07:50, Inverness at 08:45 and Fort William at 10:00, stopping at several stations along the way.
Southbound trains will also run overnight, reaching Birmingham International at 06:20 the following morning.
Graham Kelly, managing director of Caledonian Sleeper, said the addition marked a major milestone for the service.
“This timetable update is a significant step in our mission to expand sustainable cross border travel,” he said. “Birmingham is the latest city to benefit from our overnight service, allowing passengers to fall asleep in the West Midlands in their own private room and wake up to the scenery of the Scottish Highlands.”
Kelly added that the route was expected to prove popular not only with travellers from England heading north, but also with Scottish visitors keen to explore Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.
The Caledonian Sleeper carries around 300,000 passengers a year and serves more than 40 destinations, from major cities to remote Highland communities. It offers a range of accommodation, including private en suite cabins, twin bunk rooms and seated coaches for budget travellers.
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Passengers can also access the Club Car, which serves meals, snacks and drinks featuring Scottish produce, including single malts and craft gins.
The separate Lowlander service, which connects London with Edinburgh and Glasgow, will continue to operate as before and will not stop at Birmingham International.
With the new calling point, travellers can board in central England in the evening and wake either in a major Scottish city or amid some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes, reinforcing the sleeper’s reputation as one of Britain’s most distinctive rail journeys.
