Many of us dream about embarking on an overnight sleeper train but with the most fancy racking up costs of over £5000 a night, is it possible to tick off this bucket list item without breaking the bank?
Well, the good news is that there are plenty of affordable sleeper train options, and here’s my top 5 favourites.
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5 Affordable Sleeper Train Journeys Around the World
Overnight sleeper trains are one of my favourite ways to travel because you get to stay and explore at the same time!
This also means they can be cost effective, as long as you’re picking the right ones to travel on…
The Canadian, Canada
Route: Toronto to Vancouver and vice versa
Duration: 4 nights
The journey
For a legendary sleeper train journey, The Canadian really delivers. It crosses the country from Toronto on the eastern coast all the way to Vancouver on the Pacific side.
This iconic trip takes you past shimmering lakes, deep forests, enormous prairies and the majestic Canadian Rockies. The views are seriously incredible – probably some of the best you’ll see in your life!
If you just want to do a section, you can pick from various combinations. The Edmonton to Winnipeg leg – which takes a day – is the cheapest.
On board
If you’re in a sleeper carriage, there’s a restaurant car serving hot meals, an activity carriage complete with puzzles and games and an observation deck to look out at the views. Whether you’ll be sharing your bathroom facilities will be based on your class type, as will be your access to the Skyline car which has a comfy bar area to enjoy your drinks in.
The Canadian travel classes and prices
Economy
If you’re on a budget, the economy seat includes a reclining seat.
Berth
Bench seating reclines into lie flat bed.
Cabin
Your own private cabin with a toilet.
Prestige
Your own luxury private cabin with a wrap around sofa that converts into a double bed, and with your own toilet and shower.
Type | Price | Economy – Seat | Winnipeg – Edmonton from CAD 174 / £94pp Toronto – Vancouver from CAD 514 / £279pp |
|---|---|
Berth | Winnipeg – Edmonton from CAD 394 / £213pp Toronto – Vancouver from CAD 885 / £479pp |
Cabin for 1 | Winnipeg – Edmonton from CAD 711 / £385pp Toronto – Vancouver from CAD 1,667 / £903pp |
Cabin for 2 | Winnipeg – Edmonton from CAD 1067 / £5789pp Toronto – Vancouver from CAD 2,400 / £1,300pp |
Prestige | Winnipeg – Edmonton from CAD 5,338 / £2,892pp Toronto – Vancouver from CAD 12,080 / £6,544 pp |
The cheapest prices are available the furthest out.
I travelled on The Canadian in February 2026, and tested out each class. You can read my review here, or watch my review over on YouTube.
The Caledonian Sleeper, England & Scotland
Route: London to the Highlands (Highlander route) & London to Glasgow/ Edinburgh (Lowlander route) and vice versa
Duration: 1 night
The journey
The Caledonian Sleeper connects you from the busy streets of London to the wild beauty of Scotland.
You depart London Euston in the evening, and when you wake up you’re already in Scotland, watching beautiful mountains, glens and lochs race by.
Now your spot on the train will depend on your final destination, because it splits at certain points to head toward the different cities.
The Highlander train also stops at Birmingham, splits at Edinburgh and goes to Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. The Lowlander train splits at Carstairs and heads to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
You don’t need to get off though, so whatever your final destination, you can kick back and wait to arrive.
The Caledonian Sleeper travel classes and prices
Seat
The seated coach comes with an adjustable headrest and footrest, USB and power outlets, a reading light, tray table, and sleep kit.
Classic room
The Classic room features twin bunk beds with Glencraft mattresses, an in-room washbasin, complimentary sleep kit, and room service available.
Club ensuite
The Club room features twin bunk beds with handcrafted Glencraft mattresses, a private ensuite shower room, breakfast included onboard and room service available.
Type | Price | Seat | London – Edinburgh from £54pp London – Inverness from £59pp |
|---|---|
Classic | London – Edinburgh from £145pp London – Inverness from £147.50pp |
Club ensuite | London – Edinburgh from £180pp London – Inverness from £185pp |
Caledonian Double ensuite | London – Edinburgh from £247pp London – Inverness from £285pp |
The Reunification Express, Vietnam
Route: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and vice versa
Duration: 2 nights
The journey
One long railway connects north and south Vietnam, and it’s known as the Reunification Express (Thong Nhat railway).
Since Vietnam is long and thin, this railway hits many of the major highlights – plus since you’re not in a plane you get to enjoy glimpses of daily life, from rice fields to local towns.
The whole route runs from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, and will take you about 35 hours. If you’re looking to just do a chunk, then the Hanoi to Da Nang portion has beautiful sea views (bag a seat on the left if you’re travelling south).
You can hop off too if you want, you just need advance reservations for each leg you’re taking.
The Reunification Express travel classes and prices
Seat
You can book a reclining seat – most have power outlets.
Type | Price |
|---|---|
Seat | Hanoi to Danang from 697,000 VND / £20pp Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City from £1,041,000 VND / £29pp |
Berth in a 6 berth cabin | Hanoi to Danang from 1,054,000 VND / £30pp Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City from 1,515,000 VND / £43pp |
Berth in a 4 berth cabin | Hanoi to Danang from 1,648,000 VND / £46pp Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City from 2,060,000 VND / £58pp |
Prices are for Vietnamese trains; dedicated tourist services are more expensive
SJ Night Train, Sweden & Norway
Route: Stockholm to Narvik
Duration: 1 night
The SJ Night train is not running direct at the moment. Passengers for Stockholm to Abisko need to change at Boden, and passengers for Stockholm to Narvik need to change at Boden and then again at Kiruna onto a replacement bus.
The journey
I took this sleeper train a few years ago, and it’s a great way to reach the Arctic Circle if you’re keen on seeing the Northern Lights. I boarded in Stockholm in the evening, and the train travels north through Sweden and across Sapmi (Lapland), arriving in the Arctic Circle by morning. You reach Norway just after midday.
I actually got off at Abisko, which is famous for its blue hole – basically a gap in the clouds above the national park here. It’s a unique formation that makes it great for Northern Lights spotting.
While Finland has a similar route – The Santa Claus Express – from Helsinki to Roveniemi – I rate this one as a more budget-friendly route, especially if you’re all about the Northern Lights.
On board
You can book a seat, a berth in a 3-berth compartment or a berth in a 6-berth compartment. If you book a berth you get access to a shared shower. Some compartments are mixed gender, others are single sex. There are also private ensuite compartments for two with a toilet and shower and breakfast included.
There’s a restaurant car for warm meals, snacks and sandwiches.
Wifi
Some trains have Wifi.
SJ Night Train travel classes and prices
Seat
You can book a reclining seat – most have power outlets.
6-berth compartment
You get a berth with a pillow, sheet, blanket and towel. There’s a sink inside, and you get access to a shared toilet and shower in the corridor. You can choose between womens, mens and mixed compartments.
3-berth compartment
This has the same facilities as the 6-berth, you’ve just got fewer berths. You can choose between womens and mens compartments.
Private compartment – 1st or 2nd class
You can book a private ensuite compartment for two that has a toilet and shower. If you opt for first class, breakfast is included.
Type | Price | Seat | Stockholm to Abisko from 625 SEK / £50pp
Stockholm to Narvik from 675 SEK / £54pp |
|---|---|
Berth in a 6 berth couchette | Stockholm to Abisko from 795 SEK / £64pp Stockholm to Narvik from 865 SEK / £70pp |
Berth in a 3 berth compartment | Stockholm to Absiko from 1,245 SEK / £100pp Stockholm to Narvik from 1,175 SEK / £95pp |
Private compartment | Stockholm to Abisko from 1,915 SEK / £154pp Stockholm to Narvik from 2,024 SEK / £163pp |
Rovos Rail, South Africa
Route: Pretoria to Durban
Duration: 2 nights
The journey
If you want a luxury train experience, but you don’t have Orient Express money, then my tip is to head to South Africa and step aboard Rovos Rail.
You get a big dose of glamour as you step on this historic train that travels through South Africa, past iconic sights, gorgeous vineyards and amazing national parks.
The shortest – and most wallet-friendly – journey is from Pretoria to Durban (2 nights), and even includes a game drive. You can pick from various routes though, including Pretoria to Cape Town (3 nights) and even as far as Namibia (11 nights).
There are no seats going here – you book a fancy cabin with wood panelling and a full-size bed – some even have freestanding bathtubs! It’s a splurge for sure, but as a bucket list trip – you can’t beat it!
Rovos Rail travel classes and prices
Pullman suite
The Pullman suite can be configured with a double bed or bunks (some can accommodate twin bed), which convert to a sofa seat during the day. There’s an ensuite toilet and shower and various facilities including a fold-up desk, fridge, tea facilities and a robe and slippers.
Type | Price | Pullman suite | Pretoria to Durban from R40, 800 / £1,834pp
Pretoria to Cape Town from R45,000 / £2,024pp |
|---|---|
Deluxe suite | Pretoria to Durban from R63,000 / £2,833pp Pretoria to Cape Town from R64,800 / £2,913pp |
Royal Suite | Pretoria to Durban from R84,000 / £3,777pp Pretoria to Cape Town from R86,400 / £3,885pp |
Choose An Affordable Sleeper Train Journey For Your Next Adventure
An affordable sleeper train is the perfect way to travel if you enjoying your surroundings. Plus you’re combining your transport and accommodation in one – now that’s a travel hack I can really get behind! Whether you choose a quick trip to Scotland on The Caledonian or a bucketlist adventure on Rovos Rail, you’re sure to have an adventure.
