Birmingham, Thursday 15 January 2026 — Caledonian Sleeper has begun operating its first overnight services between Birmingham International and the Scottish Highlands, opening a new direct rail corridor between the West Midlands and Inverness, Fort William and Aberdeen. The operator says the move represents the largest timetable expansion of its network in more than 30 years, extending long-distance night-train services beyond London for the first time in a generation. This is reported by The WP Times, citing The Independent and Caledonian Sleeper.
The new stop means passengers can now board the Highlander service at Birmingham International — the main station serving Birmingham Airport — and travel overnight in private sleeping cabins or seated coaches directly to northern Scotland, removing the need for transfers via London or daytime rail connections.
What has changed on the Caledonian Sleeper Birmingham route
From 15 January 2026, Birmingham International becomes a permanent stop on the Caledonian Sleeper Highlander route, which runs nightly from London Euston to the Scottish Highlands. This change adds the West Midlands to the UK’s long-distance overnight rail network for the first time, giving passengers direct access to northern Scotland without travelling via London by day.
Passengers can now board the Highlander at Birmingham International at 22:42 on weekdays and 22:35 on Sundays, making it possible to travel from the airport or the West Midlands to the Highlands while sleeping. After reaching Edinburgh in the early hours, the train divides into three separate sections for different destinations.
| Destination | Scheduled arrival |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 07:50 |
| Inverness | 08:45 |
| Fort William | 10:00 |
Southbound services also operate overnight, arriving at Birmingham International at 06:20, allowing passengers to reach the West Midlands before the start of the working day. The separate Lowlander service, which runs between London, Glasgow and Edinburgh, is unchanged and does notstop at Birmingham.
Why Birmingham International was added to the Caledonian Sleeper
Caledonian Sleeper said rail links between the West Midlands and the Scottish Highlands had long been “underserved by existing transport options”, with most travellers forced to go via London or use domestic flights. Graham Kelly, managing director of Caledonian Sleeper, said the change was designed to widen access to long-distance rail travel and reduce reliance on short-haul aviation.
“This timetable update is a major step in expanding sustainable long-distance rail travel. Passengers can now fall asleep in the West Midlands and wake up in the Scottish Highlands.”
By stopping at Birmingham International, the service also connects Birmingham Airport directly with northern Scotland, allowing passengers arriving by air to transfer straight onto an overnight sleeper train.
Scottish Highlands and cities now linked directly to Birmingham
The Birmingham stop connects the West Midlands overnight to a wide range of Highland and eastern Scottish destinations, including:
- Inverness
- Fort William
- Aberdeen
- Aviemore
- Dundee
- Gleneagles
- Perth
- Cairngorms National Park
This creates a direct rail corridor between central England and some of the UK’s most important tourism, outdoor and business regions, including the Caledonian Canal, ski areas, and Highlands national parks.
Accommodation and onboard services on the Highlander
Caledonian Sleeper offers several accommodation types to suit different budgets and travel needs.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Seated coach | Reclining seat with a sleep kit |
| Bunk cabin | Single bed in a private room |
| Club room | En-suite shower and toilet |
| Double en-suite | Hotel-style double bed |
The train includes a Club Car, where passengers staying in rooms can order hot meals prepared using Scottish produce, as well as drinks throughout the evening. Family cabins, inter-connecting rooms and pet-friendly accommodation are available. Pets cost £30 per room for up to two animals.
Caledonian Sleeper ticket prices from Birmingham
Ticket prices depend on travel date, demand and accommodation type.
| Travel type | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| Seated coach | £54 – £100 |
| Bunk bed | From around £140 |
| Private room to Fort William | £210 – £405 |
Caledonian Sleeper says fares include both rail travel and overnight accommodation, positioning the service as an alternative to flights plus hotels.
What the new Birmingham stop means for UK travel
The addition of Birmingham International creates the first direct West Midlands–Highlands night-train link of the modern rail era. The operator says it supports:
- Overnight tourism to northern Scotland
- Airport-to-Highlands rail connections
- Lower-carbon long-distance travel
- Direct access to remote regions without London transfers
Steven Marshall, Caledonian Sleeper’s head of sales and marketing, said the route opens “a brand-new cross-border journey” between England and the Scottish Highlands. Read about the life of Westminster and Pimlico district, London and the world. 24/7 news with fresh and useful updates on culture, business, technology and city life: Why did a NATS radar power failure halt Birmingham Airport arrivals after storms hit the UK