The Caledonian Sleeper service will connect Scotland with Birmingham from January 2026, in what operators are calling the biggest timetable change in three decades.
From 15 January, trains from Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William will travel to and from London via Birmingham International. The Lowland route to Glasgow and Edinburgh will remain unchanged.
Journey Times Unaffected
Caledonian Sleeper’s interim managing director Graham Kelly said journey lengths and departure times would not be affected.
“We are continuing to run our service in its existing format,” he told BBC Scotland News. “It is about adding Birmingham as an additional opportunity. The length of the trains and resourcing on board will all continue to remain.”
Kelly said research suggested demand for the change, with the new stop expected to boost tourism in both the north of Scotland and the West Midlands.
Service Now Publicly Run
The Caledonian Sleeper was taken over by the Scottish government in 2023, after the previous contract with Serco was terminated seven years early. Ministers at the time pledged to build on a rise in passenger numbers.
The new Birmingham service will operate six nights a week, with no departures on Saturday evenings.
Boost for Tourism and Connectivity
The announcement has been welcomed by business and tourism leaders. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:
“This iconic service means people from across the West Midlands will soon be able to travel comfortably and sustainably to discover the stunning beauty of northern Scotland. But it also means our Scottish friends can come and explore the wonderful West Midlands. That’s a win-win for tourism and hospitality businesses on both sides of the border.”
Industry figures believe the addition of Birmingham will help diversify passenger demand, offering both leisure travellers and business customers a more sustainable alternative to flying.
Expanding an Iconic Brand
Launched in its modern form in 1996, the Caledonian Sleeper has long been regarded as one of the UK’s most distinctive long-distance services. It offers overnight travel with a choice of seats, berths, and luxury en-suite cabins.
Adding Birmingham International — a key hub for both the West Midlands and wider UK transport network — is being seen as a significant step in broadening its appeal beyond Scotland and London.
