Sleeper Trains Worth Experiencing on Your Travels
Content and CRM Executive
Whether you’re on a European city-hopping adventure or want to cross vast swathes of countryside at once in Southeast Asia, the sleeper train is a convenient and exciting option. Here are the best overnight sleeper journeys you can take with Culture Trip.
You doze off slowly to the soothing motion of a train gently whizzing through the countryside. You wake up in a totally different part of the country, perhaps having arrived at your destination already. Sleeper trains are a unique experience that turn your travel time into an activity in itself, without having to waste a minute of your daytime schedule. It’s a strange blend of efficiency mixed with a sense of childlike wonderment – it’s a gimmick, but it’s fun. Our trips are carefully curated by Travel Experts who know how to perfectly plan out an itinerary that lets you see lots of a country, or even a continent, in just one trip. Our Rail Trips embrace sustainable slow travel, while sleeper trains even feature on our classic Culture Trips, too.
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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
CentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.Next
CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea. Next
CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different. SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.Next
SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon. Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Next
Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers. Next
Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers. Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Next
Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise. Next
Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price Africa
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Next
Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt. Next
Caledonian Sleeper train, London to Scotland
Overnight trains from London to Scotland date as far back as 1873, and the Caledonian Sleeper ensures modern travellers get a classy and comfortable journey through the heartlands of England, all the way up to the Scottish Highlands. Setting off from London Euston, you’ll doze off somewhere between the Midlands and the North of England, waking up to truly splendid views of the ruggedly handsome Scottish countryside. After waking yourself up with a good stare outside your cabin window, you can slink down to the dining carriage for a hearty full Highland Breakfast with a view – the perfect way to start the day. It’s how we start our Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands trip. You’ll meet the group in London, hop onboard and go all the way to Fort William – the starting point of our stunning Scotland rail adventure.
From US$2799
Next available from 29th Apr 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
London, England
ENDS AT
Edinburgh, Scotland
DURATION
7
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Thai Sleeper, Nong Khai (near Laos) to Bangkok
This comprehensive two-week epic utilises the trains of Thailand and Laos to cover vast swathes of Southeast Asia – swapping the tracks for a Mekong river cruise across the first few days in Laos. The sleeper experience is a particularly useful one that turns our trip into a full loop. Having started in Bangkok and explored Sukhothai, Chiang Mai and Chiang Khong, as well as crossing into Laos and exploring the Mekong and Nam Song rivers, we’ll end up in Vang Vieng. From there we’ll catch a high-speed train to Vientiane, near the Laos-Thai border. We’ll transfer across the border to Nong Khai, where we can catch a sleeper train all the way to Bangkok, meaning you can have two more days in the Thai capital and depart from the same airport you arrived at. The carriages themselves are surprisingly comfortable and, thankfully, air-conditioned. This is no luxury experience, but the convenience is next level.
From US$2299
Next available from 13th Jan 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Bangkok, Thailand
ENDS AT
Bangkok, Thailand
DURATION
14
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Watania Sleeper, Giza to Luxor, Egypt
People forget just how massive Egypt is, and often don’t realise how spread out some of its greatest attractions are. Our nine-day Ultimate Egypt trip aims to offer the most comprehensive Egyptian experience out there. All of the most famous sights – Pyramids, Sphinx, Cairo – are in the north, but there’s so much to explore in Luxor and Aswan, both of which we’ll explore during a four day luxury cruise down the Nile – kind of like the water equivalent of a sleeper train. To get from Cairo or Giza to Luxor is a bit of a slog, so we figured the way to do it is by sleeper train, cutting the journey in half thanks to the power of sleep. Cabins have two seats each, which fold out into beds at night, with an extra bunk bed above. Warm and cold drinks are served in a lounge car, while dinner and breakfast is included with the ticket. It’s a big old trip, but an adventure in itself, which unlocks a whole different side to Egypt that you’ve never seen before.
From US$2239
Next available from 23rd May 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cairo, Egypt
ENDS AT
Aswan, Egypt
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Hanoi to Hue, Vietnam
Halfway through our 12-day epic in Vietnam, having already explored Hanoi, Halong Bay and Ti Top Island, we’ll make the overnight journey south from Hanoi to the lovely coastal city of Hue. This allows us to go from the tropical bounties of the north to the incredible street food and cultural heritage of Hue, not to mention the gorgeous lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, where we end our trip. It’s a gigantic 688km (428mi) trip, so you’ll be glad to get some sleep along the way. Luckily the cabins are clean and cosy, equipped with an assortment of complimentary drinks, snacks and a pre-packed breakfast. There are also carts selling beer, noodles, further snacks and coffee. Top tip – set your alarm for sunrise, the morning views over Vietnam’s rice paddies, ponds and rural villages are something to behold.
From US$1689
Next available from 17th Feb 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Hanoi, Vietnam
ENDS AT
Hoi An, Vietnam
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
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Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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