First class: amazing places where train-lovers can spend the night

The best places to sleep for train enthusiasts

Train-spotters and rail enthusiasts need a good night’s kip after long days spent on the rails, so wouldn’t it be great if the tracks could extend to where you lay your head? From repurposed train stations, carriages and cottages to themed motels and hotels with fantastic rail links, we’ve pulled together 29 unique stays that promise unforgettable experiences for lovers of locomotives.

Read on to see the best railway-themed stays around the world...

Alton Station, Staffordshire, England, UK

Originally built by the North Staffordshire Railway to run services from Stoke-on-Trent, Alton Station was lovingly restored by the Landmark Trust and is now a rental property. It can sleep up to eight people, with one bedroom in what was once the ticket office and all others in the Stationmaster’s House, as well as old waiting rooms that have been transformed into kitchen and dining spaces. Families with young rail buffs may want to visit nearby theme park Alton Towers during their stay, which, among its many attractions, includes a 'Runaway Mine Train' ride.

Bellevue des Alpes, Kleine Scheidegg, Switzerland

The Bellevue des Alpes is one of the last-surviving grand hotels of the 19th century, open during the summer and winter seasons and only accessible via the Wengernalpbahn due to its alpine location. Guests can take the train from either Lauterbrunnen, Wengen or Grindelwald to the station at Kleine Scheidegg to reach the hotel. Don't miss the train ride even further up the Eiger Mountain to Eigergletscher station, where it’s possible to transfer to the famous Jungfrau Railway and end at Jungfraujoch – the highest railway station on the continent.

The Ammunition Wagon, East Sussex, England, UK

As its name suggests, the Ammunition Wagon was used during the Second World War to carry cargo such as explosives and military ammunition behind a working steam engine. Now it's been given renewed purpose as a modern holiday home, designed to sleep two adults and two children within its cosy carriage. It lies next to the Northiam heritage station on the Kent and East Sussex Railway line, providing great train-spotting opportunities from its leafy patio. From Northiam station, passengers can board services to Bodiam, Rolvenden and Tenterden.

Tatamagouche Train Station Inn, Nova Scotia, Canada

Made up of several Canadian-built cabooses and boxcars, rooms at Tatamagouche Train Station Inn mostly hold up to four people, with some double-occupancy options and a shiny new caboose which can accommodate five. The station itself was constructed around 1887 and nowadays, in addition to the hotel, comprises a gift shop, dining-car restaurant, cafe and the Baggage Room bar, with live music sometimes performed on the old platform. The disused rail-bed now belongs to the Trans Canada Trail, a long-distance hiking route which visitors can follow over Campbell’s railway bridge into Nelson Park.

The Railway Carriage, Somerset, England, UK

Sitting beside the West Somerset steam railway, The Railway Carriage is a purpose-built replica train carriage sleeping four across two rooms. It offers self-catering facilities, a hot tub and glorious views over rolling English countryside. Trains pass by the property regularly most days and can be heard chugging along, pumping out hearty choo-choos. The West Somerset Railway line stretches for 20 miles (32km) from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard, stopping off at several stations en route in an immensely scenic journey which takes around an hour and 20 minutes end to end.

Nine Skies, Ella, Sri Lanka

Boutique bungalow Nine Skies is perfectly located for rail enthusiasts looking to see the renowned Nine Arch Bridge, also known as 'The Bridge in the Sky'. The viaduct dates back to Sri Lanka’s colonial era and is still used by trains today. A short walk through the jungle will take you to the bridge, which towers over an emerald valley of tea plantations. For a different perspective, Demodara train station is just down the road from Nine Skies, where travellers can pick up a service to Haputale (among other destinations) and cross over the iconic bridge.

The Station Flat, Cornwall, England, UK

The two-bed Station Flat sits above the ticket office at Benny Halt station in St Newlyn East and is a great base for exploring the Lappa Valley railway network. The holiday apartment, ideal for young families, sits next to the tracks of one of Cornwall’s first railway lines and visitors wishing to ride a narrow-gauge steam engine can board frequent services to East Wheal Rose, from where it's easy to access two further train routes. Entry to all Lappa Valley facilities is included for guests at the Station Flat, with train-driving upgrades available for adults too.

Namsen Salmon and Train Experience, Overhalla, Norway

Suspended over the Namsen River on a disused railway bridge deep in the Norwegian countryside, the Namsen Salmon and Train Experience involves sleeping in a converted 1960s train carriage. Active locomotives stopped crossing the bridge in 2005 and thereafter it fell into disrepair. Now, it plays host to 10 two-bed compartments, each with their own washing facilities and river views, and separate carriages reserved for dining and toilet/shower cubicles. Accommodation is booked on a bed-and-breakfast basis, with lunches and dinners made with local produce available to pre-order at an additional cost.

Three Hares Carriage, Devon, England, UK

Having been in the same family for generations, Three Hares Carriage is a Victorian third-class carriage formerly used in the 1880s given new life as a beautiful rural bolthole for up to two people. It has kept some original features and been sympathetically restored, while incorporating a touch of contemporary luxury. The cathedral city of Exeter is just three miles (5km) from the property, where real rail aficionados can hop on the newly-restored historic Dartmoor Line, which operates trains to Okehampton: the gateway to Dartmoor National Park.

Carska, Bialowieza, Poland

Guests will feel as though they’ve arrived in the early 1900s at Carska. Now an opulent hotel and restaurant, it was once a railway station built in 1903 for Russian Tsar Nicholas II to ensure his diplomatic visits to Poland were easy and comfortable. Rooms range from luxury railroad wagons-turned-saloon cars to apartments in the station’s water tower and the Railway Man’s Lodge, sleeping eight. Interiors are authentic to the Imperial period, with lots of dark wood, rich tones and sumptuous vintage fabrics. There is also a fully-functioning steam engine and a Russian sauna on-site.

Coed y Bleiddiau, Gwynedd, Wales, UK

Set within Snowdonia National Park, Coed y Bleiddiau is another heritage property managed by the Landmark Trust. This compact cottage sleeps up to four and lies alongside the Ffestiniog Railway, which was used to transport slate in the 19th and early 20th centuries. During the Second World War the railway was all but forgotten about, before eventually being restored by a team of dedicated volunteers and enthusiasts. With its own private platform, guests can arrive at Coed y Bleiddiau by steam train if they coordinate their timings with the daily service.

Villa Edera, Moneglia, Italy

Ideally positioned for a train-hopping adventure along the Ligurian Riviera, Villa Edera even has its own direct lift down to Moneglia railway station, which offers inexpensive connections to destinations across the region. The hotel is family-run and comes complete with a Michelin-starred restaurant, manicured gardens and a fabulous pool, while Moneglia itself provides sandy beaches and laidback vibes. If it takes your fancy, Inntravel currently hosts a self-guided walking holiday based out of Villa Edera, which encourages use of the local rail network to reach the pretty coastal villages between Cinque Terre and Portofino.

The Old Railway Station, West Sussex, England, UK

The Old Railway Station in Petworth was born again after closing down in 1966, after many decades as part of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway network. Following the building’s renovation, it opened as a bed-and-breakfast in 1995 with two guest rooms located in the Station House. Since then, the owners have purchased and refurbished four Pullman carriages, bringing the total number of rooms to 10. Modern travellers can explore by train from nearby Pulborough station, which connects to the likes of Arundel, Amberley and Bognor Regis.

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station, Indiana, USA

Built as the USA's first union station in the 19th century, this building now houses the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station. Shadows of the hotel’s past are seen throughout, particularly in the foyer of the Grand Hall which was once the station’s main concourse when up to 200 daily steam services would pass through. Accommodation is located within the historic train shed, where guests can choose between conventional rooms or converted Pullman cars, each named after a famous 20th-century figure.

Stow-Away, London, England, UK

A so-called 'eco apart-hotel' formed out of stacked shipping containers, Stow-Away overlooks London's Waterloo station and is built on land formerly owned by National Rail. It’s a great stay in the capital for train-spotters and keen rail travellers, with sleek studio-style apartments combining functionality with sustainability-minded design. Each has a kitchenette, blackout blinds, a marble-tiled shower and Molton Brown toiletries. In 2021, for the first time in 17 years, Waterloo lost the title of 'Britain’s busiest station', but it remains a major transport hub.

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Umekoji, Kyoto, Japan

Located just a five-minute stroll from the Kyoto Railway Museum (the biggest of its kind in Japan), The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Umekoji is brilliantly suited to rail buffs. Its designated 'Railway Room' features photographs of high-speed Shinkansen, often referred to as bullet trains, as well as train-themed bedding, model trains and a simulation game that puts you in the shoes of a train driver. Kyoto Station can easily be reached on foot or by metro, and the Shinkansen can carry you to other places of interest such as Tokyo, Hiroshima and Mount Fuji.

Brockford Railway Sidings, Suffolk, England, UK

Brockford Railway Sidings is a collection of rail-themed accommodations in rural East Anglia. Carriage One once belonged to the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway fleet and sleeps four people, Carriage Two sleeps six and the Italian Carriage – which earned its name from wartime exploits when it was used by Italian prisoners of war – sleeps four. There is also the Guard’s Van, Station House and Wilby Halt for guests to stay in; the latter comprising a replica of Wilby train station, a carriage and original box wagon. The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Museum is a short walk from here and Bressingham Steam Museum is half an hour’s drive.

Red Caboose Motel, Pennsylvania, USA

Created from redundant rolling stock from the Pennsylvania railroad, the Red Caboose Motel was the brainchild of Donald M Denlinger who opened it in 1970 after bidding on the 19 original surplus cabooses that house part of this quirky accommodation and its restaurant. There are now 38 carriages plus a baggage car and a post car, all decorated thematically to evoke nostalgia for America’s railways. Pick up a souvenir from the on-site gift shop and jump on the Red Caboose Express, a small trackless train that tours the property.

The Signal Box, Devon, England, UK

Sitting on the now-mothballed 'Primrose Line' branch of the Great Western Railway, the Signal Box is adjacent to Loddiswell Station, where the owners of the holiday rental reside. The station building dates back to 1893 and was designed by Victorian architect William Clarke, whose handiwork also extends to the stations at Kingsbridge, Avonwick and Gara Bridge. Operations ceased entirely at Loddiswell by 1963, its 70-year history seeing refugee monks from France transporting materials for a monastery and the journeys of military servicemen preparing for D-Day. The Signal Box is a replica, but the original neighbouring station remains.

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City, Canada

Standing strong since 1893, the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac dominates the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Quebec’s old town and is one of Canada’s nine remaining grand hotels positioned along the Pacific Railway, intended at the time to attract affluent travellers traversing the country by train. Rail enthusiasts can still experience the Pacific Railway for themselves, which stretches cross-country from east to west and was vital to Canada’s economic development back in the day. The hotel has retained a classic quality, reminiscent of the golden age of train travel, with elegant interiors and dramatic architecture.

Platform 1 – Castle Howard Station, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Nestled in the belly of the Derwent Valley, Platform 1 – Castle Howard Station offers accommodation for four people within a Grade II-listed old railway station. Castle Howard Station once served the eponymous North Yorkshire estate nearby and was visited by Queen Victoria well over a century ago on her way to meet the Earl of Carlisle. Modern passenger trains running between York and Scarborough still sweep past the property today, which also gives its guests a wonderful vantage point to spot the specialist steam services that occasionally chug by.

A-Train Hotel, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Sitting across the street from Amsterdam Centraal Station, the A-Train Hotel embraces all the character of train-themed accommodation without compromising on comfort. The 3-star property is well located – you can use the metro and tram network to explore locally, or take the train to places of interest further afield, like Zaandam or Utrecht. Die-hard train lovers will swoon over the hotel’s Pullman Lounge, where breakfast is served amid archive photos of Dutch railways and memorabilia. Be sure to book a ‘First Class’ room for views of Amsterdam Centraal.

Dent Station, Cumbria, England, UK

Viewers of Channel 4’s Four in a Bed TV series, where B&B owners go head-to-head for the chance to be crowned one of the UK’s best, may recognise Dent Station from a 2013 episode. The highest mainline station in England, it sits alongside the tracks of the active Settle-Carlisle line and can accommodate up to four guests. The lounge and kitchen areas began life as the station’s waiting rooms, the current bathroom was the gentlemen’s washroom and the toilet was formerly the coal store. Rail buffs will be enthralled by the site’s 145-year history.

Railway Crossing Cottage, County Donegal, Ireland

Railway Crossing Cottage provides a quiet, cosy and unplugged getaway for two adults just six miles (10km) from Donegal town, where you’ll find the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre. The cottage, or gatehouse as it would have been known in its prime, sat on the Killybegs branch before being abandoned in the 1970s and was later restored by a couple with familial ties to the railway. Six daily trains would once have passed by the cottage, but now its large garden follows the old line of the track bed.

Amanjiwo, Java, Indonesia

Overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Borobudur Temple, Amanjiwo is a high-end resort with wellbeing, nature and tranquillity at its core. Guests are currently being offered the opportunity to travel through Java by train with the hotel, and your three-night stay begins in style with a seven-hour trip on the Kereta Api Wisata train from Jakarta. You’ll have access to the VIP lounges at Pasar Senen Station in Jakarta and Tugu Station in Yogyakarta, and a resident anthropologist will join you for the journey to explain the culture and sights of central Java unfolding outside your window.

Station Cottage, Shropshire, England, UK

Recently renovated, Station Cottage can welcome up to four people in its accommodation, which was once the ticket office and waiting room for a Victorian railway station. Guests can arrive by train into Bucknell’s modern-day station on the Heart of Wales line, running from Swansea to Shrewsbury, and step through the front door just 33 feet (10m) from the platform. Anyone with even the slightest affinity for railways will be in their element staying here, and eight trains drift in and out of the station every day.

Kruger Shalati, Skukuza, South Africa

Opened at the end of 2020, Kruger Shalati provides lavish accommodation on a stationary train perpetually poised above the Sabie River on the historic Selati Bridge. Its positioning gives a nostalgic nod to the 1920s, when visitors started coming to Kruger National Park for the first time on a train which would park overnight on this very bridge. There are 31 rooms, 24 of which are carriage rooms with glass walls with stunning vistas of the river and beyond. Two swimming pools suspended above the Sabie allow for a wildlife-watching experience like no other.

St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London, England, UK

Occupying the ornate red-brick building first commissioned by the Midland Railway Company, the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel was once known as the Midland Grand Hotel. Between its relaunch as the Renaissance in 2011 and its initial incarnation, it was used for railway offices. These days, the property is the most luxurious way to kick off a journey from St Pancras Station: London’s gateway to international rail travel. The Eurostar operates fuss-free train services from here to cities like Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. It also facilitates short and long-distance journeys to destinations around the UK, along with nearby King’s Cross and Euston stations.

Train Spot Guesthouse, Marvao, Portugal

Previously, Train Spot Guesthouse served as Marvao-Beira Station, a 19th century terminal and a stop along the now-deactivated Caceres branch of the Portuguese rail network. Guests can choose from a range of rooms offering en suite and shared facilities, with breakfast included. The guesthouse is set within the Natural Park of Serra de Sao Mamede, making it a sought-after destination for nature lovers and rail buffs alike. To satisfy both interests, you could hire a railbike; a fun activity that involves pedalling along disused tracks.

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