difference between 1st class Sleeper Compartment and 2nd class T4

You could fly Meridiana or easyJet from Naples to Venice for less than the cost of the train.

Naples to Venice is a long ride with frequent stops that will often awaken you. Trains in Europe are much different than in the US and we felt safe (two women and myself) in a 6 person berth. Wish I'd done the first class, but..oh well. Nothing to worry about.

I agree with the writer from Italy that you should fly. Quick trip and probably cheaper than the train. You'll arrive fresher and ready to hit the ground running. "Sleeping" on a train is not a sure thing. Good Luck!

We have taken both the first class and second class. The closeness of the bunks left me sleepless. We couldn't sit up and I spent most of the night in the hall. Our roommates were fine--it was just too small. The first class was fine we arrived having slept comfortablly all night. I would recommend flying over train from Venice to Naples.

On this train the couchettes sleep four people in bunks. The sleepers have beds and sleep either one, two, or three people.

If there are two of you traveling and you book a three-bed sleeper, then you will share it with a stranger and all of you must be of the same sex. If you're traveling with your wife, you will need to either book a two-bed sleeper or share a four-bunk couchette with strangers. Couchettes can be either mixed or women only.

Thanks very much for all your responses. I may rethink the night train and also consider flying or renting a car as we have not figured out yet How to do the Amalfi coast anyway.
Cheers
Bill

Price it out both ways (flying vs train). My guess is that the train is the better deal, especially once you put a value on your time. First off, you have to sleep somewhere that night so subtract $120 or so from the train cost for what you u would have spent on a hotel anyway. So you need to fly 2 people for about $140. Second, you need to get to the Naples airport, arriving early to check in, then get from the Venice airport Venice proper. All of which eats into your vacation time, as opposed to going from the Naples train station to the Venice train station (right in the heart of Venice) consuming only time you spend sleeping.

I've taken night trains before, and we have 2 upcoming nights this fall. Wear earplugs if the rail noise bothers you, take an Ambien, things are fine.

Hi Bill,
I am surprised nobody had mentioned Euro-rail passes purchased before you leave for Italy (That are only available to non-European citizens) very affordable.
I never made any reservations before hand, most of the time just arrived at the train station, filled a box on my flexi euro-pass ticket the date in ink and got on, nothing else!
On overnight rides generally there is a small supplement/reservation fee maybe $20-30USD in addition to using a day on your flexi pass (trains that leave after 7 p.m. only requires the use of the next day written in ink on your flexi pass)
The train rides from Naples to Venice average from 8-10 hours but the high speed train takes about 6 hours so you can leave in the morning and arrive in the afternoon and than stay at a hotel. (the high speed trains are included with your Euro-passes, though you do need to make a reservation on that type of train)
I have done 2 major European tours and had spent a lot of time in Italy.
I hope this helps!
Regards,
Pete

Pete....probably no one mentioned the Eurail Passes because we're only talking about one journey here. As well, ticket prices in Italy make a pass usually inefficient, cost-wise....unless you're travelling long distances every single day.

Our family took a 2nd class Couchette from Paris to Venice 2 weeks ago. It was an interesting experience but none of us got any sleep. The power went out in our car 3 hours into the trip and with no AC it was unbearably hot. Had that not happened it would have been an ok way to travel. We were able to lock our couchette and felt safe.