Munich to Milan CNL

I've done the one to Venice with a 2nd class compartment. Its at night, so there is no scenery. The train stops a lot along the way and sits in stations for extended periods of time during the night. The journey takes 12+ hours, while it can done during the day for 7+ hours with a single connection, if that is any indication. The compartments are comfortable, if you like bunk beds. A good nights sleep? Maybe if you are a very sound sleeper.

Well the idea is to sleep and it will be dark outside because it is at night, and the other people will be trying to sleep so the blinds will be down, so even if you are awake - you will be - you won't see much.

If, on the other hand, you have paid top money for the private compartment, you can have your blind up if you wish. You won't see much because of the darkness, but you will see the bright lights of the stations you creep through or stop at.

I haven't done that precise route at night for many years, but when I did it I didn't sleep much. I was on a train of gastarbeiter and it wasn't empty.

I ridden many a night train in my time, always when I was younger and didn't care if I was a zombie the next day. I've ridden my last one, most likely, now.

That said, some people still like them enough to ride them repeatedly, including one of our frequent contributors here. Many people do it once, either for "the experience" or for "the romance". Not much romance and the experience can often be of tossing and turning all night and zombie the next day.

Between all the night trains, expensive specials like the Orient Express aside, CNL have the best reputation and best facilities - or always have done.

Read the Man in Seat 61 for his guidance on night trains...

Have taken 3 night trains, including CNL from Bologna to Munich. 1 good experience, 2 unsatisfactory ones. I would recommend getting the deluxe sleeper if it is in your budget. You'll need to check out your hotel in the morning, by the evening we want to take a shower to clean up. Deluxe cabin has a shower and toilet in your cabin. No scenery, it was dark. I could sleep because I took a sleeping pill. Also bring eyeshades, because each time the train crosses an intersection the lights will flash in your cabin even with the shades drawn.

We liked the concept of taking a night train, these days will just fly. One one trip the A/C was broken. Trains sit out in the sun all day, the interior was over 100F, impossible to sleep and too noisy with the window open for air. On a different trip the entire car with our cabin was not on the train! They just didn't hook it up, the very unhelpful conductor eventually put us into an economy room even though we had paid for the deluxe. If you choose to take a night train, hopefully your experience is better.

Thank you. We booked the deluxe double room with the ensuite bathroom.