So...what does one do if arriving on a train at 6 am?

Even breakfast can be challenging, not specifically Bratislava, but all over, many places open later (9 or 10), some bakeries might open earlier. To be honest, when we were out early, the most dependable place open early is a Starbucks (I see one in central Bratislava opens at 7).

If you can drop your bags though, an early morning walk in some places can be very interesting and peaceful. It can of course also be a bit disheartening if you have to wade through the garbage if it is waiting pick-up. But it is still an interesting time to see the city.

Kind of what we thought too Paul, thanks for confirming what we had in our heads. I have a hotel picked out (Marrol's, I stayed there about 5 years ago) and I figure we could drop our bags, and buy two seats at their buffet breakfast, which was truly extraordinary on my last visit. So that could bring us to 8 or so, well-fortified. And I love the idea of a quiet wander before it gets busy.

Hi,

Is this in the summer? Absolutely no problems arriving then.

I don't know the train station in Bratislava but in the summer, ie, from early May, it will be bright. I've arrived on several night trains at 6 AM, always in the summer.

In that case I go any hotel worthy of your time and expense , one that is nearby that serves breakfast, buy a breakfast ticket and have a leisurely breakfast. The hotel will hold your luggage.

In the summer the best time for a night train arrival is 06:00 - 08:00

I prefer to start the day with a shower and a tooth brush.

If your budget allows, you could consider booking a room in Bratislava starting the night before - letting the hotel know about your plan to arrive in the morning. That way, you can check in upon arrival, and perhaps take a nap if needed.

That is the problem with night trains. Apparently that is the new fashion. If you had a seat verses a sleeper car you would not get the sleep you need. All in all you end up tired and without a place to spend time. Essentially you are homeless for that day until the hotel you booked is open.
Night trains are good if you want to save money, I suppose. But it leaves you in such a state that overall you gained very little. Seems like it is for young backpackers. In addition you do not even get to see the passing countryside. You are transported only, A to B.
I can see that you are both enchanted by a night train and see the challenges. As stated above breakfast may not be available excepting at a hotel that serves it and allows you to come and pay for it. No sights will be open.
You wander. Train lagged.

Night trains are good if you want to save money, I suppose. But it leaves you in such a state that overall you gained very little. Seems like it is for young backpackers.

I have to disagree with this statement. I don't know if the OP has taken night trains before, but everyone should to determine where they fall. I am a close to age 70 traveler and prefer more luxury than when I was in college, but even then I slept flat in a couchette. Both my H and I love the overnight trains. Fun and convenient. We always get a room to ourselves now. That being said, my 35 year old niece, sleeps fine in coach. So, in other words, everyone should try each way before deciding against it. I find the sleep fine and more important, the adventure and convenience wonderful.

As far as being homeless until the hotel opens? My hotels are always open in the mornings so not sure which hotels might be closed at 6:00 AM. Drop your bag, enjoy the early morning, have breakfast and do your usual day. Chances are just as good that you slept well than you didn't. And at my age, a lovely bed and room in a hotel does not guarantee a good nights sleep. LOL. At least the train is fun and an adventure, always. IMO

Thanks for all the responses! I do understand the idea of being homeless for the day, sounds like our typical first day in Europe after an early arriving red eye. Mr E probably won't have a shower on the train but I'm sure I can use my toothbrush. ;)

Fred good point. We are traveling in Sept and Google tells me sunrise is at 6:30. I rarely get to see a sunrise (even this time of year--left to my own devices I am not a morning person!) so this sounds like part of the adventure.

I do believe we'll get a cab to the hotel.

Wray thanks for your perspective. It is an adventure, that's why we are considering it. At 59 and 66, we stayed in a hostel for the first time in 2023! I definitely don't want to sit up on the train all night but I love train travel (with zero practical options for it in my "real" life), and I'm looking forward to having a compartment at least once in my life!

Thanks everyone. I have a plan now, as long as I can figure out how to book it!

Are you a light sleeper? Or could you snooze happily through a loud war taking place right outside your room? This can make a big difference in your Night Train Experience. Me, I'm a light sleeper.

If you require darkness, quiet, or lack of motion to sleep well (or to sleep at all), then you might want to think twice about that night train. I've taken a couple of night trains (in Germany and Italy), under what most folks would probably consider about as good as the sleeping conditions on a train can get: private or semi-private compartment, flat (bunk) beds, pillows, blankets, eyeshade, high quality earplugs, nobody there but my spouse and me...

I never got a wink of sleep on either of those trains, zero, none, nada, not for more than a second or two. Up all night due to skull-splitting high-pitched screeches (rails and machinery), constant motion, vibration and jostling, with intermittent bright lights flashing. It was complete and utter misery, followed by 2 days of additional misery as I struggled mightily to stay awake, shuffling through museums and cathedrals, completely disinterested in all the sights in front of me, wishing only go get to a bed (specifically one in a quiet, dark, motionless hotel room).

The idea of the night train sounded great: why waste money on a hotel room? As long as you're going to sleep and have downtime, might as well do that in a moving train, waking up at your destination. Great theory. In practice, for me, a terrible idea, 2-3 lost days in the middle of my trip.

Never again. Hotel beds are cheap in comparison to what I lost by saving some money. Your experience might be different. 🤷‍♂️

@ JoAnne....Great that your projected night ride is in Sept. In your situation I most certainly would do likewise, with absolutely no concerns doing the night ride and arriving in the morning with daylight.. This last trip I had planned something likewise on the Wien Hbf to Krakow Glowny night ride but lazied out, never getting to Krakow at all.

You know yourself as to the night train requirements needed. I need only the bare minimum , a seat in compartment of no more than 3 others making it 4 total in 6 seat compartment, or better still, a seat in the general seating area. No need for extra expenditure for the sleeper or couchette. I'm going to sleep anyway, so not needed.

There is a distinct difference as I have done both, most recently this last trip, in what type of night train service it is. The Night Jet will have lights off by 22:00 hrs. You'll fall asleep in the darkness, whereas the IC or ICE night rides leave the lights all night long. (These 2 rides I had were packed, 90% seat occupation).

Bright lights all night long made it a bit harder to fall sleep, still no obstacle at all.

There is also a cultural aspect riding the Night Jet and other night routes such as that done by MVV. Look at your fellow passengers, nationality and age wise. Who are they? They aren't only 20 somethings, almost exclusively locals, among those in their 40s and 50s use this night option, both genders, solo and with others.

"...get a cab to the hotel" Totally works out.

You arrive at 6 AM , by 7:30 at the latest, even with any dilly-dallying you'll be at your hotel just in time for breakfast , a leisurely and enjoyable one at that, and have a place to store your luggage.

The hotel may or may not allow you to check in, depends, I never had a problem checking in when arriving prior to 9 AM in Berlin, Paris, Vienna, Hamburg, with the room already reserved. If the room was not used the night before, you'll be allowed to go it.

Oh, and all the Nightjets and most of the Euronights which run west of Budapest include a light breakfast (served by the car attendant) in the berth fares (not in the seated fares) so you aren't going to be leaving the train having had nothing to eat or drink.

This forum is divided sharply between the night train users and the night train haters.

I am one of those who loves the return of night trains, and the way they have opened Europe back up again. In my case for strong environmental reasons. The loss of night trains, and the seemingly inexorable rise of low cost airlines had closed large parts of Europe to me.

I haven't read any night train hate? It's a preference and all the comments both pro and con are appropriate.

I am a very light sleeper and as such am always equipped with a very good mask and some earplugs (even at home). But if I can get enough sleep to keep going after a red eye flight, I'm not worried about the amount of rest I'll get in a private car. I know it won't be normal. I am curious about how bad!

Now I want to stroll through the other cars to see who's there!

Also there is no normal circumstance under which I'd be on the street at sunrise, so that's part of the adventure too.

By the way you are given bottled water for your teeth cleaning, if in a cabin. Train water is not normally considered to be drinkable.

Hi,

"At 56 and 66 we stayed in a hostel for the first time...." Bravo ! It is indeed culturally interesting and revealing to walk down the row of compartments after getting settled to see who your fellow night train mates are, nationality-wise, language-wise.

Taking night trains in my youth , those 3 trips in the 1970s, was not part of my travel options, unless compelled to then due to the lack of choices....too spoiled then, too little imagination and I basically didn't know any better then that I should be taking the night trains.

No doubt that within the last few years post-pandemic there has been a resurgence in night train service, more government funds invested, greater demand (by whom ?) , greater commitment to expanding this option of travel, etc, etc, etc....all fantastic.

If my train arrived in Bratislava at 6am, I might put my luggage in a storage locker and be ready to move on to the next city by 6pm. Thats an advantage possibly.