If I go by train does the bahn have a sleep car? or only eurailpass? would I want to sleep second class on eurailpass in the 6 people or 4 people with people I dont know? or do I want to sleep in lst class? Or do I want to fly? what airline? Lufthansa airline is one way 732.00per person. is there another airline to check? eurail line is 520.00 for 2nd class 4sleeper. It will only be my daughter and I. Is there another airline to check, I don't see seating up all night to take the bahn though is alot cheaper, or is it ok to sleep in seat? Be like in a car right? also will then leave to go on to switzerland or straight to paris, france go sleeper car or plane? And do I go eurail or bahn? anyone done this? Please help first timer to europe except for staying in Rome,Italy just took local sub, trains to get to neighboring towns.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Eurail (www.eurail) is a creation of the European Rail companies to package and market rail passes. There is no such thing as a Eurail train. The trains belong to the national rail companies, Dutch or German Rail ("DB" OR "the Bahn"), etc.
The Bahn does run night trains with various kinds of sleeping cars. If you ride in these trains with a rail pass, it will take a day of your rail pass plus a supplement (reservation) for the overnight accommodations. You can often get an online, purchase ahead "SparNight" fare for less than the supplement plus a day of your rail pass.
In addition to the national rail lines, which only run trains in their country, there are some joint ventures, which run trains in more than one country. One of these is City Night Line (CNL) which runs night trains in Germany, Netherlands, France (to Paris), and Switzerland. They run a night train from Munich to Paris (also the one from Amsterdam to Munich).
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
€153 is about the lowest full fare for the fastest (ICE) express trains. You can use slower, less expensive trains for about €129, but they will take 11 hours, or so. Just click "without ICE" under modes of transport on the Bahn website.
If you are able to commit to a specific date, you can get advance purchase discounted fares as low as €39 per person. These fares have to be purchased at least 3 days in advance, but they sell out very quickly when they become available, 3 months in advance. They are tied to a specific train and have only limited refundability.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
For either the Amsterdam-Munich night train or the Munich-Paris night train I recommend that you do not choose reclining seats. Both you and your luggage will be much more secure in a couchette because the doors lock from the inside. The 4- and 6-person couchettes are the same size. The only difference is in how many bunks are pulled down. You'll have both more elbow room and more luggage storage space if you book bunks in a 4-person couchette. Paying a little more is worth it.
Posted by
OP
Houston,U.S., tx, us
50 posts
thank-you for answering my questions. You all gave me lots of options to look at.