After reading this article, I might consider this mode of transport rather than endure the annoying airport experience.....
https://www.travelandleisure.com/night-train-vienna-to-venice-nightjet-review-7567041
While there were a few minor issues with the night train described in the article, it sounds like a much more pleasant trip.
As you know, we like trains so much more than flying that we sometimes take two days to get across Western Europe rather than fly.
In February 2016 we took a night train from Venice to Vienna and I am not sure if it was the NightJet since it was apparently just revived that year, but we liked it! We had a private sleeper room with a tiny bathroom. Food service was not great, but a kind steward brought us snacks and a cold breakfast and we had tons of space. We actually got some sleep, much to me surprise,
I am hoping to take a night train once Midnight Trains launches, just for fun,
Ken, thanks for sharing. I’m interested in possibly doing this after a river cruise in the next couple of years.
I hadn't heard of midnight trains. Looks interesting with plans to reopen the Paris to Madrid and Paris to Rome sleeper routes, and finally open the Paris to Edinburgh night train. Although with the latter the need for stock certified for the Channel Tunnel could be an issue.
We’ve taken night trains - Rijeka to Prague, Budapest to Rijeka - is past years and prefer them to flying. We find it a nice way to be forced to slow down and relax. We’ll be looking at more night trains in the future.
I've only ever flown to Europe and home. Once there, among my most enjoyable aspects of the journey is the travel by train and ferry. I want to actually see the places I'm visiting and I've always loved to watch the world go by out the window, and I'm not in a big hurry. One of the most beautiful sunrises I've ever seen was at breakfast on the North Sea taking the overnight ferry to the Netherlands. One of my best nights of sleep was to the rhythmic clickety clacking and rocking of the train and rails from Edinburgh to London on the Caledonian Sleeper.
As far as hiccups or minor issues --
...I was eager to experience the sleeper train’s cozy elegance...
I think it's a matter of reasonably moderating one's expectations. It's easy to embrace the romanticism of such journeys and methods of travel -- I certainly do. But do temper expectations. Cabins are going to be small and the deluxe toilet/showers confined. Beds are not going to be the most comfortable and the pillows and towels will be thin.
While the cabin was as clean and cozy as I expected, in some areas, Nightjet fell short. The pillow was thin and small, and much to my kids’ chagrin, there was no Wi-Fi. The only “towels” provided were the washcloths from our amenity kits...
See, I do not consider this a matter of NightJet falling short. I think to myself "well yeah, okay it's a train".
we took a night train several years ago to Munich. When we got in the compartment it was broiling hot because the train had been out in the sun all day. "Takes a few minutes for the A/C to cool it off, be patient" said the car attendant. Well, that would be true if the A/C was working. Turns out it wasn't. So our choices were to sweat in a hot compartment or open the window and have the loud wind noise keep us awake. Not a pleasant nite, we won't do a night train again. YMMV
Smoothness of the railbed varies and can have a major effect on your ability to sleep. There's also the issue of how many jerky, noisy stops the train makes during the hours you'd hope to be asleep. If that information isn't readily available on the webpage where you want to buy your tickets, check the Deutsche Bahn. Keep drilling down and you'll find a list of the stops.
