City Night Line Discounts

If you were willing to consider a day-time high-speed train, fares would go down dramatically.

CH-Halbtax Abo is a discount using a Swiss Half Fare Card. You need to buy the card to get the discount. They cost 110 CHF for a one-month card.

If you are traveling on a CNL train inside Germany or with one end of the travel in Germany, you can book online from the Bahn at a considerable discount. Look for the fares under "Savings Fares" on the Bahn website. Prices vary according to the route and the type of accommodations. You'll get your ticket as a self-print file by email or a hardcopy by regular mail. "US AAA card"? You've got to be kidding.

You might want to give us more details: Which departure/destination, 1st class or 2nd class, to share a 4 or 6 person couchette or a private cabin, when are you traveling. With that, many posters here can help figure out what the cost should be. Night trains are not cheap, but the idea is you save the cost of a hotel (whether that's worth it is another discussion entirely).

Hi-
Route is may 4th from Basel to AMS. Need economy sleeper, 2 adults (over 30) Cheapest I've found is 362 euro (approx $500 USD) but with those savings fares it goes down significantly. The Cheap rate (238) doesn't seem to be available. CNL site references 2 for 1 special offer, but not seeing those rates. Any ideas? Or that's the best price at this point?

I checked bahn.de and found that the discount fare tickets for two-bed sleepers are gone for 7 May. If you're willing to share a couchette with two strangers, you still can get bunks in a four-person couchette for €99.00/person.

Hi KT, I just realized that I did not answer the question you asked about your itinerary, which you listed as Venice to lauterbrunnen to Bacharach to amsterdam to Paris, in 9 days. My first thought on reading that is it's way too much for nine days, and Amsterdam is the outlier in the path. I confess I have not been there, so I am not commenting on its attractions, just saying it is a long journey to get there. I think you are now seeing the reality of that distance-the time and cost. You are spending a lot of time (and money) to get to these places, and not allowing enough time to enjoy them. I suggest you slow down, and take Amsterdam off the trip. (And maybe Bacharach too, although I did not check the travel time to there from Lauterbrunnen).

Hey Lola! thanks for the reply! I'm there for 14 Days. See below your thoughts? My itinerary includes 9 "on the ground days" and 5 days of travel (incl fly to/from the US). If I swap Lucerne for Interlaken, the travel time is cut down quite a bit. Also, I'm concerned about weather in Intelaken...... Fri 27-Apr Depart US Sat 28- Apr Arrive 12pm to VEN Sun 29-Apr Venice Mon 30-Apr Venice Tues 01-May Depart Venice for Interlaken - (7 hrs) Weds 02-May Alps Day - BO Region Thurs 03-May Alps Day - BO Region Friday 04-May Depart BO for Bacharach 4pm (7 hrs) Sat 05-May Bacharach, Rhine River Sun 06-May Morning in Rhine, afternoon Train to AMS (5 hrs) Mon 07-May Amsterdam Tues 08-May Amsterdam Weds09-May Train to Paris (approx 3hrs) Thurs 10-May Tour Paris Friday11-May Tour Paris
Sat 12-Depart Paris

If you intend to get off the train in the "Berner Oberland Region" in the first week of May you should be prepared for mud on the trails and many places being shut. That is there down-time period between seasons. You may also find one or more cable cars down for annual check and repairs.

Hey Nigel Thanks for the tips. AFter much thought, we are going to bypass the BO region. Its just too long of a journey and too risky when the weather may not cooperate. It makes me sad.....but our time is so precious there.
WE will opt for 2-3 days in Lucerne instead. Its easier to get in / out of....less travel and we feel better about activities in the event of rain. you are all so helpful, thank you!