We will travel from Gaming, Austria, on Thursday, March 20th, 2008 to Rome for Easter. The CNL 389 seems best. We are trying to determine what is the best configuration for our family. We are traveling with 3 youngest children ages 20, 15, and 10. It seems an adjoining double (std or deluxe) and a quad (standard). Does anyone have experience on this train? What website is best? How should I reserve it for most expeditious booking?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If you don't want your children to have to share a four-bunk couchette with a stranger, you could book a three-bed sleeper and a two-bed sleeper.
You can book by calling the night train number. From the US dial 011 (US international access code) + 49 (country code for Germany) + (0)1805/141514. Omit the initial zero which is only used for calls originating in Germany.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9099 posts
You can purchase tickets directly from the CityNightLine website with a credit card. You can get info about the various compartment at this site:
http://tinyurl.com/3albgx You can book e-tickets at this site: http://tinyurl.com/39t8se
I have traveled on CNL, the doubles are very comfortable with excellent air conditioning. The deluxe has a built-in bathroom and private shower and a small table. Standard just has a sink and table. But I don't think they will allow three people inside a double-for safety reasons. The couchette compartments are more crowded and can get a bit warm, but of course they are much cheaper.
Posted by
OP
Clifton, VA, USA
21 posts
Many thanks for replies thus far.
Based on guidance so far, it seems we should book an adjoining double deluxe sleeper and a triple standard sleeper, if I have the nomenclature correct. However, we are unsure if the train has such a configuration of adjoining compartments.
Does anyone know the specific configuration of the compartments on rail cars on the CNL 389 (Munich-Rome)?
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9099 posts
I don't believe there are triple sleepers on CNL. As far as I know they only hold 1 or 2 people. For more than 2 people you will have to use a 4 or 6 person couchette. Sleepers and couchettes never adjoin each other as they are always on separate cars.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
When I did a dummy booking at bahn.de, I found triple sleepers for the CNL train in question. That's why I suggested it as an option.
Posted by
OP
Clifton, VA, USA
21 posts
Thanks everyone for your help.
Based on the guidance, and Rick Steves' staff recommendation, I used Euraide to help reserve a T2 and T3 for the CityNightLine to Rome. I hope we can get same car and rooms near each other.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
Our sleeper car had the triple arrangement on a recent trip from Vienna to Venice. We booked through BETS--great to work with.