Compartment type

Open salon is regular train seating in an open car. Open Salon with Table will have two seats facing the other two seats, with a table between. Compartment is a private seating area, usually for six. If I could be assured hat I would not be sharing the compartment, that would be the best for a long trip, you would have privacy, could stretch out, but it would be a gamble to have the compartment to yourself. I like the table option, you would all be together, someplace to snack, set your stuff, and be able to talk. Of course, if too much together time might be an issue, then book separate seats.

"If I could be assured hat I would not be sharing the compartment, that would be the best for a long trip". One of my best memories is of a trip from Karlsruhe to Munich back in the days when trains had a lot of compartments. I didn't have it all to myself, which is what made it so great. There were five other people in the compartment, all Germans, and when they found I was an American, they delighted in pointing out all of the sights to me on the way. That was much more interesting than sitting by myself.

Thanks for the information. I too like the compartment idea. The trip is scheduled to be six and a half hours long so the room would be great. Since the trip is through the Alps and Italy's country side there will be a lot to see. If we are sharing the compartment how are the seats assigned? As we would really want the window seats. Also any advice on securing the luggage? I have read here that it can be a problem/concern. We would like to have lunch in the dining car. Thanks again.

Donnie, to reduce concern about luggage, eat in pairs in the dining car and everyone bring dessert back to the compartment to share part of the meal all together.

If you are in the open car you can, unless your travel buddies across the corridor have pulled the blind down, see both sides. If you are in a compartment you can see out the window in the compartment but the other side is through the glass of the compartment wall, complete with window hardware and a door, through the corridor which is about 3 feet or 2'6" wide with people walking up and down and sometimes stopping outside the compartment to chat, then the smaller window to the outside, so visibility on the corridor side is restricted. That said, my wife and I always choose a compartment if it is empty or nearly so.

If you want to be able to see the scenary, pick the table option. You'll have lots of room, especially leg room, and can see more clearly out both sides of the car. I see no reason for a compartment unless you need peace and quiet (and most trains are quiet) or have small children than might be noisy. Luggage is not an issue. If you have a table you can probably fit most of it under the table or just behind the seats (the little triangle of small behind seats that face opposite directions). Small bags go on overhead racks. Otherwise large bags go in the bins at each end of the car. I lock my bags with a travel lock and always take personal items of value with you (purse, camera, computer). But theft is rare on trains because there is nowhere to flee. If you have a table, you can eat there.