Night Train Info

Hi Tony, We had a sleeper from Nice to Paris (about 8 hours I think) and we were Very comfortable. It was basically 2 bunk beds, each with 3 bunks on it. I would suggest you Reserve the lower bunks as getting in and out of the upper bunks is challenging.

The problem we found with the couchettes is that they are basically seats that recline in the main body of the train.The seat arms are uncomfortable, and you have to deal with the noise from the rest of the passengers.

If they price is within budget, the good nights sleep is worth the money. Have fun !

Sylvia's terminology is inaccurate. A couchette is a sleeping compartment with either four or six bunks. (The six-bunk version is what Sylvia had.) It has a door that locks from the inside. The four-bunk version is better than the six-bunk version for comfort and space, but you'll have to share the compartment with other passengers in either version. If paying more to get a private compartment is worth it to you, book a two-bed sleeper.

We (senior citizen) took the 2-bed sleeper from Paris to Zurich. Can't imagine sleeping in a couchette with strangers. We did enjoy the privacy and thought the price was reasonable. Did not get much sleep because of the swaying and noise of the tracks. Had to sleep with the window open for air.

We took the night train from Vienna to Frankfurt a few years ago. We had a 4-bed compartment to ourselves (couple). It was quite comfortable, and my wife -- who is a heavy sleeper -- got some decent sleep. I did not sleep at all -- I'm a very light sleeper, and the motion of the train, the rattling/vibration/etc. kept me wide awake the whole time (despite very good ear plugs, eye shade, a dark, comfy compartment, etc.). It was this very long night that convinced me that the "save a night's hotel cost" just does not work for some people - me included.

My husband and I took the night train from Fulda to Denmark. We were in one of the compartments that have 6 beds. I had a bottom bed and slept not a wink. The sound of the wheels right under my head, the train would stop for a while, they would unhook cars and hook up more, each time jolting the train, and then start back up again. The porter put a lady in our compartment that snored quite loudly the whole night. The funny part was that my husband thought it was me and I thought it was him. He also did not sleep at all, and he can pretty much sleep anywhere. Granted, we were on our way to get married, so we might have just had a bad case of the nerves, but both of us have said we will never book another compartment like that. I would try the night train again, but only if we could get those little family compartments. They look a lot cozier and you don't have to share snores with strangers.

For what it is worth, I like taking trains cause it is so enjoyable seeing the countryside. I would not want to miss traveling through Germany and Austria and enjoying the beautiful scenery that both countries offer.

We took a deluxe sleeper Prague to Basel last spring and it was wonderful. From what I read on this forum I knew we'd hate it or love it and we happened to love it. We had a deluxe sleeper for 2 though - so 2 beds, bathroom, with shower and wc...now that I have done that I don't think I'd be that satisfied with a couchette 4 or 6 bunk. We were also on the train for 14 hours so we had the opportunity to unwind and get a great night sleep. We were so wired and excited though that we had to take an excedrin pm to help and forced overselves to turn down the shade. I wouldn't do it for under 8 hours, but that's just me.

Also, if you didn't know already, this website is great at showing the difference between the types of sleepers and couchettes - http://www.seat61.com/Sleepers.htm I think the reclining seats are actually called sleeperettes.

We were in a 6 bunk couchette from Milan to Paris. Booked late, so we had the bottom bunks which had the least amount of room the move in them. It was probably one of the most claustrophobic and sleepless nights I have ever experienced. If I had to take a night train again, I would either book a sleeper room, or get the top bunks even though you have to climb a ladder to get to them. They had a lot more room and you could actually sit up in them reasonably well.

After the trip we decided that it wasn't worth it for the lack of sleep as the first day in Paris we were so tired we had to take a nap. In all reality it probably only saved us about 4 hours of daylight to enjoy the city.

I guess you have the weight what you consider important and make your decision then.

We (my girlfriend and I) traveled four times with night trains this summer - the first trip from Venice to Munich was all sold out for beds so we ended up staying in a Couchette - and I will never do that again! By far one of the most miserable rides I've ever had - we were awoken for customs and had to share the room with four other people (sitting up).

The other three nights, two of which were in Eastern Europe so they were far cheaper, we had private two bed sleepers, and they were wonderful. Comfortable, private, secure and you really can get a good night sleep. If you book far enough in advance, you can get the special pricing to get a cheap 'room'.

Brian

My husband and I puchased a Private Double Sleeper for the night train from Münich to Rome. He was not hip on the idea of sleeping with other people in the same room (couchette). I am glad we did now because it will allow us to chit chat or read whenever we want. I don't have to think about if I am waking someone else up.

Have you thought about flying? Air Berlin goes on this route and takes 1 hr and 20 min I have no idea when you are traveling I used Feb 12 it costs between 29 eur per person to 49 eur per person. I am also a senior and now I can no longer spend 8 hours on a train(too much stress on my back).

Tony - definitely go with the sleeper. My husband and I did this summer and were so happy with it. It is a little smaller than a small cruise cabin but many have a separate shower/sink/toilet right in the room. The privacy and comfort was worth it to us - we awoke rested and were served breakfast prior to arrival so we had a good start to our day. Bring ear plugs for the train noise.

Have fun!

I was hoping to hear better things about couchettes. I am for the first time taking a six sleeper couchette from zurich to bologna around Christmas because a two/four sleeper was not available. The Swiss train reservationist said she has not experienced a bad trip on the couchette and I am looking forward to this very European experience. My husband and I are 50 (not quite senior but fast approaching!).

Lori,

My wife and I and our adult daughter traveled in a six-bunk couchette on the Nice-Paris night train. We all sleep well on trains, even in reclining seats, so we arrived feeling rested. However, if I were to do it again, I'd pay a little more for the extra space and comfort of a four-bunk couchette. It was a bit crowded with luggage for six people.

Regardless of the size of the couchette, you'll need to be prepared for the possibility of having to sleep with snorers. (I'm one of them!) Bring ear plugs.