We are a family of 4 planning to take the night train from Paris to Rome in June so it's almost time to purchase our tickets! My question is in choosing between a 4-person couchette or two 2-person sleepers. Obviously the sleepers would be approx. double the cost of the couchette so is there any real advantage to the sleeper vs. the couchette. (We're not big people and not concerned with too little elbow room for a night.) Are there other real comfort differences aside from the extra room and wash basin? I've read a lot about security issues in couchettes but they primarily seem to be with people sharing with strangers who may not lock doors, etc. Is there anything else we should be aware of in a couchette if we're careful to keep our door locked and a watchful eye on our belongings? Can the door to the couchette be locked from the outside? For instance, if I were to get up in the night to use the bathroom, would I have to wake my husband to watch the stuff while I'm out or can I take a key with me and lock the door behind me? Can the door be locked if we all go to get a snack or would we have to go in shifts? I'm probably overthinking this, but I just want to get an idea of what to expect. Thanks!
Posted by
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
206 posts
Last summer we (family of four) took the night train from Paris to Munich. We had a 4-person couchette. There was plenty of room for us for one evening/night. The conductor showed us how to lock the door from the inside when she checked tickets. I don't recall that there was a key or a way to lock the compartment from the outside. (I don't think anyone in my family got up during the night, but I don't think everyone else could sleep through one person getting out of bed and leaving!) Bring a snack with you. We had a great meal on the train that we shopped for in Paris.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Since booking a 4-person couchette will save you money and with your family of four you will have it to yourselves, that's the way I recommend that you go. If you pack reasonably light, you'll have plenty of room for your luggage.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
In case it isn't clear, the main "advantage" is that you will be 2-people per compartment instead of 4. There are only single beds in any case.
Posted by
OP
Austin, TX
19 posts
Thanks everyone. Seeing the pictures of sleepers and couchettes really helps. I wish Seat 61 and the Artesia sites would describe the door locks a bit more. Still wondering if the door can be locked from the outside if one of us needs to leave the room during the night.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
I hope somebody who has taken the Artesia train replies, but I can tell you that on the City Night Line trains the door locks and you take a key with you when you leave. It has a 2nd lock that can only be used from inside the compartment so once everyone is in then nobody from the outside can open the door.
Posted by
USA
85 posts
A friend and I took this train last year. We had a 2 person sleeper (very nice) and, yes, the door locked automatically when we left the room. We went to dinner in the diner car and our stuff was safe. We had some sort of device (key or card - I forget) to get back in. We also used this when we visited the bathroom down the hall at night so we wouldn't have to wake the other person up to open the door. The door also had a deadbolt lock that only locked from the inside for added security. My only disappointment was with the dirty bathrooms. They were pretty bad when we started and only got worse as the trip continued. BRING YOUR OWN TOILET PAPER!! It was gone by late evening and no more was provided. Just take the tube out of the middle and it will squish down better in your suitcase. BTW, the room was quite "teeny, weeny" but comfortable. Also, don't buy dinner there - it was horribly expensive and tasted like processed cafeteria food. We did have a lovely French couple at our table, though, and I was so excited to practice my French with them.
Posted by
OP
Austin, TX
19 posts
Thanks Lee for the tip on the toilet paper. I wouldn't have thought of that. I hope the 4-person couchette locks are as secure. If not, maybe we can rig up something to lock it ourselves or my husband and I can take turns staying awake to watch the door. I don't think I'd trust the kids with that.