It seems like all the night train reservation questions involve couchettes or sleepers? Is it possible to reserve a regular seat on a night train (Munich to Venice) the day I arrive in Germany? (5 days before this train to Venice) I am on a tight budget and would prefer to sleep uncomfortably if it is cheaper
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
You can reserve five days in advance if there are seats available. My guess is that there probably would be.
Rick Steves has tips about traveling in this way in ETBD. Personally, I'd pay the small premium for a bunk in a couchette.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If you book far enough in advance (up to 90 days allowed) at www.bahn.de, you can get Spar-Night Savings fares: €39 for a reclining seat, €69 for a bunk in a six-person couchette, and €79 for a bunk in a four-person couchette. If you wait until you get to Munich, that reclining seat will cost you €96.90. Besides, popular night trains often sell out weeks in advance. I strongly advise you to book ASAP. And, if possible, go with at least a bunk in a six-person couchette. More comfortable and the doors lock from the inside.
Posted by
OP
Lombard, IL, United States
2 posts
Thank you all! I am leaving tomorrow and I will likely reserve seats once I get in each country I travel in. I wish I was smart enough to reserve months in advance and I will next time, but I do feel confident traveling night trains now.
Posted by
West Sacramento, California, USA
281 posts
Steve:
I took the City Night Line from Amsterdam to Munich last week. This was my wife and I with our two teenagers. We had sleeper seats in a center aisle coach, seats four across. We all managed some sleep, but it was more like being on a turbulent airline flight. You can book the City Night Line tickets 180 days in advance, whereas other tickets can only be booked 90 days in advance. One quirk in making the booking is that it is 180 days from the arrival date, not the departure date since it is an overnight train. By doing this, I was able to book four of us for €116, €29 each. These Spar-Night seats are very limited, so you must book very early. For example, their were four of these really cheap sleeper seats, and only three of the economy sleeping compartment tickets.
We decided to go with the seats to save money, but at the end of the night, my wife and I both agreed that in the future we will book the sleeping compartment despite the cost.
By the way, we are both now in our 40's and have grown a bit softer with time--20 years ago the super cheap sleep seat would have been fine with us, and we would have fit in with the rest of the passengers, now I think I was the oldest in the coach.
Have an adventure,
Kevin
Posted by
Winnipeg
590 posts
I had no problems when I slept in the seats on an overnight trip from Berlin to Frankfurt years ago. I am a good sleeper though. The train car that I was in was empty and I was able to have my back pack beside me with my arm in the strap. If you do go this route I would make sure you have a cable lock to secure your backpack to the top rack in case the seat next to you is occupied. The only time I have ever seen and experienced shady people on trains have been in Italy. I am sure this is a coincidence though (nothing against the Italians!!).