Over night train travel

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I have taken several night trains during my travel life. All but one were back in the 1970s. I had beds in couchettes and was able at least to get some sleep. The biggest problem was that I was often cold because I was in a bunk on the back side of the compartment and had the nighttime air blowing on me. North of the Alps it can really cool off at night.

My only recent night-train experience was on the Rome-Sicily train in2015. I absolutely do not recommend that one. I assume the problem was the rails. The train jerked sharply from side to side the whole way. I was not able to sleep at all. It was a totally miserable experience. I slept much of the next day and my body clock was messed up for several days. So I suggest you choose your night-train experience wisely. Don't risk doing it on the way to a top-priority destination where you already know your time will be short.

We've found that the phrases "Over night train travel" and "decent shuteye" are mutually exclusive.

Single guy traveling solo take the night train. I do likewise and never have I encountered any problems, easy dong the night train. Ever since retirement all my trips include night train rides.

You'll see that you won't be the only solo person doing the night train option. I have seen families, young women going solo, ordinary guys, etc night trains.

A nice route...how about Hamburg to Vienna, or Munich to Budapest? Or, Vienna to Berlin which now goes through Poland?

Having no dining car I will admit subtracts from the night train experience. Admittedly, I had not thought of that.

Before boarding the night train, I always have hot dinner first, either in the train station, or at restaurant nearby. I use the night train option to get from A to B, stretching out the traveling days. Arriving between 0600 hrs. and 0700 is ideal.

We like overnight trains which we have done as a family of four in 6 bunk couchettes. It's closer to camping than staying in a hotel. Most trains have many stops all night, so if you are light sleepers it may not be for you.

We like traveling a distance without losing time. Four out of five trips we've liked our bunk mates and have a pleasant local experience. Once we had a needy fellow American. Cold quiet from a German young man is the worst we experienced. We can handle that.

My husband and one daughter take a sleeping aid. My other daughter and I sleep fine without.

We look for trains with at least nine hours travel time. Ten or eleven is better. I would not go under seven. We want a full night's sleep and some time to interact with our bunk mates.

Other practical considerations include whether you can easily store luggage at your departure city and what to do with your time should you arrive at five or six am. Some hotels and even apattments will keep your luggage.

A few places have private storage near the station. Some places are great for breakfast and a walk around in the early morning---some, not so much. In general big city Europeans in tourist districts are late risers and nothing is open in the wee hours in small towns. We bring breakfast and count on an entertaining walk.

Seat61 is a fantastic resource.

"Ten or eleven (hours) is even better." How true when it comes to sleeping on the night train. I do likewise when taking a night train. Totally agree that certain factors have to be met before deciding on the night train option, such as arrival time, at least 5 am. I travel in the summer, ie, during the time slot mid-May to early Sept, which helps too.

Ideal arrival time is between 6-7 am, 8 am is all right. That way one is still in time for breakfast at the hotels even one is not a guest there.

Absolutely no problem taking the night train. I am not picky and don't have to sleep in a couchette, let alone pay for a sleeper. With a Pass I just pay for the seat reservation, cheaper than staying in a hostel dorm room or a university dorm room.

Sometimes you do get to chat with your compartment mates.