We are traveling overnight from Florence to Munich. I've figured out that this is an overnight train with a needed reservation.
We have never traveled in Europe, much less the train system. For this overnight trip, is it really worth it to do 1st class? We're in our mid twenties and trying to save money. When I go to the train website and key everything in, I'm finding prices for 200-300 USD per person for this trip. . .wow! Can you get a discount with your eurorail pass? How? Help!!
"can stay in the same couchette compartment along with 4 hopefully friendly strangers".
Sounds a lot like staying in a hostel. I wouldn't do that, but a plenty of people do.
You have three overnight options (seat, couchette, compartment).
Spending the night in a seat is, in my opinion, a bad idea. If I had to do it I suppose I would prefer a first-class seat.
Couchettes also come in two classes, the difference is 6 bunks in 2nd class vs. 4 in 1st. For 50% greater price the chance that one of the other sleepers is a snorer is approximately halved.
The price you quote must be for a first-class private compartment. This is about as good as it gets on a train, but there is no guarantee. My worst night-train experience was in one of these.
If you are having doubts about the private compartment, consider a first-class couchette.
Second class is fine.
If you have a eurail pass that covers Italy and Germany, the made-in-Europe reservation/supplement for a bunk in a six-person couchette is 20€ and for a four-person couchette it is 30€. The simplest but most expensive way to make reservations from home is with RailEurope. Reservations will cost more and you'll also have to pay a shipping fee. But this is a popular route so make your reservations as soon as you can commmit to a date.
If you book point-to-point tickets for the Firenze-Muenchen night train far enough in advance (up to 90 days allowed for international routes) at www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html, you can get Smart Fares of 49€ in six-person couchettes and 69€ in four-person couchettes. You can pay as little as 29€ for a reclining seat, but I don't recommend it for either comfort or security. Book a couchette. The doors lock from the inside.
For complete information on railpasses, night trains, and reservations, click on the "Railpasses" tab at the top of the page you're reading now. Also click on the "Travel Tips" link at the top of the page you're reading now. Read the "Riding the Rails in Europe" article under the "Transportation" heading.
It pays to do your homework!
"the train website", what's that. Hopefully not RailEurope, as they charge a lot more than the national rail websites. Get the fares from German Rail, http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en.
Unfortunately, between Munich and Italy are some of the most popular night train routes in Europe and the best fares sell out early.
The Spar-Night (savings) fares are train specific and non-refundable.
If you want to use a railpass, the fee for the accommodation (called Aufpreise, supplements, or "reservations") are less. You can get them from Euraide for the same price as over there, but they charge $50 per order.
Can my husband and I stay in the same one?
A train trip from Florence to Munich takes 8.5hrs so there's really not a lot of time to sleep. I see a night train leaving Florence at 21:53 and arriving in Munich at 6:30am (Train 234 Allegro Tosca). Standard Fare for a couchette in a 6-person couchette compartment is 105Euro. Also on this train, I'm seeing a special fare of 39Euro for couchette in a 6-person couchette compartment.
I'm sure this super discount tickets are limited and come with "no change" restrictions. Note also that I am looking at a schedule that is within 60 days. These offers may no longer be there or may be changed by the time you want to travel.
Both you and your husband can stay in the same couchette compartment along with 4 hopefully friendly strangers.
Pick a four-person couchette and share the space with only "two friendly strangers." It's well worth paying a little more for the extra space and comfort.
Based on your other post, I'd suggest flying home from Milan or Rome and saving time, money, and discomfort.
I wish I could, our plane tickets have already been purchased! And, I'm not sure it would have saved us much money. We got them for $550 roundtrip!
