Question about couchette cabins

Thank you!
This leads me to another question- how far in adanvce should you make a train reservation (particularly if you want a sleeper or couchette), and what is the best way to do it? We're looking to travel from Prague to Zagreb, and I'm finding the Czech railways site a bit confusing. I can choose the number of passengers, seat/sleeping options, etc., but all I get from that is a pre-registration number to take to the train station no later than a week in advance of the trip to complete the reservation. Problem is, we'll only be arriving in Prague a week before we wish to depart to Zagreb. Seeing as there's only one direct train/night, half of it appears to split to Zurich mid-way through, and there aren't a whole lotta other (economical) ways to travel between the two cities, I'd much rather have a reservation set earlier. Any advice? Thanks again!

ETA: The German website Rick recommends is great for checking timetables, but also wouldn't allow me to book this connection online. I had also checked Rail Europe at the recommendation of a friend, but not all of the connection options were listed and fares were super-expensive compared to the Czech website (only first class available- no matter what search I tried. huh?).

If you want to splurge, the beds on the City Nightline deluxe first class cabins have windows positioned specifically so you can watch the scenery go by when lying the bed...on both the upper and lower bed.

While you cannot book the Prague-Zagreb night train online on the German Rail site, you can book it by phoning the German Rail call center. Dial 011 (US international access code) + 44 (country code for Germany) + 8718 80 80 66.

Oh thanks, I'll have to try that. For some reason I thought you could only book trains that originated or passed through Germany, so that's great to know.

Tim: Country code for Germany is 49. 44 is Great Britain.

Norma,

Thanks for the correction. You are right, of course, about the country code. I knew better, but my fingers didn't. (Note to myself: Proofread what you have written at least twice.)

Hi Laura, Just a word of advice. A couchette will accomodate up to six people. If you want privacy, go with a private sleeping car. Pricey, but much more secure, if available. Couchettes are great, but my wife isn't always comfortable with new roomies boarding the train at 1:00am half way through our journey. Six in a room, sometimes sleeping with your bags (conductor will store some if he has room), can make for a memorable experience. Have a great time!

You can book either a 4-person or 6-person couchette. The couchettes themselves are all the same size. The only difference is in how many bunks are pulled down. Paying a little more for the extra elbow room in a 4-person couchette is well worth it.

A couple of years ago my wife and I were joined by my oldest son and his wife on a rail trip from Munich to Paris. We paid for a 4 person couchette but ended up being joined by a young German couple in Mannheim. I was a little ticked at first, but the conductor informed us that there was a shortage and accomodations had to be made. We were entitled to a refund on the difference between a 4 and 6 couchette but the young couple were so enjoyable and fun to talk to the next morning that we felt blessed to have met them. All's well that ends well...