After spending 3 days in Rome, my wife, 2 kids (6 and 9 yo.) and I are planning to take the train to Orvieto for the day and then take the sleeper train to Munich overnight. From what I've seen, it looks like my options for the sleeper are to get seats, a 4 person couchette, or 2 double sleeper cars (each adult w/ a child). We're leaning toward the couchette as that seems the most logical option. I'd love to hear if anyone who has taken that train wanted to weigh in on what I should expect, especially in regards to the couchette. If anyone else has traveled as a family overnight on a train and wanted to give tips/advice, that would be welcomed as well. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
As I look at the Bahn website, your options are seats, 4 or 6 person couchettes, or 1 or 2 person compartments, economy or deluxe, ie, everything. The best accommodations for you would be the 4 person couchette or double compartments. I think the 4 person couchettes come with bunks and blankets, not complete bedding. When occupying it with strangers, you are expected to sleep in your clothes, but if you have four people in a couchette 4, I guess you can do whatever you like.
Posted by
Austin
976 posts
As a family we took a "City Night Line" train from Amsterdam to Prague round trip. We had a 4 person couchette, which is second class. On that train a 4 person couchettte is a 6 person couchette with 4 bunks reserved for you - no strangers. Two bunks remain flat. We learned that we needed the personal space. We as adults didnt sleep well, woke up wanting a shower, fortunately got into our hotel rooms early. Some noise from other passengers kept us up. Kids slept OK. Sinks and toilets down the hall in each car. No sinks in the couchette, you have to move into a sleeper cabin for that. I'd be interested to see the scenery over the Brenner pass again- have driven it twice. Are you interested in seeing the Dolomites? A 4 person couchette at 198 euros, is about half the price of 4 persons in 2 Economy Double sleeper cabins 318 euros and 4 persons in 2 Deluxe Double sleeper cabins is 378 euros( all "special sale" prices). I checked a date in midApril as you didnt mention a month.
Take your own food and drinks if you can.
Posted by
Austin
976 posts
I would not want just seats for such a long ride- 12 hours. At night I want privacy and the ability to lock the door and leave my luggage in a cabin. see a sample cabin: http://www.bahn.com/citynightline/view/en/service/komfortklassen/liegewagen/uebersicht_en.shtml and more info on City Night Line here:
http://www.bahn.com/i/view/USA/en/prices/europe/overnight-travel.shtml I'm not a train expert, but that was my experience on the night train. Good enough that I would do it again....tho I didnt think so when I got off in Amsterdam on the way back- the AC was the open window in my particular couchette!
Posted by
OP
Newfoundland, PA, USA
35 posts
Melissa,
Thank you for the links and the information. Our trip is in August. I'd love to see the Dolomites, but taking the sleeper allows us to spend a day in Orvieto. Since we'll see the Alps from the other side on day trips from Munich, it's a trade-off we're comfortable with. When booking on bahn.de, if we reserved two sleeper cabins, would we be able to request in some way that they be adjacent? Are all of the CNL trains pretty much the same, or are some better than others? It seems I can find reviews and comments on many of the other trains online, but not much for this particular route.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Melissa's experience is accurate. I also recommend the 4 person couchette for your situation. I highly recommend NOT just having seats. They are not always comfy and you will not sleep much at all. You really won't gain much by having 2 cabins for 2 people each. Your kids will probably find it an adventure and exciting and might sleep some. As an adult, I don't sleep well and spend the next day pretty groggy.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
I, too, would recommend a four-bunk couchette for your family. To get the discount fares listed by Melissa, book ASAP (up to 92 days allowed) on the German Rail site. The standard fares are much higher.
Posted by
Austin
976 posts
Michael, the prices above are from Rome to Munich; you can price the Orvieto to Munich on the Deutsche Bahn site. You reserve and pay for these at 92 days out, you can only get an idea of the price possible now.
You do have an opportunity to make some seating requests on one of the last reservation pages- I didn't sign in last night to get to that page. I'm sure one of the train experts will know.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
20 posts
How does the price compare to flying on one of the discount airlines? You would also have to pay for another night in a hotel too but between the time savings and being well rested the next day it might be worth it.
Posted by
OP
Newfoundland, PA, USA
35 posts
The flight from Rome to Munich would be much more expensive for our family of four, and we'd be unable to visit Orvieto. In this case, the sleeper train seems to be the most economical option by far.