Europe String

Overnight Train Rides

by Melissa Atienza-Petri on April 4th, 2007

… are good for obvious reasons: not only will it get you to your destination even while you sleep but you will save money for combining accommodations and transportation.

If you are unlucky, you would have to sleep while sitting.

If you are lucky, you will be able to find an empty couchette (make sure you check the top of the door to see if any of the compartment seats are reserved) so you can pull down the seats and make a flat surface (=bed) out of them. Even if you are reading or just thinking, lie down and pretend to sleep to make the compartment you are in look as uninviting as possible (I know, it’s such a bad trick).

Or, you can pay a bit extra and get sleeper accommodations.

In Europe, sleeper accommodations vary. The amenities are basically the same: lock for your door, luggage area and a washbasin. If you get a single compartment (1st class, baby!), you will only have on bunk whereas doubles have two (double deck, normally). A couchette, on the other hand, can accommodate up to 6 passengers but you do not get any of the amenities offered on 1st or 2nd class. If there are 4 of you traveling together, you an get a T4 compartment (available in Spain only, I think) that has 2 double bunks and the amenities.

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POSTED IN: Transportation in Europe