anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
Posted 14 years ago
Also is Inter-rail tirening? I'm 32, late vocation really and have grand ambitions to go for a month...Is that realistic?. But firstly I'm curious about the above, are sleeping facilities hard to find?.
Thanks
Z
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi!
There is still a large network of night trains operating throughout Europe - you will find most of them mentioned in detail in our country section, including reservation fees, timings, facilities: [u]https://rail.cc/en/countries[/u]
Some basic info about sleeping in (night) trains:
Sleeper: Most comfortable and most expensive; 1-4 beds in a comparment (three bed compartments are most common, depending on the price you pay you can select if you want to stay in a 1, 2, 3 bed compartment), washing facilities in the compartment, sometimes shower at the end of the coach, if you have first-class tickets there are also showers available en-cabin sometimes. Breakfast included
Couchette: Less expensive, 4-6 basic beds in a compartment (you can either make a reservation in a 4 or 6 bed couchette), washin facilities at the end of the carriage, no showers. Breakfast usually not included
Seat: The offer of seats in night trains varies from country to country. In some trains you will find quite comfortable reclining seats, on others you travel on regular 6 seat comparments used for day time travel as well or open-plan coaches. Cheapest option, no extra services - sometimes you will get a small package with an eyemask or earplugs
You can sleep quite well in regular seats but that is often a bit of luck - depending on how full the train is, who sits next to you etc... I wouldnt recommend it doing it on a daily basis, it certainly isnt as relaxing as a regular bed. Just spent two consecutive nights on an open-plan coach with not reclinable seats and lights on... ;)
If there are reclining seats you can sleep much better usually and they offer a great value for the money - use them!
In couchettes and sleepers you can sleep really well - the only difference of the sleeper usually are the facilities that you have extra - showers, breakfast, sometimes a plug etc..
Is InterRailing tiring? Well, it can be, depending on your style of travel. If you rush, sleep in regular seats often, eat too much junk etc your body may want you to have some relaxing days after, say two weeks or so. Or you take it easy, stay longer at fewer places, sleep in proper beds etc...
I can just encourage you to do it, I bet you will have a great time!
Flo 8)