JuanTraveler
Traveller
0 comments
Posted 1 week ago
My family and I are planning a trip to various countries in Europe next year. We are considering using the Night Train from Paris to Munich. It would be a total of 7 people: 4 adults, 2 teenagers and one under 14yrs old. I have many questions:
a) Is there only 1 train (Leaving Paris @ 18:58) & only running Tuesday, Friday and Sunday?
b) How early should a rider need to get to the station? (for example, airlines request arrival 1 hour before flight)
c) They list a "Berth in a 4-bed compartment" for EUR 59.90 and "Sleeping car berth in 3-bed compartment" for EUR 89.90. Aside from the amount of available beds, is there a difference between a "Berth" and a "Sleeping car berth?"
d) Does anyone know the price differences for Sleeping car berths with bed compartments vs Sleeping car berth w/bed compartments w/private shower/WC? (1/2/3 beds compartments)
e) For those who have used these Night Train accommodations. is there enough room? If within financial means, would it be better to get a 3 bed compartment for 2 adults to provide for more room?
f) What about renting a "Private Compartment" which is said to be available in the : sleeping car, couchette and sleeping car? Please expand on costs and differences of these.
The trip from Paris to Munich would only be one part of our trip, so we may be considering using trains to travel from Paris to Amsterdam and/or London to Edinburgh. Any feedback would be appreciated.
nltrainer
Traveller
1406 comments
MUCH info can also be found on seat61 and the community eurail-if you consider using an EUrailpass. As I assume you will likely want to make more trips in EUR when here. This forum is a kind of surviving outdated remnant that dr google still sends people to. Also the very well known TripAdvisor forums have lots of info-all you ask has been answered there zillions of times
@a: for overnight yes. Times may also vary per date due to works/reroute etc. And you will NOT find that all many monthes ahead-trains are not planes for that
@b. There is NO check in or check like airplanes do. So in theory you can even arrive very last minute. The train itself at the start-point is likely only on its track maybe 30 mins before, so it only makes sense to arrive much early to quell your own fears. Works like that anywhere in EUR-except the EuroTunnel trains to/fro UK.
@c The beds themselves hardly differ-but the amount of space around does and its always, always cramped-though not as much as in eco in a plane
Also note that depending on where you go, the beds may be OK as such, but the rails not-and that mkes most of the pleasure or chance to sleep-or not.
@d. with own shower is VERY rare and if even available, will be much more costly. IF it is there, the price will be shown on the site. Prices will also differ per date/route and how far advance you book. Your quoted prices are likely those for who have kind of pass that covers the ticket as such
@e-as said, it is cramped, and even more for those from far away who always tend to have much more unneeded luggage.
In some cases the railways have an arrangement with some HTL or the like on arrival to let you use their facilities and brekkie
MisterSteve
Traveller
1094 comments
Paris-Amsterdam is day trains only at speeds that will make americans go dizzy! Flights are limited because of that and are usually connections for long haul flights at one of the ends.
London-Edinburgh has frequent day trains and one night train (which doesn't run on Saturday nights). Main operator for day trains is LNER who run around every 30 minutes during a weekday and take a little over 4 hours plus a few others by Lumo (claim to be cheaper but often aren't, have little on board service and no 1st class). Nightrain is by Caledonian Sleeper, the journey takes longer but is still not really long enough to spend in bed. Day train reservations (and therefore discounted tickets) open around10-12 weeks on advance - until reservations are open prices quoted will be only be full priced flexible. The night train may be open for reservations from around christmas with discunted fares (which will sell out) but the schedule will not be confirmed until the 10-12 week deadline and you may get an email amending times a little, especially for travel on Firday or Sunday nights.