Night Train vs. Day Train
#1
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Night Train vs. Day Train
What are your opinions on night trains? Do you actually get sleep on them? How long does a train trip have to be before you will consider one? I believe one guide book I read said anything over 7 hours.
We are considering going from Paris to Luzern (or possibly Interlakken). From using the timetables, it seems this trip is a little over 7 hours with a train change. Would you use a night train for this or not?
Also, we will aslo be making the trip from Luzern (or Interlakken) to Munich. Does 5 hours for this trip seem right?
BTW, I'm using the bahn.hafas.de web-site to determine trip length times.
Thanks
We are considering going from Paris to Luzern (or possibly Interlakken). From using the timetables, it seems this trip is a little over 7 hours with a train change. Would you use a night train for this or not?
Also, we will aslo be making the trip from Luzern (or Interlakken) to Munich. Does 5 hours for this trip seem right?
BTW, I'm using the bahn.hafas.de web-site to determine trip length times.
Thanks
#2
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Hi locolanza,
Another consideration besides trip length is the number and the time of connections.
I checked your schedule for night trains, and it doesn't look feasable. For instance, you can leave Paris at 22.42, but you have to change trains at 04.50; that wouldn't give me enough time to settle in for a good night's sleep.
If you don't want to spend seven hours on the train, consider breaking up the journey: take the TGV Paris-Geneva (about four hours), stay overnight in Montreux, then take the scenic train from Montreux through Gstaad, Zweisimmen & Interlaken to Luzern (about five hours).
s
Another consideration besides trip length is the number and the time of connections.
I checked your schedule for night trains, and it doesn't look feasable. For instance, you can leave Paris at 22.42, but you have to change trains at 04.50; that wouldn't give me enough time to settle in for a good night's sleep.
If you don't want to spend seven hours on the train, consider breaking up the journey: take the TGV Paris-Geneva (about four hours), stay overnight in Montreux, then take the scenic train from Montreux through Gstaad, Zweisimmen & Interlaken to Luzern (about five hours).
s
#3
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It's not just the length of the journey that needs to be considered. A seven-hour journey leaving at midnight might be an option, but a seven-hour journey leaving at 2100 would not be, unless you want to be up at four in the morning.
I've looked on the Deutsche Bahn schedules and can't see a night train from Paris to Luzern. There are connections involving changing trains around five in the morning, which is not a convenient option.
Even if there is a through night train, you need to consider the accommodation available: there is a big difference between a two-berth sleeping compartment, a six-berth couchette compartment, and a train which just has seats.
I've looked on the Deutsche Bahn schedules and can't see a night train from Paris to Luzern. There are connections involving changing trains around five in the morning, which is not a convenient option.
Even if there is a through night train, you need to consider the accommodation available: there is a big difference between a two-berth sleeping compartment, a six-berth couchette compartment, and a train which just has seats.
#5
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Thanks so much for your help.
I was thinking the same thing and you confirmed it for me. Changing trains in the early morning sounds painful... and I'm afraid not a restful night sleep.
This train planning is a whole new learning experience for me.
I was thinking the same thing and you confirmed it for me. Changing trains in the early morning sounds painful... and I'm afraid not a restful night sleep.
This train planning is a whole new learning experience for me.
#6
I like overnight trains fine and can sleep as well as expected. That said, I would only do it if you can afford a private cabin (wagon-lit). AND if the journey is ~8 hour trip without stops that departs around midnight.
Doesn't sound like that fits for your trip this time.
Doesn't sound like that fits for your trip this time.