lhopp

Hi everyone. Thanks to everyone who has replied and helped me with our 2006 Switzerland/Venice trip.

We are seriously considering this itinerary: Lucerne, Berner Oberland, Lake Geneva, and Venice, taking the night train from Lausanne to Venice (11:20pm - 7:35am.)

We've taken several trips to Europe, but never have taken a night train. When you check out of your hotel the day of the night train, do you ask your hotel if they will store your bags, or do you store them in a locker at the train station until departure time? My husband feels a little strange about not having a place to go back to and rest/freshen up between checkout and the night train departure (about 12 hrs.)

Also, I'm assuming since this train travels through both Switzerland and Italy, we'd need to have a Eurail pass for it to be included? (not sure that is the best pass for our journey, but will tackle that later on.

Any other advice about night trains in general?

moldyhotelsaregross

We asked our hotel to hold our luggage the day of our departure. Since we had big bags and our room was not to be occupied the following day, they allowed us to keep our bags in the room until our train.

As far as the rail pass, check the type that you are purchasing. Some are good only for "bordering countries" while others (usually more $) are good for "non-bordering countries." Many around here will remind you to check to make sure that it financially makes sense. Hopefully someone will post that link for you.

Regarding the sleeping car, you might want to try sleeping in your closet one night. If the cramped quarters don't bother you, go for it. Our biggest problem was the shock value of actually seeing how small the sleeping compartiment was. We had a 2nd class sleeper for three with a wash basin. I had something larger (yet not palacial) in my mind. Although cramped, I still preach to my family it was better to do that stretch via the night train than to be on a train for 10 waking hours wasting what could be "tourist time" in Paris.

dwzemens

I have only been on one night train, and that was from Paris to Barcelona in 2002.

We did leave our bags at the hotel just as you described. It is a bit inconvenient not having the hotel to go back too, but I can't see a way around that without paying for the extra day.

I cannot comment on the Eurail pass because we simply purchased point-to-point tickets on our trip. We used a private sleeper on our trip, which included dinner and champagne along with the sleeping quarters. It was fun.

Do you know what the sleeping arrangements are on your train? I think I might have some difficulty sleeping in one of the four or six person berths ...

rex

The website www.railsaver.com can help you analyze costs and decide that a rail pass (and what kind) is (or more likely, is NOT) your best option.

Be sure and click on the box "only if it saves me money".

You cite reasons that I have always assumed that I would view an overnight train a bad idea. Took my first one last month. Kept our bags in our car until train departure time (seemingly not a choice for you). Stored them in train station locker for a few hours afterwards until time-appropriate for us to reclaim them for that subsequent day.

At the risk of greatly re-shuffling your itinerary, you could consider this alternative: train Lausanne to Lugano (no clue as to fare, routing or duration of this trip). Rent an Italian car there. Make a few days out of the trip from Lugano to Venice. Turn in the car on arrival in Venice.

Of course, you could also drive straight from Lugano to Venice (with no drop charge; you should be able to get an Italian car at Lugano, since it's essentially at the border) - - but a one day rental can be a very bad bargain - - typically about the same as a three-day rental.

Your first instincts may work out just fine. A relevant issue is - - how many days do you have in Venice, of course...

Best wishes,

Rex

suze

I love the overnight train and have done that journey on 2 occasions (I left out of Vevey rather than Lausanne).

I was staying with a friend so was fortunately not to have the check-out issue. I am sure you can leave luggage at the hotel or train station whichever seems a more convenient location. You might ask about late check-out, possibly you can pay for an extra 1/2 day.

But believe me you don't have to be fresh for an overnight train ride!

No need for a eurail pass simply because you go thru two countries. You can still buy a point-to-point ticket, plus you pay an extra supplement for the sleeper cabin.

I *highly* recommend you reserve a "wagon-lit" which is a private room for two people, not the "couchette" which is bunk beds in a shared room with strangers.

General advice, take along water and minimal snacks. For an earlier overnight train departure I pack a dinner, but since this is nearly midnight and you'll arrive morning, just a few basics you might want in your cabin.

Wear comfortable clothes so you don't need to change into pajamas.

The conductor that sits at the end of the hall in the train car will take your passport because you cross the border in the middle of the night. Don't be alarmed, this is standard procedure and he returns it in the morning.

Intrepid1

You could, as others have said, store your bags at the station. Lausanne will offer both pay lockers and a left luggage room. However, the left luggage room may or may not stay open as late as when your train departs. The hotel will usually hold them for you if you ask.

There is a difference between 1st and 2nd Class accommodations on most trains and for many of us, it is ENOUGH of a difference to warrant the additional money that 1st Class entails. I assume you have already investigated the difference between a compartment for two and a 2nd Class couchette. If this is the only rail journey you are taking I agree that a pass probably isn't worth it. You are correct that if you ARE traveling on railpasses you will need ones which cover travel in BOTH Switzerland and Italy. Assume you also know that the cost of sleeping car spaces are not covered by passes.

Finally, be aware that the fastest DAYTIME rail journey (on a high-speed Cisalpino service) would take you six hours Lausanne-Venice.

EuroNight 311/313 (the train you are considering) carries no restaurant or snack bar car as I recall

suze

Clarification... that's a 1st class wagon-lit for two persons I have used. It is not too terribly small or cramped IMO. One time I even lucked into being on a old train that was downright 'orient express' like.

I believe I was able to have a 2nd class train ticket with the supplement of a 1st class sleeper (my local friend helped with the arrangements).

I personally would never consider a night train in a 3+ person shared compartment.

lhopp

Thank you-very helpful information. I think we will probably give it a try, but book a 1st class private sleeper.

Rex, to answer your question, we'd do 2 nts Lucerne, 5 nights Berner Oberland, 3 nts Lake Geneva, and finish with 5 nts in Venice. With the night train, we'd have 5 full days vs. spending a good part of 1 traveling.

We're excited to include Venice, because when we visited Italy in 2003, we went to Tuscany, Umbria and Rome, but missed Venice.

suze

I think your trip sounds wonderful, and a nice pace. Please feel free to post other questions if you have them. There're not many things I can help with in such a specific way, but I happen to have experienced this train twice (as I mentioned, and once the same route returning Venice thru Sion to Geneva by day train).

Also I go every-other summer to Vevey and Montreux visiting friends there.

PalQ

Will hotels allow you to go back in and freshen up, etc. after check-out? Seems unlikely unless you pay for another night? Intrepid1's advice is good - think about day train if that is very important - washing up, etc. Plus you'll see some lovely countryside. If that is the only trip you're doing just buy point-point ticket - even if traveling a bit more in Italy maybe point-points - EurailSelect Pass gives 5 days of unlimited travel in 2 month period in any three adjoining countries so will depend largely on what other Swiss trips you'll be taking. Buy a 5-day eurail select saver pass before July 27 and you each get a free day of car rental! (Only available on 5-day EurailSelect passes - not 6 day, etc.) This promo is thru RailEurope only it seems (info them or their agents: 800-441-2387). Your original itinerary wouldn't warrent EurailSelect pass - but factor in the two free car days if you can use them, then maybe. The special must be bought before July 27 but can be used for up to six months after. Cars are thru AVIS or Hertz - pick up at a train station, drive to another station in that country for often free drop-off- also utlitarian to drive to an airport with your luggage, though airports often have a drop-off fee.