Well we are down to just a few details for our trip and although we plan to purchase most of our rail tickets in Italy we are going to pre-purchase our overnight train fare from Siracusa to Naples to ensure that there is space on the latest train (and to take advantage of early booking discounts)

Our question is has anyone taken this train before and can you tell us the difference between the 2nd class "sleeping berth" and the 1st class "sleeper". There are 6 of us traveling together but we will have all of our luggage with us and want to make sure it is as safe as possible while we sleep.

The overnight trains that I have taken have 4 berths in 1st class and 6 berths in 2nd class. Some of the 1st class couchettes that I have taken include breakfast, but most do not.

You can get private cabins which I prefer, but the cost is much less for the couchettes. With 6 people traveling together, at least you won't have a stranger in your cabin. There is absolutely no room for luggage, but that is also true for most of the private cabins that I have had.

Thanks for the info. Our choices indicate either 2nd class sleeping berth or 1st class sleper (shared compartment) so I am guessing that the second is an acutal private cabin area?

When you say "no room for luggage" do you mean very little room or literally none and if so do we check our bags somewhere?

thanks again!

You have the choice of a 6-person couchette or a 2-person private cabin, right?

Livirtually no room for luggage unless you put it on your bunk with you in a couchette. Especially if all 6 bunks are filled. There is no place to check luggage, you keep it with you.

oops, that's literally & virtually together -lol! sorry.

racegirl

If all 6 of you are in the same cabin, you will not have to share with anyone. Are you planning to split up and get separate cabins?

When I say there is no room for luggage, it's true. There is a small place underneath the bottom couchette, but my luggage is always too fat to go there. We usually can stand 1 suitcase at the window and the rest go either at a small space at the top bunk, which we have lots of trouble lifting our bags that high, or we just put them at the bottom of our bunk.

We took an overnight train to Venice a few years back in a 6 person sleeper. We took the top bunks because we had heard about theft on the train. We were traveling with carry on size bags at the time and chained them to the bunk at the head of the bed.

The top bunk was hot with no air circulation. The person on the bottom bunk opened the door to let some air in...so I would say that everyone was feeling the heat. She fell back to sleep with the door open and when she awoke her purse was gone.

I suggest you secure you luggage. We had money belts on which is also a good idea. I would say that given the option, I would book private accommodation. The problem is that in many cases the cost is very high...in fact with all the discount carriers in Europe it is sometimes less expensive to fly between some of the larger centres.

You are fortunate that there is exactly 6 of you so you would have a sleeper compartment to yourself in any case.

Our son and his friend just did the overnight round trip from Rome to Taormina and back. They were in 4-person couchettes (2nd class was the only option). On the way down they had the "room" to themselves. On the way back they shared it with 2 nice Italians. All were protective of their bags, and they never left the couchette unoccupied. They said it was a long trip, fairly uncomfortable (terrible bathrooms), but it saved them 2 nights of hotel rooms so it was worth it. They were arriving in both destinations early in the morning, and the conductor went through the cars to wake people up.

The flight from Catania to Naples is just under an hour. Air One is about E60 one way and I believe Alpi Eagles are a bit more. That certainly beats an overnight train to me.

ditto, mimi

The different types of sleeping accommodation cause a lot of confusion.
Couchettes are basic bunks with six bunks in a second-class compartment or four in first class. Sleepers have one, two or three berths in compartments with wash basins.
All couchette and sleeper compartments have bolts so can be secured.
From Siracusa to Napoli, there is more comfortable alternative by taking an overnight ship from Catania (www.tttlines.it). The ship's cabins have showers and toilets, and will be much more comfortable than train compartments.

wow, Geoff wins for best creative suggestion of the day!!! I don't even have a trip planned and now I want to go just to try the overnight ship journey.

TTT line is a very nice ship and a very nice trip. Not as big as other overnight ferries and more local and commercial use, not many tourist, but still nice. Very clean, good food. Single outside cabin is expensive - about 160E. Double/trip/quads much less per person. Sure beats overFright train!

Wow.. thanks everyone for all of the information and advice. I looked in to Air One and we are now going to fly from Catania to Naples. We were able to get flights for $73 which is the same price as 2nd class on the train and with the extra hotel night we are still only paying about the same as 1st class train travel plus we get the bonus night in Sicily!
The train advice will definitely come in handy though since we are traveling by train to our remaining Italy destinations (Venice, Bologna and Rome)

I really appreciate all of the replys!

racegirl...glad to hear that you found an expensive flight. With all the discount carriers, air travel has never been so affortable in Europe. I'm not quite sure how they make any money but it's great for the traveler.

Enjoy Sicily...I've been twice and we saw so many wonderful places.

Sorry...inexpensive is what I meant to say....enjoy your holiday!!

I am not sure what train you were looking at, however the direct train overnight train leaving Siracusa at 20:40 and arriving Napoli at 5:58 only has the following sleeper options:

* 4 person "comfort" couchettes - 60.80 EUR
* 3 bed compartment - 65.80 EUR
* 2 bed compartment - 73.80 EUR

I've never taken this train but I've taken several other night trains in Italy and elsewhere and have always found them to be quite efficient, economical and I've always slept fairly well on them. Never had a problem with safety or with finding room for luggage for 2 people (though we tend to travel pretty light).

Glad you decided to fly and you'll be happy with Air One. We fly them very often and like them very much. You'll get great views of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands and YES! to the bonus night in Sicily. Have a wonderful trip!