crazyfornps

My husband, 7y/o son and I would like to take a night train from Vienna to Venice. Is there a direct one? What "type" of tickets should we buy so we can sleep in? What's a good website to buy these tickets from? We are in the US right now and I assume we should reserve these tickets ahead of time.

Thanks!

Dukey1

You can buy the tickets from the Austrian Rail site:

https://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp

Do you understand the differences between the types of accommodations which MIGHT BE offered for sale?

You can get an explanation of those by going to the www.seat61.com site

fourfortravel

You would likely want the 3-bed sleeper compartment for the overnight from Vienna to Venice, especially with a child. Information about the sleeper compartment from the ÖBB (Austrian National Railways) is here. The page also offers a gallery of the accommodation styles. https://www.oebb.at/en/Services/Trai...ains/index.jsp

Reserving tickets ahead of time is a necessity on the ÖBB site, and there are often "SparSheine" (discount) prices with early booking.

A note of advice shared by friends who took this route (and who know DH is over two meters in height): the overnight train cabin beds are not designed for tall persons.

Dukey1

Well now just EXACTLY what does that mean,Fourfortravel?

Saying your "DH" is over two meters in height is not the same as saying EXACTLY how tall he really is and IF he needed to curl up in a bed, could barely stretch out, or what? "Not designed for tall persons"...how long are those beds, anyway?

I'm sorry, but these sort of "innuendo" posts without FACTS are not helpful to people who might be spending a LOT of money.

fourfortravel

Apologies, Dukey, if my post offended you. Our friends who have taken the overnight from Vienna to Venice shared with us that the beds in the T3 cabin would not be long enough for DH (who is nearing 200cm). Our teenagers who have traveled overnight via train for sports and academic events, both over 170cm in height, have complained as well that the cabin beds don't allow them to extend their full length at night and their travel is miserable.

I completely agree that is a pisser to spend a LOT of money for travel, only to discover that one can not get a good nights' sleep, and then has to duck in the shower in the morning. I shared the information from our friends specifically because I know the challenges of living, clothing, housing, and traveling with a family of tall persons in Europe. In all of our travels on this continent it is a luxury to find even a shower head that reaches above their shoulders. When DH and DS fly Economy, they have no legroom and the persons in front of them can not recline their seats. No one is happy. Shoes, clothing, and even ties have to be special ordered, or ordered from Nordstrom and brought over by generous and thoughtful friends and family members.

elbegewa

aarrgghh .... 170cm is only roughly 5'6" ... I consider myself short at 5'7". Are the beds so short that at 170cm one can't stretch out?

fourfortravel

elbegawa, our 175cm DD took the overnight train from Vienna to Warsaw and back this weekend for a sports tournament and stretched the cabin bed head to toe when lying down. That is the only FACT I can share.

PalenQ

I've taken this night train on three occasions and it is as night trains go quite nice - it does get to Venice rather early in the morning.

Private triples can be pricey but check the site Dukey gave you for possible discounted tickets - couchettes - 4 or 6 in a compartment means you'll be in probably with at least one stranger - mixed sex compartments.

For lots of looks at what to expect on overnight trains check not only www.seat61.com but also www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.