How are couchettes on trains?
May 21st, 2002, 04:49 PM
#21
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Sue,<BR><BR>CC travel is not for everyone as you can tell by the posts. When I checked the schedule it looked like there were T2 compartments as Ben has mentioned. It leaves at 11:15 and arrives in Rome at 8:45 and then on to Naples. If this is true it would be well worth the $45 to reserve a compartment. Remember train travel is an adventure! Have a good trip.<BR><BR>Greg<BR>
May 21st, 2002, 07:29 PM
#22
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I have used a couchette once from Switzerland to Paris. I was with a group and knew everyone else in the compartment. I'm not sure how I would feel about being in with strangers. Also, I tend to be very claustrophobic, but I got an upper bed and had my head by the window and was fine. It was an adventure, to say the least.
May 22nd, 2002, 07:23 AM
#23
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I had a sleeper car for two once, travelling with my mom, and that was pretty nice. We were able to sleep, off and on.<BR><BR>Another time, boyfriend and I shared a couchette with 3 young Italian women who were very friendly but spoke not a word of English (and we spoke no Italian). The room was hot, small, and crowded, and unfortunately they chose to have an evening snack of some very strong-smelling salami or some such. It positively reeked and the room smelled all night. (They politely offered us some; we declined.) Neither my boyfriend or I was able to sleep more than an hour or two. I don't think I'd do a couchette again, personally.
Aug 9th, 2002, 04:02 AM
#25
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I and a friend went on sleepers from Vilnius to Warsaw and Krakow to Berlin, both paid first class so we'd guarantee a sleeping compartment to ourselves, which was excellent, two beds in the compartment, a sink, some free snacks, and undisturbed sleep. Apart from border guards (but that was just plain old fashioned scary fun).<BR><BR>Claustraphobia not a problem because they removed the middle bunk for us so we each had plenty of space, and even had a coat rail and storage space for our luggage.<BR><BR>For the extra sleep, comfort and security (our door had a lock and we didn't need to worry about anyone else inside our compartment), see if you can do first class...
Aug 9th, 2002, 04:35 AM
#26
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Sue-- Spouse and I had a compartment for 2 on train from Rome to Heidleburg-<BR>It only had a wash basin in the compartment and the toilet was down the hall-<BR>The sleeping area was cute-bunk beds with plaid wool blankets and nice pillows--I know we travelled 1st class and reserved this compartment from RAILEUROPE Prior to leaving the states..<BR><BR>Also train was supposed to have dining car but did NOT--so take snack with you along with something to drink...<BR><BR>We had a blast on the train--all of us stood in the hallway outside of our compartments and talked-lots of International Flavor-we spoke NO ITALIAN,and ran into people that spoke no English but there was always someone to translate--<BR><BR>YES- I would definitely do it again, BUT only on a 2 PERSON COUCHETTE- the other couchettes for multiple people DID look like sardine cans!
Aug 9th, 2002, 05:11 AM
#27
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The terminology is a little technical. In Italy in second class a couchette has six berths, while a sleeper has three berths normally, and two berths in a train that has T2 compartments. In all of western and central Europe sleepers have washbasins in compoartments while couchettes do not. In the former Soviet Union sleepers have no washbasins in compartments.<BR><BR>Ben Haines
