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-   -   Is 2nd class on train a mistake? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/is-2nd-class-on-train-a-mistake-1064081/)

PalenQ Jul 21st, 2015 10:00 AM

No that train IME does not offer sit-up seats or even reclining seats - couchettes 4 and 6 person plys the Sleeper Car - private compartments - single, double, triples usually.

PalenQ Jul 21st, 2015 11:38 AM

More and more night trains in Europe are being scrubbed - with the advent of high-speed trains and cheap airfares and those that are left are becoming more of hotel trains - luxurious with WC/douche in compartment at top end and couchettes the lowest possible sleeping accommodations - very few night trains anymore have open seating needing no supplement - German CNL - City Night Liner trains have reclining seats for a few euro reservations fee but still nothing less than a couchette gets you a modicum of comfort and privacy.

RM67 Jul 21st, 2015 11:52 AM

If you're a light sleeper there's very little chance you'll sleep on a train anyway, so booking an expensive cabin or couchette is a waste of money. Might as well go for a reclining seat instead. And I say this from multiple experiences.

You've more chance of sleep if you can afford a single, or a two berth couchette with a partner, but the one thing I never see mentioned on here when people are banging on about how great this is, how you are saving on a hotel, not losing a day of travel etc etc is how astronomically expensive these smaller cabins often are compared to larger cabins or reclining seats.

Best option by a mile is to take a high speed daytime service where there is one.

PalenQ Jul 21st, 2015 02:44 PM

Night trains should always be couched with the advice 'if a light sleeper it don't really matter what kind of accommodation you have there is always noise from outside the train - in the corridors - station PAs but at least no one getting up and going out during the night except you.

No fun to arrive wiped out early in the morning - like an all-night plane flight.

Good points from RM67 (Time to drag the Blackpool Lights up, right RM?)


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