I just saw on another sight a posting that said there were sleeper cars on the overnight from Munich to Venice. Is this true? What is the best train website to get accurate information about trains which includes sleeper car information? The Rail Europe website does not always give me complete information and I have found that even the agents give conflicting information on the telephone.

Apparently there is indeed a direct sleeper from Munich to Venice: the D289 Brenner Express, leaving at 11:40pm, arriving at 8:44am. This train arrives in Verona at 5:20am. It stays quiet in Verona till about 7am when it resumes its trip.<BR><BR>I only found info on this train in the Italian Rail site. Not much info on train (1st and 2nd class sleeping wagon, 2nd class couchettes, restaurant car, resrvation possible - not mandatory).<BR>http://www.fs-on-line.com/home/en/index.html<BR><BR>The German Rail site shows the same train to Verona and then a change to train E 221, leaving at 5:30am and arriving at 7:09am. <BR>http://bahn.hafas.de//bin/db.s98/query.exe/en<BR><BR>Ben, where are you?<BR><BR>Paulo<BR>

Fodors <BR> <BR>The Thomas Cook European Timetable says that both the web sites are right. Nearly everybody uses the through coaches, part of the Brenner Express, from Munich at 2340 (but you can board from 2300) to Venice at 0844. They are second class six berth couchettes, and normal seated cmpartments, only, with no sleepers. You can speed up the journey if you quit the train at Verona at 0520 and transfer to seats on the Simplon Express, from Verona at 0530 to Venice at 0808. <BR> <BR>But neither is a good night, and Italian fares are low. So I suggest a little extra mileage and a full night in comfort. Munich by sleeping car, 1, 2 or 3 berth, board about 2300, Bologna 0731. Pick up a coffee and a sandwich, leave at 0752, wash and shave in the toilet, eat, snooze, and reach Venice at 0948. <BR> <BR>I have on disc a note on enjoying sleepers and couchettes in Europe: shall I copy it to you ? And in general, please write if I can help further. Welcome to Europe. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR> <BR>

Paulo and Ben: Thank you so much! <BR>Yes Ben, please forward sleeping on train info, I need it. You all are just a wealth of information. We are traveling with two children and I am trying to make this trip as smooth as possible. I appreciate your help and expertise.

Marzy, <BR>My husband and I experienced our first night train on that same Brenner Express from Munich to Venice last October. It was NOT a restfull night! Six people were stacked in a stuffy second class compartment with luggage with no room to even sit up in your bed. We traveled on a Friday night and the sleepers were full with several not able to get one. We had reserved from the US because it was mandatory we arrive Sat morning. Good thing we did. Also endured a noisy party complete with music in the same car! My recommendation is to follow Ben's advice and go for the longer but more comfortable route. <BR> <BR>Ben, <BR>Sure wish I had asked this same question as Marzy before our trip. I would really appreciate the same info that you offered on night trains. Thanks Ben, your the best! <BR>bobbi <BR>

Ben, <BR>I would like you to forward your train sleeping info to me. <BR>We are travelling from Venice to Munich then to Rothenberg in June. WE would like to take the night train. You suggested a sleeper car. We definitely want one for 3 people. I'm having trouble finding info on web sites & eurail by phone. Do you know of night trains around 10-11 pm with sleepers? <BR>Jane

For Ms McKeady, <BR> <BR>Would you please excuse me if I delay my reply a week ? I'm in Lublin, delightful, but without the right book and floppy disc beside me. <BR> <BR>Sorry <BR> <BR>Ben Haines

Dear Ben -- When you get home, could you please forward your info on sleepers to me also? I have been on several, but haven't "enjoyed" it yet. Must be doing something wrong. Kristin

We need to take a night train from Munich to Venice to save time, and we'll be going on a Friday night in Sept, so we want to reserve ahead...But I'm getting conflicting info from the German, Italian and Euraide web sites. I can't tell if they have 2 person sleepers or just 6 person couchettes. I would really prefer a sleeper. <BR> <BR>It looks like train D289, the Brenner Express, goes Munich-Venice from 23:40-7:15. <BR> <BR>Here's what Euraide says: <BR>Note: Overnight train D 289 has 2nd class seats, T2 doubles, and 2nd class couchettes. Segments of the train go elsewhere. <BR> <BR>What are T2 doubles, are they sleepers? Thanks a million for the help!!

Kelly - yes, T2's are sleepers.