I am planning on taking a night train from Paris to Venice. I am wondering what the difference is between a "placement couche" and the "cabine 3lits". Tickets for a placement couche are 55 euro, while staying in the cabine is 160 euro! I'm just wondering if anyone has done this and if the placement couche are really just reclining chairs, or a chair that fully reclines to feel like a bed??? Thanks!

"placement couche" = a bunk in either a six-person or four-person couchette. "cabin 3lit" = a bed in a three-person cabin. I expect that your 55€ fare would be for the six-person couchette. However, discount fares are available if booked far enough in advance (up to three months allowed) at www.voyages-sncf.com. Click on the British flag in the lower left-hand corner to view the site in English.

For a full description of the Paris-Venice night train, including photos of the sleeping accommodations, go here: www.seat61.com/Italy.htm.

Hi J,

You can fly Paris ORY to Venice VCE on www.myair/com for as low as 65E pp total.

Much nicer than a 6 person couchette.

mais

with the couchette for the same price you'd save $100-200 or whatever you typically pay for a hotel room

my sister and i hd a blast on the Paris/Venice night train. It was a 4 person. 2 were young guys from south america. no problems. they were polite and very quiet. the bathroom was only 1 door away.

I took the Artesia night train from Paris to Venice a few years ago and I loved it. I paid extra for the 1st class, 2 bed compartment (about $200 US-through a travel agent). The compartment was comfortable, plush-green bunk seats that were converted to beds in the evening. I had walked through the 4 bed, 2nd class compartments by accident and was very happy I had upgraded. They weren't bad, I just wanted the extra creature comforts. 2nd class was also set up as compartments, with seats that converted to bed (less mattress padding though). The photos on the seat61 site are a good representation of what you'll find.

There is a dinner car, but take your own meal/snacks; you'll probably eat better and save a little more money. If you're traveling solo, pack earplugs or iPod & headphones as your seatmates might snore (as mine did). You should have a good time...the scenary is very beautiful, especially when you get into Italy.

You can ho-hum fly anyday but to experience a European night train IMO is something special, esp if you go first class and in luxury.

We went Venice-Paris (reserve direction from your question) and had a compartmet similar to what cammci describes. It was WELL worth the extra expense (which I simply thought of as similar to cost of a hotel room).

If you've never done this train go for the 2 person first class sleeper. the experience, privacy and security is worth it! I took my nephew and we had a blast. We went Paris to Venice and then Rome to Paris. Great ride and time! Work it into your budget. You won't regeret it.

I enjoy an overnight train, but only in a private compartment. For me it would not be comfortable to go in a shared couchette cabin (I'd fly or take a day train or even a night train but in seats instead). I just can't do sleeping with strangers in the room myself.

Love the night trains (although I think the old ones were roomier than the new ones), and compartments are the way to go!

Wow! Fodorites really come through! I really appreciate all the feedback!

I'm so happy to have just read these positive reviews since I booked tickets on the Artesia from Paris to Florence four days ago for March. I booked a three person room - T3 on the SNCF website. When I had questions I called Rail Europe and got the answers I needed but then booked with the cheaper prices. I saved $200 USD by doing this.