I've just read a number of threads re train travel and various suggestions to take the night train here or there. My question is what kind of accommodations typically are on night trains? Are we talking sleepers (as in something via Amtrak), or just reclining coach seats? Do you folks who do night train travel actually get restful sleep? Any other comments re Europe train travel also appreciated. Thanks!

The accomadations of the overnight trains all depends the countries you are traveling. I took two overnight trains this past summer, one originating from Poland going to the Czech Republic, and the other originating from the Czech Republic going to Germany. I was traveling with a group of six(including myself), so fortunately we were able to reserve two 2nd class couchettes. These compartments sleep three, with three bunks stacked on each other. It was a bit cramped, but once you get settles you are so tired from running all day, that you do get some sleep. You are awaken during the night if you are crossing a border, so keep you passport close by. The door to the couchette locked so we always felt safe. Make sure you get on the right car, as many times the original train may be going to a different place, and your car may be dropped off somewhere, and then picked up during the night. Overall, it saved time and money! I highly recommend overnight train travel, just be sure to reserve a couchette, because you usually can't get them when boarding the train. If you have other questions, let me know and I will try to answer them! Have fun!

As far as I know, you have 3 options. The worst is the same seat you'd sit in during the day. Sometimes they don't recline at all, sometimes they recline a little and sometimes they pull down. In the latter case, the seat across from you can be pulled down as well making a flat place to sleep. This is the option for serious budget travelers. No security and sharing a compartment with up to 5 strangers in very close quearters. <BR>The better option is a couchette. It requires a supplement to your regular ticket and you get a bunk in a compartment along with 3-5 others. No sheets or anything and you could still be bunking with strangers. Never done it so I can't say more than that. <BR>The best option is to get a sleeper car. I've done this a couple of times and thought it was great! There were 2 of us and we got a tiny compartment with 2 bunks. You get sheets, pillows, blankets, a small sink and mirror, room for your luggage (not a lot!) and a lock on your door. There's also an attendant that sleeps in the car and deals with border crossings, etc. I've only gone 2nd class so I know nothing about 1st class sleeper cars. It costs the regular price of the ticket plus a large supplement. It depends where you are how much it costs, but Munich to Florence was only about $100 total per person. I found the beds to be very comfortable.

I've done the reclining chair thing ONCE; I would rather run alongside the train than do that again. <BR> <BR>We usually get a 6-bunk couchette; 3 bunks on each side - bottom, middle, top. You get a sheet (sometimes like a sleeping bag, with bottom and one side closed), a blanket and a pillow (on French and Moroccan trains, they were clean and sealed in plastic). If you are crossing borders where there will be passport inspection, the conductor collects your passports so you aren't awakened. If there are 4-6 of you, then rent the 6-bed couchette for yourselves (minimum luggage space, so pack light). There's a toilet at the end of the car, and a separate wash basin. If you are a light sleeper, you won't get a good night's sleep, but it beats sitting in one of those @!*$*% chairs....

Elvira gives a good description of night trains. We swear by them, but only if you take the couchette. Take along some snacks, maybe a bottle of wine. There are lights if you want to do some reading. They work best if you are in a group so that you can takeover the whole area. I traveled with four others in March and we all slept great. Of course, the wine/beer before we left didn't hurt, any. In the morning, you can get up, brush your teeth and comb your hair, maybe take a sponge bath and use the grossest toilet you'll see in your life (especially in Bulgaria) and then hit the streets.