Night Train vs. Day Train
 

What are your opinions on night trains? Do you actually get sleep on them? How long does a train trip have to be before you will consider one? I believe one guide book I read said anything over 7 hours.

We are considering going from Paris to Luzern (or possibly Interlakken). From using the timetables, it seems this trip is a little over 7 hours with a train change. Would you use a night train for this or not?

Also, we will aslo be making the trip from Luzern (or Interlakken) to Munich. Does 5 hours for this trip seem right?

BTW, I'm using the bahn.hafas.de web-site to determine trip length times.

Thanks

Hi locolanza,

Another consideration besides trip length is the number and the time of connections.

I checked your schedule for night trains, and it doesn't look feasable. For instance, you can leave Paris at 22.42, but you have to change trains at 04.50; that wouldn't give me enough time to settle in for a good night's sleep.

If you don't want to spend seven hours on the train, consider breaking up the journey: take the TGV Paris-Geneva (about four hours), stay overnight in Montreux, then take the scenic train from Montreux through Gstaad, Zweisimmen & Interlaken to Luzern (about five hours).

s

It's not just the length of the journey that needs to be considered. A seven-hour journey leaving at midnight might be an option, but a seven-hour journey leaving at 2100 would not be, unless you want to be up at four in the morning.
I've looked on the Deutsche Bahn schedules and can't see a night train from Paris to Luzern. There are connections involving changing trains around five in the morning, which is not a convenient option.
Even if there is a through night train, you need to consider the accommodation available: there is a big difference between a two-berth sleeping compartment, a six-berth couchette compartment, and a train which just has seats.

You take the Paris-Zurich night train getting to Zurich 6:24 am then take the 45-min train to Lucerne as there is no direct Paris-Lucerne night train.

Thanks so much for your help.

I was thinking the same thing and you confirmed it for me. Changing trains in the early morning sounds painful... and I'm afraid not a restful night sleep.

This train planning is a whole new learning experience for me. :)

I like overnight trains fine and can sleep as well as expected. That said, I would only do it if you can afford a private cabin (wagon-lit). AND if the journey is ~8 hour trip without stops that departs around midnight.

Doesn't sound like that fits for your trip this time.

You can actually do a trip Paris-Interlaken in 6 hrs and 19 minutes (and that includes the change of train) and view the scenery on the way unless you absolutely MUST leave at night.

Fastest route Luzern-Munich takes 5 hrs 23 minutes with a change in Zurich.

Swandav nailed it.

Overnight in Montreux and head up through the Golden Pass through Zwiesimmen. You'll be glad you did.