We have tickets for the Venice to Rome night train which leaves Venice at 12:04 a.m. If anyone else has ever taken this or other night trains...how long before the train leaves can you board? Thanks.

That train, the IC771/Marco Polo, appears to originat in Udine. It arrives in Venice at 11:43pm. That gives you 20min.

I have only taken a night train once--and would never do so again! Unless you can sleep through bombing raids, you won't get any rest. Trains come screeching into stations. The noise, vibrations and stopping/starting guarantee a sleepless night. If you have any other choices for travel, I would pursue them!

Perhaps things have changed but back in 90's I took a night train from Naples to Sicily and was with my brother. We used his waist belt to secure our door, to no avail as someone came in while we slept and took our money. Mine was hidden and his was on his body, they got only mine and not that much as I never keep all money in same place. Yes, they fumbled through my belongings to get that money. Also, when we boarded everyone rushed in as each family wanted their own compartment which always DOES NOT work out that way. There were families that had to share with others.

Am sure things have modernized with stricter security but before I take another overnighter I'd find out if compartment doors lock and would see if I can claim a compartment with my ticket. Maybe in first class you can? Just be smart with your money, keep in various places and sleep with it (thin money holder belt) under yourself and either keep to your back or sit up if you fall asleep.

Maybe the newer, modern trains have totally different sets ups for sleeping that I am not familiar with. Our August trip does not have any overnighters planned.

This is a 4.5 hour ride--hardly worth a night train to me . . .

My best friends sister spent 10 years in Europe with her family (recently.) I saw her three weeks ago and asked about the sleeping train as I was considering it from Paris to Venice.

She told me that their last overnight train was in a shared compartment with an Italian off duty police officer as one of their companions. He showed them how he was locking the door (no, not just turning the lock, there was more to it. We were having cocktails, I forgot the details.) Any who... she told me absolutely not to take the night train. She also stated that she used to feel safe on overnight trains in Italy, but not anymore. She said the police officer made it clear that he was very concerned for their safety while they were sleeping and to pay attention to what he was showing them. She's not a little woman, nor a shrinking violet by any means. Her husband is retired military and flew helicopters for a living. They aren't timid people.

I realize many people take the night train with no problems and enjoy them. I in no way want to offend anyone.

But this is one time I intend to be safe instead of sorry. I'm taking her advice and am flying instead.

Good luck whatever you decide.

I have been able to take a number of night trains, a couple of them in Italy. I would do it again in a heartbeat (I love them) but I agree that you don't get a lot of sleep. Each time I was with family members (and only family members) in a four bed compartment. The train employee did not show us how the lights, bunks, etc worked, ONLY the locks. He spent a long time explaining the locks and made us practice in front of him. He was very clear that we should keep the doors locked all night, no exceptions. If one of us had to get up at night for the bathroom we woke up someone else to keep an eye out. As I said, I would do it again but only with people I know in the compartment, that way you can ensure that the door is locked properly.

All couchette and sleeper compartments have locks on the inside. I wouldn't recommend spending a night in a seat on a train. When you stay in a town, would you sleep in a hotel room or on a park bench?
I've used night trains all over Europe and never had any problems of theft. If robberies were common, nobody would use night trains.
The night train from Venezia to Roma has carriages from Udine and Trieste. The Trieste train arrives in Venezia Santa Lucia at 2331 and the Udine train arrives at 2343. The two are then joined together, which may involve shunting between platforms. The train arrives in Roma Tiburtina at 0656.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I know it can be hard to sleep on a train, but when I'm tired (and I should be after a long day in Venice) I can sleep through alot. I did a week on the Trans Siberian Express....that's alot of nights on a train! This train takes 7 hours to get from Venice to Rome. The 4 1/2 hours is on a daytime EuroStar. Thanks for explaining where this train comes from. I'm sure Venice is the last stop on the track ;-) I was wondering what they did (2 engines front and back or what). How did you get that info? Anyway, thanks for all the responses. You guys are very well informed!

ocnanc,

GeoffHamer spells it out well.

Be at the depart platform about a half hour before your train is scheduled to depart.

Talk with the conductor(esse). If your assigned berth is not what you ordered ask for a change. It might take a half hour before the conductor comes around but he/she can change your compartment after the train is in motion.

I am not planning on taking any night trains during my visit, but, how is the eurostar? I plan an am trip from Rome to Florence.

Eurostar is a nice train. For Rome to Florence, the trip is only 90 minutes, so 2nd class is good enough.

I will be traveling from Venice to Rome in August. Kindly inform how I can get this Eurostar? Can I book it from USA? Maybe best day or so before or hour before when at station?

Is this train opereated by SNCF? Someone mentioned below site but I do not think it is right:


http://www.sncf.com/index.php?LANG=en_EN

I know Tirannia is the shipping business but I just cannot think of who runs the Italian trains at this moment! Thanks

Trains in Italy are run by the Italian State Railway, Ferrovie dello Stato.

You can purchase tickets in advance at www.trenitalia.com (the Ferrovie dello Stato website) 60d in advance, or at any train station or neighborhood travel agency in Italy when you arrive.

Can you get a private sleeping car for the night train to Rome? When I did Venice to Rome, I had the 6 seat compartment style train and it was a miserable trip. No place to lean your head (I was in the middle) or just simply relax. While the ticket was cheap, probably 40 or 70 euros, I wished I had paid more for an upgrade (if it was possible), or flown out the next day on Ryan Air (or another low budget airline).

I took the Arteisa night train from Paris to Venice and that was heavenly. Would do it again in a heartbeat! Had no concerns for my safety.

Have a great time!

J62- thank you and yes, I now recall it. Are you, or any other, familiar with the different fares the drop down window shows? Here are some examples:

Flexi
Standard
Amica
Familia 20% (family discount)
Sconto Smart (smart discount)
Sconto Relax (?)
Conc. Speciale lll viaggi isolati

The total costs vary. I put in for 3 adults and one child as my kids will be 15 and 12 by August. With following fares, here are the differnces:

Standard- E. 196.40
Familia- E. 117.90
Amica- E. 157.20
Flexi- E. 235.60!

Looks like Family (Family) fare is best deal. I wonder if one passenger can use Amica or must they use Standard?

Forgot to mention-- The Familia price is much less than 20% from Standard price so I cannot figure where it discounts from. I assumed it was from Standard price.

ellem above, mentioned 2nd class as good for the 90 minute ride Rome to Florence. What about a longer 4.5 hr. ride Venice to Rome? Is 2nd class good or must 1st be used for better comfort and more expense?

In my opinion, unless you are supersized/doublewide then 2nd class is perfectly fine for Rome-Venice. You can get up and walk around whenever you wish.

US residents can buy standard or Amica fares - the Famiglia fare requires Italian residency.

On ES trains, I find 2nd class perfectly comfortable for a ride of any length. It's certainly much more comfortable than airline seats in coach.