Overnight train - difficulty sleeping?
 

A friend and I are planning on taking the train overnight from Granada to Barcelona; we will be reserving a 'preferente' class sleeper for two. But there appear to be many, many stops on this route! Has anyone who has taken this train (or a similar one with lots of stops) tell me if it's hard to sleep? I've never taken the train overnight and am just wondering; I don't consider myself a light sleeper or anything, but I don't know how I'd hold up under the circumstances.<BR>Thanks!

We had a sleeper one time that was small but comfortable and it was wonderful having a private toilet and sink. However, we did hear every stop and it seemed as if there were many, so did not sleep well. For the privacy, I would probably do it again.

We've taken two overnight trains, once from Paris to Florence and then Venice to Paris, both times in a private sleeper. Neither of us had any trouble sleeping, and both of us are relatively light sleeper. Maybe it was the wine we had with dinner. I did wake during the return trip at one point from the sound of a whistle as we approached a tunnel, but I think that was my subconcious desire to see the Alps, even in the dark. Agree with the previous poster, the privacy alone is worth it.

try to get a good night sleep the night before! No matter how hard we tried, we also woke up at most of the stops.<BR>Try to go to bed early as well. We thought staying up late would help us but it did not.<BR>Bring a good book, crack the window and enjoy the trip. If you can check in early to your hotel, you could take a little nap.<BR>I would highly reccomend calling the hotel and requesting early check in if you can.<BR>Anne

I took the train from Madrid to Barcelona at night, had a compartment to myself, tried to stretch out and sleep but the rails were so rough, the train was bumping all night long. Couldn't sleep at all.

I've done several sleepers around Europe (and one in Morocco), and never have trouble sleeping. I'm a heavy sleeper, and pretty much can conk out anywhere. Traveling companions, on the other hand, have gotten virtually no sleep.<BR><BR>Take the tack that you WON'T sleep much and hope for the best. A sleep aid (prescribed or OTC) wouldn't be a bad idea.