Overnight train fare confusion
 

I am looking into the Artesia Night 221 from Paris to Venice in late May. I only want to take the train if i can get a private compartment for my Wife and I. Per the rail europe website, if i book under 2 people in a double, it gives us a cost of $500. For that amount, it is more economical to spend our last night in a paris hotel and fly Easyjet to venice. However, when i look under booking my wife and i separate, it gives a total of $200 each in a double. Can we book separatly in a double, for $200 each and stay togethor in the same double? or will they put us each in a separate gender sepcific dobule?

For $400 we will take the train, but for $500 we will fly. Thanks.

Also, can you see any of the italian landscape in the morning after the sun comes up, or is the train going to fast that it is all a blur?

Don't use the RE website to book...call Byron at BETS 800-441-2387..he's totally reliable and there is no sales pressure.

I'ved used him for all my rail tix now for sometime...no the scenery won;t be a blur..the train won;t be going that fast.

If not as Dukey suggests, at least go directly to scnf.com. You should be able to book those directly without going through RailEurope

The fare in a double compartment should be exactly the same whether you book together or share with strangers of the same sex. Obviously, a berth in a three-berth compartment is cheaper than a berth in a two-berth, and a single-berth compartment is more expensive than a berth in a double, but a berth in a double is the same price whether you're sharing with your partner or a stranger.
You should be able to book through the SNCF and collect the ticket when you arrive in France.
No trains go so fast that the scenery is a blur. Night trains do not go very fast. The night train to Venezia is a wonderful way to arrive: you have time for breakfast on the train, then arrive right on the Grand Canal.

Yes, it's often cheaper to fly. The cheapest price I see for a 2 sleeper compartment is 140€ per person.

http://www.artesia.eu/english/train-...arrivee=venise

Easy Jet flies this route and the airports are very easy to get to (Paris Orly and Venice Marco Polo). Many May dates are 32€.

Be sure to check the scnf site ASAP - you may be able to get a PREMS fare - they show up 60 days out and can be MUCH cheaper than the regular fare. I think you can either book and print or book and pick-up when you get to Paris. You do not want to have the tickets mailed.

Taking an overnight train can be romantic - especially in a private double - friends of mine took the Paris to Venice overnight train years ago and have a 20-yr-old son as a momento of that night - they are sure he was conceived en route.
But for anyone taking an overnight train in Europe can be a special experience - this train actually goes via Switzerland i believe.

Thanks for the sugesstions. I looked at the website and found a good fare for 280 Eu. if i book, it says i get the seats coach 91 - seat 11 lower, coach 91 - seat 15 upper. I am assuming coach 91 is the same compartment? and the seats are just the beds? just want to make sure that is correct and not assume since this is our first overnight train!

The PREMs fares show up three months out and you have to print them out.

Dpullman,

Coach 91 is the car number.

They won't be "seats" but bunks. The odd numbered bunks go up one side and even numbers up the other side.

According to my Thomas Cook Timetable 2009 that train has 1st and 2nd class sleeping cars with beds, and 2nd class couchette with bunks.

Are you looking at a T-2 (two bunks), T-3, T-4, or T-6? On this train 2nd class couchettes have T-6, T-4, and T-4 ladies only cabins. The cheapest will be T-6 which you will probably be sharing with 4 others. Luggage space is at a minimum if not less.

www.seat61.com/Italy.htm has info and photos of the sleepers and couchettes on this train, with links to berth numbering plans so you can see how the berths are numbered.

The train will save a hotel bill, actually save time over flying (you'll waste 5 hours of ureful daytime time with airports and buses and flight) and is centre to centre. An experience in itself.

Book it at the French Railways website www.voyages-sncf.com, leaving it in French (not really a big deal) following the step-by-step advice at www.seat61.com/France-trains.htm.

You will need to pre-select 1st class to see 2 bed sleepers, it will default to 4-berth couchettes (which are technically 1st class according to the Frenh system), you click 'choisir ma place' then use the drop-down box to change the 4-berth couchette to 'double sleeper' (can't remember the phrase they use in French, but it will have 'double' in it!). You MUST change this drop down box or even with 1st class selected you will be in a 4-berth.

and book as early as possible for the lowest fares - sold in strict allotments - just show up and pay full fare you could be paying $100 more or so.

And if the Paris to Venice train is booked in cheaper fares try to book Paris to Milan, served by both the Paris to Venice train and the Paris to Rome train - if the latter is cheaper by far then you'd go onto Venice in the morning on a day train

Go sign up for their email news on Voyages-sncf.com. As a member of that I just did a very easy dummy booking for a 1st class double berth ("double 1e classe") for May 1st on the train you want #221 for 280 Euros o/w. You will each have a berth but if you watch Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint in Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" I am sure you will find a way to be creative (no pun intended!)
And listen closely to the Man in seat 61 above, he has a highly rated website. But if you use Voyages-sncf.com you can skip all his stuff about couchettes.

that is scotty - 280 euros for both or p.p. I assume for both or 140 euro apiece? Thanks

that is 140 apiece for 2 in a 1st class double sleeper overnight, nonstop Paris-Venice. 2nd class was available but they were offering this special in 1st which gives you the privacy you are looking for. When you give Voyages-sncf.com your coordinates they will come back with several offers for you to choose, then calculate the fare.

thank you scotty for taking the time to reply.

The train will save a hotel bill, actually save time over flying (you'll waste 5 hours of useful daytime time with airports and buses and flight) and is centre to centre. An experience in itself.>

Hey heyi ditto that - what with flying becoming more a hassle with long security checks and all even more true