3 of us will be going Amsterdam to Florence in June 03, plan to spend a day+ in Munich--I believe there is a late train overnight Munich to Florence...how are the sleeper accomodations? Can 3 be accomodated? How far in advance to reserve? <BR>Thanks for any advice.

Greg- We did the reverse a few years ago from Florence to Heidelberg--<BR><BR>Yes, you can fit 3 people in a sleeper- Book a first class compartment-it has 3 bunks and a sink-- the toilet and shower is down the hall...<BR><BR>We reserved our cabin ( 2 of us) from Rail Europe in the US before we went...and we did that in April for a June trip---<BR><BR>Hope this helps

Most sleeping cars in Europe have two- or three-berth compartments. There are not separate first and second class compartments, but if you pay the first class fare, you can get a compartment to yourself; if you want to have three people in a three-berth compartment, then you only pay the second-class fare, plus a sleeper supplement. Some trains have newer compartments with a shower and toilet, and these have special fares. A standard three-berth compartment has three bunks one above the other and a wash basin; there is a ladder for reaching the upper bunks but they do require a little agility (I have seen an 80-year old get up to the top bunk without difficulty). Sleepers don't normally need to be booked far in advance, but it depends a lot on the time of year and day of the week.

I remember doing a sleeper car in 1988 from Amsterdam to Rome. Ended up reserving a sleeper car. I remember that there was accomodations for 6 of us. <BR><BR>Didn't realize that this has changed over the years.<BR><BR>Anyway, here I was having a beer and getting ready for bed when 2 young German girls came into the compartment and got ready for bed. You can imagine how surprised I was to be sitting in my berth while watching these girls strip down to just their panties. They climbed into their beds, topless, and went to sleep.<BR><BR>One of the better stories I had for my friends when I got home.<BR><BR>Good luck!<BR><BR>

6 berths in a compartment is not a sleeper but a couchette.

Confused, Thanks for the clarification.<BR><BR>

Thanks all very much for the help! We took a sleeper overnight years ago from Salt Lake City to Seattle (probably a discontinued route now)...anyway, the trip was quite memorable...and it seems like this might be interesting...

If an individual books a bed in a three berth sleeper he or she is put in a compartment with others of the sane sex, to allow a night in pyjamas. Couchettes are usually booked for people of both sexes, and most people stay in their clothes. Not the delightful girls, clearly.<BR><BR>I am afraid that the Brenner Express from Munich to Florence has no showers. You board about 2300, leave at 2339, have a light breakfast in your compartment, and reach Florence at 0910. Notes on getting the best from sleepers and couchettes are on http://www.twenj.com/tipsnighttrains.htm/.<BR><BR>Two agencies in the States can brief you and book you:<BR>Euraide, offices in Florida and Germany: http://www.euraide.de/. Telephone in USA 1 941-480-1555. Fax 1 941-480-1522. E-mail [email protected]<BR>DER travel agency in the USA, owned by German rail: http://www.der.com. E mail for information [email protected] and for sales [email protected]<BR>UK<BR>RailEurope takes a fifty percent markup.<BR><BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to Europe.<BR><BR>Ben Haines<BR><BR>