Overnight Trains
 

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. My mum and I are going from Munich to Florence next month (after three days in Prague) and I hope to take an overnight train (3-country Eurorail pass). Does anyone have any thoughts on the overnight trains? How tough the reservations were? How early to get to the station? Total neophyte here!

Thanks!!

Hi Cidell,

I love overnight trains. I suggest getting either a couchette (6 berth compartment) or a 2 person sleeper. I've only used cochettes so can't comment on the sleeper. Some overnight trains only have sleeping accommodations; there are no seats.

I'm not sure I understand your question on how tough the reservation are. Are you asking if it's difficult to get train reservations? If so, it's not difficult at all. When you get to Prague go to a travel agent and get the tickets and reservations and request either a couchette or sleeper(I believe reservations are required on the night train.

How early to get to the station - well, I believe in getting places early so I would suggest 15 minutes before the train leaves.

I assume that the overnight train is from Munich to Florence not from Prague. You would want to see someone in the train station in Munich. You can get reservations in the U.S. online or through a travel agent if you prefer, although I would wait until your are in Munich. If you were planning an overnight train from Prague then you would be going through four countries and I believe you would need to pay a supplement for Austria. Where is Ben Haines on this?

Hi Cidell,

Are you sure you need a railpass?
Have you been to www.railsaver.com to see if a railpass will save you money?

If you wish, you can order your tickets from www.eruraide.de for the same price as you would pay in Munich + $35 per order for S&H.

You can also go to http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
and order your tickets online. You have to register to do so.

i was in a 6 person sleeper with only 4 people. I would try to be the first one in your sleeper, that way you can snag one of the bottom or middle levels, I was worried about falling from the top bunk.

i also wanted to say, tire yourself out on the day you plan on sleeping, they are not the most comfortable, but if you are exausted you will sleep very well, also the "beds" are very small, so if you are taller or larger, you might find the beds very uncomfortable, i am 5'4 and have a smaller build, and i thought the beds could have been a little bigger