I have been to Europe before and I usally get around by either driving or taking a plane. For a change I would like to take a overnight train. How is their first class? Do they have bathrooms in the compartment? I will be taking an overnight train from Paris to Venice and another one from Venice to Vienna. Should I take the day trains so I can see the scenery or the night train? Does the train to Vienna pass the dolomites?

Hi. I don't know about those specific trains, but I did an overnight from Amsterdam to Vienna and thought it was great. Cabins are small, and there is a small bathroom. I was able to sleep, they give you b-fast in the morning, and you save a night's hotel cost. Yes, you don't get to see the countryside, but you wouldn't if you were flying either! I really enjoyed the experience.

The night train from Paris to Venezia has one new "Excelsior" sleeping car with a shower and toilet in each compartment. The ordinary 2-berth sleeping compartments have a wash basin but toilets are along the corridor and there is no shower. I travelled in one of these last month and they are quite comfortable. The train also has a restaurant car which is open for dinner and for breakfast. The train allows you to spend one day sightseeing in Paris and the next day in Venezia - you arrive at Santa Lucia station which is in the old city right on the Grand Canal.

I traveled by overnight train many times years ago - - not first class. However, I loved waking up during the night, looking out the window and wondering where we were. Also the changing sounds, when you passed another train, crossed a railroad crossing, etc. I have great memories of those days.

I think it's fun to do at least once.<BR><BR>First class train Paris-Munich, and Brussels-Munich had sink in compartment, toilet at end of car. Slept OK, not great, wouldn't try to cram too much into the day you arrive in a city after a night train.

I know a lot of people swear by the night trains as it saves them a hotel room and adds valuable time to their schedule. I did it once and NEVER AGAIN!<BR>First, I couldn't sleep. I heard every noise the train made and felt every turn and every stop. I feared I would oversleep, so I couldn't get to sleep. I was horribly uncomfortable in my berth. (And yes, it was a luxury train, so smoother than most). But the worst thing was arriving at my destination in the morning without a shower. I felt miserable and had to wait until late afternoon when I could get into my hotel and take one. Somehow the whole thing was much worse than the overnight Atlantic flight arriving in Europe in the morning. Besides I missed seeing the scenery we were passing through. So for me -- no more night trains!