alan_s

I have just booked discount cama turista berths on the Sud Express (Irun to Lisbon) and Lusitania Express (Lisbon to Madrid).

The compartment has four berths, one up and one down on each side:

[Lusitania Cama Turista](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0LWSb6e51...0/IMG_3180.JPG)

I would appreciate comments from anyone who has travelled on these or similar European trains as a single sharing with three strangers. The ticketing allocates me to a male only compartment.

Some questions for anyone who may know the answers:

* I am in different coaches but the same berth, 31, in both trenhotels. Is that an upper or lower?
* The space looks limited for luggage. How is luggage stored and secured. I travel light with a small carry-on size case and a day-pack. I don't usually padlock my case; should I?
* The discount tickets are incredibly cheap (about €35) so I accept I get what I pay for, but if space is available is it possible to upgrade on-board to preferente with a payment to the conductor, or to be moved to a compartment that is not full if mine is?
* Any other tips?

TIA

lincasanova

I don't think you can upgrade once on the train.

When we took an overnight to Zurich there was a small area above the door where one could put a small carry one case.

lincasanova

Here is the train guru's website:

http://www.seat61.com/

alan_s

Thanks for the info about storage.

I use seat61 and bahn.de, among others, quite a lot when planning but the information I am after isn't on them.

thursdaysd

I haven't taken the train from Irun, but I took the Lusitania back in 2004. You should have no problem finding room for your luggage given you travel light. The compartment will lock from the inside. I'm not sure what you mean about padlocking your case - do you mean locking the bag's main compartment (I always do that) or using a cable lock to secure the case to to the train (I seldom bother, except in India).

I keep my valuables (passport, credit cards etc) in a money belt, and often wear it when sleeping on a train (otherwise it's under my pillow.

You may find this page useful (it's on the Portuguese railway's site): http://tinyurl.com/cadpoed

It says "Customers who wish to up-grade to a higher class, must also go to the Ticket Inspector who will make the necesary alterations and receive the payment." However, if your ticket shows a special fare, I wonder if you can upgrade without also paying the difference between the special fare and the normnal cost of the class you bought, in which case you might as well have paid the higher fare in the first place?

alan_s

Thanks thurdaysd. Sorry it took a while to return.