monb

Hi. I'm traveling from Zurich to Copenhagen via Hamburg by train this summer. We've arranged for sleeper cars. How much room is there? And do I keep my luggage with me or check it? We'll all need new bags so I thought before I shop for them I should have know whether they'll need to be within a certain size for the sleeper cars. Ugh. I'm a terrible traveler but want to do what I can to show my kids that it's fun and want to avoid any obvious blunders (like assuming that i can check any oversized bags into a luggage car (a la the movies where the bad guy is always hiding)

Thank you!
Monica

virgo839

Monica,
If you are trying to show your kids that travel is fun, I can't imagine why you are taking a sleeping car . In my opinion, it is NOT fun at all. It's not like the movies, and it is not romantic.
That said, my second piece of advice is to not take any oversize bags. If you are traveling by train, you must pack light, and never take a bag heavier than you can lift, because there will be no one to help you manage it.

For more information about the trains, visit the Rail Europe website (www.raileurope.com) and click on FAQ's. Lots of information under "Trains." If you need more information, call Rail Europe.

AnneO

Sleeper cars are VERY small! Not really much fun, but definitely a way to get from point A to B overnight. We had 2 large suitcases (25 & 24 inches), plus small carryons. There really wasn't room. We put one below the lower bunk, and one in the aisle (after I crawled into bed). In the morning, sit up (well, kind of!), swing your feet over, pick up the suitcase, put it on the bed, slide out (it really is that tight!). I would recommend smaller suitcases (and not just because of the sleeper car!). There is no luggage storage...your luggage stays with you.

I'm not trying to discourage you from going on overnight trains...just be aware of how small the cars really are!

Anne

monb

Wow, thank you! It was my travel agents idea and I thought it would be fun. Hmmm. Another thing to mull over. Maybe we'll fly.

flanneruk

One man's idea of fun is obviously another's idea of complete misery.

But don't dismiss sleeper cars just because they're cramped. There's something that always gets me about tucking into a bed in place x and waking up in place y - and don't the trains to Copenhagen go on a boat at one point?

Sleeper trains don't match the Ritz for luxury. But, however cramped, they all beat the (far more cramped) joys of Air Cheapo. And, if they've got a bar car, you can always fantasise that those Aussie backpackers whingeing about the local beer are really Agatha Christie characters in disguise.

swandav2000

Hi monb,

Well, I enjoyed the sleeper cars. I was about 13 years old, and my sister and I stocked up on chocolates & books. We thought it was a grand adventure! How old are your kids? I think they'll like it a lot!

s

ira

Hi mon,

Taking a sleeper car is something one should do, if for no other reason than to find out if one wants to do it ever again.

Put the kids in the top bunks.

You can check your schedule at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

Your train will be split up in Puttgarden. It is a lot of fun to watch the little engines move the train onto the ferry.

You will be on the ferry for lunch. If you are lucky, it will be a Danish ferry and you will be able to have smorrebrod and Danish beer. They have nonalcoholic beer for kids.

If it is a German ferry, you can have wurst and sauerkraut with your beer.

They also have duty free shops.

Have fun.

elberko

Yes, sleepers are small, but your kids will think it's an adventure, and it will be fun. Pack light!

tcreath

We stayed in a sleeper car recently from Vienna to Florence and loved it. Sure, it was small, but kind of cozy too. Because it was night time, we were able to turn off our lights and look out the window as we passed through the beautiful Austrian Alps. The rooms are small, especially once you convert the room from a couch to the two beds, but it wasn't that bad. My only complaint is that it was hard in the morning, trying to get dressed and get our things together before we stopped in Florence at 6:00 a.m. We were tired and groggy so this wasn't a very pleasant morning.

We always heard negatives about taking a sleeper car, but I would do it again in a heartbeat, if anything because it saves you a day of traveling when you could be sightseeing. And even if its cramped quarters, its still an interesting experience.

Tracy

tcreath

Also wanted to add that there was luggage storage in our car, so that wasn't an issue. We both had only one rolling suitcase and a small duffel so we didn't have any problems at all. I would avoid really large luggage as you would probably run out of room, but there should be luggage storage in the cars.

GeoffHamer

As a child, I was taken everywhere by car which was so boring. I wasn't able to discover the advantages of comfortable overnight travel till I was in my 20s. I'm sure kids will enjoy something different. Be careful about following the advice above and putting them in the top bunks: up to a certain age, children can fall out of bed so should not be put in upper bunks unless there are straps or rails to stop them falling out.

chepar

We took the overnight train from Venice to Paris recently and shared a T4 (4 adults).

It was cramped, but actually roomier than I envisioned. We slid all our suitcases under the seats (which pull out to become the bottom bunks) and placed our carry ons on the shelf running perpendicular to and a little above the top bunks. Don't overstuff your luggage, though - it was a close squeeze to get the luggage under there.

The bunks are narrow, but sufficient. It was a great experience, and had my 8 year old daughter been with us, she would have loved it.

However, as stated before, make sure you can handle your own luggage - there won't be anyone to help you.

suze

I *love* taking an overnight train in a sleeper cabin - great adventure! (and I'm a light fussy sleeper). Be sure to pack a nice picnic dinner, snacks, and plenty of beverages. I have only been in a double - alone or with my one traveling companion, so don't know how large the compartment for a family of 4 would be.

Besides the train, generally speaking, I would HIGHLY recommend each person has only one rolling suitcase (19-22 for the kids, 24-26 max for adults) plus one carry bag (small daypack or pocketbook). Anything more will be way more trouble carting around than what having a bunch of different clothes is worth. Do laundry half way thru the trip if you need to. As far as teaching your kids about the joy of travel, packing light is one good lesson to learn.

suze

Oops for the suitcase numbers I meant to say inches. Besides the space in your compartment, you need to be able to handle your own bags (yes you keep them with you, you do not check them)... in the station, on the boarding platform, up the steep narrow stairs onto the train, down the hallway, etc. Again I can't stress enough I would not ever travel with anything you consider "oversized".

ben_haines_london

There is an able survey of rail travel, with picturees, at http://www.seat61.com/
Long and detailed chapter on all aspects: http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap17/rail.htm. My note on getting the best from sleepers and couchettes is at http://www.twenj.com/tipsnighttrains.htm

Cases are a better choice than backpacks, as cases fit well into the rectangular shelving on trains. You are right: there is no baggage car nor checking in: your bags go with you. Aged 67, I readily find help from fit young people nearby in lifting cases.

Upper bunks have straps beside them to stop people falling out.

I think you may have booked sleepers from Zurich to Hamburg or from Munich to Copenhagen, with day train connections, as I am afraid there is no through train. The reference library of a city near you may have the Thomas Cook European Timetable. Tables 75 and 50 give you Zurich 1333, buffet car train with good Alpine views, Munich 1748 to 1901, Copenhagen 0959. The night train has 1, 2 and 3 berth sleepers, 4 and 6 berth couchettes, and a restaurant car.

Tables 73 and 50 give you Zurich 2044, Hamburg main station 0833 to 0922, buffet car train, Copenhagen 1359. The night train has 1, 2 and 4 berth sleepers, 4 and 6 berth couchettes, and a restaurant car. The day train rolls onto a train ferry from Puttgaden to Rodby, so you can admire the sea view from 1110 to 1200, but would have to rush to eat a full lunch. There are a fair lunch in the train buffet, and full meals from Zurich to bedtime and for breakfast as you approach Hamburg.

RailEurope are ill-informed and cost about thirty percent more than other agents for night rail travel, whom I can list to you if you ask me. Can you please tell us which agency briefed you, and what times they gave for their sleeper from Zurich to Copenhagen ?

As you see, people vary: some sleep and others not. You have chosen a good long journey, so will have time

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ben_haines_london

Sorry: I misjudged your agents. With the change at Hamburg, your trains exist.

Ben Haines

kalice

Difference between sleeper cars and couchettes: Sleeper cars cost a lot more money but offer a made-up bed, and in-room sink and sometimes even a bathroom. But if you have a Eurail, a couchette is much cheaper and first class couchette is not that different than a sleeper, especially if you have enough people to fill the car to yourself. (I can't imagine taking a couchette with someone you don't know -- too close of quarters).

For your own security, you need to keep all of your bags in the couchette, and there is enough room. We had 11 bags, and most fit on the overhead shelves, with a few overflow on the floor.

On a first class couchette, you get a regular bed, made up with sheets. The porter will bring you beverages and a light continental breakfast with coffee in the morning. You get free magazines and a free dopp kit with toiletries inside.

You can get a couchette for two, three or four on different trains so book ahead. If the train isn't too full, chances are you don't have to share with anyone, but best bet is getting one that accomodates your party and only your party.

If you're just with your family, no prob with putting on jammies to sleep in, but that might be iffy with strangers (unlike sleeper which is private so you can sleep naked for all anyone cares). You have to go down the hall to bathroom, but I never saw a soul between our cabin and the bath the nights we traveled.

We had huge bags in the couchette, and I don't see bag size as prohibitive of being on one.

Our teen son had great fun with this, and even the 2 year old loved it. I would highly recommend a couchette experience for your kids, and train's sound is very lulling. But you wouldn't want to do this too often -- not the best night's sleep.

baldrick

We often use the nighttrain in Europe with the family and it is always a huge success with the kids. We take a couchettes for 4 if the entire family travels, or berths for 3 if we are only 3 to travel, so as to have the entire compartment for us.
You may say it is expensive, but you should also take in account that you save a night in a hotel and that you travel while you sleep.
And I particularly appreciate the early morning landscapes announcing that you are gradually approaching your destination.