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A first-timer's guide to traveling on a sleeper train
10.05.2024 - 17:05 / lonelyplanet.com
Sleeper trains are making a welcome comeback and it’s easy to see why; they’re more environmentally-friendly and sustainable than air travel, as well as being a fun and, often, comfortable way of traveling.
However, if it’s your first time on a sleeper train, you might have questions about bookings, berths and breakfast. Avid train traveler Monisha Rajesh breaks down everything you need to know before boarding your first overnight train.
Whichever country you’re traveling in, familiarize yourself with the different classes of accommodations offered by each service to suit your needs and budget. On America’s Amtrak the majority of travelers buy tickets in coach class where seats are wide and reclining with plenty of legroom. However, you’ll need to pack a blanket and neck pillow to have a restful night. Private roomettes contain two face-to-face seats that convert to upper and lower berths at night, and bedrooms offer the same number of berths with twice the space. Prices vary wildly depending on when you’re traveling, so book as far in advance as possible to find the cheapest tickets.
In Europe, you’ll find couchettes and sleepers: the former are six- or four-berth compartments with bunks you make up yourself, and the latter feature pre-made beds, washbasins, and on some routes, private showers and toilets. Most countries’ rail operators will show clear images on their websites of what to expect, and again it’s best to book early to find good rates. Women travelers are usually assigned spaces together but you can always call the operator directly to ensure this will be the case.
If you’re traveling on more than one or two sleepers within a few days, consider a rail pass. Amtrak’s 30-day USA Rail pass gives you 10 rides for $499 and Europe’s Interrail pass offers seven days of travel in the same month for €286. You have to pay a small fee to reserve a berth, but a pass often proves more cost-effective than buying individual tickets – and allows daytime hops too.
Faster trains aren't always better. Consider what time your train arrives at the destination. If you’re pulling into an unfamiliar city at 6am you might not want to wander around with luggage while waiting for a 3pm check-in, so research what storage facilities there are at the other end or see if an early self-check-in is available at your accommodations. If not, consider taking a slower night train that arrives at a more convenient time of day.
Crossing borders at night might sound exciting and romantic but, in reality, it’s a hassle. Expect to be woken for both passport and customs checks on both sides and occasionally asked to disembark to have luggage scanned. For cross-border travel, a daytime service is much kinder on the soul.
Pack as lightly
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