Faremax: Travel Forums

When travelling on a train you can save money by sleeping at the same time. That way you don't have to spend money on hotels. If you can, book train travel at night, especially if you are going long distances.

Don't forget though if you want to have a sleeper compartment then you normally have to book in advance.

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That is a good idea to save money.  However, do you feel comfortable sleeping on trains?

I don't think I would feel comfortable sleeping on a train unless I had a private sleeping quarters with a lock on the door.  I just hate the idea of being totally defenseless with so many strangers around.  And, since I often travel with my kids, that would be totally out of the question!

My husband and I took a night train from Paris, France to Florence, Italy. There were six of us in the compartment - very tiny, no privacy and no air! I spent half the night standing at the back of the coach just to get some fresh air.

Next time, we've decided no sleeper cars unless we get a private compartment! Lesson learned.

wow jack, that must stank, how recent was it?

Early 2005 - you can get more private sleepers, but they cost more. If I had realized what we were in for, I would have justified it!

The same train had a gorgeous conductor - one of the most handsome Italian men I saw on the whole trip. Unfortunately, he was also the surliest Italian I met. What a trip that was - but it made Florence seem like paradise at the end! (As if it needed any help)

Jackie

I would only recommend this if you plan on taking a short trip.  For long trips I would not recommend it.  I think that traveling by train for longer than two days is really uncomfortable, and you may begin to get a little cabin fever.  At least when you are in a car you can stop and see the sights.  Although you definitly will get plenty of rest. 

Make sure you check out this thread, though!

http://www.faremax.com/forums/forums/thread/2495.aspx

The danger of sleeping on a train!

I'd love to travel by train some day, but I wouldn't want to sleep on one--I might miss something!  Self-proclaimed scenery hog, here...  :-D 

How does the cost of getting a sleeping compartment compare with staying at a hotel? 

Sleeping on a train and waking up on the train is fun if you ask me. I enjoyed that when I took Amtrack.

I could handle the overnight travel, but I probably would not sleep. Often when I travel, I just can't sleep until I reach the destination.

I have done this a few times when travelling in Europe:

* Paris-French Alps region - six people to a compartment, quite comfortable.

* Monte-Carlo - Paris - again six people, and reasonably comfortable.

* Stockholm-Narvik - six people to a compartment, comfortable.

* Oslo-Stockholm - my own compartment, luxury!

I have tried taking an overnight train twice and wouldn't do it again.  It never went well.  Once, a guy drifted into my compartment, lay down on the seat facing me, pretended that his hand had fallen while he was  sleeping and started reaching for my luggage!  The problem is, by the time the security passes from one end of the train to the other, lots of things can happen.

We took a long train trip in Germany, but I stayed awake the whole time, looking at the scenery. 

That's a good idea to have a sleep on the train but i m sure that if i have to sleep on the train i will take some sleeping pills alongwith! without it it is impossible for me to skeep while traveling!