11 Essential Tips for Travelling on Night Trains
Travelling on night trains? Not often a thing most of us are acquainted with, and if like us, you might feel quite apprehensive about the process. We tried to read about travelling on night trains before actually travelling on one, but really struggled to find out! So here are our top tips for travelling on night trains and things you must consider
When Making Reservations, Know What You’ve Booked
For night trains you can often book a seat or a couchette (compartments) varying in the number of beds - usually 1-6. Jess realized a few weeks before our interrailing trip, we had a night train which was actually seats.
Travelling from Berlin to Krakow ended up requiring 4 trains. One which was about 6/7 hours long and we sat up the whole way. It was quite a scary experience considering the station we got on the train was near the Polish border with nothing surrounding it. It was also 11 pm, there was no one around and the toilet was a portaloo which was unusable for anyone.
We decided to buy some vodka at what can only be described as a shack as there was nothing else around. We then sat up trying to sleep on a train all night to Warsaw while people got on and off. But all part of the experience!
Obviously it was much cheaper than when we got other night trains with a bed. If you're wanting to save money where ever you can, and this wouldn't bother you too much, then it is definitely an easy save.
This made us very apprehensive for the following night trains from Krakow to Budapest and from Budapest to Venice. However in comparison, they were a dream. A lovely comfortable bed, one included complimentary breakfast and a great way to spend about 8 hours on a train... sleeping!
2. Book Early
If travelling via night trains, you may have a Eurail/interrailing pass. or you may be booking all your travel separately. Whatever way, try and book any night trains early!
It sounds like an easy request, but when you get hung up on looking at everything else, researching destinations and deciding on things you want to do and see, all of a sudden time has passed and you haven’t booked your night train!
If you don’t book early, you may not get the type of bed/seat you want, or get on the train at all!
Reservations When Using Interrail/Eurail Pass
Some trains you can only book up to 30 days before, others are 60 days before. As soon as we could book our reservations for Krakow to Budapest we did so.
However, when Jess came to book the night train from Rome to Paris the couchette we originally wanted was sold out and was far too expensive (talk more about this further down). Therefore book them early! You don't want to miss out on any of the faster trains if you want to travel this way.
Eurail/interrailing pass also has a reservation portal after you've booked your pass to arrange all of your itinerary as well as any reservations and there potential cost before booking anything. You can, therefore, keep all of your stuff together and don't need so many different bookmarks for all of your different train journeys!
3. Is There a Cheaper Option Than Travelling on a Night Train?
When you first organize your itinerary on the reservation portal if you have a Eurail/interrailing pass, It comes up with an estimate of what a night on this train could be, however, it could be the cheapest price and could, therefore, cost much more. However, could be cheaper not going by train at all and flying or getting the bus
Krakow to Budapest was a 2-person Couchette which we enjoyed due to the personal service - every night carriage has its own attendant, comfortable beds, and came to only £64 for both of us. Fairly similar to what we were paying for a hotel or Airbnb for the night but it included the travelling to!
The train from Budapest to Venice also included breakfast which was delivered and a definite plus. We could lie back watching the scenery outside while enjoying our breakfast in bed.
However, the planned night train from Rome to Paris for the reservation was £260. I couldn't believe it! We couldn't afford to spend that much on a night train or bring ourselves to either.
Instead, Jess thought of flying. Although the interrailing pass is pretty amazing for this trip, flying was cheaper. We flew from Rome to Paris for £30 instead and ended up saving £230. So double-check the potentially cheaper options.
Have you ever looked at Omio? I used this website all the time to compare buses, trains, and flights as although I loved my Eurail/interrailing pass if you're wanting to spend even less money what better way to do it then comparing everything together!
4. Bring Snacks
You get onto the night train, you get into your compartment and get all excited as it's your first night train (like we did), pick which bunk you want and maybe even take off your shoes!
If sharing a couchette you could then talk to other people you're bunking with, or sharing with friends could even play a game or two or maybe even read. But have you thought about food and snacks?
Due to potential connecting trains you could not have stopped for tea and don't want to remember once you're on the train. You could even bring snacks to use as an ice breaker to other people in your compartment.
Ed and I also took some vodka and beer on board for a few drinks and sit and read (we both decided to read all of harry potter again and were in a race to who could finish first). We also devoured lots of European crisps we don't find at home. One night train breakfast was included and one it wasn't, therefore think ahead and pick up something for potential breakfast.
If you're anything like us and very hungry when you wake up in the morning, pick up a snack. Especially if going straight to your accommodation, you don't want to arrive in a new city extremely hungry and no idea where to find food!
5. Use the Toilets Early
The confinements of your compartment although small, is clean, nice bed, etc however the toilets aren't so great. They reminded me of airplane toilets but slightly bigger.
And yes I know its a train and moving, but that wasn't the problem. There were two toilets, one at either end of the carriages and were very smelly by the morning, there were also often people in them. We ended up going back and forward four times before getting in one in the morning. So don't wait until you're desperate!
6. Check Your Connection
It sounds really obvious, but something you can easily take for granted as something worked out for you. When travelling on night trains know where you're departing from in the city/town train station! The night train from Berlin to Krakow for us included 4 trains.
One which we ended up at the wrong station and missed a train, which is why we took 4 trains and not 3 whoops. The next train we had only 4 minutes to make a connection. If using the Eurail/interrailing reservation portal, it doesn't flag up small connection times so double check!
While we were in Germany, all the German trains we got were delayed. Luckily the train from Germany to the Polish border was also delayed and we didn't miss it but could have been stuck in the middle of Poland at 11 pm in the middle of nowhere.
7. Are You at the Right Station?
'Are we at the right station?' became a running joke by Ed as on a few occasions Jess didn't realise there were multiple big trains stations in a city. Silly really but we learnt. We ended up waiting for a train at the wrong station in Berlin and when it didn't appear on the board we didn't have time to get to the other station to make it, causing us to have to get a further train and added stress.
Due to all the German trains being delayed we would have missed our train to Warsaw and would have been stuck in the middle of nowhere all night. Wasn’t our idea of fun.
Jess couldn't even talk due to the anxiety, thinking we had missed the connecting train. After running through the station we made it and proceeded to sit there for a while as we realized the majority of people on our first train were also getting the same connecting train.
Gladly it worked out for the best but could have led us to be stranded. Sometimes people like stuff like that and think it adds to the travelling experience, and although we like a little bit of spontaneity, we wouldn't want to be stranded!
8. What Will You Wear?
This never crossed our minds. If you're in a seat you're in front of a lot of people, if in a couchette there are also other people there. Therefore make sure you take something comfortable to sleep in.
To some, I bet that sounds fairly stupid if you take PJ's, etc, however, I was wearing shorts for bed usually and didn't feel comfortable in front of lots of people I didn't know to wear something revealing. I, therefore, wore just my t-shirt and some trousers I had which were comfortable enough nicknamed the 'floatys' so it felt like I was wearing PJs anyway.
9. Your Train Might Be Going to More than One Place
Some night trains can travel to multiple destinations! They may split overnight and half goes to one destination and the other half to the other. Major confusing, travelling to Budapest, and a train with the same number going to 3 separate destinations. It was also on the station board as a completely different destination
The train separated at Vienna and Slovakia throughout the night and caused a lot of confusion for all passengers for these destinations. So bare that in mind, can always ask someone as there are attendants for the majority of carriages when the train pulls up or staff in the station.
Your reservation/ticket will be in a carriage which is going to your destination so try not to worry. But I would always check!
10. Know Where Your Carriage Will Be on the Platform
The night trains, due to having so many passengers and so many carriages are extremely long. On a few occasions, Ed and I had to run up or down the platform to reach our carriage we were in.
Your attendant also has to check your tickets, reservations and sometimes passports, so it's important you have enough time to do so.
On most platforms there are small signs of the carriage numbers or letters, if not, when the train first pulls up try to take note which way the carriage numbers and the approximate whereabouts of where your carriage may stop, this gives you more time to walk up or down the platform.
11. What Is Included On the Night Train?
Night trains include a bed, a blanket, a small pillow, and a bottom sheet. Some we also got a newspaper, breakfast or snacks, bottles of water and cups to use. There was a small space to put bags, a few hooks to hang clothing, and a small sink.
When boarding your night train you may have to hand in your ticket and your passport, this is due to passing country borders overnight. I had heard of this before going but still made me apprehensive. The attendant filled out some forms and gave us them back in the morning perfectly also with our pass stamped and I felt more relaxed after that.
If you're getting changed in your compartment you must take it in turns, there isn't enough space to stand up together and get changed.
Also keep your clothes tidy, while on our trip we used packing cubes which worked like a dream. We will never pack like we used to again. The convenience of getting out a small packet that held all of my tops in to open with ease to find something was amazing.
We didn't have to fumble through our whole bags to pull out a creased top, it was arranged nicely and neatly and so much more accessible, we will definitely use them again for all of our trips.
In the morning, remember what time you will be arriving at your station. Although the timetable is quite reliable, better to be safe in case you want to get off a station before or arrive early.
If breakfast is included they will ask what time you want your breakfast so they can also wake you up by knocking on your door, I, however, preferred to set an alarm to make sure I was properly dressed also. You or the attendant can also change the beds to seating for 6 if wished to do so in the morning.
Night Train Packing List
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes have literally changed the way we pack for trips forever! Whenever we have used hand luggage only, I feel you often just throw your clothes in and they become unorganised so easily
Packing cubes keep all your stuff organised all of the time, even when reaching in your back for a jumper or something
Snacks and Drinks
What could be more important right? Pick up a good range of snacks and maybe even breakfast if it isn't included on your train
Sleep Wear
Jess wore 'floaties', better known as harem trousers. They're super comfortable and Jess could sleep in them and also board and leave the train in them if I needed too
Best Resources for Booking Night Train
There are so ways to save money along the way! An interrail/eurail pass is travel by train only and one of the cheapest and most definitely easiest way to travel throughout Europe
Omio compiles flights, buses and trains in one place to compare the cheapest route! Always worth a look, especially if booking last minute
Travelling on night trains can be a cheaper alternative when travelling. Obviously to have to buy your ticket or reservation but you don't have to pay for your hotel or hostel bed for the night.
With bedding and usually breakfast included night trains can be a good way to save money when travelling in Europe.
I hope you enjoy using night trains as we did. If you have any more thoughts or experiences when using night trains, please leave them below
