Sleeper trains are so under-rated. They cover long distances and often pass between borders while you sleep. Particularly for families, this is an ideal way to avoid the stress that comes with travelling with children – less pressure to provide entertainment and a way of avoiding the inevitable boredom.

Night trains also majorly reduce the environmental impact of your holiday while giving you unforgettable memories and experiences.

Certainly, they make a great alternative to flying as they allow you to relax and travel comfortably but to many they are new. Are you worried about how to get privacy a night train?

I am here to share my tips and experiences so you can avoid the pain of unexpected situations and struggles or confusion with booking the right tickets for your family.  

A sense of security for you and your family is paramount to relaxation. So, if you feel unsure about travelling on night trains with kids, book a private space. You can lock the door of your cabin and sleep with ease, knowing your children are safe and your guard can be down. Private cabins are available but can be expensive and book up fast. You may find that 6 berth shared cabins are the only option, so just book all the beds.

If you can stretch to an upgrade for a private cabin, perfect but if not, buy the spare beds to complete the whole couchette.

For our family of 4, by booking the extra two beds, I ensured complete privacy for our trip.

The conductor came to the cabin to check our tickets and realised that we were only four people. I explained (In very broken French) that I had wanted the private room for my family and there was no problem at all.

We had the cabin to ourselves to change out of our clothes settle the children and turn out the lights at a time that suited us.

Is it ethical to book out extra beds on a train? I believe so, by searching for the alternative option first, to avoid unused space if possible. Can you afford an upgrade to a private cabin? Is a shared cabin a possibility for you?

If the idea of sharing a cabin is putting you off using a night train, it is worth booking for the comfort that you need. 

Now you have planned your sleeping arrangements, its time to pack your bags! Read more about what to pack and how to prepare for your sleeper train with kids here.