Many of us are seeking a slower and more gentle travel experience and this is why me and my family have embraced train travel as an alternative.

The romance of the sleeper train is enjoying a revival, endorsed by the increasing determination of enlightened folk to reduce air miles by switching to a sustainable alternative. We appreciate the ease of travelling while we sleep and waking  in an exciting new city ready to go .

It’s not only the environmental impact that is putting more and more of us off flying but it is also down to the overpriced airports. A runway delay in a closed plane, with children, is enough for you never to go back. Patience runs thin when you have finally broken free from the flight only to join the sluggish end of the passport queue and your toddler wants to pull on the cordon belt for the toppling domino effect.

If you are embarking on your first sleeper train experience, what adventure is waiting you you? What can you expect?

Picture the scene; arriving on the platform at dusk, the train pulls away as you settle down for the night. In the morning sunrise fills your window – speeding through the beautiful countryside towards your destination.  

Where will you go? Who will you meet? 

Europe is covered in a web of rail networks that grant its wayfarers a range of holiday destinations.

Considering that the UK is an island and accessing the European train network requires an extra little hurdle. Don’t be put off by this as the connections with London, Hull and Plymouth are good starting points. By booking in advance Eurostar and Ferry Tickets can be found at cheaper prices and this will avoid adding an enormous chunk onto your budget.

One starting point would be to catch the Eurostar from St. Pancras and arrive in Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam. From these cities you can effortlessly link up with the South of France, Czech Republic, East and South Germany and now even Venice. 

Once you are on the continent you are standing on the doorstep of possibility! These hubs link you up to the endless possibilities – train travel doesn’t need to hold you back from the holiday yoou want!

So now you have your destination, lets look at the tickets!

Buying tickets is easy! Depending on the country in which you are travelling depends on the train service.  The TrainLine now covers 45 countries, so you can easily browse connections and journeys and book train tickets abroad easily. Otherwise you can go directly to the train provider if you know them. To name some of the most popular companies, in France there is SNFC,  Austria has OBB, Italy has Intercity Notte and brussels and Germany have European Sleeper.

The following desriptions are a general rule, always check with your service provide to understand exact conditions.

Seated Tickets: Buying a seat on a sleeper train is the cheapest option and you can get some incredible bargains. Obviously coaches differ  will with depending on the train service provider but in general you will get you a semi-reclinable seat for the night in an open coach. 

There are also seats in private cabins which are perfect for groups.

Seats tickets are great if your are on a budget but if you have a busy day planned they might not be so convenient!

Couchette Tickets: A small cabin with either 4 or 6 beds and female only cabins are available.  These are compact rooms with bunk beds that convert into seating for during the day. The space is minimal but there is overhead baggage storage, individual lighting settings and a lockable door. The toilet is located at the end of the coach along with a separate wash basin.

Private Rooms: These are at the top of the price range but offer ultimate comfort. These are private cabins for individuals or couples and have a private toilet and sometimes even a shower. In general these are seen as the premier class and come with benefits such as a full menu breakfast and lounge access in the station.

For people who have limited mobility or use a wheelchair, night trains have specific cabins available that have accessible beds and toilets and boarding assistance.

This is the main concern for many! The thing that holds people back the most when getting a night train. There is a communal element to sharing a sleeper carriage, but this is public transport after all.

While we might be accustomed to sharing an armrest on a long haul flight with a total stranger. The social expectations of sharing a sleeping space might create a feeling of vulnerability – and rightly so! 

What if sharing with strangers opens up a shared experience?  After all we are mainly here for similar reasons and this can help us to feel at ease around strangers.

During my own experiences, I have fallen into conversations about the summer travels of a couple from Delhi who had spent a month backpacking through Italy, Germany and Holland. In the corridor I spoke with a woman and her daughters travelling to Nice after a visit to her mother in Calais. As we looked out on the still waters of the French Riviera, we spoke about kindness and how important it is in today’s world, to show kindness to each other. 

I would say to always be vigilant and consider your own safety, but being open to meeting people can enrich our experiences.

Now you have your ticket, lets pack!

Ready for your journey, you arrive in the train station with your ticket and pass through the barrier to the platform and step onto your train.

Getting some slumber is going to help you to enjoy the following day, if you are a light sleeper I would advise you to have a plan for rest the following day, maybe check-in early in your hotel room or keep the itinerary relaxed.  

To aid you in getting a goodnight of sleep to help you feel refreshed for the next day – take items that will reduce noise and light. Earplugs, a sleep mask, music and maybe a book.

In a couchette or private cabin you will be greeted with your bed and fresh bedding. Put your bags away, take off your shoes you are ready to depart. The train will slowly leave the station and the night will descend. As the city closes, and the night turns to silence the rhythmic clatter of the tracks takes you safely to your destination. Rocking you gently off to sleep.

To help me to sleep on night trains I always prepare my bag with earplugs and an eye mask to help mute the sounds of the engine.

A completely unique mode of transport!

In a couchette, four or six bunks flank each side of the small cabin and can be folded away to creating a seating area. Packets of fresh bedding gleam on each bed, materials for nesting.

The cabins are cleverly designed to make the most of the vertical space. A mobile ladder allows access to the upper bunk beds and storage shelves at the top. Heavier items and buggies can slide under the beds.

On our trip between Milan and Rome, we were tried after a long day. When we boarded our train, we locked the door of the couchette behind us and closing the blinds, we made up our beds in our low lit cabin and sank into relaxation. There was something very luxurious about folding down the corner of the sheets that had the ironed ridges from their launder. Our couchette was under booked and so we didn’t share it on this trip. 

Toilets can vary a lot on board, but generally you have two toilets per carriage, they are basic but clean. And can also find a seperate wash basin which is in addition to the toilet – this is great because it is more hygenic and means that there are no long queues.  I alwasys bring some tissues and soap or hand sanitizer just incase there isn’t much available.

In the station, toilets are generally paid for usage, around 50 cents or €1. These are worth the cost as they are attended by maintainance staff who keep them well stocked and clean. Sometimes it can be worth using these to brush your teeth and any pre-sleep preparation.

Sleeper trains arrive in the morning and in some instances often long before your hotel check in. Planning your intinerary for the arrival day will make it much easier – believe me, we learntt the hard way! You could contact your hotel about earlier check-in times or about leaving luggage in there. Otherwise you could search for luggage storage points near the station. These are a great option if you want to explore an area without carrying heaving luggage with you.

Thank you for reading my ultimate guide to night trains. I hope that I have demystified the experience.  I hope that now you can feel confident in choosing to travel by sleeper train to your next destination! Let me know where you will go in the comments below.