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Night Trains in Europe

Night trains or sleeper trains take you over large distances during the night. There are several sleeping options for comfortable traveling overnight. These options may differ per train type.

Reservations are usually compulsory. They can be made in advance at a train station (especially in the summer season, on holidays and in weekends). Off-season, during non-peak times, you can also ask train staff if there is vacant accomodation.

Note: it is common practise in night trains that you hand over your Eurail Pass and passport to the train staff in the evening. You get them back in the morning before you have to leave the train.

Below you can find reservation fees for some popular night trains.

Allegro
Italy, Austria, Czech Republic

  • seats (2nd class only): EUR 5
  • couchette (6-bed compartment): EUR 25
  • couchette (4-bed compartment): EUR 35
  • bed in triple sleeper: EUR 45
  • bed in double sleeper: EUR 75
  • bed in double sleeper with private shower and WC: EUR 85
  • single sleeper bed: EUR 105
  • single sleeper bed with private shower and WC (first class only): EUR 125

More details

Artesia de Nuit
France, Italy

On the Artesia website you can find the fares for various routes. Price level 'Pass 1' is for Passes that are valid in France and Italy, 'Pass 2' is for Passes valid in France or Italy. Advance reservation is compulsory.
More details

Berlin Night Express
Germany, Sweden

  • Double sleeper: 30 Euro
  • Couchette (6 beds in each compartment): 15 Euro

More details

CityNightLine
(Germany and various other countries)

1st class

  • Sleeping car (with shower/WC)
    Deluxe for 3 persons: € 40
    Deluxe double: € 60
    Deluxe single: € 100

2nd class

  • Sleeping car (with washing facilities)
    Economy for 3 or 4 persons:  € 40
    Economy double: € 50  to € 60
    Economy single: € 100 to € 135
  • Couchette
    For 5/6 persons: € 20
    For 4/2 persons: € 30
  • Seating coach
    Seat in compartment: € 3,50 to € 4
    Seat in open-plan coach: € 10

More details

Lapplandsståget
Sweden, Norway

  • Seats: 69 SEK (approx. 6,50 euro)
  • Couchettes: 269 SEK (approx. 25 euro)

More details

Elipsos
France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy

  • Reclining seat  €45
  • Tourist  €69
  • 1st class Double  €105
  • 1st class Single  €160
  • Luxury class Double  €149
  • Luxury class Single  €200

More details

Lusitania
Spain, Portugal

  • Seats (1st class) 10 €
  • Seats (2nd class) 6,50 €
  • Tourist 30 €
  • 1st Class Double 51 €
  • 1st Class Single 96 €
  • Luxury Class Double 79,50 €
  • Luxury Class Single 136 €

More details

Accomodation types

The following accomodation types are the most common:

  • Sleepers
  • Couchettes
  • Sleeperettes (reclining seats)

If you book a bed (sleeper or couchette), a sheet, blanket and pillow are provided.

Sleepers

Sleepers are separate compartments, with 1, 2 or 3 beds. Often, these compartments have separate berths for men and women, unless the compartment is reserved by a couple or a family. 

Sleepers for 1 person called "special" or "single" are available for holders of a 1st-class Eurail Pass.
Sleeper for 1 person

Compartments for two persons, called "Double" or "T2/Tourist 2" are available for all holders of a 1st class Eurail Pass. On some trains Tourist compartments are available for 2nd class Passes holders also.  |
Sleepers for 2 persons - T2

Triple compartments, called "T3/ Tourist 3" are available for all Eurail Pass holders.
Couchette Tourist T3

Couchette cars

Couchette cars offer standard sleeping accommodation. They offer a place to lie down with a pillow, a blanket and a sheet. There are couchette cars with compartments for 4 persons or for 6 persons. Washrooms and toilets are located at the end of each car. Couchettes are available for 1st and 2nd class Pass holders.

Couchette for 4 persons 
Couchette for 4 persons

 Couchette for 6 persons
Couchette for 6 persons

Sleeperettes

In some night trains 'sleeperettes' (reclining seats) are available.

Example image of sleeperettes