Seat Types on European Trains
Many trains offer you a choice of seat types. For day trains, your choice of seating depends on the extra facilities and amount of legroom. For night trains, your choice ranges from a reclining airline-type seats, to a private cabin with a comfy bed. Your journey, your choice.
Seat types on day trains
Seat / bed types on night trains
Night trains are a convenient way to travel long distances while you sleep. You can save on the cost of hostels or hotels, as the reservation fee for night trains is usually much cheaper. It’s also a unique experience to travel across Europe by night train. If you book a bed (sleeper or couchette), a sheet, blanket, and pillow are usually provided.
If you cross a border on a night train, you'll probably be asked to hand your Eurail Pass and passport to the train conductor. This way, the border crossing security checks can happen while you sleep. Don't worry - you'll get your documents back before you get to your destination.
The most common accommodation types on night trains are:
Sleepers
Couchettes
Reclining seats
Sleepers
Sleeper compartments usually include 1, 2, or 3 beds. This is usually the most comfortable way to travel as the beds are of good quality. Often, these compartments have separate beds for men and women, unless it's reserved by a couple or a family.
 Sleepers for one person, called ‘special’ or ‘single’, are usually only available for holders of a 1stclass Eurail Pass. |
 Double compartments, called ‘T2/Tourist 2’. Available for holders of a 1st class Eurail Pass and sometimes for 2nd class Eurail Passes. |
 Triple compartments, called ‘T3/ Tourist 3’. Available for all Eurail Pass Holders. |
Couchettes
Couchettes are a standard type of sleeping accommodation. They offer a place to lie down with a pillow, a blanket and a sheet. There are usually compartments with couchettes for 4 or 6 people. Washrooms and toilets are located at the end of each car. Couchettes are available for 1st and 2nd class pass holders.
 Couchette for 4 people. |
 Couchette for 6 people. |
Reclining Seats
In some night trains, airline-type reclining seats are also available, and offer the best value for money.
