5 Reasons for nighttrain travel
Lizet Wesselman - 14/09/20235 Reasons for nighttrain travel
Lizet Wesselman - 14/09/2023It is no secret that I am a fan of train travel. I’ve already written an article about my reasons for doing so. But travelling by night train again has its own charm. While you sleep, the train takes you comfortably from one destination to another, and you wake up in a new location, ready to go on an adventure. If you still have doubts about the charm of night train travel, read on because here are five compelling reasons to opt for the night train on your next trip.
Time saver
One of the biggest advantages of the night train is that you save precious time. You can head straight to the station after work and have yourself transported to your destination. You have to sleep anyway, so why not on the train? You hardly notice you are travelling a long distance and usually have enough hours to spend on the train to get a good number of hours of sleep.
The night train is therefore precisely a good flight alternative on a slightly longer route. The route that would be about 4 hours of flying, but about 10 to 12 hours by train. That’s a hefty distance during the day, but at night it actually gives you quite a few hours of rest. Moreover, you usually arrive at your destination in the morning, giving you a whole day to enjoy your holiday destination. A morning flight would swallow up half your day and means early rising and poor sleep. An evening flight means a late arrival or you have to leave work earlier for it.
Money saver
Night trains can also be a cost-saving option. If you do opt for that evening flight after work, to enjoy a full day the day after, you have double costs. You have your flight costs, but also the cost of accommodation. If you take an overnight train, you have the cost of transport and accommodation for that night in one. Often, you also get breakfast included. Sometimes night trains are pricey, but if you look at the cost of that extra night’s accommodation, you often end up cheaper anyway. For example, this summer I had a night train to Paris for €45. At that time, even hostels were on average €48 a night and the daytime train cost at least €67. That’s a total of €115 while just that night train, which was already cheaper than both separately. That’s a saving of €70.
How do you find the best price for night trains? Book early. 3 Months in advance, you usually get the best price.
Comfort and roomchoice
Night trains have a variety of sleeping cabins. From shared cabins for 6 with a bathroom in the compartment, to private rooms with private bathrooms. So you can make it as luxurious as you want and as your budget allows.
Beware though, many night trains also have compartments with only seats, which you cannot turn into beds. This is especially the case if the departure time is early or the arrival time quite late. This is because then people can also board for a few stops and just choose a seat. If you do go all night and choose a seat, that means you have to sit all night. If you can sleep anywhere, that’s a great budget option. But if you really want to be able to lie down, so double check that you book a bed and not a seat.
Slow travel
Of course, this is an advantage of train travel in general, but train travel is the perfect way to enjoy slow travel. I love slowly reaching my holiday destination. Despite not seeing anything of the surroundings at night (and therefore I don’t always think night trains are the best option), you wake up in the morning to new surroundings. You drive leisurely towards your new destination and have plenty of time to acclimatise and take your mind off the busy work week behind you, to the wonderful holiday ahead.
Of course, the same goes for a long flight, although I always miss the lack of sight on the plane in the morning. But on a short flight, I miss that feeling of driving slowly towards your destination, having to get off the plane in no time. You mainly spend a lot of time checking in, passport checks and finding your way to the exit at your destination. The slow rocking of the train has something soothing and romantic about it. Night trains add even more to that calm and relaxation.
We do took trains often while in often. But I have never taken a night train. The points you make are all good. If I get a good room with comfort, it would be akin to a moving hotel room.
I love normal trains so much, especially if I know the views will be good. But night trains are a great way to travel as well, indeed like a moving hotel!
Great post with fab info! I love slow travel and train travel too! Because I am a boomer and careful of Covid these days I have had to adjust my travel some to lower risks, but I do remember loving many night trains and I am sure will do more in the future.
Ah yes, that makes total sense! Many nighttrains these days have private cabins as well, so that might reduce the risk a bit 🙂 Hope you get to enjoy them again soon!
I’ve been on a overnight train in a private cabin and slept great. Are you able to sleep in the less private ones?
I had a 6-person cabin and slept fine! I’ve heard stories of people pulling all-nighters in those cabins and kinda having a party. So if you want to sleep but the rest doesn’t, it’s a challenge. But in my experience, everyone immediately settled in when we left at 10pm. I think it’s a bit similar to hostels, that could also be hit or miss.