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Is booking night trains in Europe worth the hassle compared to budget flights?

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Diana_1980
Joined:
14.12.2021
Posts: 1845
Topic Starter
10.01.2025 10:21
I am planning a trip across Europe for next summer and I'm really tempted to try the night trains to save on hotel costs and travel time. However, every time I look at booking sites like OBB or Eurail, the prices seem to fluctuate wildly and some of the routes are sold out weeks in advance. Does anyone have experience with the sleeper services recently, and are they actually comfortable enough to get a decent night's sleep? I'm trying to decide if the convenience of waking up in a new city is worth the extra planning effort compared to just taking a quick flight.
19 replies in this topic
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SamoPitam
Joined:
28.10.2019
Posts: 260
19.01.2025 23:50
Honestly, it really depends on your budget and how well you sleep. I took the Nightjet from Vienna to Berlin last year and it was a great experience, but you definitely pay a premium for a private sleeper cabin.
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Martin_85
Joined:
04.06.2023
Posts: 858
08.04.2025 23:09
In reply to a previous post
I second that. If you are in a shared couchette, don't expect much sleep because of the noise and people moving around.
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Selekcioner
Joined:
28.10.2024
Posts: 491
27.04.2025 09:54
The price fluctuations are real. You have to book the moment tickets go on sale if you want the cheap rates.
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kris_1982
Joined:
30.10.2023
Posts: 722
09.05.2025 03:01
In reply to a previous post
Exactly what I was thinking. I tried booking two weeks out and everything was triple the price. Flights are just way more predictable.
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Yani_Z
Joined:
09.08.2024
Posts: 158
25.05.2025 06:55
I love the romance of the rails, but after three night trains, I realized I was just exhausted for my first day in the new city. Now I stick to day trains or flights.
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damian_varna
Joined:
26.05.2024
Posts: 597
05.06.2025 00:10
Have you considered the environmental impact? That's usually why I choose trains over flights despite the hassle.
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agata_k
Joined:
24.09.2024
Posts: 336
22.06.2025 09:06
In reply to a previous post
Environment is great and all, but I’m on vacation to enjoy myself, not to arrive sleep-deprived and grumpy.
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Zhivko_D
Joined:
01.04.2024
Posts: 2142
27.06.2025 12:10
I’ve had good luck with the sleeper trains in Scandinavia. They seem much better organized than the ones in Central Europe.
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chicho_savet
Joined:
07.05.2024
Posts: 1039
14.07.2025 23:46
Does anyone know if the Eurail pass is actually worth it for these routes? I heard you still have to pay reservation fees on top of the pass.
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Selekcioner
Joined:
27.11.2023
Posts: 1755
02.08.2025 18:59
In reply to a previous post
Yes, you have to pay the reservation fee, and sometimes they limit the number of pass-holder seats per train. It can be a nightmare to book.
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BqlaVrana
Joined:
26.02.2021
Posts: 1130
04.08.2025 07:00
If you book a flight, don't forget to account for the cost of transport to and from the airport. That often makes the budget flight look way more expensive than the train ticket.
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Maks_D
Joined:
21.10.2022
Posts: 571
21.09.2025 22:04
In reply to a previous post
That's a fair point, but I'd still rather take a 2-hour flight than spend 12 hours on a train.
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Fari_P
Joined:
14.05.2020
Posts: 713
11.10.2025 13:01
I think it's worth doing once for the experience, but don't make it your primary way of traveling if you’re on a tight schedule.
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Kaya_J
Joined:
14.03.2022
Posts: 989
15.10.2025 01:31
Bring earplugs and an eye mask! It makes a world of difference if you end up in a shared cabin.
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gost_nedelq
Joined:
08.12.2020
Posts: 1810
23.10.2025 02:18
In reply to a previous post
Thanks for the tip! I definitely wouldn't have thought of the eye mask.
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GospodinNikoi
Joined:
02.11.2021
Posts: 1500
24.12.2025 21:19
Check out the 'Seat61' website. It is the absolute bible for train travel in Europe and explains all the booking quirks perfectly.
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Poli_H
Joined:
08.10.2023
Posts: 818
27.01.2026 05:25
In reply to a previous post
I swear by Seat61. It saved me so much stress when I was planning my trip last summer.
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gost_nedelq
Joined:
02.03.2023
Posts: 2342
01.02.2026 08:22
Night trains are definitely not for everyone. If you are a light sleeper, just book the flight and save your sanity.
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damian_varna
Joined:
12.02.2021
Posts: 943
11.03.2026 12:18
In reply to a previous post
I'm with you. I prefer a cheap hostel and a flight over a cramped sleeper train any day.

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