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Post by Georgia on Jun 26, 2002 23:49:52 GMT -5
I am in the midst of planning my first trip to Europe, so I've never used the trains there before. By now I've read enough on the net to give me the heebie-jeebies about taking a night train by myself through Italy. But part of my trip involves going from Venice to Nice and there's only a night train available! I kinda like the idea of a night train, since it would save me money and wouldn't waste valuable day time, but I don't want to be gassed/ robbed/accosted by gypsies/groped, etc.!
Is this really as bad as I've heard? Is this not a safe or smart thing to do as a young, single female? Should I try to avoid this night train? Help!
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Post by me on Jul 2, 2002 15:13:09 GMT -5
if this is a big worry for you, get a 1st class sleeper for that overnight. 1st class is locked into it's own car, safe from low lifes like me in 2nd class.
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Post by Kim on Jul 2, 2002 18:17:55 GMT -5
I understand what you are feeling-we had heard all that stuff too, but honestly we didn't see anything that we had heard rumours about.
Another option might be to split it up-pick a city in the middle that might interest you and spend a night there. That way you could break up the length of the journey and avoid that night trains.
Don't listen to the previous poster ("me")-he's harmless and I'm very sure not an actual low life!
Kim
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Post by me on Jul 2, 2002 21:17:49 GMT -5
oops! i forgot to insert a  in the text of my last message. sorry. but, as i was insulting myself, to whom am i apologizing? Kim, weren't you with a friend on your trip? Georgia has the added worry of a young woman on her own. it's prudent for her to use extra caution. if this is the only overnight that worries her, it might be worth springing the extra Euros to get a 1st class ticket on that one segment. peace of mind is worth a little extra; no? i'm a strong proponent of overnight trains. use them liberally in my own travels. - d, who prefers to refer to himself as "mostly harmless," as Douglas Adams once put it. |
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Post by Kim on Jul 3, 2002 0:09:49 GMT -5
I totally agree about the added caution-that's why I was offering other options. I did travel Europe with someone, but I have also done a fair bit of world travel alone. I know what that feeling is like-being a single woman traveller.
What I am saying is that taking a night train isn't your only option. Having travelled in Europe on both 1st and 2nd class, 1st class doesn't necessarily mean a different kind of people. People with money can be just as creepy!
Kim
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Post by me on Jul 3, 2002 0:31:35 GMT -5
It was my understanding that the individual compartment doors will lock in 1st. that's all i was saying.
as i don't have personnal expierience with 1st class travel, i ought to keep my trap shut. actually, i was joking about the "lowlifes" in 2nd. self depricating humor is just something i do sometimes.
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Post by Georgia on Jul 3, 2002 21:22:13 GMT -5
Hi Guys! Thanks for your suggestions. I was just looking for a little insight as to what the trains are like. I think I've decided to brave the night train on my own (don't want to waste the day on the train --never enough time to see it all!).
More questions, though: someone told me that getting a seat instead of a couchette might be safer because you'd be out in the open sitting up. What do you think? (Rough for 8 or 9 hours though.) Also, 1st class: are you in a compartment with other people or by yourself? I take it the difference btwn 1st and 2nd class is the number of people in a compartment?
Thanks again!
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Post by Kim on Jul 3, 2002 23:31:51 GMT -5
I copied this off the RailEurope website for you:
Q: What kind of sleeping accommodations are available on overnight trains? What are the differences between a Single, Double, T2, and couchette on overnight trains?
A: Sleeper accommodations vary according to amenities and the number of people occupying the compartment.
Single compartments are 1st Class sleepers. Doubles can be 1st Class or 2nd Class, depending on the country. The amenities offered are basically the same, and include a lock on the door, an electrical outlet, a washbasin, and a luggage storage area. Single compartments have one berth, or bunk; Doubles have two berths (normally 1 upper and 1 lower).
A T2 is a special, 2nd Class compartment that's basically a smaller version of a Double. 2nd Class rates apply.
A couchette (pronounced "koo-SHET") is normally only in 2nd Class. A couchette accommodates 6 passengers, male and female, and offers no amenities.
Kim
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in the text of my last message. sorry.