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City Night Line (CNL) in brief
The night train City Night Line, serves stations in Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic. Some routes operate double-decker sleeping cars, built especially for CNL and offering a truly unique experience.
By serving stations directly in city centres you can indulge in the European architecture, fine art, culture and history in the flash of a train, feeling relaxed after your night’s sleep and onboard breakfast.
If you need to stretch your legs there’s a lounge carriage on board for you to enjoy a drink, a snack or a light meal and to get to know your fellow passengers. Each lounge chair has its own reading lamp and blankets are available upon request.
The City Night Line Network:
Popular destinations include Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Munich, Prague, Venice and Zurich. The following times are just a sample of the schedule:
| Journey | Travel time |
|---|---|
| Berlin – Munich | 10h02 |
| Amsterdam – Prague | 14h 26 |
| Munich – Venice | 9h 35 |
Our tip:
If you don’t want the hassle of carrying your luggage use the courier luggage service and it’ll be delivered direct to your destination (not available in all countries).
Before you board
The stations:
Reduced-rate tickets and global fares can be booked for groups of 6 or more.
Check-in & boarding:
The CNL can be reserved 60 days prior to the train departure date.
There are some wheelchair accessible cabins, just make sure you book in advance.
You can take your bike along on almost all lines.
Onboard
The City Night Line offers four classes of service:
| Deluxe Sleeper Car | Sleepers | Couchettes | Super Reclining Seats | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioned carriages | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Restaurant | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Comfortable large seats | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Plenty of legroom | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| 4–6 berth cabins | √ | |||
| Lockable door | √ | √ | √ | |
| Pillows, sheets & blankets | √ | √ | √ | |
| Private washbasin | √ | √ | ||
| In-cabin breakfast | √ | √ | ||
| Private WC and shower | √ |
The night train restaurant offers a delicious selection of domestic and international meals and drinks, which can be ordered on room service.
There is a women only compartment, just mention it when you book.
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A. Showers facilities are generally not offered on trains in Europe. However, private showers can sometimes be found with premier overnight trains such as the Elipsos between France and Spain when the Premier fares are booked.
A. Sleeping accommodations vary according to the train and route. The most common compartments are Singles, Doubles and Couchettes. Some offer T3, T4, and Deluxe sleepers.
A. Depending on where you are traveling, there are two different rules regarding overnight travel. Some trains allow travelers departing after 7 PM to mark only the following day on the pass, meaning that only one travel day will be used. However, other trains will require that this travel use 2 days on your pass. It is recommended that you check the rules included in the ticket jacket included with your pass for more specific information.
A. Due to the limited availability on overnight trains, if you must change your sleeper reservation, try to do so immediately. You can visit the local station at least 24 hours prior to the train’s departure and see what is available. Be aware that your reservation change may be subject to local service fees and/or upgrade charges.
Reservations are required for sleepers and couchettes on all overnight trains and can be made up to 60 days in advance.
A. You can request 2 passengers in a double compartment. If there are no Double compartments available, you can then book a shared T3 but keep in mind, the third bed will be occupied by another passenger.
A. The term "Gender Specific" means that these compartments will not allow male and female passengers to travel in the same compartment. The exception to this condition is if you and your travel companion(s) intend on using all beds within the compartment.
Trains in which this condition applies are: Elipsos, CNL, Lusitania, Spanish Night trains.
A. Children 4 and under who do not need a bed travel free and do not require a sleeper reservation or a ticket. If the child is between the ages of 4 - 11 or is under 4 but will require a separate bed, then a special child’s fare will apply.
A. All 1 st class passes are valid for travel in all sleeper accommodations. If you have a 2 nd class pass, you are able to travel in T3 compartments and couchettes. Some T4 compartments are offered in 1 st and 2 nd class. Please be sure to check the details of the fare for the train you wish to travel on to determine what class the T4 is offered in.
A. The prices of accommodations on an overnight train are dependent on a few factors:
1. The expense of the ticket
2. The type of train you will be traveling on
3. The type of compartment you wish to sleep in
Similar to Day trains there are different levels of overnight trains. Typically, during the day, high-speed premier trains are more expensive then local services that travel at a slower speed, and offer fewer services on-board. For night trains longer International journeys are more expensive as they tend to be nicer trains, offering the traveler more services.
A. The Swiss Family Card is a terrific value that allows children under 16 years of age to travel free when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The card is free, simply request one at the time you purchase your Swiss Pass. If you forget to mention it, then present your Swiss pass before boarding the train at any Swiss train station ticket window, at the time of validation and advise them that you need a Family Card. They will be able to provide you one.
A. In order to accommodate a group of 5 travelers, you will need to do 2 separate requests.
You have the following options:
* 2 passengers in a double, and the other 3 in a T3 compartment (if offered).
* 4 passengers in a T4 (if offered) and 1 passenger in a single.
* 4 passengers split into 2 double compartments, and 1 passenger in a single.
* Reserve all 5 in a T6 compartment.
Options a, b, and c will need to be requested separately as it has been broken down. Option d can be requested all at once.
A. Simply enter 1 passenger on the request page. The results page will display 1-3 passenger rooms depending on what is available. When booking a room that has more than one bed, the compartment is shared.
A. First class on the Lyria offers large comfortable reclining seats and a bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Second class on the Lyria offers generous legroom and a bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
A. Taking an overnight train is like adding a touch of adventure to your trip! Depending on the type of compartment you reserve, you will either be bunking with new found friends, or sharing a private room with your travel companions.
Remember, you are on a train so the amount of space in each overnight compartment is not overwhelming. If you have booked a private sleeper, you will have more room to move around in and store your belongings.
Please note that on some overnight trains you can expect to have your passports collected by railway officials on the train. This is primarily for your security. Your passport will be guarded overnight and then returned to you in the morning.
A. There are two options:
Option 1
You can select a Single compartment for 1 of the passengers and select a Double compartment for the 2 remaining passengers.
Option 2
You can select 3 Single compartments, each will need to be requested on the website separately having 1 passenger on each reservation.
A. Book 1 passenger at a time, and select the Single compartment. You will need to do this step twice, once for each passenger.
A. First class on the TGV Medoffers large comfortable reclining seats and a bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Second class on the TGV Med offers generous legroom and a bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
A. If you board a direct overnight train that departs after 7:00pm, then you use only 1 day on your pass. However, when marking the day of use for that train, be sure to mark the next day’s date.
If your overnight train requires a train change before midnight, then you will use 2 travel days.
A. In most cases, railpasses are not accepted on city transportation systems such as buses and subways. Passes will generally cover local commuter trains that are above ground.
The exception to this is the Swiss Pass, which is valid for transportation in 37 Swiss cities.
A. The best option for 3 passengers is a T3 if it is available. T3 compartments are not offered on all trains. If a T3 is not available then passengers will be advised to divide their party. You can also book a T4 or T6 based on availability and restrictions.
A. First class on the Italian day train offers large, comfortable reclining seats, and bar-buffet car offering a complete selection of food and beverages for purchase. (on major routes)
Second class on the Italian day train offers generous legroom and bar-buffet car offering a complete selection of food and beverages for purchase. (on major routes)
A. Many people take advantage of additional time they have in a city, then they board their overnight train. You depart from one city and arrive in your destination the next morning, refreshed and ready to start your day. It also saves you money that you may have spent on a hotel.
A. Our popular Swiss Card provides 1 roundtrip by rail from any Swiss airport or border to 1 single destination. It also includes a 50% discount on all Swiss railways, lake steamers, postal buses, and excursions to mountaintops.
A. You will need to first figure out who wants to share, and who does not. Once you have your travel party broken down, request the number of passengers who want to share a room together and request as either a 1, 2 or 3 person room. Request each compartment separately until all passengers have been reserved in a room.
Q. What are the differences between a Single, Double, T2, T3, T4, and couchette on overnight trains?
A. Sleeper accommodations vary according to amenities and the number of people occupying the compartment. The name or number advises how many beds are in each room.
A couchette (pronounced "koo-SHET") is normally usually in 2nd Class. A couchette accommodates 6 passengers, male and female, and offers no amenities.
Keep in mind that some compartments are gender specific unless the compartment is booked in full.
For more information about sleepers please visit our how to book sleepers page.
A. First class on the Artesia Day offers large, comfortable reclining seats and a bar-buffet car offering a complete selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Second class on the Artesia Day offers generous legroom and bar-buffet car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
A. First class on the TGV East offers ergonomic reclining seats with head and foot rests, non-smoking coaches, individual power outlets, reading light, ability to book a taxi for your arrival with staff on the train and a restaurant car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Second class on the TGV East offers ergonomic reclining seats with head and foot rests, non-smoking coaches and a restaurant car offering a selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Q. What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the Thalys (Paris to Brussels and Amsterdam)?
A. First class on the Thalys offers large comfortable reclining seats and drinks and a light snack served at your seat.
Second class on the Thalys offers generous legroom and a selection of drinks and snacks at your seat that are available for purchase.
A. Tickets and passes are neither refundable nor replaceable if stolen or lost. Refunds, when applicable, are limited to totally unused, and un-validated passes, tickets and inclusive packages. A minimum 15% cancellation charge applies.
Refund amount for tickets will vary depending on the type of fare purchased. Please check the details for more specific refund policies for each ticket. For passes and packages please look at the Terms and Conditions.
Sleepers: if cancelled and space released with the station of departure at least 24 hours before train departs, are generally 85% refundable. If reservation is not cancelled, no refund will be granted. Once in Europe, most tickets must be stamped as NOT USED before the Train Departure Date (for reservations) or the 1st day of validity (for tickets and passes) to be entiteled for refund. If you have already purchased your pass or tickets, please review the terms and conditions that come with your documents for specific information about the cancellation policy for each pass or ticket.
To receive your refund for pass, documents must be returned to the issuing office within 6 months of the date of issuance (or 1st year depending on the pass). To receive you refund on combined tickets and reservations, they must be returned to the issuing office within 60 days. Click here to get the adress in our Contact Us section.
A. You can request 2 double compartments or a T4 if this type of accommodation is offered on the train you wish to travel on.
