FAQ Night Train: Sleepers, Couchettes, Seating Coaches - the Differences
Author: Niklas Jäggi
Most night trains have three comfort categories or types of compartments: sleepers, couchettes and seating coaches. This blog post explains the differences.
On nightride.com, you can use the 'Compartment type' filter to filter the offers according to your desired comfort level.
Find the best night train for you
Sleeper coach
The most comfortable but often also the most expensive way to travel is in a sleeper coach. These compartments are for 1 to 3 people and have beds. They usually include private washing facilities and, optionally, a private toilet or even a shower.
Couchette coach
The couchette coach compartments have 4 to 6 berths. During the day, you sit on the lowest berth as in a regular train. For the night, you fold down the remaining berths. You share the toilet and washing facilities with the other passengers in the coach.
Seating coach
The cheapest option is a seat in a seating coach. As the name suggests, you will travel in a seat - so comfort is limited. Depending on the train, you can fold your seat back more or less. You sit in compartments for up to 6 people or in an open-plan carriage. If the seats are not all occupied, you can make yourself more comfortable on several. If a good night's sleep is vital to you, you are better off in a sleeper or couchette carriage.
Further comfort options
Many providers also offer the option of booking a private compartment, ladies' only compartments (see our blog post here), and barrier-free compartments (see our blog post here).
Some providers offer additional categories. With ÖBB, for example, you can also travel in mini cabins.
Want to know what your compartment looks like on a particular train?
The vagonWEB website has detailed information and pictures: Enter the train number in the appropriate search box and select the train in question.
For example, the train number is NJ 402, which you can find in the search results on nightride.com or on your ticket.
Please note: The actual carriages used may differ from those listed on the website.
This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.
Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.