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The European Sleeper Train Review Amsterdam to Prague

European Sleeper Review – When we were planning our inter-railing trip over the Easter holidays we knew we wanted to give the kids the opportunity to try at least one of the many European sleeper trains that run across Europe. Although we had previously travelled on the Caledonian Sleeper. For those we were travelling with it would be their first time on an overnight sleeper train. So we were delighted when we came across the new European Sleeper, a brand new night train in Europe that started in the same month we intended to travel. Meaning we could add an overnight journey to our one week interrail itinerary.

The European Sleeper service runs through many different countries in Northern Europe and Western Europe. I was hoping that the gentle rocking of the train would encourage a good night’s sleep and a great experience.

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European Sleeper Review

Booking was easy, I did this via the European Sleeper website. Like other journeys, we were able to book at a reduced rate using our Eurail Pass. This meant that we could secure a ticket price of 44€ each in the Couchette compartment. This is effectively their second class.

We opted for this because there were six of us and we wanted to all stay together in one compartment. In hindsight, we would have been better off booking two of the sleeper cabin s that sleep three each. These are effectively first class and have proper beds, duvets and a much nicer breakfast selection. However, as we generally travel as a family of four I guess this opportunity may have passed us by.

I also booked this as soon as the dates were released as I anticipated that it would be very popular. However, I found that many of the couchette cars were quite empty by the time we departed in Prague although this was the end of the line and perhaps many others had already left.

When you book you are sent a confirmation and ticket via email. On the ticket is your compartment number and the individual seat number. If you are travelling on your own then you can select just one ticket and therfeore will share your cabin with others.

European Sleeper – Our Route

We caught the European Sleeper train from Amsterdam to Prague in the Czech Republic. Our outward journey was around twelve hours but most of this was overnight. It is a great way to travel long distances with children as hopefully, they sleep for the majority of the ride.

This gave us enough time to explore the area around Amsterdam Grand Centraal Station before heading towards Eastern Europe. However, it meant that we did not board the train until around 10.30 pm. As we caught the Eurostar out of London we could have picked it up earlier in Brussels at around 7.20 pm which may have been more sensible when travelling with the children. Since it would have allowed us to settle. As it was the kids were super excited and so it did take a lot longer than I thought it would to get them ready for bed. Perhaps this was rookie mistake number one.

Our Couchette Compartment

Rookie mistake number two was thinking because it was a new service that the European Sleeper trains would also mean new trains. Which, they were most definitely not, in fact, I think ours was one of the older cars and sleeper compartments. Okay, so I was probably expecting a lot for the price. And having refurbished (questionable) train carriages is a lot more environmentally friendly for those climate-conscious travellers.

Unsurprisingly they are small cabins with three couchettes on each side. The bottom two slot together to make the seating. The top bunks were down when we arrived and we kept them that way for our entire journey. The couchettes are not made up although we found pillows and blankets with undersheets ready and waiting. The sheets are like sleeping bags. I did wonder if we would be warm enough but with a full six-person compartment if we were anything we were a bit hot.

The top bunks also have a small rail to stop you from falling out. The middle ones are angled in slightly against the wall so in theory, you shouldn’t fall out. Harry insisted on being in the middle and was absolutely fine. Charlie took the top bunk and also benefited from some storage space in the corner above his head. We were all travelling with reasonable-sized rucksacks so the rest were stored under the bottom bunks.

Each bed has its own light and there were a couple of plug sockets to share at the top of the cabin. In theory, you need a ladder to reach the top bunks but we only had one so the boys took to climbing up the beds in the end. Since one ladder was not wide enough to stretch between the two.

There are curtains all the way around to try and limit the light into the cabin and give a better sleeping experience. The windows are opening so you can let some air in which we found we needed.

European Sleeper Review – Facilities

I always suspected that the facilities would be ‘interesting’. There is no ensuite bathroom or even a sink in the couchette compartments although there were two at the end of the carriage. Although these bathrooms are quite small with only a little space to get changed. Fine for kids but even I struggled a little. The toilets were larger but by the morning, there was water all over the floor. A far cry from the Caledonian double rooms!

I am not sure if there was a buffet car as such. We didn’t see one although there was a bottle of water for each passenger waiting in the cabin. There was also a sign which detailed the cost of tea and coffee which you could order from the attendant. He had a room at the end of the carriage and was handy having a staff member close by in case of concerns. In the morning we were given a light breakfast and a choice of juice or a hot drink.

How Did We Sleep?

The boys seemed to sleep well the adults less so. The 6-berth couchettes are not particularly comfortable and anyone that says they are is probably lying. Not sure if there is such thing as comfortable night train across Europe? Although with all of us being quite short we found the beds a suitable length.

The route which the sleeper takes stops in the German capital of Berlin around 6 am. This was a very popular city center stop in our carriage with lots of people getting off and the noise disruption is what woke us up despite our arrival time not being until around 11 am. Therefore I would suggest both ear plugs and an eye mask are a must if you are looking for a better night’s sleep and taking the Berlin route. Interestingly as a UK passenger, we did not get asked to provide passports at any point. However, when we travelled back from Prague to Munich the border force did board the train to look for passports. Although this was not one of Europe’s night train services.

Would I do it again? Probably, but probably not in second class since we are already thinking about another trip next year.

I hope you have enjoyed this European Sleeper Review, have you been on a night train across Europe or can you recommend any of the many European Sleeper trains? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.