SNCF Intercités de Nuit Review

[@DylansTravelReports]

PLEASE READ: I just want to take a moment to update you and clarify my position regarding travel in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Being a UK citizen, I consult the UK Foreign Office for advice on where I am travelling and what I may need to be aware of. At the time of writing, the Foreign Office advises against all non-essential travel abroad. In addition, non-essential travel within the UK is currently not permitted. With this in mind I am currently unable to travel and film content. I am lucky to currently have a large (about 6 months worth) of content already filmed so you can still expect a new video every Friday. I do however want to stress that I travelled in line with the advice of the UK Foreign Office where travelling outwith the UK and in line with UK law when travelling domestically at the time of recording. This advice will likely have changed in the time between recording and publishing. With that, I am hopeful that travel will once again be possible in the near future and I hope to get out and about filming again over the summer. Lastly, thank you for your continued support through these strange and difficult times. Stay safe! Kind regards, Dylan.

[@cmdrquillon9398]

You say in your own video description you travelled on the 8th of March...

[@DylansTravelReports]

Which means I would have been travelling in line with guide lines at the time of recording.

[@cmdrquillon9398]

@@DylansTravelReports On the 8th of March all nonessential travel throughout Europe was banned. However after seeing you recorded your Eurostar video after this I'm guessing you filmed this while coming home, and I drop my point.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Firstly it wasn't banned it was advised against. Secondly it wasn't until the 17th March 2020 that the Foreign Secretary issued this advisery. The only area of Europe that travel was advised against on the 8th of March was the lock down areas in northern Italy.

[@johnp139]

Personally, I wouldn’t want to be spending 8 hours in a small room with 5 strangers.

[@Bobrogers99]

Perhaps when I was a teen I might have tried sharing a small cabin with five others, but probably not since becoming a full adult. I wouldn't be able to sleep. I'd either pay for private accommodations or do the eight hours in a coach seat.

[@ronylouis0]

This is a cheap alternative to the TGV, which is why it's low quality; 6 people per room is not something that is being done on modern night trains; you'll see max 4 people in larger rooms. You only spend time sleeping there, so it's not really an issue.

[@audrangouthier1360]

That kind of train being extremely cheap (compared to TGV), it is mostly used by teens, young adults and travelers. I understand the fear of sleeping with strangers, even if we're used to it in France, we might feel insecure about it. But once you take it, you don't feel any danger. People are kind and polite, young people are spending the night calmly chatting in between the cars. Very good experience. However I always go for the 1st class as I feel a bit claustrophobic in 2nd. Greetings from France ! ;)

[@christian_traxler]

It looks like being a soldier sent to the ditches ... But yes, if you are young, maybe travelling with some friends ... than I'd say it's OK.

[@dlittlester]

I'm an old guy, and tend to fart in bed. Also, I have to get up for a pee in the. middle of the night. I'd rather sit in a coach seat too.

[@marybrown7292]

I have very fond memories from when I was a child travelling through France Switzerland & Italy on the car train

[@louislegrand2865]

Yesssss THE Intercités de Nuit Toulouse-Paris !!! Beautiful and very useful One of the last night trains, alas, that remains

[@scmsecuritycrackmalwares783]

Très relou qu il n est pas de TGV direct aussi 😂

[@iPheezy]

Hopefuly it's reviving, you can also take the Intercités de Nuit to visit Briançon and Nice (and French Riviera)

[@charlesbaran1106]

Nicely done, as always. I took a couchette from Venice to Paris 40 years ago and enjoyed meeting the roommates. Sharing a room with five strangers does seem a bit odd, but I think it's better than sitting in coach seats with a few dozen others. Our family has taken a number of overnight trips here in America, but we now spoil ourselves with private rooms! See you next Friday!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! See you Friday.

[@henrimichelpierreplana4332]

Once again, your video took me back in time. I traveled on this line between Perpignan to Paris with my parents when I was a child in the late 70s. The bunk on the top was the best of course.. About the graffitis, SNCF was cleaning the coaches for years. It kind of became a game between them of the graphiteers ( they cleaned it, a week later graphitis on again). After 10 or 15 years of that game, they just gave up..

[@tekosalverda3021]

In the first class of the double deck TGV Paris-Toulouse all seats are positioned in such a way that you allways travel in foreward direction!

[@smcastillo7404]

Hi Dylan! Dude! What another great video! It's always a treat to see you on an overnight train! The Sleeper trains where it has dorm/hostel-like accommodations is always interesting! Haha. I remember having to take a bus from San Sebastien to Barcelona...totally cramped, strangers basically falling asleep on each other....but apparently quite normal! Different means of travel but still! Woohoo! A Mirror Shot!! As usual, I was hoping for a cafe car lol! Thanks for sharing another great trip of yours Dylan! Can't wait to see you again next Friday!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I think it's quite common for people to share sleeping accommodations with "strangers" on overnight trips in European countries.

[@stevecooksley]

No way , I would only do this with a cabin to myself. It looked like a prison on wheels.

[@stephanierobb6208]

Same here Steve.

[@John_Fugazzi]

Agree! And with people you don't know, too.

[@Shello58]

Ditto.🇨🇦

[@dannydorko7075]

I did a journey from the south of france to lisbon on a night train. i shared a compartment with 3 strangers and it wasn't too bad. Don't think I could do it with 5 other strangers though.

[@maureendesquitado3606]

Hi Dylan I enjoyed the video!!! For me if i had the money, I would pay for a room where I can be by myself instead of sharing the room with someone else. Thanks for the video!!! See you next Friday!!!

[@tobyratantely2530]

Better late than never, but I should have discovered your channel earlier. :) Thanks for this video about a trainline which is dear to me. Greetings from France

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad you found us 😁

[@annamcarthur3409]

My husband and I travelled from Hanoi to Sapa in the mountains, on an overnight train. These train are old and rickety with a less than clean toilet at the end of the carriage. Because train travel is so cheap in Vietnam we booked the four berths, so we had a cabin to ourselves. At the time we were quite new to overseas travel and were very glad not to have to share the very limited space. Being an older traveller, I would probably do the same again, if the budget permitted.

[@Neville60001]

3:58-To answer your question, Dylan, no, I wouldn't do so-I'd rather take a fast TGV train to where I'm going, or pay extra for a sleeper cabin of my own.

[@TheCorinNemec]

I’ve travelled on the same route just five days later in 2020 but took one of the seats back then. It was really cheap (15€), but it‘s way less confortable than a bed. Now two years later I first tried out the sleeperette and in comparison to your video not a single thing has changed, so I can show my family how travelling Intercité de Nuit was (even the construction at Matabiau is still ongoing).

[@legionnairegonk4425]

Six is a crowd Dylan. I remember as a youngster being ok roughing it a bit on a self arranged backpacking trip to the east coast of USA, staying in an Irish hostel in Boston with 6 in a room (including 1 girl - must have been awkward for her with 5 blokes in the room!). A few years later on a trip to west coast USA on a holiday company arranged treking tour including camping and hotels I was down to sharing with just one other person - which at the time in my early thirties I could just about tolerate. Now? Many years on there is NO way I would share with strangers. And it's not just a money thing where you don't have to share with others. Something about getting older makes you just not want to!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Fair enough. I guess that's why they have éspace privée so that people at least have the option to have a compartment to themselves.

[@johannesbols57]

Thanks for an informative vid. I look forward to them every week. You mention a six person couchette. At 6:06 suddenly it's light and I see two legs. "Gross Gott! Those couchettes are crowded! Another occupant of the compartment's legs! Eww!" Then I realized those were Dylan's legs. lol

[@DylansTravelReports]

😂

[@Crepello100]

These are great if you're a group, like when I did a school trip Calais-Pisa on the Rome Express in the late 1960's. I had the middle bunk so could watch the lights flash by all night long. I absolutely loved it. I wouldn't like it with strangers though. But it would still be better than one overnight journey from hell (actually Basle-Calais) I did in 1977 in an ancient 'Nord' seating coach. It was so packed I had to step over lots of people sleeping on the floor to get to the loo. As I left the loo I stepped on someone's hand! I'm sure such journeys never happen nowadays, or not in France anyway.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Funnily enough, I saw a guy sleeping on the floor on this train. Not quite sure why though lol.

[@andrewdales8136]

Another great video. I have seen on another blog a man admitting to stealing your pillow and blanket, he also had a good night's sleep lol.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Lol

[@anthonywarrener1881]

A very good video, as always ! It was very fair and balanced, and gives a good warning about making a choice of sharing Couchettes !

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@manmeetsinghmahajan6183]

Nice one Sir. I always wait for Friday's episode of yours

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@penninetrains1398]

Excellent video as usual Dylan. I used to use couchettes a lot when I was younger, but nowadays I prefer the great privacy and comfort of a sleeper. The last straw for me was about 13 years ago when I had the 'pleasure' of sharing a couchette from Florence to Paris with a middle-aged French woman who was obviously a heavy smoker. She just coughed and coughed the whole night and, to add insult to injury, we were right on top of a bogie that had severe wheelflats.....so sleeping was impossible!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! Gosh that must have been annoying. I hope you had earplugs!

[@penninetrains1398]

@@DylansTravelReports Sadly not!

[@trainsandtrams2020]

It's nice to see that there are still locomotive-hauled trains in France and that the vintage 1970s Alstom BB 7200s are used on sleeper duties. I think the locomotive alone is worth the price of admission to travel on this train! :)

[@DylansTravelReports]

I agree. Sure TGVs are an amazing feat of technology but you just can't beat a good set of classic, loco hauled stock.

[@pelagunadarendah9078]

I cant wait this long quarantine because of this video.

[@andrewmarsden1970]

Did the Toulous to Paris sleeper in 1998 after watching England in the World Cup. Good memories.

[@k0k0m02008]

Hi there. i took the very same service, originating in Cerbere (though I had started my journey at Bcn Sants) and ending in Gare d'Austerlitz back in 1998, traveling in the same coaches although seated on second class. The train was also packed and I couldn't sleep at all due to the noisy characters on the carriage. However I did manage to make acquaintance of a couple other backpackers with whom we toured around Paris for some days. Cheers!

[@Rachelvehiclespotting]

That was a great video. Enjoyed every single part of it especially the funny bikes

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed.

[@teresavandal4973]

I as well might have been ok with sharing with strangers when I was younger; in fact, I did do it between France and Italy back in 1988, and being strangers was not as much the problem as it was the others seemed to have been traveling for more than 24 hours... (Since I could not sleep in that kind of arrangement; I ended up spending much of the time just outside the cabin at the window). Now though that I am quite a bit older, and have been married for 30 years, I need to think of hubby dearest who suffers from things like Depression and Anxiety and so would definitely be much more comfortable in our own compartment.

[@tim.bird.london]

Hi Dylan, another fine well balanced review of a sleeper service. Personally, I think the couchette experience is excellent, often meeting random and interesting people. I have only used the service when travelling with my touring bicycle on the Paris - Cerbre and Paris - Gap routes. When booking a bicycle space (10 Euro) one is allocated a berth in the compartment next to the bicycle storage area. In my personal experience and after speaking to other cyclists, they only allocate this compartment to cyclists irrespective of how busy the train is. I agree, more services of this nature would be excellent, who knows SNCF my even restore some of the recently withdrawn services like Paris - Nice in the brave new world post CorVid. Cheers, Tim.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! Yes, I've heard that Corail coaches have good cycling facilities.

[@robinjones6999]

I can imagine my wifes surprise when I tell her she's sharing a bedroom with total strangers

[@DylansTravelReports]

Lol

[@pratik5298]

We in India share our berths with strangers... That's not a big deal..check out Indian Sleeper Train Journey

[@tekosalverda3021]

Typical Anglo Sax!

[@phoenix8266fey]

I’ve been traveling a lot between Paris and Toulouse but only with TGV. Thanks for showing me what I’ve missed 😂

[@penninetrains1398]

Looking forward to this video with eager anticipation. Ce sera un beau voyage!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Oui, ce cera!

[@tescotrain]

@@DylansTravelReports I bet you translated that ;)

[@DylansTravelReports]

Non, je peux parler français 😜

[@trai12vie55]

Very good video ! 😁 At 4:26 I allow myself to correct a information : The Sleep coatches have a top speed of 160km/h. (99.4mph). A 1st class coatch is a A9c9ux, A service coatch is a B7c7ux and A 2nd class is a B10c10ux. Some Corail coatches was able to 200km/h. We find them for exemple between Paris and Toulouse or Paris and Cherbourg etc.. but only for day travel.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I though most Corail (including the sleepers) could do 200km/h. Anyway, thanks for the info.

[@pmichael73]

I have no problems sharing a couchette cabin, but it's worth noting that the premium for a private cabin between Paris and Toulouse can be a lot cheaper than flying - especially, if you are starting in London with a Eurostar to Paris.

[@tango-retforduk3290]

Great video! Hope you can re-start your travelling once the current pandemic situation comes to an end. Stay safe!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! Shouldn't be too long now until we can all travel again.

[@johnburke5384]

Dylan what a hero you are for videoing that trip. There is no way I would do that .....well, maybe in my late teens but it looked dreadful to me at my age now. It seems SNCF have give up cleaning the outside of their trains . Less than the ideal....

[@CameronLandels]

Really enjoyed your video here! I am a new subscriber to your channel! Am enjoying watching your other videos. Thanks!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I'm glad to hear you are enjoying my videos.

[@lindah.453]

To close for comfort for me! Thanks for sharing.

[@03markimark]

Having to walk into a shared room with strangers already asleep in it would completely stress me out! How awful 😭. I have extreme snoring and sleep apnoea etc so definitely couldn’t share a room like that. But if I had a room to myself it would be fine.

[@quarryfield]

Great review Dylan.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@countertony]

Despite (or possibly because of) being in my late 30s I grew up on Youth Hostels, so have no trouble sharing sleeping accommodation - with my snoring, though, I suspect most room-mates might beg to differ.

[@desertfoxx1823]

No way in hell would I share my bedroom with 5 other strangers! Either I sit in couch seats or a private room.

[@markoobid2005]

So wait for 2 more years and then, the new Nightjets will be for you. Mini pods and so on...

[@DylansTravelReports]

Tbh, I never thought the day would come where i share my room with strangers. It always seemed quite an awkward concept. Now that I've tried it, it doesn't seem too bad to me but i can certainly see how it's not for everyone.

[@desertfoxx1823]

@@DylansTravelReports Sharing a locker room and showers when I played baseball was bad enough, but it reminds me of bunk beds in tight quarters on a Navy ship.

[@DylansTravelReports]

I have never been on a navy ship but I imagine you would get a similar amount of space as one of these couchettes.

[@ModernClassic]

I know that couchettes are normal in Europe but I personally would not travel in one... not really for the safety issue (though it'd be in the back of my mind, at least in America) but just because I have a hard enough time even sleeping next to my wife, let alone 5 strangers in an enclosed space. (Just the fact that they already had the light off in the room would piss me off!) That said, even when I was a kid we still had "Open Sections" in America, where it was coach by day but the entire car would convert to beds at night, separated only by curtains. It was a little different because you weren't enclosed in a room with a bunch of strangers; you were in a totally open car where everyone could hear everything, but you just had beds. You had your own little space but it was also a common area where people could do what they wanted. I kinda liked that and wish they'd bring it back as a low-cost rail option here.

[@DylansTravelReports]

I've always been of the opinion that Amtrak needs something to fill the gap between coach and sleeper. Maybe something like this wouldn't be too popular in the US but perhaps airline style business class seats would do a better job of filling that gap.

[@markoobid2005]

Travelled 6 times in a couchette, but only once alone with strangers (in a Croatian one). It wasn't too bad and I felt quite secured. On the other occasions, we were a group of 5 (on an Austrian Euronight train) or we booked a family compartment (4 times on a sadly discontinued DB Autozug motorail service). The Corona could be the end of sharing couchettes, but don't worry, Austrians are making a revolution in night train travel anyway. Coming in 2022 :)

[@DylansTravelReports]

OBB offer an excellent sleeper service from what I've heard. Will try Night Jet after lock down.

[@andrewg9457]

Thanks for another great vid. I’m in Canada. I’d love it if we have these cheap type sleepers here. We have something similar called a “berth” (used infrequently) but it’s still significantly more expensive than coach.

[@DylansTravelReports]

You're welcome. I've heard about Via Rail's berths. See quite pricey but then again, you're getting all of your meals included in that price as well.

[@kamrupexpress]

I have used this service so many times. Very romantic.

[@MomentsInTheSky]

Great video..I’ve often wondered about sharing with others - I’m still not sure I’d be keen!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I was a bit apprehensive at first but I didn't think it was too bad.

[@johnlang4198]

Night travel is my preferred option for long distances. It saves on a hotel and doesn't waste a day.

[@LucaASMR]

Hi Dylan! I'm from Italy and, from what I know, with TreniItalia it's very difficult to have a cabin all for yourself (but I also have to say that I've never took one night train, so I could be wrong!). However: I wouldn't travel relaxed if I'd have to to share a cabin with some strangers!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Personally it doesn't bother me too much but I can certainly see why some people don't like it.

[@ROTE]

You should ride VIA rails Canadian train that runs from Toronto to Vancover

[@DylansTravelReports]

I'm hoping to at some point in the not too distant future.

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

I'd go with some other accommodation. Did it backpacking Europe in my mid 20's, but I'm up hitting the head at night in my 50's.

[@unitedkingdombuses8451]

Excellent videos.. I love the quality

[@petergilbert72]

Tx Dylan. I prefer to pay more for a single sleeper (which means I can open the blind to look out and have room to dress etc) with wider mattress so I can bend my knees, or go by upper deck TGV with a hotel en route. (I’m glad to see though that SNCF will be replacing these trains in the next few years.) Meantime, my partner and I have booked one of these with sole occupancy to reduce risk of catching Covid from using a hotel or from spending hours in an open plan TGV. I’m hoping I’ll be able to open the window (at least before we attempt to go to sleep) to change the air.

[@SimonLiddo]

Nice video

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@williamhughmurraycissp8405]

I am 85, financially comfortable, live alone, and value my privacy. I prefer not to share, even with family.

[@ronylouis0]

Even with family? Poor guys

[@samtrak1204]

LOL.I noticed the dirty train and windows before you mentioned it! I prefer a private room with toilet. I've done the 4 or 6 on Trans Mongolian/Siberian railroad with members of my tour group and it was such a disaster that I'll never make that mistake again. However I met a young Russian actor on the Moscow - St.Petersburg overnighter in 2011 and he took me on a personal guided tour of the beautiful city. We've been Facebook friends since. BTW: I need a cafe car to meet people and get into the "Night Train" mood.

[@DylansTravelReports]

I'm not sure how content I'd be with sharing with that many people on an ultra-long trip but for just one night, I didn't mind too much. I agree with you on the fact that this train could do with some sort of café car.

[@jamesthompson3099]

Many, many years ago I took a couchette from Paris to Hendaye. It was novel but a bit uncomfortable for me. Now I am too spoiled by Amtrak to want do it again. 🤣

[@DylansTravelReports]

Lol

[@dazlebluefrogify]

forgot to say in the late 70's early 80's i'm sure they had a disco coach on the paris -toulouse night train !!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Nice!

[@paulw.woodring7304]

Not going to read all of the comments to see if anyone else asked this. Is it possible to choose which level berth you get within the compartment? I seriously doubt I would want to travel overnight sharing sleeping accommodations as a senior citizen, maybe in my college days, but if I could guarantee the bottom bed in a four berth compartment, maybe. You are absolutely right about the upkeep of the rolling stock. As bad as graffiti is in the U. S., Amtrak trains usually don't get "tagged", and if they do they get it cleaned off fairly quickly.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Yes, you can request to be on the upper, middle and lower berth. They'll even guarantee a lower berth if required.

[@donl5941]

Didn't get a pillow and sheet? I'm guessing that friendly and "safe" european in the bunk below you with two pillows and two sheets had something to do with it.

[@DylansTravelReports]

I doubt it was them. Besides it wasn't the end of the world.

[@rezaalan3991]

Nice train trip report, also that locomotive is classic. I'm curious, is that train (Intercitês du Nuit) have international route like to neighbour countries?

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I think there's one that goes to northern Spain but only by 1km or so.

[@paulmerry6262]

Last year I used Paris to Milan overnight couchette service with same corail coaches, via Switzerland but I think it was run by TrenItalia.

[@johnthomas5966]

Have a look at "Inside No9's night train journey" to see the downsides of shared compartments! But from my own experience it's amazing. Shared food, music, romance with strangers.............

[@DanielsUKT]

Another great trip report Dylan! In terms of sleeper carriages I'm not sure where I would like sharing a sleeper room with up to 5 others particularly if there random strangers 😞😞 and also there's the trust issue to do with whether my possessions would be safe or not but I wouldn't mind giving it one try especially if it could save me hundreds of pounds/euros etc

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I don't think crime is too common on these trains.

[@DanielsUKT]

That's good to hear and no problem

[@benjamintery7847]

It doesn't seem weird to me to share a room with strangers. This train looks great, can't wait to try it

[@socklesslad]

I've shared a compartment on long-distance trains in Russia, where sleepers are the norm due to the size of the country. I felt safer the more people who were around, so I preferred to travel in a 50-berth dormitory rather than a 2-berth compartment (it was a lot cheaper too!). I definitely wouldn't fancy getting into a compartment where most people are already asleep as that would just disturb everyone. That's one thing the Russians do try to avoid at least.

[@dazlebluefrogify]

nice video mate i'm still trying to catch up to date with them !! as a person living in france for 30 odd years and having worked on the trains as a mobile trolley vender i' know what it's like ,there are only 2 night trains left now but president macron wants them back ,back in 1998 ,i had the chance to work on the paris -briancon train during the winter seasons for roughly 10 years (saturday and sunday mornings from valence up to briancon (the station by the way is over 1000 meters altiude )we also worked on other night trains that came from brest,quimper and lille theses were only seasonal during the febuary school holidays and all trains had to change loco's in valence as the line up to briancon is not electric and is also a single line that in itself caused problems as there is was also day trains that went up so if 1 was late it had a knock on effect all day !! they were safe to travel on as the doors between couchettes and coach seating was locked (only 2 coach carriages),the scenery was breathtaking from when you left Die up to briancon , you should try it out dylan in winter you can't see much till you arrive in Gap so try taking it in summer and try and wake up about 5ish to see the beautiful Drome valley then the alps it' worth it

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@MattNav]

Thanks Dylan ! Great video as always ! I'm quite excited that I just booked a 1st class berth on the inaugural night train from Nice to Paris Austerlitz in April. It's been almost 4 years since they were discontinued here and I'm looking forward to trying this service. Never done an inaugural train before 😁

[@DylansTravelReports]

Ooo nice! I hope to do that one at some point 😁

[@christophe77700]

Thank you for this video. The SNCF night train service is poor. There are no sleeping cars, only couchettes, and no food services. The equipment is running out of breath and will not be replaced. Today, French night trains only survive with the financial and political help of the regions. There is still a chance to see beautiful night trains in France, it is that the SNCF or a private operator follow the example of OBB, or even that they come to operate on French soil.

[@DylansTravelReports]

You're welcome. While the cars look outdated, they are still very comfortable and in good working order. For years, people in my country (the UK) almost demanded that they build new coaches for the Caledonian Sleeper and they actually ended up being worse than the old ones. For sleeper trains, I always think it is nice to see old coaches refurbished like GWR did on the Night Riviera rather than buy new stock. That said, proper sleeper accommodation with proper beds would be a welcomed addition on Intercités de Nuit.

[@dazlebluefrogify]

@@DylansTravelReports there is one still it's called the orient express !! lol

[@dazlebluefrogify]

our president wants them back an it will probably be OBB who operates them with the free market opening here

[@Chickpeatin]

Hi, Please can someone advise how the middle berth can be folded up or down, out of the way? We will be travelling in a second class intercite de nuit with 6 beds - privately booked; and need to move the middle bed out of the way. Thank you.

[@DavidChilson]

In my opinion, the Couchettes would be great for families or groups. The closest thing we have to Couchettes in the States are the 4 bunk "Family Rooms" exclusive to Superliner Sleepers. For me personally, I prefer the private bedrooms as I'm squeamish about changing in a communal Shower or Lavatory.

[@DylansTravelReports]

I prefer private rooms as well but at such a low price, I can't really complain.

[@DavidChilson]

@@DylansTravelReports Yeah, sleeping on a bed is better than trying to sleep in a standard Airline seat.

[@gnhansen29]

I'd love to do a couchette trip in Europe.

[@ltrumpeter]

Noticed the Leeds phone cover and your Leeds scarf in the Q&A. I’m a WBA fan, we’re currently breathing down each other’s necks in the league at the tol. Pesky Brentford though! Whats your gut feeling about promotion?

[@DylansTravelReports]

I'm not sure. I wish Brentford would just loose a game for once 😂 At least if WBA beat Fulham midweek then that'd be them out of the equation.

[@TheMarkos1982]

So Dylan - you go into the cabin, it's pitch black, and everyone is asleep? How do you find your bunk and just generally potter about the train without the rest of the cabin tutting and sighing? And were they ok with your Leeds United mobile phone?!

[@DylansTravelReports]

People on these trains seem to be quite understanding and know the drill. A bit of noise and disturbance is to be expected I guess. Heck, they even let me keep my phone case 😅

[@eddie_d1233]

I scanned the comments but I didn't see any with the question I would like to ask. As people were already sleeping in your couchette did anyone complain about you poking around when you boarded and bedded? Did people get up at night to visit the rest room? Remarkable that you slept the whole night!

[@DylansTravelReports]

No, my companions for the night were quite understanding amd didn't seem too bothered while I got settled.

[@lorijohnston4311]

Thank you, Dylan! Loved the video. I really love trains and the sleeper trains are such a unique experience (especially for us Americans.) So for folks like you getting on board past the origination point, you're walking into a compartment where people might already be asleep so does that mean you have to keep the lights out? Seems like that would make it more difficult to get settled in. I don't think I'd feel comfortable sleeping in a compartment with strangers, to be honest. Would you have to pay six times what you paid, or four times the first class cost, in order to have it to yourself? Have a great weekend!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I did think it was a bit strange that there were already people in my compartment. You would think that they would put passengers joining at Toulouse (which there were a lot of) in separate compartments.

[@1954alister]

Travelled in couchette from Paris to Toulouse a few years ago but did not feel secure as there were a couple of teenagers who had a bit too much to drink , made the journey somewhat unpleasant. There was also a mother, father and small child so must have been very unpleasant for them

[@DylansTravelReports]

If you went to the conductor and asked them to sort it, I'm sure they would (that's assuming you speak at least a little French.) That said, I don't think disruptive behaviour is too common.

[@nevernottravelling139]

Awesome video. how many sleeper trains are there in France

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks. Only 2 or 3 remain I believe.

[@nevernottravelling139]

@@DylansTravelReports cool thanks mate. I love sleeper trains my beast has to be the GWR sleeper

[@Nivestim]

Our corail coaches start to age a bit too much, but they still one of the best coaches that france has ever made and used, beloved by passengers

[@DylansTravelReports]

I agree!

[@kentcountryside10]

Bess what did you know I like buses and trains .🙆

[@Martin-on2pp]

We used to take 4 berth cabins, that was fine. Six was too crowdedfor us. Like your viedos.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I must admit, it was a bit crowded with 6 people in a compartment but I've found that sleeper cabins tend to be a bit cramped in general.

[@Martin-on2pp]

@@DylansTravelReports Ever taken the Sun Thalys, on the route Amsterdam-Avignon?

[@DylansTravelReports]

I've not but I hope to do a trip with Thalys after lock down.

[@genesis1765]

This is 3 tier in India 6 beds. There 2 tier also and obviously 1st class a cabin to yourself I would not be comfortable with what you had its just to many people in one. 4 is ok (2 tier). You get to meet people. I have been in one where we played cards. Normally like you came in the cabin everyone was a sleep in India i would have asked how many more are coming in and we wouldn't go to sleep until everyone is inside. For example a older person couldn't climb the stairs

[@GrumpyL5]

Good video report. Seems far too cramped and with no buffet car either. I could probably just cope with the 4 berth, but not arriving so early in the morning as well. Good to see it well used though.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks. I think the late departure and early arrival is to with the fact that the route is quite short. TGVs do the route in under 4 hours and 30 minutes with regular Intercités doing it in under 7.

[@jayusa879]

Nope, couldn't do that gotta have my privacy. Too many people in one room and strangers on top of that. I didn't know that was so popular in Europe it would never work here in the states somebody would get shot lol. Another GREAT video Dylan thanks man take care.

[@samtrak1204]

Amtrak tried it for a while back in the 80's but it didn't sell.

[@BIGV710]

i gave you a thumbs up Dylan MOT

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks MOT.

[@colin.d]

Hopefully post-Covid19 there will be no more sharing with strangers?

[@DylansTravelReports]

I doubt it as there is an option to book a compartment to yourself. Service on this train is suspended atm though.

[@stevenpryce7808]

Did I see a Leeds United badge at 6:41 ?

[@DylansTravelReports]

Yes MOT.

[@stevenpryce7808]

@@DylansTravelReports shame,I'm from up the road from the land of the Magpies 😉

[@DylansTravelReports]

See you next season 😜🤞

[@stevenpryce7808]

@@DylansTravelReports hope so kidda,too many London teams in the premier League 😉

[@DylansTravelReports]

@@stevenpryce7808 Ik right 😭

[@seprishere]

I think SNCF don't take proper care about cleaning and graffiti because SNCF don't care about these trains. They run them because they have to. The UK sleeper trains are run as hotel trains (they are definitely priced as such, and aren't really socially necessary) so Serco and GWR do care. Including giving you your own room (certainly on Caledonian Sleeper, and I think on the GWR Night Riviera too).

[@stevenkranowski5141]

In this era of COVID-19, I'd definitely have some serious misgivings about sharing a small room with a bunch of strangers.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Yeah, maybe not the best idea given how small the rooms are.

[@f-btsc9944]

Nice video !! 😃 First time I see your face too lol

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! 😁

[@anshadk616]

What i love in his video is his silence instead of bla bla bla. Please visit Indian train.You will be amazed.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! Maybe some day I'll get the chance to try out some trains in India.

[@ChrisWong-q6l]

4:50 Back in the same period, China Railways (the Ministry of Railways at that time) are still producing low-speed, non-air-conditioned (probably with coal heaters) railway coaches (Class 22/22B)... And now these old coaches are almost being totally replaced by stock 25G/K/T coaches

[@The4905]

cool video!

[@allyup3404]

Sharing is kind of weird to start with. I've done a fair few hostels not trains though. When you wake up and see someone who you've never even seen before looking at you from across the room it's quite strange. That said I've met some fantastic people from all over the world in hostels and would definitely recommend them

[@DylansTravelReports]

That's not weird at all 😁

[@tman7209]

I like cars, I like trains

[@wanisette]

Great video. Just one thing it's matabiau not matibiau !

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! My spelling has never been great in English never mind French so thanks for pointing that one out.

[@wanisette]

@@DylansTravelReports it's not so important, and french spelling is so weird anyway even for french people.

[@wanisette]

And I was wondering when did you take that train ? It must be one of the last night train here in France ! But as our governement wants to limit territorial air lines we might have more trains ! I hope!

[@ellenfalls1330]

I am surprised that so many people are uncomfortable sleeping with strangers. Not a problem for me.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Ik, I'm the same.

[@colin.d]

Great to know what it's like, BUT not for me!

[@tekosalverda3021]

Dylan, When discribing Toulouse Matabiau, you forgot mentioning the absence of elevators, escalators or ramps. There are escalators leading to every platform, but not allowed for passengers. Shame SNCF! Btw, I wonder why some people are reluctant to sleep with strainge passengers and have no objection to sit in their presence, awake or sleeping. What is the difference between sitting and horizontal straingers, apart from snoring?

[@DylansTravelReports]

Tbh, I never noticed that! Thanks for pointing it out!

[@mitchellheard8981]

I'm a bit of a snorer (by a bit, I mean I sound like a loaded freight train powering up a hill) so sharing wouldn't go down too well.

[@simontaylor4791]

Was that a Leeds UTd phone cover i saw? And are you from Leeds

[@DylansTravelReports]

Sure was MOT! I'm from Huddersfield originally.

[@simontaylor4791]

I'm from Pontefract

[@DylansTravelReports]

Ah nice. I have family there 😁

[@geoffreystevens663]

TBH I'd pay NOT to ride on a train like that, stuff of nightmares!

[@ronylouis0]

Modern Night trains in Europe only have 4 people per compartiment. Night travel in France is meant as a cheap alternative to the TGV, hence the low quality of the ride. The transsiberian has 4 people per room, but the room is much larger and comfortable. Since you only spend time sleeping there, it's not a problem for us mainland Europeans; people are trustworthy, and the risk of being in a room with someone "filthy" is almost none

[@legionnairegonk4425]

@@ronylouis0 It is not almost no chance, come on be real. Lots of humans are pretty scummy. You want to sleep in a room with a rough old gypsy or squatter type do you? Lots of them around. Or how about one of the many weird people in society, or folks with mental health disorders. They can't help it, but they can pose a risk to you. Hmm, a night with a schizophrenic! How lovely.

[@simonparker57]

The couchettes are basically just a horizontal seat. You go to sleep in Toulouse and you wake up in Paris. Can't see what's to complain about.