[Removed user]

30 June 2018 at 22:51:28 #816989

We arrive by air in Switzerland (Geneva) on Sept. 14 and depart Geneva on October 11. During this period, we want to travel via rail to Krakow and return, with a stop-over in Berlin (traveling 2d-class on Swiss trains and 1st-class sleeper between Basel and Berlin).

Our proposed itinerary is:

Sept. 30 – Dprt Geneva 5:15 pm – Ar. Basel 8:53 pm (2d-class); Depart Basel 9:13 pm for Berlin (1st-class sleeper).

Oct. 1 – Ar. Berlin 7:54 a; Dprt Berlin 8:04 or later for Krakow (with changes en route) – arrive late afternoon (could be 2nd- or 1st-class)

Oct. 6 – Dprt Krakow in morning for Berlin (with changes en route) – arrive afternoon or evening (could be 2nd- or 1st-class)

Oct. 9 – Dprt Berlin 9:06pm for Basel (1st-class sleeper)

Oct. 10 – Ar. Basel 7:20 am; Depart Basel 8:24am for Geneva (2nd-class) – arrive during morning

SwissBahn site indicates that 1st-class round-trip fare for 2 between Basel and Berlin is US $ 499 (non-refundable) or $1,202 (fully refundable) – I assume these do not include a bedroom or accommodation charge; and 2nd-class round-trip for 2 between Berlin and Krakow is US $417 (non-refundable) or $692 (fully-refundable).

We appear to be traveling on German and/or Poland rails on 4 different days (Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 6 and 9) and from your site, I calculate 2 Eurail Germany-Poland 1st-class 4-day passes to be U.S. $ 564 (saving us $352 over non-refundable and $1,330 over refundable fares.)

QUESTIONS: (1) Am I understanding the fare structure correctly? (2) What is the best way to secure our sleeping car reservations for the departure nights of Sept. 30 and Oct. 9?

Thanks so much for your kind assistance to this lengthy inquiry.

Bill

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[Removed user]

1 July 2018 at 15:11:12 #889846

Hi Bill,

For $499 you should be getting a sleeping compartment. The SBB website would indicate a seat, couchette or sleep compartment when you are trying to purchase a ticket.

You also must reserve and pay for a sleeping compartment even with a Eurail Select Pass.
https://www.eurail.com /en/get-inspired/trains-europe/night-trains

You should be able to book a sleeper compartment either on SBB.ch or ÖBB.at (Austrain railways, who operate the train). A lot of 3rd party retailers offer only seats. https://www.myswissalp s.com/travel/toswitzer land/train/tickets

[Removed user]

2 July 2018 at 1:36:52 #889847

Thank you Lucas, I’ll try through SBB.ch and let you know how things work out.

Bill