Dreaming of falling asleep in Switzerland and waking up in the bustling heart of Berlin or Amsterdam? Then a night train is for you! To help travellers decide where to visit this summer, a new analysis from Night Ride has revealed the cheapest and most expensive night train services in Switzerland. Here's what they found:
In recent years, the popularity of night train routes in Switzerland and across Europe has gone from strength to strength. What was once considered to be a soon-to-be-defunct method of travel has seen a resurgence, as holidaymakers seek greener and more comfortable ways to travel.
However, this new wave has led to teething problems and an increase in prices. According to Night Ride, passengers should expect to pay up to 195 francs per person for a sleeper car on the most popular routes, though when thinking about affordability, it’s important to note that the night train is both a transport service and a bed for the night.
Night Ride noted that the most popular night trains are between Switzerland and northern Germany, with Zurich - Hamburg being the most in-demand route this summer. "It's quite possible that in a few weeks there won't be any seats left,” the company wrote. Rooms on trains from Zurich and Basel to Amsterdam and Berlin are also highly sought-after.
Therefore, the report recommended that anyone who wants a green European getaway should try the routes to Vienna, Budapest, Prague and Zagreb. "There are still plenty of places available," the site assured.
This difference in demand is also reflected in prices, with the night train from Zurich to Bremen and Hamburg being the most expensive this summer. According to Night Ride, which calculated the cheapest price possible during the school summer holidays (June to August), a sleeper car on the service will cost at least 195 francs per person.
The route from Zurich and Basel to Halle in Germany was the second most expensive at 186 francs per person. Zurich to Berlin (185 francs), Zurich to Amsterdam/Utrecht (161 francs), and Basel to Amsterdam/Utrecht/Bonn (160 francs) completed the top five.
By contrast, the cheapest night train route in Switzerland is ideal so long as you are prepared to do some travelling during the day. The most affordable service this summer is the route from Buchs, Canton St. Gallen, to the Austrian capital Vienna, at 117 francs per person.
The service was followed by other eastbound trains, namely Zurich to Graz (129 francs per person) and Zurich to Zagreb (131 francs). Trains from Zurich to Leipzig, Prague, Riesa and Dresden all cost at least 137 francs per person, with services to Budapest and Linz completing the bottom five with 148 francs.
While night trains can be pricy, there are plenty of ways to reduce the cost. Night Ride noted that if you are prepared to sacrifice comfort and book a couchette car instead of a sleeping car, prices can drop by over 50 francs a person. What’s more, if you are prepared to spend a (potentially) restless night on rails, seats are cheaper still.
For more information about the study, check out the Night Ride website.
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