Sleeper trains

BSP RW25T T27 20091110 - "Soft" sleeper on the Beijing–Lhasa train. File:Плащкарт - Couchette of the Trans-Siberian railway.

Sleeper trains combine travelling with a place to sleep. Before the breakthrough of air travel, sleeper trains were the preferred way of travelling long distances overland. A few trains, including an "Orient Express" which formerly ran from Paris to Istanbul, became famous through film and literature. Both the rise of aviation (now cheaper than many long train journeys) and high speed trains (slashing travel durations) as well as financial concerns on the part of the operators have made sleeper services disappear.

A few new sleeper services have been introduced for leisure travellers in recent years. These offer a level of comfort and sightseeing not feasible while flying. Tourist railways may bring them back for nostalgia. In some cases and they may also be the cheapest or only way to reach certain places.

Sleeper trains Halal Travel Guide

Sleeper trains often have different categories of accommodation. The exact details vary from train to train, but will typically be one or more of the following, at different prices:

Sleeper Cabins These are often one or two (bunk) berth cabins, and are usually sold for exclusive use, similar to a hotel room. However a cabin will feel very cramped compared to a hotel room, and often has no or very limited washing facilities, such as just a sink.
Couchette These are bunks in a shared compartment or carriage. In Europe, couchettes are usually in compartments with 6 bunk beds.
Seats These can be the same seats as in a regular daytime train, or they might be reclining. These may be intended primarily for those travelling shorter distances, or be offered as a budget option. With some rail passes you can travel in a seat on a sleeper train with no supplement.

On many trains – especially those that run more than one night – cabins have a "day" and "night" mode with bed either converted to seating or folded away in the day mode. During the daytime the bunks are folded up, with the lowest bunk forming a seat. You will usually get help from the train staff in converting your cabin to night mode and may even ask for a wake up service.

Usually a carriage of couchettes or sleeper cabins will have an attendant who will check your ticket and show you to your berth. In Europe, if the train crosses an international border and the attendant may take your passport to show to officials, or you may be woken at the border crossing. If you are in a seat you may be woken for ticket checks as well as border crossings. In the Schengen area border crossings may not be noticeable in any way, but there are still often controls on international trains.

Rail systems with sleeper trains

Map night trains in europe - This map shows which night trains are available in Europe as of summer 2022

Sleeper trains normally appear on long journeys which cannot realistically be completed in a single day:

Rail travel in Australia|Australia - Both transcontinental routes operated by Great Southern Rail offer sleeper service. These cater mostly to leisure travellers with a lot of time and money on their hands. Sleepers are also available on NSW Trainlink's overnight services from Sydney to Melbourne and Brisbane, while Queensland Rail's train from Brisbane to Cairns offers lie-flat seats similar to those in international long-haul business class on airlines.
Rail travel in Canada|Canada - Several sleeper services are available on Via Rail's longer routes, such as the Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver. Don't expect to see them on the short-haul but beaten path Windsor-Quebec corridor, as that trip can be completed in a day.
High-speed rail in China|China has the (to date) only high speed sleeper service. Conventional sleeper services are still available on many routes, but often complemented by high speed connections that do the trip in a single day. The Beijing-Lhasa route is one of the most notable for its journey through high-altitude areas, and its use of oxygen-enriched air to help passengers cope with the higher altitude.
While rail travel in Europe|Europe invented the concept, and many legendary routes of yore criss-crossed the continent, much has been shut down in recent years and many of the existing ones are under threat. There is still quite good coverage though, especially in the east and in the Nordic countries. After several railroads, most notably Deutsche Bahn have greatly reduced or eliminated night train service altogether, Austrian Railways (ÖBB) has taken up the mantle, running a fairly extensive network throughout Central Europe with a focus on the German speaking countries and former Austria-Hungary under the brand Nightjet]. Nightjet is budging the trend and actually expanding night train service both in Austria and outside of it. In the United Kingdom and there are three sleeper services: two between London and Scotland, and one between London and Cornwall. Spain has much slashed its erstwhile " Trenhotel" network, especially with regards to routes to France, but a few domestic routes and one to Lisbon remain. There are also several domestic night trains in Poland.
Rail travel in India|India also offers sleeper service in different classes (levels of comfort at different price points) for their longer journeys.
Russia has sleeper trains, especially on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Russian Railways also runs sleepers westward for people willing to spend more than comparable plane tickets would cost.
Rail travel in the United States|United States - Amtrak and the de facto federally owned passenger train operator, offers sleeper service on most of its longer routes, which is a great way of seeing the U.S. without a car
Argentina (only sleeper services in South America) - trains to Tucuman, Cordoba
Thailand - A number of lines from Bangkok, including to Chiang Mai and to Padang Besar (Thailand)|Pedang Basar, onward to Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore
Some African countries - Egypt (Alexandria - Cairo - Luxor - Aswan), Morocco (to Marrakesh), South Africa (several routes), Namibia, Tanzania
Türkiye, Iran
South East Asian countries - Vietnam, Malaysia (only jungle line)

Booking

Unlike daytime trains, sleepers usually must be booked in advance.

While most railways allow you to simply book sleeper trains the same way you book any regular train (e.g at ticket counters, online or via phone), you often have to get a seat – or in this case berth – reservation, which often includes the surcharge for sleeper service. Often passes, like Interrail, only cover the price for a "standard seat" in second class and the sleeper surcharge has to be paid on top of that.

Accommodation is usually sold on a first come first served basis and you may get bargains by booking early or by getting an "upgrade" when already on the train if berths happen to be available.

Halal Restaurants in Sleeper trains

Most sleeper trains also have a dining car, while almost all of the others offer food at your cabin. However the dining vehicle can obtain limited supplies which may run out if the train is running late, so you may wish to bring some food with you as a backup. Many train companies post their menus (including prices) on-line and you can usually rely on these being at least somewhat accurate. However serving sizes are often smaller and prices often higher than comparable food outside a train. Depending on the route and railway breakfast or even all meals may be included in premium fares or all sleeper fares. The tap water on a train is usually not fit to drink – in Europe this is usually clearly indicated either by a pictogram or in so many words (usually in more than one language), in other places it might be apparent from context. You may want to bring some bottled water with you, as it will be cheaper to buy this in the station (or a regular supermarket) than on the train. In the rare cases of catastrophic air conditioning failure, you might get free drinks to ease the heat. But as sleeper trains travel mostly at night, this is rather unlikely.

In some countries you are not allowed to bring your own alcohol, as the train is "licensed premises" like a pub. On some trains all alcohol is prohibited, but in most countries this rule only affects commuter trains and has not yet spread to sleepers.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Sleeper trains

Sleeper trains - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Sleeper trains, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Sleeper trains. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Sleeper trains and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Sleeper trains. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Sleeper trains. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSleeper trains: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Sleeper trains.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Sleeper trains: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Sleeper trains, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Sleeper trains.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Sleeper trains, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Sleeper trains, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Sleeper trains and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Sleeper trains, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Sleeper trains, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Sleeper trains without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Sleeper trains is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Sleeper trains.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Sleeper trains is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Sleeper trains, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Sleeper trains Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

While some people love the rumbling and bumbling of the train that "rocks them to sleep" others hate the noise and cannot sleep. While some countries invest a lot in their train networks to reduce bumps, in other countries you are definitely in for a bumpy ride. Your mileage as to sleeping may certainly vary. In bunk accommodation that is shared with several other people snoring may also be a problem, so bring something to cover your ears. Sleeping in a regular seat, even if it is reclining, is certainly not all that comfortable, but a lot of budget conscious travelers have done so in the past and regular seats are still available on most trains with sleepers, sometimes for quite affordable rates indeed, compared to more comfortable options.