Paris to Spain with SNCF's last international overnight train in 2nd class couchette
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Date: 2024-01-09
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Comments and reviews: 35
-fakerating
Really good video! I took a Paris to Barcelona train around 1977, and in those days at the border, you had to physically change trains, as the French and Spanish trains had different gauge size tracks, and they didn't automatically change size as they did later on. This was done around 4 o'clock in the morning in total darkness. you also had to go through customs and carry all of your luggage with you. And I remember one time I did that, and there was the worst rain storm I had ever experienced. It's a real shame night trains are disappearing. they save time, hotel costs, and give the tourist a whole extra day to sightsee. I would think with fast trains, there would be a desire for a high speed night train, like Seville to Frankfurt overnight, but it won't happen.
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Really good video! I took a Paris to Barcelona train around 1977, and in those days at the border, you had to physically change trains, as the French and Spanish trains had different gauge size tracks, and they didn't automatically change size as they did later on. This was done around 4 o'clock in the morning in total darkness. you also had to go through customs and carry all of your luggage with you. And I remember one time I did that, and there was the worst rain storm I had ever experienced. It's a real shame night trains are disappearing. they save time, hotel costs, and give the tourist a whole extra day to sightsee. I would think with fast trains, there would be a desire for a high speed night train, like Seville to Frankfurt overnight, but it won't happen.
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-titteryenot4524
All of Europe-s a night-train/And all the men and women merely passengers/They have their Brexits and their Schengen Areas/And one man in his couchette smells many farts/His trips covering different gauges/At first the teenager/Hungover and puking in his best mate-s arms/And then the whining young man, with rucksack/And bleary morning face/And then the husband/Sighing with sternness/And a where-s my passport? /Made to his wife-s eyeball/The Spanish gauge shifts into green and considered Irun/The spectacle of those/With Euros well saved/Last train of all/That bookends this changing, scentful mystery/Is second-class and near-Bolivian/Sans tea, sans pies, sans haste, sans air spring. -
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All of Europe-s a night-train/And all the men and women merely passengers/They have their Brexits and their Schengen Areas/And one man in his couchette smells many farts/His trips covering different gauges/At first the teenager/Hungover and puking in his best mate-s arms/And then the whining young man, with rucksack/And bleary morning face/And then the husband/Sighing with sternness/And a where-s my passport? /Made to his wife-s eyeball/The Spanish gauge shifts into green and considered Irun/The spectacle of those/With Euros well saved/Last train of all/That bookends this changing, scentful mystery/Is second-class and near-Bolivian/Sans tea, sans pies, sans haste, sans air spring. -
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-OsLuSeMa
In the past (from the 60s to the beginning of this century) there were several direct services between Madrid and Paris such as the night-time -Puerta del Sol- (whose axis change occurred in Hendaia at dawn, the -Talgo Pendular- ( whose axes were adapted to the standard gauge in an interchange also located in the French Basque station) and the -Francisco de Goya- Hotel Train (a Series VI Talgo operated by Elypsos, a joint venture between Renfe and SNCF. These trains disappeared when the High Speed --Line between Madrid and the La Jonquera border entered service.
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In the past (from the 60s to the beginning of this century) there were several direct services between Madrid and Paris such as the night-time -Puerta del Sol- (whose axis change occurred in Hendaia at dawn, the -Talgo Pendular- ( whose axes were adapted to the standard gauge in an interchange also located in the French Basque station) and the -Francisco de Goya- Hotel Train (a Series VI Talgo operated by Elypsos, a joint venture between Renfe and SNCF. These trains disappeared when the High Speed --Line between Madrid and the La Jonquera border entered service.
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-dobbinism
Great report, always have been a fan of Corail. I even remember when the seats were orange vinyl. But I am glad to see they are still in use as they offer a refined ride quality. I wonder why SNCF uses the term 'second class'. It would, perhaps, be preferable to classify as Standard as this has a slightly more acceptable tone. The seated carriages look very comfortable too, but I think a refit of the interiors would bring these up to modern day expectations, such as USB sockets for everyone. Success with the Rail Coop!
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Great report, always have been a fan of Corail. I even remember when the seats were orange vinyl. But I am glad to see they are still in use as they offer a refined ride quality. I wonder why SNCF uses the term 'second class'. It would, perhaps, be preferable to classify as Standard as this has a slightly more acceptable tone. The seated carriages look very comfortable too, but I think a refit of the interiors would bring these up to modern day expectations, such as USB sockets for everyone. Success with the Rail Coop!
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-pmb9172
Have used sleepers through France since late 1960s, they have gradually disappeared and deteriorated, the stock was left in a shabby condition but still a more pleasant way to travel.
You are correct about TGV Italy or Spain you get to your destination late, to Italy they used to depart earlier.
They are a different market but it seems one that the railway companies can not be bothered with, so food, comfort and cleanliness suffer, perhaps it is just to small a market in relation to today-s costly overheads.
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Have used sleepers through France since late 1960s, they have gradually disappeared and deteriorated, the stock was left in a shabby condition but still a more pleasant way to travel.
You are correct about TGV Italy or Spain you get to your destination late, to Italy they used to depart earlier.
They are a different market but it seems one that the railway companies can not be bothered with, so food, comfort and cleanliness suffer, perhaps it is just to small a market in relation to today-s costly overheads.
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-TheNails3
-That toilet looked a bit blocked.
-I was impressed with the sound quality of the PA announcement; here in the UK the sound quality is often terrible and muffled or choppy, or just too quiet!
-Beautiful views of the sea near the end of the video.
-Do you sometimes complain to the railway companies directly about the issues you think need solving?
-Great work on these videos, Thibault! -
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-That toilet looked a bit blocked.
-I was impressed with the sound quality of the PA announcement; here in the UK the sound quality is often terrible and muffled or choppy, or just too quiet!
-Beautiful views of the sea near the end of the video.
-Do you sometimes complain to the railway companies directly about the issues you think need solving?
-Great work on these videos, Thibault! -
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-DanielsUKT
It is good you have invested in a new rail company if things go very well and you gain loads of routes could compete with SNCF on future
In terms of trip report itself I do hope now as more rail compaines across Europe are making new night services post current situation that France would have more sleeper trains and going abroad like for example UK (extremely unlikely to happen unfortunately)
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It is good you have invested in a new rail company if things go very well and you gain loads of routes could compete with SNCF on future
In terms of trip report itself I do hope now as more rail compaines across Europe are making new night services post current situation that France would have more sleeper trains and going abroad like for example UK (extremely unlikely to happen unfortunately)
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-tengsted
This was my first European sleeper journey way back in 1999!
It was a second class couchette, and while an interesting experience, and having done many, many overnight trains since, (thanks FIP, I really doubt I'd share a sleeping compartment any more. I'm way too old to rough it, and enjoy a bit of comfort.
I do hope that the NightJet concept gathers more ground around Europe.
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This was my first European sleeper journey way back in 1999!
It was a second class couchette, and while an interesting experience, and having done many, many overnight trains since, (thanks FIP, I really doubt I'd share a sleeping compartment any more. I'm way too old to rough it, and enjoy a bit of comfort.
I do hope that the NightJet concept gathers more ground around Europe.
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-kevanhubbard9673
Just thinking about the overnight trains I've done just internally in France and I think just two and I'm guessing that they no longer run; Paris to Auray in Brittany and Paris to the place where the bus to Andorra goes from, can't remember it's name. i did one mainly in France from Nice once but to Brussels so a little bit beyond France.
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Just thinking about the overnight trains I've done just internally in France and I think just two and I'm guessing that they no longer run; Paris to Auray in Brittany and Paris to the place where the bus to Andorra goes from, can't remember it's name. i did one mainly in France from Nice once but to Brussels so a little bit beyond France.
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-AnnabelSmyth
I understand the reason for the demise of night trains is the separation between the ownership of the rails and of the trains, so that SNCF, etc, have to pay a premium. Before, the rails were there and might as well be used. Nightjet routes its Vienna-Berlin trains via the Czech Republic to avoid paying the huge premiums demanded in Germany!
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I understand the reason for the demise of night trains is the separation between the ownership of the rails and of the trains, so that SNCF, etc, have to pay a premium. Before, the rails were there and might as well be used. Nightjet routes its Vienna-Berlin trains via the Czech Republic to avoid paying the huge premiums demanded in Germany!
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train
Railway tickets in all countries are insanely high especially long distance. trains are so expensive that most citizens middleclass and! especially below! can-t afford and therefore will never leave there own region. Imagen you are 40 live 20. 000 heads town and have only seen your capital once or only been to the nearest city with maybe 200k once.
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Railway tickets in all countries are insanely high especially long distance. trains are so expensive that most citizens middleclass and! especially below! can-t afford and therefore will never leave there own region. Imagen you are 40 live 20. 000 heads town and have only seen your capital once or only been to the nearest city with maybe 200k once.
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-blandineremy9240
The power outlets are not necessary. You take that train to sleep so you don't need to use it. You don't need to use your computer so for me it's not necessary. I took it several times and I never miss them, which would have been the case in a TGV. Night train is a way to disconnect with screens and I think it's good.
Good video!
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The power outlets are not necessary. You take that train to sleep so you don't need to use it. You don't need to use your computer so for me it's not necessary. I took it several times and I never miss them, which would have been the case in a TGV. Night train is a way to disconnect with screens and I think it's good.
Good video!
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-francois738
Great to see the Corail sleepers again. I haven't been on them since I was a kid in the early 90s. In 1990 I remember getting a sleeper from Paris to Cerbere and then in 1991 and 1992 it was from Calais to Cerbere. I loved the experience and it's kind of cool to see that the carriages aren't really much different even after all these years.
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Great to see the Corail sleepers again. I haven't been on them since I was a kid in the early 90s. In 1990 I remember getting a sleeper from Paris to Cerbere and then in 1991 and 1992 it was from Calais to Cerbere. I loved the experience and it's kind of cool to see that the carriages aren't really much different even after all these years.
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-awdrifter3394
I can see why they are phasing out the overnight trains in Europe. I wouldn't want to share a room with up to 5 strangers overnight. I rather be cramped for 1-2 hours in a plane or 5-6 hours in a seat in a TGV. I like the Amtrak rommette where you they won't force you to share a room with stranger.
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I can see why they are phasing out the overnight trains in Europe. I wouldn't want to share a room with up to 5 strangers overnight. I rather be cramped for 1-2 hours in a plane or 5-6 hours in a seat in a TGV. I like the Amtrak rommette where you they won't force you to share a room with stranger.
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-jontownsend8090
Great video, a proper classic situation at Gare du Austerlitz. Sleeper trains will make a huge come back. I hope we get an international sleeper service from the UK. I am a user of these services, they will be instrumental in getting people who would otherwise fly or drive back onto the railway.
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Great video, a proper classic situation at Gare du Austerlitz. Sleeper trains will make a huge come back. I hope we get an international sleeper service from the UK. I am a user of these services, they will be instrumental in getting people who would otherwise fly or drive back onto the railway.
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-dirtymashups33
If you ever come to the UK, I believe we have 2 overnight train services. One from London Paddington to Penzance in the far south west of England (it's actually a 90 minute flight from London which is equal to travelling to southern Scotland) and the other from London Euston to Glasgow
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If you ever come to the UK, I believe we have 2 overnight train services. One from London Paddington to Penzance in the far south west of England (it's actually a 90 minute flight from London which is equal to travelling to southern Scotland) and the other from London Euston to Glasgow
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-automatix5
10: 46 When i was in France last year i had the impression that absolutely nothing is oversized there; )
Do you make a video of the other Overnight Train to Briancon and of the Train de Pignes from Digne-les-Bains to Nice in the Future? That would be great!
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10: 46 When i was in France last year i had the impression that absolutely nothing is oversized there; )
Do you make a video of the other Overnight Train to Briancon and of the Train de Pignes from Digne-les-Bains to Nice in the Future? That would be great!
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-RUOKH
Could not agree with you more about overnight sleeper trains. In the 1970's and 1980's I used them constantly to criss-cross Europe and they were so comfortable. Bring back Wagon-Lits! Thank you for making this excellent and informative videoclip.
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Could not agree with you more about overnight sleeper trains. In the 1970's and 1980's I used them constantly to criss-cross Europe and they were so comfortable. Bring back Wagon-Lits! Thank you for making this excellent and informative videoclip.
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-Trainviking
These are really nice trains indeed. I'm still not happy about the fact that i couldn't take these trains in December because of the strike (because of that i couldn't do a video on port-bou to Barcelona and Barcelona to Madrid as well.
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These are really nice trains indeed. I'm still not happy about the fact that i couldn't take these trains in December because of the strike (because of that i couldn't do a video on port-bou to Barcelona and Barcelona to Madrid as well.
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-patoeend8118
I do not like couchette. Much better is Talgo hotel Trains. There is also a problem when you travel from Amsterdam tot Spain. In Paris you must change from Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon or Austerlitz or Montparnasse
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I do not like couchette. Much better is Talgo hotel Trains. There is also a problem when you travel from Amsterdam tot Spain. In Paris you must change from Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon or Austerlitz or Montparnasse
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-ceebee23
It is now Nov 2021. a lot has happened in the sleeper space since last year. is SNCF done anything new in the international sleeper arena? or have the left the field like DB. left it to OBB and any number of competitors?
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It is now Nov 2021. a lot has happened in the sleeper space since last year. is SNCF done anything new in the international sleeper arena? or have the left the field like DB. left it to OBB and any number of competitors?
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-mseg1437
Very interesting project. I have a question: what do you think about the re-launch of autotrains which would make sense for electric car which have a limited range and a charging time much longer than thermic cars?
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Very interesting project. I have a question: what do you think about the re-launch of autotrains which would make sense for electric car which have a limited range and a charging time much longer than thermic cars?
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train
Is it really the very last night train between France and Spain? This is kind of sad. I hoped so much to travel between Paris and Spain this way once. Why are they killing night trains all the time?
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Is it really the very last night train between France and Spain? This is kind of sad. I hoped so much to travel between Paris and Spain this way once. Why are they killing night trains all the time?
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-samtrak1204
I love your silent videos with text and I agree night trains should offer food and beverage service and a place to sit so passengers can socialize and learn from different cultures onboard.
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I love your silent videos with text and I agree night trains should offer food and beverage service and a place to sit so passengers can socialize and learn from different cultures onboard.
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-amtrakharry
Another great trip report!
I wish you could get a room by yourself as I am not crazy about sharing a room as I need a electrical out let for my machine. Not trying to be snobby either.
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Another great trip report!
I wish you could get a room by yourself as I am not crazy about sharing a room as I need a electrical out let for my machine. Not trying to be snobby either.
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-pega17pl
(6: 35) I noted at map one part of train has destination to Briancon By watching some videos of -Bruno- I got opinion these trains start at Paris as complete trains not as parts. - Heinz
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(6: 35) I noted at map one part of train has destination to Briancon By watching some videos of -Bruno- I got opinion these trains start at Paris as complete trains not as parts. - Heinz
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-elroysterckx242
Why doesnt france run overnight trains over the HSL? i think they are now doing it in Belgium with the Nightjet to vienna i think it runs over HSL 2 and 3 till the german border
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Why doesnt france run overnight trains over the HSL? i think they are now doing it in Belgium with the Nightjet to vienna i think it runs over HSL 2 and 3 till the german border
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-johnnygomez7063
If I dinnt know that its a french train line - I would think that its a east Balkan train video or video from India. French trains look really bad, so old and so non-cared.
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If I dinnt know that its a french train line - I would think that its a east Balkan train video or video from India. French trains look really bad, so old and so non-cared.
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-marcosdebrito2028
I'm intrigue! You share a room with other people. Is your luggage secure some how? If people leave the train while your are asleep. Can your luggage be stolen? Thank you!
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I'm intrigue! You share a room with other people. Is your luggage secure some how? If people leave the train while your are asleep. Can your luggage be stolen? Thank you!
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-ghoshprameet
I prefer night trains for my business trip as I get proper 6 hours sleep. Morning flights are either costly or you have to wake up very early to catch them.
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I prefer night trains for my business trip as I get proper 6 hours sleep. Morning flights are either costly or you have to wake up very early to catch them.
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train
I am thinking about taking the one from Latour de Carol to Paris, seated on second class. But I don't think if it's worth it. Could you do a review in the future.
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I am thinking about taking the one from Latour de Carol to Paris, seated on second class. But I don't think if it's worth it. Could you do a review in the future.
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-jonhartley
This is a sad reflection on SNCF. We are used to them providing a good level of service and this fails in almost every department. Urgent action required!
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This is a sad reflection on SNCF. We are used to them providing a good level of service and this fails in almost every department. Urgent action required!
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-IIITheSTpiLotIII
this is soooo epic! i wish we had more trains like that in france, happy to see that it gains popularity again! nice vid, ty! : )
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this is soooo epic! i wish we had more trains like that in france, happy to see that it gains popularity again! nice vid, ty! : )
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-richard526
Is Renfe-s -tren hotel- still running overnight to several European cities including Paris? It-s also an overnight train.
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Is Renfe-s -tren hotel- still running overnight to several European cities including Paris? It-s also an overnight train.
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-TokenChineseGuy
Yeah, I didn-t need to know that overnight and sleeper trains were slowly going extinct in Europe. Very disturbing.
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Yeah, I didn-t need to know that overnight and sleeper trains were slowly going extinct in Europe. Very disturbing.
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