The long-awaited Nice-Paris night train got ‘back on track’ in May 2021. Monaco Tribune made one of the first journeys to see whether the second-class journey deserves a first-class rating! Here’s what to expect from the 12-hour trip.
Departing from Paris-Austerlitz station at 8.52 pm, the obvious advantage of this mode of transport is that it saves time. Opting for the overnight train means you get to spend more time relaxing in the Luxembourg Gardens or shopping on the Champs Élysées, because you don’t spend a day travelling. Plus, the 687-kilometre journey is much better for your carbon footprint than a flight.
What does it look like on the inside?
A narrow corridor leads to the end of the carriage, which is divided into sleeping compartments with bunk beds. There are up to 4 passengers in first class and up to 6 in second class. Although the compartments are rather cramped, there is room to store a suitcase and even an area reserved for bicycles at the end of the carriage (provided you book in advance). Small bathrooms with toilets and washbasins are also available on board.
PJs or not?
It’s a mistake we made, so you won’t have to! With six people per cabin, there was even less privacy and space than we had imagined. In fact, the ceiling was so low that the people in the upper berth only had room to lie down and had to bend their necks if they wanted to sit up. This is one of the few downsides of the trip. Instead of pyjamas, most travellers wore comfortable clothes (sweatpants, leggings, etc.). Clothes you can sleep in, but also wear on arrival.
To save time and avoid rummaging around in the cabin, remember to keep everything you’ll need for the evening within easy reach in your rucksack or in a separate overnight bag.
You should also choose your bunk carefully. Bear in mind that people with mobility issues may have difficulty getting into the middle or top bunks. As we quickly realised, on a summer night, the upper bunks are often hotter, despite the air conditioning.
Will I actually get any sleep?
Surprisingly, yes! Although you can hear the sound of the train on the tracks all night long, the rocking motion is very soothing and helps you fall asleep. You can also use earplugs to cut out the noise.
Forgot your earplugs? Don’t fret! By your bed, you’ll find an overnight kit containing a bottle of water, a mask and earplugs, tissues, a wet wipe and a chewable toothpaste tablet.
Does it feel safe?
With a women-only carriage, doors that lock from the inside and a steward on hand at the information point if required… the answer is yes! And although the train stops in eight towns, there are no stops between midnight and 6am. So you can rest easy. All being well, you should arrive at Nice-Ville station at 9.06 am.
A final word of advice: take an extra bottle of water and a snack or even a meal with you to save money and get a good night’s sleep. Or the SNCF can provide those if you book in advance. WIFI is not yet available on the train, so you may want to download films or games in advance.
To sum up, we strongly recommend that you take the night train for your next trip between the City of Light and the Bay of Angels. A fun, ecological and economical way to travel. Single tickets cost between €35 and €65 and can be booked on the SNCF website. More good news is that you can also travel with your pet, as long as they have a ticket.