"Downgraded, ridiculous compensation, not received after 19 days"

Downgraded a 478€ ticket from sleeper to couchettes on Sept 11.
100€ offered as a ridiculous compensation, non-compliant with EU law, and still waiting for it to credit on my PayPal account.
Shady business practices to say the least.
My recommendation: don’t do it

"Old wagons"

Old wagons, toilet defect, smaal sleepplaces

"OK but not perfect …"

Given the well publicised disruption owing to track maintenance on German railways, the Sleeper kept quite close to scheduled time. We were disappointed that though we had booked places with air conditioning, there was none and so we travelled with the window open and too much ventilation. The breakfast was good value at €10 and the carriage attendant looked after us well.

"everything OK"

everything OK. Would be even better if people starting at the same place could be grouped in one compartment, so that there is no disturbance in the late evening/night.

"Een zeer leuke reiservaring Antwerpen-Dresden"

Een zeer leuke reiservaring Antwerpen-Dresden. Het was van de jaren 70 geleden dat we nog eens met een slaaptrein reisden. Zeer goed geslapen in een privé-coupé. Tijdens de heenreis geluidsoverlast van lawaaierige buren, dat wel. En tijdens de terugreis keek iemand een film op volle geluidssterkte tot 01.30u 's nachts. Misschien duidelijke gedragsrichtlijnen afspreken met controle 's nachts door de treinbegeleiders om ieders nachtrust te laten respecteren? Wij gaan in alle geval nog veel gebruik maken van jullie treinen. Ontbijt was ook prima.

"Everything perfect"

Everything perfect

"The boarding sign is not clear enough…"

The boarding sign is not clear enough in Prague. Also, it takes some effort to find my cabin.

"Stewards heel vriendelijk en behulpzaam"

Stewards heel vriendelijk en behulpzaam

"Brussels to Prague on the European Sleeper"

I thought I'd give the European Sleeper a go, as I hadn't been to Prague before and this seemed a fun way to do the trip. I used to fly a lot for work, and I don't really enjoy flying anymore. A few days before the trip the sleeper coach I had booked went tech, so I was 'downgraded' (with a 50 euro refund) into a five berth couchette, solo occupancy. I was a bit pensive to be honest. Getting on at Brussels the crew were super friendly and informative. My couchette turned out to be a joy! Now, if you're into super clinical air conditioned trains with no soul this is not for you. But I let down the window and rode through Belgium and the Netherlands with my head in the fresh air like I used to when I was a child. It was magical. I did the same every time we stopped, because - unlike flying - it was so interesting to actually be in places you would not otherwise see.

Instead of an inconvenience to be got through as fast as possible, the journey itself became part of the whole experience. Berlin in the foggy dawn, then dear Dresden in the rain and then the sun came out as we rolled along the magnificent Elbe into Czechia.

So many people waved at the train on the way - I guess it looks so different to more modern, bland looking trains it catches peoples attention.

Arriving in Prague it was was great to ride through the suburbs, over the river Vlatava, and along the Nové spojení into Praha hlavní nádraží pretty much on time.

When it came to the return trip, and the other sleeper also went tech I was actually pleased to be travelling in a couchette again, with the window down. Utter, daft childish joy.

I will do it again for sure - and although I do want to sample the sleeper, honestly a five berth couchette on your own is like travelling across Europe in your own room.

I hope it's a success, and that one day there is new rolling stock but honestly, being able to ride a train that was from the 80s/90s through the heart of Europe on a beautiful late-summers evening and night was such a treat. Just for those 15 hours I felt like a boy again, at the start of a great adventure.

So thanks for the memories European Sleeper.... I will see you again soon.

"A great first journey"

The train was well on time, the sheets were clean and I felt safe in the all-women compartment.