Night Train - Budapest to Venice

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The morning of our departure from Satu Mare was beautiful. The weather has been outstanding with day time temperatures not falling below 26C. We had to get to Szolnok to see the exhibit of airplanes, jets, engines and other aircraft and related items. We took advantage of the excellent autostrada and our little Picasso seldom went below 130kph. Getting there took us through some very remote flat, farmland. Once in Szolnok I raced through the exhibit taking photographs. Once back in the car we headed to Budapest to get to Keleti Train Station. It is a fantastic enormous building. We were a bit delayed with highway construction and dropped our car 30 minutes prior to departure.

Prior to our trip I could only get information on the trip through Trentitalia the Italian state carrier. Their website showed new or renewed trains so we were excited at the prospect of travelling in style. To say we were disappointed is an understatement. The carriage sleeper was a 50 year old MAV (Hungarian state carrier) carriage renewed 20 years prior. The Rail Europe website asked if we wanted a private compartment - we paid for 2 not side by side. Jackie and I stayed in one and our luggage was safely locked away in the other. When booking sleeper car transportation remember to book only one private cabin for 2 people. Cabins are named by their seats so, for example, cabin 41, 42, 43 are all together and 51, 52, 53 are likewise.

Another tidbit, trains from one country to the next travelling on the corridor we were on will be stopped each and every time a border is crossed. Police and customs come aboard and wake you up, inspect your passport and if your papers are not to their liking kick you off and send you back the way you came. A total of at least 8 people in 3 cabins in our carriage were removed in to different countries. Police and customs target certain ethnic or religious groups.

We had a great sleep from that point on to Venice and when we woke in the morning it was to the glorious venetian harbour and a half dozen cruise ships. Keep one carry-on for both if you are a couple since there is very little room in a cabin or in the more crowded couchettes. We really wanted to make sure we had a sleeper car to ourselves so booked very early. Travelling from Eastern Europe mid September to May except for holidays this is not essential - buy your ticket a few days before at the station. It will be cheaper.

Venice is next, see you then.

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Photos

Keleti Train Station in Budapest
Inside Beautiful Keleti train station

MAV Sleeping Cabin
Carriage was old but provided a good nights sleep.

Venice Train Station
Venice train station in the morning