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French couchettes - private cabin

  • June 25, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 62 views

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From what I have read, it looks like you can only book a private compartment on the French sleeper (couchette, really) trains if you buy tickets directly and not if you buy using a pass discount.

Or, to put it another way, if you book with an Interrail pass you have no choice but to be in a shared compartment.

This post indicates you can/might be able to book by calling SNCF, but it’s a year old and things change.

Can anyone advise if you can book a private compartment over the phone?  My train dates aren’t on the system yet so I don’t think ringing SNCF to buy a hypothetical ticket will end well.

Is there is any other way to ensure a private compartment?

And finally . . . is this just something the booking engine can’t support, but SNCF can, or is it just a programming/loading oversight?

Best answer by rvdborgt

SNCF did previously have pass fares for a private compartment but not anymore.

You could book all couchettes, and check that they're in the same compartment.

3 replies

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  • Railly clever
  • June 25, 2025

It is normal that there aren't any Interrail prices for private compartment. That's the case for at least SJ and ÖBB. 


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  • Author
  • Engin-ius
  • June 25, 2025

I didn’t realise that.  The ones I have taken with a pass before have all been private, but they have generally been sleepers.  Interrresting.  I don’t mind paying a premium (because the carrier foregoes the other ticket revenue), but it seems strange (to me) that they don’t offer the option to pay that premium at all.

This could make my giant “sleepers all around Europe” planning a bit tricky.


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  • Railmaster
  • Answer
  • June 26, 2025

SNCF did previously have pass fares for a private compartment but not anymore.

You could book all couchettes, and check that they're in the same compartment.