What couchette cars look like in different countries. Photo

Traveling by train is not always exciting and memorable. Often, unbearable stuffiness and dirt in the carriage spoil the experience.

While Ukrzaliznytsia is only boasting about the concepts of modernized couchette cars, OBOZREVATEL has found out what they look like on budget trains abroad.

• Japan

The most unusual couchette cars in the world can be seen in Japan. The Sunrise Izumo night trains have two floors, called Nobi Nobi seats.

The bunk shelves inside are located only on one side of the car and close to each other. They are separated by partitions.

The floor of the car and the shelves themselves are covered with carpet. The luggage compartments are located at the top, like in an airplane.

• Canada

Couchette cars in Canada are available only on long-distance trains. The most budget-friendly seats are double folding seats that can be turned into soft seats during the day. There are only 3 of them per car.

Canadian budget trains also have a common lounge with free snacks for passengers and an observation dome with large windows to enjoy the views.

• USA

In he US, a couchette car ticket is more expensive than an airplane one. That's why a reserved seat is an expensive treat for both Americans and tourists.

Such trains have seats that can be laid out almost horizontally. They are also equipped with folding tables, and the distance between the seats is enough not to disturb anyone.

Only compartment coaches are equipped with full sleeper bunks, and the cost of traveling in them is much higher than the cost of a flight.

• Austria

In Europe, distances are short, so night trains have a number of features. There are seats in a common car or in a 6-seater compartment coach, something in between a compartment and a reserved seat, as well as couchette car with a bathroom.

The 6-seater compartment coach with three levels of shelves and a folding table between them resembles the usual couchette car.

The doors are closed at night, but this is a small relief compared to the fact that several other people are literally "on top of you."

Students and groups of tourists most often travel in such cars.

• China

In China, there are only folding tables and seats. Sleeping places are located only on one side of the corridor and they are six-seater, three shelves high.

A special staircase is provided to climb up. The main disadvantage of Chinese traditional couchette cars is the lack of luggage space.

China also has updated couchette cars with seats on both sides of the corridor and more private compartments.

Each seat is equipped with a cabinet, lighting, and an outlet. There is enough space for luggage under the shelves. Passengers are provided with disposable slippers and a buckwheat pillow for sleeping along with bedding.

• India

An Indian couchette car will shock even Ukrainians who are used to packed cars in 30-degree heat. The fact is that in cars with two shelves in height there are six sleeping places per compartment, and in cars with three shelves - there are nine.

Bed linen is not included in the price, so many people don't bother and sleep on the bare shelves. In General class cars, however, tickets are sold without specifying seats, so Indians who don't have time to take a seat on the couch sit on the floor.

Despite the fact that the interior of other cars seems creepy, the demand for rail travel is not decreasing even among tourists.

• Thailand

Couchette cars in Thailand offer a second class of comfort. Sleeping places are located along the aisle, two seats high. Passengers can separate themselves from others with the help of curtains.

There are stairs between the lower shelves that can be used to climb to the upper shelf, but everyone tries to buy a seat at the bottom because the windows in the cars are very low. Because of this, it is customary to travel lying down on Thai trains only at night, and during the day, the upper shelves are folded and passengers sit in chairs at a table.