SLOVAKIA'S RETRO NIGHT TRAINS - ZSSK Sleeper Train Review at a GREAT Price!
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- Hello, and welcome back to another train trip report on my channel.
In this video I will be travelling on-board a ZSSK WLAB sleeper coach from Bratislava-Nové Mesto to Prešov.
Slovakia has a good provison of overnight sleeper trains, using an array of different types of carriages. I am travelling in one of the retro ones, which feels like an overnight trip back in time to the days of Czechoslovak railways. It's a great experience - at a great price.
Enjoy the video. :)
#zssk #nighttrains #tripreport
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Journey Details:
Origin: Bratislava-Nové Mesto
Destination: Prešov
Company: Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK)
Train: ZSSK 350 / ZSSK 362 / ZSSK 754 + ZSSK WLAB
Accommodation: Private Sleeper Compartment (T3)
Distance: 307 miles / 494 kilometres
Price: €49.92 (£42.93 / $59.60)
Time: 9h04m + 17L
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Retro? Oh my goodness, I wish I had taken some video of when I was living in Slovakia in 2008. These trains were considered the modern ones back then! I would often take the "REALLY OLD SCHOOL" ZSSK train from Bratislava to Topolcany (about a 3 hour journey back then with all it's many stops) and they were REALLY old carriages. They had large wooden sleigh type bench arrangements with brown leather seating surfaces and wood everywhere. I LOVED my weekly journey to Topolcany in those old trains. There is something very nostalgic and romantic about those train rides! I wish I could do it again. I doubt it they use those old coaches, they had to be from the 60's I think, maybe even earlier! Love it, thanks for bringing back some memories for me of my Slovak days!
Haha, sounds awesome! I really like these carriages too, they get the basics right.
Great video! Nice to see ZSSK's sleeper, I didn't know that these WLAB coaches are still in operation .. the interior of the coach reminds me a bit of my grandmother's old apartment :-D
Does CZ still have any like this?
@@SuperalbsTravels ČD operates only newer sleeper coaches, mainly WLABmz, the same ones as ÖBB operates on NightJet services.
@@PeteBrandy That's a shame. Think I've had an older carriage on the Humenné train once.
@@SuperalbsTravels Sometimes are there also ČD's WLABmee, but they are not so old school as the Slovak ones .. Also maybe you catch some backup coach. And yes, RegioJet is using older sleepers (they are former couchettes)
The red and blue sink controls really cracked me up. Gave the impression they controlled some main water valve! Excellent report!
Thank you very much!
Finally someone reviewed a ZSSK sleeper good to know what to expect when I’ll travel on one next summer, great video
Thanks, hope you enjoy that!
I really enjoyed that. I wouldn't mind trying that myself. Thank you, super video. 😊
You should, it's a great experience!
On a trip to the Soviet Union in 1985 we were advised to take a multi-size plug with us. True enough we needed it. Looks like it's still a tradition on Slovak sleepers too :-)
Great post, I love your sleeper train posts and this one really tickled me as it immediately put my mind back to a 60 s cross country espionage film the compartment was so retro I certainly would love to ride on it and so cheap to, I’ve said to my wife that our next continental holiday will be mostly rail travel with night trains and spending a couple of days seeing the sights and then onto the next city via the sleeper train, I’ll go through your posts and try and sort out an itinerary for 10 days European travel and if I have half as much fun as you I’ll be happy
Fantastic, sounds like you've got a great future trip to come!
Thanks for the great review. I would definitely take this retro sleeper - really cozy and brightened by the patterned bedding. I would also feel very safe with all those locks! I assume you can buy a hot cuppa in the morning? If not...one can always bring a thermos ☕
Coffee/tea is complimentary
@@azazelo80 Excellent - thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it, definitely worth trying out. Wish I had known about the hot drinks... :|
Really good price for a single sleeper cabin and the service looks more than decent. In the future I want to try a ZSSK sleeper, never did yet.
Great video. Like it.
Thanks, it is a great deal, especially considering how far in advance I booked - or not, rather!
@@SuperalbsTravels there's a sleeper train from Prague to Kosice that carries cars. It's called EuroNight "Slovakia"
Nice video! The "retro" that not so long ago was still an everyday (or everynight) nightmare for many passengers 😂 The wooden interior reminds me of my longest, hottest (no A/C) and loudest train journeys across Poland. Espiecially this sink, that seems to have a direct outflow on the tracks and conveying the noise into the compartment :D
The price is ok, regarding a single occupancy, but from Polish perspective, I wouldn't be happy if I have to share the compartment with someone in such standard (regarding the car condition and lack of restaurant car/fresh breakfast). Honestly, I hope that more railways will try to adapt to NightJet's sleeping standards ;)
Btw this closet with lamp inside also reminds me my grandmother's house! So "meblościanka na wysoki połysk" vibe!
Oh I know what these carriages are like in summer hahaha.
What a great trip on classic sleeper coach.
Pilsener Urquell 12% for 2.50 :) I'd love that
I think the whiteboard eraser is probably for cleaning your shoes.
Yes, you're probably right. I think they had shoe cleaning stuff in the goody bag on the Penzance sleeper when we took it maybe 20 years ago
Good shout, didn't think of that!
As for the beeping noise which is made by turning lights on, here is explanation. Long linear fluorescent tubes, here I assume 36W or 40W, need 220V supply to work, preferably alternating current. Old coaches like here mostly have 24V direct current, too low voltage to directly power fluorescent lamps. Therefore there is a need for conversion of 24V DC to 220V AC. Here it is done by a transistor inverters, each lamp has its own individual inverter. What is the source of beeping noise? It is the transistor inverter that powers fluorescent lamps. The ignition of arc inside the tube puts additional strain on the inverter which causes it to emit said noise. Once arc inside tube is stable, inverter operates within nominal parameters so it is quiet. Most trains in Europe with fluorescent lamps have them operating on the same principle, simply modern inverters have more advanced components which are quiet all the time. I have a question myself, is the full lighting setting two tubes lit, dimmed one tube lit and off means no tubes, just the small incandescent like at 6:28? Daytime ZSSK trains with compartment coaches have just two settings, all tubes or incandescent with no tubes. By comparison PKP Intercity compartment coaches have three settings. So I wonder how the sleeper here compares to the rest.
Thanks for that - very interesting! Unfortunately, I can't remember the details about this carriage's lighting, the journey was over a year ago. :(
Nicely done. You are right, it looks very cozy.
Thank you! 😊
Nice journey did you find the sleeper quite comfortable still I like the interior of the compartment it is nice I do agree with you that is it a great experience.
Yes I did, a good journey overall. :)
As a Slovakian/Scottish railfan I really enjoy these videos, I would say these old sleeper coaches are very likely about to become the next target of some EU-assisted modernising programmes - in Slovakia traditionally coaches are refurbished by stripping everything above the wheels but keeping the chassis.
I hope I can travel on one of those next year, tho!
I've seen some of the conversion jobs they've done! Almost unrecognisable to be honest.
Great Video and yes i would love to go that sleeper maybe one day.
Thanks, you should definitely!
Omg! Thanks for coming to Slovakia❤️
No problem, it's lovely. I will visit more when they remove mask laws! 😃
Enjoyable, as always!
Thanks!
Great video !!
Thank you! 😃🥰
Lovely video! Top marks from ZSSK in my opinion there (except for their very bad French translation at 10:39 lol). Mega bargain for a sleeper train with absolutely lovely stock!
French translation just as good as the English translation then? :)
@@SuperalbsTravels Oh, no! The English is actually pretty good, compared to the French😅
@@trainlagged Oh dear!!
I don't at all mind if a compartment is a tad old school. It sometimes helps make it feel more welcoming than the typical sterile modern interiors. Especially from the early 2000's. Plus if it keeps prices down that's even better
I agree, it was so welcoming, and made for a pleasant, cosy journey.
Enjoyable video, thanks. The only overnight service I've travelled on was many years ago from Basel to Calais and that was in a standard compartment (very uncomfortable). Must try out some night services.
I'd highly recommend trying more out! Sadly, that route is long gone now...
@@SuperalbsTravels Sadly yes. In my childhood, we caught the Sealink ferry from Folkstone harbour or Dover western dock to Calais, then overnight on couchette to Interlaken. When we first did it in the early 80's there were scrapped 141R steam engines outside Calais.... Folkstone harbour and dover western dock gone too. Many happy memories though! Except one year.... the couchettes were not as secure back then and could be unlocked from the outside, we were robbed of passports and money during the night.
That was my first overnight rail journey route too, but fortunately in a couchette bunk - although didn't get much sleep as it was on a school trip to Switzerland.
I remember thinking how the drab olive livery of the carriages looked rather military.
You missed the complimentary coffee / tea in the morning. Steward usually asks the passengers what's their choice in the evening and then he should serve it 30 mins before getting off.
Ahh, I didn't know that. Annoying!
Yeah, I've been on exactly same type of old ZSSK sleeper train and stevard came to me with tea in the morning
Well. I am quite surprised with the sink. I travelled with sleeper train 2-3 times, but with WD Rail and only in 6 bed carriage to the Prague. Anyways, I used ZSSK train more often in last 4 years-almost every train is late and when you have Tatra Studénka (Pantograf) as an Os train, it gets even more...lets say interesting.
The “whiteboard eraser” is a cleaner for leather shoes.
Thanks, that seems about right! :)
Seem comfy if a bit dated. Refurbishment due? SJ in Sweden are refurbishing old sleepers some of which were built in 1964 and suffer from corrosion of the doors. Presumably way cheaper than buying new sleepers.
Sleeper trains just typically last a lot longer than normal stock around the world in general.
I once stayed in a hotel consisting of a set of 1950s British sleeping carriages with wooden veneer interiors, north of York. I think they combined two cabins for each 'room' - but it still felt a bit cramped, to be honest, and was not all that comfortable. I think there was a breakfast provided (perhaps in a buffet car? but I can't recall it at all). As a novelty, it was interesting, but cost the same as a normal hotel, so I only used it once.
That sounds really cool!
Because this Trip Report i will test it from Bratislava to Kosice 😅
Awesome video
Thanks! :)
Was the whiteboard eraser a shoe polish sponge?
I was on the Zemplin train the other night, which uses the same sleeper coaches. Ancient is one way of wording it. That said, it was a comfortable sleep, bar some violent rocking of the train at one point.
Nice one, I've not tried that route, but given the prices, I should do it soon. :)
Great Video good job👍
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks! :)
Yes man, lock the door, they can steal your dreams hehe. BTW, How can you sleep with "So many" Loco changes and directions? 🤔 ? Cool retro ride, yes I would do it for the fun of it.
The only time I went on a sleeper, I slept through 2 direction changes no problem. I knew that there was going to be at least 1, so I was probably subconsciously expecting it. I tend to find when I'm awake, reverses only come as a surprise if I'm not familiar with the route.
I know, it's hard to sleep when you need to go and check what loco is on the front all the time! 😅
Great One Superabls
Thanks a lot! :D
@@SuperalbsTravels 😀
Fascinating insight to ZSSK railways. The retro sleeper is a bit too retro for me although it did look comfortable enough. I also wonder why station platforms are so poorly lit? Are nuts a national dish? I could be tempted though...
Not a fan of the Czechoslovak interior design? 😃
@@SuperalbsTravels - I LOVE that old "communist era" type interiors! I think it's so cool to experience that before it's gone! Thanks for sharing!
Looks like a great deal, considering that you didn't have to pay for a hotel that night. That was a lot of food for one person. Lucky you!!!
Exactly! A secret little bargain that. :)
Love ur vids, i wish to go traveling by trains as well when i get older!
Thanks so much, I hope you can, it's a great experience. :)
Great video. Tbh I was surprised that Slovakia, being small, even had night trains
Me too, but there's actually about three pairs of them every night!
Denmark use to have internal night trains as did South Korea and Scotland although none of them do now.
Denmark happened to use Mk3 coaches too, and apparently it was a well received service.
this night service did go around the houses big time....lot of time wasted...in the capital....2nd it went all around the houses....you could do this journey with a inter city train,,,,,,would take almost half the time.......it would travel via trencin zilina.......not the nove zamky...back way.....
Slovak citizens have what I think is a unique behavior. There is not often proper work in all the small villages dotting the Countryside, so many people commute overnight on the rail into the Capital of Bratislava for work during the week. Then on Friday, they get back on the train and head back to their village to be with family. Bratislava has an incredible population shift every week. This was back in 2008, but the population would often swell from only 250,000 on the weekends to over 400,000 during the week. It's crazy how many people would go back and forth each week for work. So I think there was a constant demand for the night trains, especially going far east to Presov and Kosice. I miss my experience in Slovakia, it was pretty incredible!
Looks like they still use a fair bit of the old Czechoslovakian Railways (CZ) rolling stock.
Absolutely! Škoda locomotives still rule the roost in many areas, and good thing too, as they are great.
Great one! Also, can you make a video about the new Heathrow Express trains?
I've recorded one, I will try and make it soon.
@@SuperalbsTravels thanks mate!
@@SuperalbsTravels you did the travel with first class or second class?
@@beuhrail603 Second!
Wow the station at Bratislava isn’t very well lit up at all.
Yeah, Nové Mesto seems to be a bit forgotten about...
So much of the infrastructure in Slovakia is still the old school buildings from the communism era and they REALLY didn't believe in spending money on lighting! hhehehe. I remember going to the Govt Hospital once and it was creepy! There were entire hallways with no lighting! I thought that was just so weird, considering that in the West Hospitals are lit up light the sun! hehehe.
Sure would go!!!!
Awesome! :)
Who is Bert, and why aren't you allowed to manipulate him? (10:33)
Looks like I might need to put this on my ever growing to do list. At this rate, I'll have plenty to keep me occupied until I'm 90.
Hahaha, I did find that funny. 😂
So they've finally built the train? Or this is not the one to Berlin?
It goes to Hamburg now
2:41
Isn't that the coolest sound? I love it!
I only want to say, that there is still less and less of these old sleeping cars in the country, because of continual modernisation and rebuilding of them.... But sure these old are still on routes....
That's a shame to hear, what are they being upgraded to, out of interest?
@@SuperalbsTravels I am not sure with the type of sleeping cars they are rebuilding them on but there are 3 factories made or rebuild train vehicles in the country.... Thanks to European funds there are money for that.... Sure, it should be faster but better than nothing.
2:03 This driver doesn't care your body.He drives like nothing happens,just time
I am HOPING that was an empty working!
@@SuperalbsTravels I hope it as well, but if that train was in passenger service,they would blame him 😂😂😂
Hahaha, I wouldn't want to be sleeping on it!
@@SuperalbsTravels So true haha
Are Slovakia’s railways the most efficient railways and the trains are mostly on time.
Trains on the main routes/lines are pretty efficient but I can’t really say that for most rural/branch lines like the one that I live next to (terribly timed services, Un welded track and slow speeds)
@@CreatorPolar Ok. Thanks for the info
I lived there for 3 years and found the rail service to be incredibly efficient most of the time. I think I would agree with Psykiky though about the rural areas. The trains are REALLY old and a throw back to the communism days. I still loved the journey I would take every week from Bratislava to Topolcany, but not always on time. I never expected punctuality anyways, just enjoyed the journey.
Whiteboard eraser is to take care of your shoes
Do a review on c2c 357
I did make one, but it was sadly corrupted and lost. :(
Why don't you make another one for next week's video
Because I'm not travelling to the other side of the country just to film a random generic unit, lol. Maybe as part of another trip in the future.
Ok I am not forcing you it was just an idea
Thanks! :)
I will try to do something on c2c as soon as I can.
Well the absence of hot drinks is pretty bad. The breakfast you showed is also not ideal for everyone.
There is always a restaurant near or in the station. I wouldn't eat this sugary stuff either.
From my experience Bratislava Nové mesto is always empty.
That station actually creeped me out when I lived there for 3 years! I would just catch the train in Hlavna Stanica. I just felt far more safer in the main rail station with others around.
@@TheStoneWhisperer Bro you "felt safer" on the main station? How is that possible? I always get panhandled by someone, and once some guy came up to me was like "Hey I have a taser for self defense do you have any money?"
ah; you seem to be far from home; The fares of this domestic Slovak sleeper trains and the fares of the caledonian sleeper train --> two worlds;
That's right! The cost of night trains out in Slovakia is far more agreeable.
I would liks to take this trip. Washroom?
There are toilets, but sadly nothing in the way of showers...
I’d take a hard pass on this I’m afraid 😒
Ooh, not a fan? 😥
@@SuperalbsTravels … a bit too “basic” decor and I wouldn’t eat that sugar breakfast either. 🤨. To each their own I suppose 🤷♂️
@@robyoungquist5803 It's strange, as sometimes breakfast is a fresh sandwich. I don't think there's any way to choose.