Nightjet Train — Sleep Across Europe

The Nightjet is ÖBB's (Austrian Federal Railways) overnight train network, Europe's largest. Launched under the Nightjet brand in December 2016, it connects over 27 destinations across 13+ countries including Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, and beyond. Trains depart in the evening and arrive the following morning, turning travel time into rest time. Book your Nightjet tickets here.

Nightjet offers three accommodation types: Seat — reclining seats in open carriages, the most affordable option; Couchette — berths in shared 4-berth compartments or mini-suite capsules (new fleet) with pillow, blanket, and sheet included; and Sleeper Cabin — private lockable cabins for 1–3 passengers with full horizontal beds, breakfast included, and en-suite shower rooms on the new ÖBB fleet.

Nightjet is not a high-speed train — it is an overnight service designed for comfort and range rather than maximum speed. Trains typically cruise at 100–160 km/h depending on the line and country. Journey times range from around 8 hours (shorter routes) to 15–16 hours on longer international runs such as Vienna to Brussels or Amsterdam.

WiFi availability depends on the train. The new Nightjet fleet built by Siemens Mobility (entering service from 2023 onwards) is equipped with passenger WiFi. Older carriages on legacy routes may not have WiFi. When booking, check the specific rolling stock assigned to your service for the most up-to-date information.

Yes — a seat or berth reservation is mandatory on all Nightjet services. You cannot simply board with a rail pass or open ticket. Eurail and Interrail passholders must purchase a Nightjet reservation supplement (at a reduced rate compared to full ticket prices) to guarantee their chosen accommodation type. Reservations are especially important as sleeper cabins and couchettes often sell out weeks in advance on popular routes.

Yes. Children aged 0–5 travel free on Nightjet when accompanied by a paying adult and sharing the same berth. Children aged 6–14 are entitled to reduced fares. Families can request adjacent berths or entire couchette compartments to ensure everyone is together. For sleeper cabins, a cabin can accommodate up to 3 passengers, making it suitable for a family of three.

Bicycle transport is available on most Nightjet routes in a dedicated luggage carriage, but must be booked and paid for separately in advance — spaces are very limited and cannot be reserved on the day of travel. Folding bicycles that are fully folded and stored in a protective bag can be carried as regular luggage at no extra charge.

Yes, both Eurail and Interrail passes are accepted on Nightjet trains. However, passholders must still book and pay a mandatory reservation supplement to secure their berth. The supplement fee is considerably lower than a full ticket, making pass + reservation excellent value — especially for longer routes or multiple journeys. Book early as berths sell out quickly.