Nightjet is the overnight rail brand of ÖBB, Austrian Federal Railways, and it has become the backbone of the European sleeper revival. From a handful of routes a decade ago, it now serves over two dozen city pairs across a dozen countries — and the network is still growing. If you are planning a night train journey in Europe, there is a good chance Nightjet is part of the picture.
How Nightjet became the dominant overnight operator
The story of Nightjet's rise begins with other operators' retreat. When Deutsche Bahn withdrew from overnight rail in 2016 and Trenitalia reduced its overnight network, ÖBB moved in the opposite direction: it bought the rolling stock, absorbed many of the routes and rebranded the whole operation as Nightjet. The gamble paid off. Ridership grew year on year, investment in new rolling stock followed, and the brand became synonymous with European overnight rail.
ÖBB has since ordered an entirely new fleet of Nightjet carriages — entering service progressively from the mid 2020s — with upgraded sleeper cabins, improved couchettes and modern accessibility features. The new carriages are gradually replacing the older rolling stock that formed the backbone of the original fleet.
The network: where Nightjet goes
Nightjet's core hub is Austria — Vienna, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Graz and Bregenz all serve as departure or passing points — but the routes extend far beyond. The current network broadly covers:
- Germany: Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich are all served, connecting to Austrian and Italian destinations.
- The Netherlands and Belgium: Amsterdam and Brussels connect to Vienna, Innsbruck and Zurich.
- Switzerland: Zurich is a major Nightjet stop on several routes and a useful connection point.
- Italy: Rome, Venice, Milan, Florence and Verona are served, mostly on routes starting from Germany or Austria.
- France: Paris features on newer Nightjet routes, with services expanding as part of the Franco-Austrian push for more overnight connectivity.
- Czech Republic and Eastern Europe: Some services reach Prague and other Central European cities.
Routes are added and adjusted; always check the ÖBB website for the current network map before planning around a specific city pair. The Man in Seat 61 also maintains an up-to-date overview of which routes are running.
Accommodation classes on Nightjet
Every Nightjet train carries a mix of accommodation, and which you choose makes a significant difference to the experience and the price:
Seated couchette (Sitzwagen)
On some services, Nightjet carries a standard seated carriage — the cheapest option, with no berth. For shorter overnight hops (under five or six hours) this is workable; for longer journeys across Austria and into Germany or Italy, it is a genuinely uncomfortable way to spend a night and best avoided if budget allows.
Couchette (Liegewagen)
The couchette compartment has six berths arranged in two tiers of three, with a pillow, blanket and in the new carriages, a liner-style sleeping bag. It is a shared compartment with up to five other passengers. You remain clothed. The new Nightjet couchette cars are noticeably better than the older ones: cleaner, quieter and with individual reading lights and phone charging at each berth. This is the standard choice for most Nightjet passengers — affordable, practical and genuinely restful on a long journey.
Sleeper cabin (Schlafwagen)
Private sleeper cabins are Nightjet's premium offering. The standard cabin sleeps one to three people, with beds made up with sheets and a duvet, a washbasin in the room, and breakfast delivered to your door in the morning. The new fleet's deluxe cabins add an en suite shower and toilet — a significant upgrade from the older stock where shared corridor facilities were the norm.
Prices for private cabins are substantially higher than couchettes, but when you factor in the accommodation you are not paying for, the comparison looks different. A Vienna–Amsterdam cabin for one person, booked with advance fares, is often competitive with the combined cost of flying plus a night in a central Amsterdam hotel.
How to book Nightjet
The primary booking channel is the ÖBB website (oebb.at), which gives access to the full Nightjet network, all accommodation classes and advance fares. Key points:
- Book as far in advance as possible — private cabins on popular routes (Vienna–Amsterdam, Vienna–Hamburg, Vienna–Rome) sell out months ahead in summer.
- Advance fares are meaningfully cheaper than flexible or last-minute prices.
- Rail pass holders can book couchette and sleeper reservations through the ÖBB site or via the Interrail/Eurail apps, selecting the "pass holder" fare option.
- Some routes are also bookable via Deutsche Bahn and other national rail sites, though ÖBB direct is usually simplest.
- For connections before or after a Nightjet, ÖBB offers through ticketing on some corridors, simplifying the booking.
Using a rail pass on Nightjet
Both Interrail and Eurail passes are valid on Nightjet trains, and you must add a paid reservation for your accommodation class. The reservation covers your couchette berth or sleeper cabin — the pass alone will not get you aboard. Pass-holder reservation quotas are separate from general sale and can sell out independently of available cabins, so book early.
For a comparison of when passes make sense versus point-to-point tickets on Nightjet routes, see the rail passes explained guide.
Practical tips for the journey
- The sleeping-car attendant will introduce themselves when you board, take breakfast orders and often collect passports for overnight border crossings — hand yours over without concern, it is standard practice.
- New Nightjet carriages have individual USB charging points at each berth and in cabins; older carriages may not. A small power bank is useful backup.
- The restaurant car or mini-bar trolley usually operates for the first couple of hours after departure — board a little early if you want to eat on the train.
- Dress comfortably for sleeping; in a private cabin you may want to change into sleepwear. In a couchette, most passengers sleep in their clothes.
- Large luggage goes in the overhead rack or under the lowest berth. Keep a small bag with overnight essentials to hand.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nightjet the same as the old EuroNight trains?
Broadly yes. Nightjet absorbed many former EuroNight routes and rebranded them under the ÖBB banner. Some routes are operated jointly with partner railways (Deutsche Bahn, SBB, others), so the actual rolling stock may carry Nightjet branding while being part of a jointly-run service.
Which Nightjet route is the best for a first-time sleeper traveller?
Vienna to Zurich or Vienna to Venice are popular introductions: manageable journey lengths (around eight to nine hours), scenic approaches at each end and reliable service quality. Vienna to Amsterdam is a longer but very well-regarded route for those who want the full overnight experience. See the wider European night trains guide for context.
Does Nightjet serve the UK?
Not directly. There is no Channel Tunnel overnight service at present. However, you can take a daytime Eurostar and connect to a Nightjet departure from Brussels, Paris or Amsterdam in the evening, combining a UK departure with an overnight Continental leg.
What is included in a Nightjet sleeper cabin fare?
A continental breakfast is included in cabin fares — delivered to your door or available in the dining car depending on the route. Couchettes typically include a pillow, blanket or sleeping bag liner but not a full breakfast (though some routes do include a simpler breakfast snack). Check what is included for your specific route at booking.
Sources and further reading:
- Nightjet network, timetables and bookings: ÖBB (oebb.at).
- Practical Nightjet journey guides: The Man in Seat 61.
- Rail pass reservations on Nightjet: Interrail and Eurail websites and apps.
- European overnight rail policy context: European Commission.