Revolution in Night Trains with the New Nightjet Trains

Written by Tolt

Published on November 19, 2023, modified on May 14, 2024

We had the opportunity to test the new Nightjet night trains from ÖBB in a preview.

A few days ago, Thibault Constant and Tolt were invited to discover the new Nightjet sleeper trains from the Austrian company ÖBB, in a world Premier event. A perfect opportunity for us to share our impressions, introduce each comfort category, and a major innovation that could revolutionize the world of railways.

Noteworthy Innovations

• Mini-cabins (more details below)
• Induction chargers for wireless phone charging
• NFC "locks" to prevent luggage theft
• Control panels for adjusting brightness (intensity & color)

What we liked

• Very good Wi-Fi quality
• Space for luggage, up to 6 bikes, pushchairs, skis & snowboards
• Modern and sleek design

What we didn't like

• No drinking water fountain (It's high time we stopped using single use plastic!)
• No shower in couchette comfort/mini-cabin cars
• Hard and minimally reclining seats in sitting cars (unthinkable for an overnight journey)
• Noise when using the control panel
• Sliding door of mini-cabins closing with the train's movement

What are the different comfort categories of the new Nightjet night trains?

Sitting cars and multifunctional space

Sitting cars and multifunctional space

Unlike the old generations of Nightjet, which had compartments for up to 6 people, the new sitting cars have open seating with continuous seats, seemingly less suitable for overnight travel. They feature free Wi-Fi, a foldable armrest, an integrated reading lamp in the seat, continuous headrest, and ample storage possibilities.

Multifunctional area

The multifunctional space has 6 bike slots and areas for luggage, strollers, skis, and snowboards.

Barrier-free compartment comfort

Barrier-free compartment comfort

This compartment is reserved for people with reduced mobility, accommodating up to two wheelchair users and two companions, with a low-floor car and nearby PRM toilet.

Couchette car comfort

Couchette car comfort

These modern and sleek 4-person compartments allow families and groups to travel comfortably at a more attractive rate than the following ranges.

Mini cabin

Tolt enthusiast about spending the night in a mini cabin

The major innovation of this new generation of sleeper trains: individual berths. Thibault and Tolt were able to test this specific experience, which they both shared in a video on their YouTube channels.

These rolling capsule hotels offer better privacy and should convince those who do not want to endure the snoring and smells of their neighbors.

Sleeping car comfort

Sleeping car comfort

Compartments for one or two people offering superior comfort, especially with private facilities (WC and shower). Note that some beds are oriented in the direction of travel.

Sleeping car comfort plus

Sleeping car comfort plus

These compartments offer a level of comfort similar to the previous range, with the only difference being that the shower is separate from the toilet.

The revolution of night trains is underway!

In conclusion, the few issues observed seem easy to address before the introduction of these new trains. This preview test of the new generation of Nightjets turned out to be very exciting! The Austrian company and Siemens, the manufacturer, are taking a lead over other European carriers to meet the growing demand for night trains. We hope that other actors will follow suit because the development of this mode of transport is part of the responses to provide for long-distance mobility in the context of the climate crisis we are facing.