A new generation of Nightjet sleeper trains has been launched in Austria featuring wraparound 'capsule' style cabins for solo travelers to the paying public.
The reviews have come in, with one YouTuber declaring that he was “very impressed with this new innovation.”
Austria's national railway company, ÖBB, unveiled the redesigned Nightjet in October, as we reported, with the new trains entering service on Sunday 10 December.
The “ultra-modern” single cabins include a movable fold-down table with a built-in mirror, coat hooks, a reading lamp, and adjacent lockers for handbags and shoes.
YouTuber and travel expert Eurotrip non stop It traveled more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) from Vienna to Hamburg, Germany in one of the new “capsules,” declaring it “the most innovative idea in sleeper trains for over 100 years.”
New generation Nightjet sleeper trains launched in Austria featuring wraparound 'capsule' style cabins for solo travelers to paying public
Austria's national railway company, ÖBB, unveiled the redesigned Nightjet in October, as we reported, with the new trains entering service on Sunday 10 December. Above is a single cabin
The photo above shows how the new capsule cabins are arranged throughout the vehicle
YouTuber and travel expert Nonstop Eurotrip traveled more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) from Vienna to Hamburg, Germany, in one of the new “pods” (left and right). He declared it “the most innovative idea in sleeper trains in more than 100 years.”
The YouTube user went on to say of the ride: “I'm very impressed with this new innovation.” I was very happy to spend the night in one of these rooms with excellent comfort and privacy.
“It looks really spacious as long as you're not too tall.”
“The mattress and pillow are both very comfortable.”
Upon joining the inaugural train ride, the YouTuber could only find one small downside, speculating that “the doors don't have an open-closed position,” meaning that once you're inside you can't easily keep the door in the open position.
In addition to the innovative individual capsules, the new generation collections, totaling 33, include extensively redesigned sleeping cars for one or two people and wagons for up to four people.
The capsule cabin comes complete with lockers for hand luggage and space for shoes
In addition to the innovative individual pods, the new generation collections, totaling 33, include extensively redesigned sleeping cars for one or two people and wagons for up to four people.
Sleeping cars feature private bathrooms – complete with showers – and a “comfortable” seating area so passengers can work, read or eat during the trip.
Each new Nightjet is also equipped with a 'modern' accessible trolley cabin, for use by up to two wheelchair users and an accompanying person. The barrier-free toilet can also be accessed via a low-floor doorway.
There are more storage options too, with six bicycle parking spaces for cycling enthusiasts plus more space for luggage, prams and sports equipment.
The new generation trains accommodate 254 passengers in seven-car configurations consisting of two seating cars, three mini-cars and two sleeping cars.
One of the most exciting Nightjet flights connects Vienna's Hauptbahnhof with Paris's Gare de l'Est, taking 14 hours.
Mark Smith, acclaimed creator The position of the man in seat 61He said: “The Paris-Berlin Nightjet restores the key link between East and West and will be very popular – it is already sold out for Friday and various other dates.”
Climate-conscious travelers are increasingly turning to long-distance rail, rediscovering what some of us have never forgotten – a 12-hour night trip while you sleep is more time efficient than a seven-hour high-speed day trip, or perhaps a five-hour day trip from… Airports and aviation.
The Nightjet's sleeping quarters have undergone an extensive redesign. Above is the refurbished four-berth carriage
The redesigned sleeper cars feature private bathrooms – complete with showers – and a “comfortable” seating area so passengers can work, read or eat during the flight.
“Train travel means climate protection,” said Leonore Gevsler, Austria’s Minister for Climate Action. “This is especially true for the night train.”
She said travelers could “board into Vienna in the evening and wake up refreshed the next morning in another European city.”
Andreas Matha, CEO of ÖBB, commented: “We are constantly expanding our night train fleet and will continue to play a leading role in night train traffic in Europe in the future.” With our new, ultra-modern night aircraft, we impress with greater comfort and privacy that is clearly focused on the needs of passengers.
Starting prices for ÖBB's Nightjet trains: Seats – €34.90 (£29.99); CBag – €54.90 (£47.17); sDouble Libre – €99.90 (£85.83); sSingle Libre – €199 (£170.98). To book a visit: www.oebb.at/en.
To watch more Nonstop Eurotrip videos, head over to www.youtube.com/@NonstopEurotrip.
Nightjet route map. Some destinations are reached with the help of Nightjet's partner rail system, 'EuroNight Trains'.
(tags for translation) Daily Mail