- Travelling whilst protecting the planet
- Choosing your seat
- Key facts to know ahead of your trip
- Video guide of Nightjet
Travelling Europe on the new generation of night train reducing your carbon footprint
European night trains are finding a second life. After years of being in a state of decline, following the explosion of budget flights, a new generation of night trains has begun to spring up.
This new generation of sleeper trains reflects the climate-conscious world we live in, with more and more people wanting greener travel options.
‘The greenest way to cross Europe’
EU politicians have been backing the expansion of night trains as part of their mission to cut Europe’s carbon footprint.
France has already banned short hal flights on journeys that take less than two-and-a-half hours by rail.
Belgium is promising to subside night trains, their transport minister, Georges Gilkinet said: “We have just voted in the parliament to help night trains to develop, by paying for the track pass and the energy cost,
“It’s the greenest way to cross Europe and there is a great demand with the trains booked up for months,” he added.
A guide to travel by Nightjet
Train enthusiasts’ website, “The Main in Seat 61”, wrote a review of Nightjet – the Austrian Railways (ÖBB) sleeper trains.
Nightjet links the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland & Italy. You can travel huge distances overnight in a cosy sleeper, visiting city after city and saving huge on hotel bills.
The Man in Seat 61 says: “I love travelling by Nightjet, it’s a real treat – kids of all ages love bunk beds on a train.”
Choosing how you travel
The key decision to make is choosing whether you’ll be travelling by seat, couchette or sleeper.
Sleeper Cars
1, 2, or 3-bed compartments standard with washbasin or deluxe with en suite shower & toilet.
A sleeper is the most comfortable way to travel. They have beds in cozy compliments and breakfast is included.
You can convert your sleeper bedroom into cosy private sitting rooms for morning or evening use.
Berths are sold individually, so if travelling solo you can book one inexpensive bed in a 2-berth or 3-berth compartment and share it with other sleeper passengers of the same gender, you don’t need to pay for a single-bed compartment if you don’t want to.
Think of a sleeper as a travelling hotel.
The Man in Seat 61
Couchettes
Simple padded bunks in either a 6-berth compartment (cheapest option) or 4-berth compartments (nice if you want a little more space). They are great for families or groups or even individuals on a budget. They convert into normal seats when you’re not sleeping.
On Nightjet trains, morning tea or coffee and a roll or croissant are included.
Think of a couchette as an inexpensive hostel or pensione…
The Man in Seat 61
Ordinary seats
Ordinary seats are also available. They are the cheapest but not the most comfortable if you’re travelling overnight. The basic seat is fine for short distances but for the best experience, we’d suggest you book a couchette or sleeper.
The Man in Seat 61 writes:
“If you’re on a budget, a couchette is fine, you sleep flat in a couchette just as well as in a sleeper. Though if you’re a couple, it’s worth paying for a sleeper for the extra comfort & privacy if you can afford it. If you’re a family a 4-berth couchette is all you really need, although if cost isn’t an issue you could book two adjacent 2 or 3 bed sleepers and open the interconnecting door – sleeper compartments which share the same first digit usually have a connecting door, so berths 21 & 25 connect with berths 22 & 26 next door, see the berth numbering plan.”
The Man in Seat 61
Your night train experience
Night trains are a truly exciting and unique way to see Europe and there are a few key things you should know before you start booking your journey. Unlike travelling by plane, travelling by sleeper train is part of the whole holiday experience, it is cheaper, cleaner and fun and we want it to be as smooth as possible – especially if you’re a first-time sleeper train traveller.
Here are some key tips ahead of your journey.
Berths are sold individually
One person means one ticket, means one bed. If you book 2 people in a double sleeper you get the whole compartments as you are booking both beds. If you book 1 person in a double sleeper you’ll get one bed and the other bed will be sold to another passenger of the same gender.
It’s great for solo travellers as you are only paying for one bed and not having to book the whole compartment, meaning solo travellers can save cash.
Once in your berth, you cannot see the other people above or below you, so don’t worry about privacy.
Berth numbering
Berths aren’t numbered sequentially, so don’t worry if (for example) berths 21 & 25 aren’t together in the same 2-bed compartment. They are. Yes, they are, see the Comfortline sleeping-car layout & berth numbering plan. Middle berth numbers aren’t used when a 3-berth is sold as a double.
Boarding the train
There are no check-ins, so just go to the train and find your sleeping car.
There is usually an attendant to greet you at the door of your sleeper, check your reservation and direct you to your compartment.
They will come around shortly to take your rail tickets or passes – your tickets will be handed back to you at the end of your journey. These days they don’t normally take your passport, as Schengen means there are usually no border checks.
Breakfast, wine and more
You’ll be greeted with a glass of sparkling wine, and the attendees can provide room service of tea, coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks & light snacks during your journey – but feel free to take your own snacks and wine.
Breakfast is included in the fare and will be served in your compartment. In the evening you select 6 breakfast items from a list. You can pay for more items if you like.
Tip: You can ask for a free refill of tea or coffee!
Where should I put my luggage?
Take your bags into your compartment. As long as you can carry it you can take it, regardless or size or weight. In Comfortline sleepers, there’s room for luggage under the bottom berth, on the racks above the window or in the recess above the door projecting over the corridor ceiling. Or just use the floor if that’s easier. In the double-deck sleepers, luggage usually goes on the floor.
Beds convert to seats
On longer journeys make sure you convert your bed into a seat so you can relax with more space. The attendant can fold the beds away for you, turning the compartment into a private sitting room.
In most sleepers the compartments have power sockets for laptops and mobiles – look below the bed at the end nearest the door.
There are no power outlets in double-deck sleeping cars.
Security on board
There’s CCTV in the corridor for security, and in Comfortline cars, all compartments have a hotel-style ving-card lock with a plastic card key plus an additional security deadlock which cannot be opened from outside, even with a staff key, so you’ll be both safe and snug. The double-deck cars also have both a regular lock and a security deadlock.
Don’t forget to read the travel tips