With much fanfare in December 2023, ÖBB introduced their brand new NightJet sleeper trains on the route from Vienna to Hamburg. But are these trains actually good? Come along on the journey as I explain why I am not so impressed by this new offering from ÖBB.
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Train type: New Generation Nightjet
Route: Wien (Vienna) to Hamburg
Train: NJ 490
Distance: 1127km
Journey time: 12h55m
Average speed: 87km/h
Price: Varies 59,90 € paid
22 Comments
I‘ll be taking this train in November and I cannot wait 😊
you gotta try some Turkish high speed trains man. For example the seven hour long istanbul to Sivas covering 900 kilometers or so❤️
Yeah the new dynamic pricing is really crappy, and collecting the bedding prematurely like that is really odd. Like why even have the rush, its a night train, you have all the way till the evening to wash everything and its not like you can even do it while the train is moving. I get it if you wanna get started with cleaning as soon as passengers are off but why not just collect it 15 minutes before the last stop then?
I travelled on the classic nightjet from Milan to Wien in a couchette compartment. The train was two hours delayed and the conductor came to collect my bedding about 90 minutes before arrival. I was so confused.
I like your pricing comparisons and commentary.
Does OBB give compensation for late trains?
Öbb is just parasiting on the greenwashing hype. And running through the German clusterfuck aka DB is a guaranteed delay disaster, so thanks but no, I rather fly.
It’s a great idea but just implemented very…weirdly. I had the same experience of the conductor not having the key card for my cabin, as did my neighbor.
' Cabin " = coffin.
100€ buys you a nice hotel with space,ensuite , pool / spa (?)
Buffet breakfast
Then Fly,take an express train by day,
Or pay to stay in a 2 metre X 1 metre box with 2 bread rolls.
There's more space in the coffin than in this compartment. And a sliding curtain for communicating with a fellow traveler is some kind of pathetic mockery of common sense.
Finally saw your face on the latest Miles in Transit video, Simon. I think the German railway system needs some overhaul.
You can blame DB Netze for the delays. All train companies suffer the same delays in the German network.
As for high prices I guess Öbb is trying to make their night trains turn a profit. My understanding is that night jet loses money or is barely break even.
I've travelled in the Mini-Cabin on the Vienna-Hamburg route twice now and have honestly fallen in love with the experience. Compared to travelling to Italy on the older style carriages last year (both couchette and sleeper class) it is a vastly improved experience and I'm already planning my next trips. Cost is a factor, but I'm willing to splurge on the experience and sustainability.
with an interrail/eurail pass i would probably take a daytime train and spend the money on a hotel
These single compartments make financial sense for railway. Stack 3 persons in individual capsules that take less space than a normal 4 person room. The one problem I see is luggage. If you choose an overnight train, chances are much higher this is part of multi day trip and you may have more luggage than fits in that tiny luggage box you showed. And if travelling on business, have fun getting into your busioess suite in that capsule where you can't stand up.
With regards to delays, it all depends on whether these are ÖBB equipment or track related. Overnight si whene may railway onwers do track maintenance or run freight trains so you can't fault ÖBB for those types of delays. Over time, I suspect Nightjet schedules may become more realistic based on on-time statistics.
Some of the carriages on the Nightjet train the narrator took had equivalents to capsule hotels. I plan to, if I ever do get to take an overnight train, book a sleeping compartment although just what that will be remains TBD.
The problem with the delays is that almost every Nightjet passes through Germany, which has a terribly broken rail network with construction sites everywhere, failing switches and signals, etc.
It is😠
I really don't get why they don't have a bunch of programmable key cards on board, like when you check into a hotel. I thought that's the whole point of these cards. In the old nightjet carriages you sometimes need a regular key to lock the door. And guess what, half of them where missing. So i really thought the new key cards would work like hotels…
Just because the train goes from Vienna to Rostock does not mean you are intended to do so. If you take a bus in a city you also don‘t ride it on the whole route, but only a short section. Same here.
How was the ride? Smooth or bumpy as before?