I bunked with 3 strangers in a shared cabin on an overnight train in Europe. It was bumpy, cramped, and I wouldn't do it again.

Joey HaddenOct 10, 2024, 22:27 IST

Business Insider's reporter took a Nightjet train from Venice, Italy, to Vienna, Austria.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I spent 11 hours in a shared cabin on an overnight train from Vienna, Austria, to Venice, Italy.
For less than $100, I got a bunk in a room of six beds with three other people.

In October 2022, during a two-week trip through four European countries, I spent 11 hours bunking with three strangers in an overnight sleeper train from Vienna, Austria, to Venice, Italy.

While it was my first time traveling in a sleeper car in Europe, I'd spent 60 hours on overnight Amtrak trains in the 20-square-foot roomette and 45-square-foot bedroom accommodations, where I had private rooms.

I thought an overnight train would be the best way to travel through Europe so I could explore more during the day. But the bumpy ride made sleeping hard, and I didn't feel rested when I got to Venice.

I booked my ride with the Austrian Federal Railway's OBB Nightjet — a rail line that operates overnight routes between Austria, Italy, France, and the Netherlands and can go as fast as 143 miles per hour.

The OBB Nightjet train as it arrives in Venice in 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked my ride with the Austrian Federal Railway's OBB Nightjet — a rail line that operates overnight routes between Austria, Italy, France, and the Netherlands and can go as fast as 143 miles per hour.

This overnight leg of my European train trip, which came with breakfast, cost $44 with a Eurail pass. Without the pass, the ticket would have been about $84.

The author's Eurail pass on a European train.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My journey began in Austria's Wien Meidling train station.

Inside Wien Meidling train station in Austria.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The departure screens said my train was going to Zurich. At the information desk, I learned that, unlike Amtrak, the train's cars detach at various stations to go to different locations.

Train car number two on the Nightjet.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The departure screens said my train was going to Zurich. At the information desk, I learned that, unlike Amtrak, the train's cars detach at various stations to go to different locations.

While waiting, I noticed OBB had a lounge. It's free for first-class OBB passengers traveling during the day and costs about $10 for all other OBB passengers. Since I didn't see any empty seats in the rest of the station, I paid for it.

Inside the OBB Nightjet lounge at Wien Meidling train station.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

While waiting, I noticed OBB had a lounge. It's free for first-class OBB passengers traveling during the day and costs about $10 for all other OBB passengers. Since I didn't see any empty seats in the rest of the station, I paid for it.

The lounge served complimentary refreshments and snacks, from coffee to nuts and seeds.

Refreshments in the OBB Nightjet lounge at Wien Meidling train station.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I went to the platform about 20 minutes before my train's 9:35 p.m. departure.

The train platform the author used at Wien Meidling train station.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Inside the sleeper cars, I saw narrow, dimly lit corridors full of small cabins with bunk beds.

A corridor inside an OBB Nightjet sleeper car.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My room had six bunks and a large window with a curtain. During my leg of the journey, one traveler was already there when I boarded, and two others arrived within an hour.

The author gets settled inside her shared cabin.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My room had six bunks and a large window with a curtain. During my leg of the journey, one traveler was already there when I boarded, and two others arrived within an hour.

At 74 square feet, it felt like a tight space — especially with everyone's luggage around. There was space for bags above the beds, but not enough for everyone.

Storage space in the shared cabin.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

While my cabin was assigned, the beds were first come, first served.

A view of the top bunks from the author's bottom bunk.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The train provided bed sheets and a pillow.

Sheets for the beds inside the cabin.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Temperature and shared lighting controls were above the curtained door to enter the room.

The door to the cabin with dials to control temperature and lighting above.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

There was an outlet and a tiny nightstand on the side of each bunk, as well as night lights above the bed. Without curtains around each bunk, I thought I had no privacy.

Lights and outlets in the Nightjet cabin.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

There was an outlet and a tiny nightstand on the side of each bunk, as well as night lights above the bed. Without curtains around each bunk, I thought I had no privacy.

Other passengers in the room said hello to each other upon arrival, but other than that, the room was quiet.

Inside the shared cabin.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Before bed, I used one of two bathrooms for everyone in my sleeper car. I thought it was a typical train bathroom with a toilet and a sink.

A bathroom inside the sleeper car.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I was ready for bed, I watched TV before going to sleep. The bed was stiff and uncomfortable, in my opinion.

The author's view from her bed in the evening.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

An attendant woke me up with breakfast at 8 a.m., about 20 minutes before my stop in Venice. I got two rolls of bread with butter, jam, and coffee to eat in my bunk.

The author's view with her breakfast in the morning.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I got off the train in Venice, I was exhausted from the lack of sleep. I thought it made my first day in the city less enjoyable.

The OBB Nightjet arrives in Venice.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I've been to over 80 countries, and there are 5 that stand out from the rest

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

I bunked with 3 strangers in a shared cabin on an overnight train in Europe. It was bumpy, cramped, and I wouldn't do it again.

I booked my ride with the Austrian Federal Railway's OBB Nightjet — a rail line that operates overnight routes between Austria, Italy, France, and the Netherlands and can go as fast as 143 miles per hour.

This overnight leg of my European train trip, which came with breakfast, cost $44 with a Eurail pass. Without the pass, the ticket would have been about $84.

My journey began in Austria's Wien Meidling train station.

The departure screens said my train was going to Zurich. At the information desk, I learned that, unlike Amtrak, the train's cars detach at various stations to go to different locations.

While waiting, I noticed OBB had a lounge. It's free for first-class OBB passengers traveling during the day and costs about $10 for all other OBB passengers. Since I didn't see any empty seats in the rest of the station, I paid for it.

The lounge served complimentary refreshments and snacks, from coffee to nuts and seeds.

I went to the platform about 20 minutes before my train's 9:35 p.m. departure.

Inside the sleeper cars, I saw narrow, dimly lit corridors full of small cabins with bunk beds.

My room had six bunks and a large window with a curtain. During my leg of the journey, one traveler was already there when I boarded, and two others arrived within an hour.

At 74 square feet, it felt like a tight space — especially with everyone's luggage around. There was space for bags above the beds, but not enough for everyone.

While my cabin was assigned, the beds were first come, first served.

The train provided bed sheets and a pillow.

Temperature and shared lighting controls were above the curtained door to enter the room.

There was an outlet and a tiny nightstand on the side of each bunk, as well as night lights above the bed. Without curtains around each bunk, I thought I had no privacy.

Other passengers in the room said hello to each other upon arrival, but other than that, the room was quiet.

Before bed, I used one of two bathrooms for everyone in my sleeper car. I thought it was a typical train bathroom with a toilet and a sink.

When I was ready for bed, I watched TV before going to sleep. The bed was stiff and uncomfortable, in my opinion.

An attendant woke me up with breakfast at 8 a.m., about 20 minutes before my stop in Venice. I got two rolls of bread with butter, jam, and coffee to eat in my bunk.

When I got off the train in Venice, I was exhausted from the lack of sleep. I thought it made my first day in the city less enjoyable.