I compared the cheapest and most expensive accommodations on the same European sleeper train. I'd only book one again.

Business Insider's reporter compared Nightjet's private cabin and seating carriage.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

• I traversed Europe by sleeper train in the cheapest accommodation I could find — a $40 seat.
• Later, I traveled with the same train line in the most expensive accommodation — a $200 cabin.

When I'm backpacking through Europe, traveling by overnight train just makes sense. It's essentially a moving hotel that helps me maximize my time exploring destinations during the day.

Some of my sleeper train experiences have left me feeling well-rested and ready for adventure, while others left me too exhausted to do anything but sleep upon arrival. And I've found it all depends on which accommodation I book.

For example, on two different trips to Europe over the last two years, I booked overnight rides with the same train line, OBB Nightjet.

The first was in the train's cheapest accommodation, a reclining seat. The second was in the most expensive accommodation, a private cabin. Each ride was roughly 12 hours long.

My experiences couldn't have been more different. The comforts of the private cabin made me feel vindicated in my plans to travel by night, while the seat felt nearly impossible to sleep in and left me feeling like I'd made a big mistake.

Read on to see how the accommodations compared and which had a better value.