I traveled in a shared bunk and a roomette on overnight trains in Europe and the US. The superior ride was worth the additional $400.

Insider's reporter tried out an Amtrak roomette and a Nightjet shared bunk cabin on overnight trains in the US and Europe.Joey Hadden/Insider

• I've traveled on overnight trains in an Amtrak roomette and a shared bunk cabin on a Nightjet train.
• The roomette was a 20-square-foot private space with two beds and a toilet for $500.

As a travel reporter, I've spent a lot of time on trains — 100 hours across 3,000 miles, to be exact. For overnight rides, I've saved money by staying in shared spaces and also splurged on private rooms.

The author exits a business-class Amtrak train.      Joey Hadden/Insider

For example, in October 2021, I booked the cheapest private cabin I could on a 30-hour Amtrak train ride from New York City to Miami: a roomette for $500.

The author exits a train in Miami after a 30-hour ride.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: I paid $500 for a private room on a 30-hour Amtrak ride that came with 2 beds and a toilet. Take a look inside.

And then a year later, I booked the cheapest bed I could find on a 12-hour Nightjet train from Vienna, Austria, to Venice, Italy: a bunk in a shared cabin for about $80.

The author exits a Nightjet train in Venice.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: I spent 11 hours with 3 strangers in a shared cabin on a sleeper train in Europe. 6 surprises made me regret my choice.

After taking both rides, I found that the roomette was more comfortable for an overnight journey and ultimately worth the additional price.

The author after her rides in the roomette (L) and the bunk (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

I booked the roomette through Amtrak in the US, and I booked the bunk option with OBB Austrian Federal Railway's Nightjet train (which operates overnight routes between Austria, Italy, France, and the Netherlands) while I was visiting Europe.

The exterior of the Amtrak (L) and Nightjet (R) trains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Sources: Amtrak, Nightjet

The roomette was a 22.75-square-foot cabin with two beds, a toilet, and basic amenities. Whereas the bunk was in a 74-square-foot, shared cabin with six beds, though only four of the beds were booked for my ride.

A peak inside the roomette (L) and the shared bunk cabin (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

Sources: Amtrak, Nightjet

With a private space and more than twice as much room, I felt I could move around easily in the roomette. But I thought the bunk felt cramped with three other travelers packed inside.

The author dances in the roomette (L) and sits in the bunk (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

Both accommodations allowed me to stretch out my legs, which I appreciated.

The author stretches her legs in the roomette (L) and shared cabin (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

Each room had temperature and lighting controls, but in the bunk, of course, I had to share them with other travelers.

Light and temperature controls in the roomette (L) and bunk (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

In the roomette, I had a private toilet in my room. But in the shared cabin, I had to use the bathroom in the train car.

The author's private toilet in the roomette (L) and a shared toilet in the Nightjet bunk car (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: I've spent 100 hours traveling over 3,000 miles by train in 5 countries. Here are my 7 tips for making time fly on long rail journeys.

My roomette also came with a sink and mirror, so I could brush my teeth and wash my face and hands without leaving the room. Without a sink in the bunk, I was fine with brushing my teeth in the train-car bathroom.

The author's private sink in the roomette (L) and a shared sink in the Nightjet bunk car (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

I had the choice of a top or bottom bunk in both rooms. In the roomette, I chose the top bunk. But I found it to be quite bumpy, so I went for the bottom bunk for my shared cabin ride, which I thought made a difference.

The author in the roomette's top bunk (L) and the shared cabin's bottom bunk.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought both beds felt thin and a tad uncomfortable, but the blankets on Amtrak's train were softer, in my opinion.

Bedding on the Amtrak train (L) and the Nightjet train (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

I had a hard time sleeping on both rides, as understandably neither bed was as comfy as my own at home. But I slept more on the Amtrak ride, which I attribute to the comfier blankets and private space.

The author sits in the roomette (L) and the shared bunk cabin (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: I compared a shared bunk-style cabin and a regular seat on overnight trains in Europe. I wouldn't book either again.

Both tickets included breakfast in the morning. On Amtrak, I had a filling, balanced meal with an egg sandwich, yogurt, oatmeal, and a muffin. Nightjet provided two rolls with butter and jam, which I appreciated, but I could've eaten more.

The author's complimentary breakfast on the Amtrak (L) and Nightjet (R) trains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

After trying both options, I personally preferred the private cabin and found it more comfortable than the shared cabin for an overnight ride.

The author's Amtrak (L) and Nightjet trains (R) arrive at their destination.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: I've spent over 80 hours on overnight trains and made 7 big mistakes, from choosing the wrong bunk to not bringing a pillow

A representative for OBB Nightjet told Insider that offering "a high level of travel comfort is an important concern for" the company, and that it's "constantly working on improvements to" its services.

An OBB Nightjet train.      Nightjet - © ÖBB/Harald Eisenberger

Source: Nightjet

Similarly, an Amtrak representative told Insider that it's "constantly evaluating ways to improve the customer experience" it offers.

Passengers board an Amtrak train in New York City.      Joey Hadden/Insider

While I didn't personally enjoy the shared cabin on the Nightjet, the brand also has private cabins on select routes. In fact, Nightjet's new line of trains coming later this year have private rooms on routes to Italy, according to its website.

A private cabin on a Nightjet train.      Nightjet - © ÖBB/Harald Eisenberger

Source: Nightjet

I can't wait to try them and see how they compare to Amtrak's roomette.

The author wakes up in an Amtrak roomette.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: I paid $560 for a 7-day Eurail pass to country hop by train in Europe. I took 8 rides between 6 cities and it was so much better than flying.