The new Nightjet: Routes, comfort and features

A look inside a couchette compartment. Photo: Harald Eisenberger/ÖBB

More comfort, more space, and more privacy: with the Nightjet of the new generation, ÖBB are giving their night train fleet a major update. The first completely new trains have been in service since December 2023 – a small revolution in European night train travel, where many vehicles have been on the rails for decades.

Among the most striking innovations, alongside redesigned sleeping cars with private bathrooms, are the “Mini Cabins”: compact sleeping pods in the couchette car that offer privacy at a relatively low price. With this, ÖBB is responding to changing travel needs. The Nightjet is also being significantly modernised in terms of technical equipment, accessibility, and bicycle transport.

Exterior view of the Mini Cabins. Photo: Harald Eisenberger/ÖBB

The new Nightjet is being gradually integrated into the existing network. The trains are from Siemens Mobility and are set to supplement and, in some cases, replace the current trainsets by mid-2026. This guide gives you an overview of the new trains, their routes, cabin categories, features, and prices.

Routes

The new Nightjets are already running on many routes in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands. Important to note: the rollout of the new generation is happening gradually and is not yet complete. The older carriages are still in use on other Nightjet connections.

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As of April 2026, the new trains are in service on the following routes:

The next routes scheduled to switch to the new Nightjet are Vienna–Zurich, Amsterdam–Zurich, and Berlin–Zurich.

The trains at a glance

The Nightjet of the new generation consists of completely newly developed night trains from ÖBB. The trains were developed by Siemens Mobility under the name Viaggio Next Level and mark a fundamental generational shift in European night train travel.

After ÖBB initially ordered 33 of the new trainsets, the order was reduced to 24 units. These are scheduled to be put into service gradually by mid-2026. The first new Nightjets have been carrying passengers since December 2023 and are being progressively integrated into the existing night train network.

The new trains consist of permanently coupled seven-car units with a control car. One train is composed of two sleeping cars, three couchette cars, a multifunctional car, and a seating car, and offers space for up to 260 passengers. Individual carriages can no longer be flexibly swapped, but two units can be combined to form longer 'wing trains' if needed.

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Example: The two Nightjets from Hamburg to Vienna and Innsbruck initially travel coupled together with a total of 14 carriages to Nuremberg. There, they are separated and continue on different routes to their respective destinations.

Thanks to newly developed bogies, the new Nightjets run much more smoothly than the previous vehicles. Another new feature is that the trains are approved for speeds of up to 230 km/h.

Cabin categories

The Nightjet of the new generation offers a total of five cabin categories, spread across sleeping cars, couchette cars, and seating cars. With various spatial concepts – from classic multi-bed compartments to private Mini Cabins for solo travellers – ÖBB aims to cover as many travel needs as possible.

Sleeper car comfort

The Sleeper car comfort is the standard category in the new sleeping car. The compartments are designed for one to two people and have a private bathroom with a toilet and a simple shower facility. The made-up beds are arranged parallel to the direction of travel.

The compartment is complemented by a seating area with a table. The table is height-adjustable and can be covered with a seat cushion to create a small seating nook for two people.

Sleeper car comfort plus

In addition to the standard compartments, each sleeping car has one compartment of the Sleeper car comfort plus category offering a particularly high level of comfort. These compartments feature the classic layout with beds arranged perpendicular to the direction of travel and offer passengers more space.

The extra space is used for things like a larger seating area and a spacious wardrobe. The bathroom is also significantly more comfortable: it features a proper shower with a separate shower cubicle.

Mini Cabin

The biggest innovation in the new Nightjet are the Mini Cabins in the couchette car. These are compact, individually lockable sleeping pods for solo travellers. Two cabins are arranged one above the other and are separated from the corridor by a roller door made of metal slats.

Each Mini Cabin has a sleeping surface, a small window, and a fold-out table. There are also storage shelves, coat hooks, and a locker. Between the Mini Cabins, there is also one lockable shoe and suitcase compartment available per traveller. A limited number of seats are available in the corridor.

Storage space in the Mini Cabin. Photo: Harald Eisenberger/ÖBB

The space in the Mini Cabins is designed so that you can sit up comfortably and eat your breakfast at the fold-out table.

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Our recommendation: It can get quite chilly in the Mini Cabin, as the air conditioning can't be adjusted and you only get a small, thin blanket. It's best to pack some warm base layers or a cosy extra jumper.

Couchette car comfort

In the couchette car, besides the Mini Cabins, there are also a few classic 4-person compartments, which are primarily aimed at families and groups. Two bunks are arranged one above the other and are fixed in place. 6-person compartments are no longer offered in the new Nightjet. The compartments can also be booked as a private compartment.

Unlike in the sleeping car, the mattresses in the couchette car (as well as in the Mini Cabin) are quite a bit thinner and you have to make the bed yourself.

Every new Nightjet also has an accessible compartment of the couchette car comfort type. This is located in the multifunctional car with low-floor entry and offers space for up to two passengers with reduced mobility and two companions.

Seating car comfort

The seats are designed as an open-plan area in the control car. There are no more compartments; instead, you'll find seating groups with tables in the open carriage area. This category is the simplest and cheapest way to travel on the new Nightjet, but it's only suitable for longer overnight journeys to a limited extent.

Additional seats are located in the multifunctional car, which also offers accessible areas and spaces for bicycles and large luggage.

Features & Service

The new Nightjets have been significantly modernised not only in their cabin categories but also in their features and technical infrastructure. The goal is a fully connected, more comfortable travel experience for the entire journey.

On-board technology

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the train. Additionally, all passenger areas are equipped with power sockets and USB ports, and inductive charging is also possible in many areas. In sleeping and couchette cars, the temperature and lighting can be individually controlled via a digital control panel.

For better mobile phone reception, special windows are used that allow radio waves to pass through more easily than in older vehicles. The technical features are complemented by a digital passenger information system that displays real-time travel information during the journey.

On-board catering

There is no dining car on the Nightjet of the new generation either. However, hot meals, snacks, and drinks can be purchased from the on-board staff in the evening. Passengers in couchette and sleeping cars also receive breakfast in the morning, served directly to their compartment.

Security

All compartments in the sleeping and couchette cars are equipped with an electronic access system and are opened using NFC cards. In addition, the carriage sections are kept locked and are only accessible to passengers with valid access.

Lockable lockers are available in the Mini Cabins, and luggage compartments in the multifunctional car can also be secured. The trains are also equipped with video surveillance.

Bicycle transport

In the multifunctional car, there are dedicated spaces for bicycles, which are arranged parallel to the direction of travel and can be secured. There are also areas for larger luggage such as suitcases, prams, skis, or snowboards. This is a significant improvement over the existing trains, where a couchette car with a bicycle compartment is only available on selected routes.

Accessibility

Every new Nightjet has an accessible couchette compartment in the multifunctional car, which offers space for passengers with reduced mobility and their companions. This carriage is also equipped with a low-floor entrance and an accessible toilet. However, access within the other carriage sections is still not completely barrier-free.

Tickets and prices

The same fares apply to the Nightjets of the new generation as to the older trains; there is no special price. All Nightjet trains require a reservation; in addition to the ticket, a reservation for the chosen cabin category is needed.

Since the introduction of the new trains, the Nightjet has been sold entirely with a dynamic pricing system. This means there is no longer a fixed base price; prices vary depending on the route, day of travel, occupancy, and time of booking. The price differences can be significant, especially for sleeping cars and Mini Cabins, depending on the connection.

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The Nightjet can also be used by travellers with an Interrail or Eurail Pass. An additional reservation is also required here, the price of which is also dynamic and depends on demand and the cabin category. As a rule, sleeping car reservations are significantly more expensive than places in the seating or couchette car.

Early booking is therefore recommended in many cases, especially on high-demand routes or during the summer and holiday seasons.

Conclusion

ÖBB's new Nightjet marks an important step for night trains in Europe. With its comfort, innovative spatial concepts, and modern technology, it represents a sensible upgrade for the 21st century. The Mini Cabins, in particular, promise a new travel experience that could be trend-setting for future night train developments.

The introduction of the first new Nightjets in December 2023 was accompanied by some significant price increases, as ÖBB simultaneously introduced its new dynamic pricing system. Prices on many routes have since stabilised somewhat.

A journey in a sleeping car remains a rather expensive pleasure, partly because the number of sleeping car places has been reduced compared to the older trains. On the other hand, the Mini Cabins offer a often much cheaper alternative, especially for solo travellers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What carriages does the new Nightjet have?

A seven-car set of the new Nightjet consists of:

2 sleeping cars
3 couchette cars (with Mini Cabins)
1 multifunctional car
1 seating car (control car)

How many places are there in the new Nightjet?

A new Nightjet has a total of 260 places per seven-car unit. These are divided among the cabin categories as follows:

40 places in the sleeping car, including 4 in the Comfort plus compartment
120 places in the couchette car, including 84 Mini Cabins and 36 places in the classic 4-person compartment
96 seats in the seating and multifunctional car
4 places in the accessible couchette compartment

How big are the beds in the new Nightjet?

The beds in the new Nightjet are about 1.90 metres long. The sleeping surface in the sleeping car (192 cm) is a touch longer than in the couchette car comfort (191 cm) and in the Mini Cabins (188 cm).

What is the difference between a Mini Cabin and a sleeping car?

The Mini Cabins are compact sleeping pods for solo travellers in the couchette car. They offer more privacy than classic couchette places, but less space and comfort than a sleeping car compartment.

In the new Nightjet, every sleeping car compartment has its own bathroom with a toilet and a shower facility. Additionally, the sleeping car has a small seating area where you can comfortably have breakfast in the morning. In return, the sleeping car is significantly more expensive than the Mini Cabins.

Is there Wi-Fi on the new Nightjet?

Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the train. Additionally, all areas are equipped with power sockets and USB ports, and in some cases, with inductive charging.

Can I take my bike on the new Nightjet?

Yes. There are dedicated spaces for bicycles in the multifunctional car. They can be safely parked and secured there.

Is the new Nightjet accessible?

Partially. There is an accessible couchette compartment in the multifunctional car, as well as a low-floor entrance and an accessible toilet. However, the other carriage sections are not fully accessible.

Can I use the new Nightjet with Interrail?

Yes, Interrail and Eurail are also valid on the new Nightjets. As these are reservation-only trains, a reservation is required in addition to the Interrail Pass. Since the introduction of the new pricing system, the price of Interrail reservations is also dynamic, meaning it depends on the time of travel and occupancy.

Are all Nightjets new trains already?

No. The new trains are being introduced gradually. Older Nightjet trainsets are still in use on many connections.

What is the “Nightjet Upgrade”?

As part of the “Nightjet Upgrade” programme, ÖBB is modernising some of its existing night train carriages. In this process, older seating and couchette cars are being gradually refurbished and brought up to the technical and visual standard of the new Nightjet generation.

About the author: Sebastian Wilken is a passionate (night) train traveller and writes about train journeys in Europe in his Zugpost. He monitors the night train market for Night Ride and provides you with the best tips and tricks for the most beautiful routes.

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