There currently are a variety of options to travel by night train from Katowice (Poland) to Vienna (Austria), taking between approximately 7 and 9 hours: Namely the EN 40417, the IC 417, the EN 40407 and the IC 407. These lines are operated by PKP Intercity, České dráhy and ÖBB.
PKP Intercity is Poland's national long-distance railway operator, running domestic and international train services throughout Poland and to neighboring countries.
ČD, the Czech national railway, operates domestic and cross-border passenger trains linking the Czech Republic with its neighbors.
The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) operate the Nightjet and Euronight trains (the latter together with other national railway agencies).
The ÖBB usually offer four types of carriages in their night trains: seats, couchettes, Mini Cabins, and sleepers.
While seats are only for the bravest, couchettes, Mini Cabins, and sleepers offer a more comfortable journey. The couchettes usually feature simple and rather narrow berths, while the Mini Cabin provides a compact private space for one person. Two adjacent Mini Cabins can be combined for couples. Sleepers boast beds with duvets and pillows and sometimes even a private bathroom. Couchettes can hold up to six people. The Mini Cabin is a private space for one person – two adjacent Mini Cabins can be connected for traveling together. Sleepers are private compartments for one to three people.
Sleepers may include a private bathroom or shower, or sometimes just a sink. The Mini Cabin bridges the gap between couchettes and sleepers, offering solo privacy at a lower price point.