I spent 11 hours with 3 strangers in a shared cabin on a sleeper train in Europe for $84. 6 surprises made me regret it.

Left: Inside a train cabin with red bunks Right: The author in front of a blue train.
Business Insider's reporter tried out a sleeper cabin on a train in Europe traveling from Vienna to Venice, Italy.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
  • I booked a shared sleeper cabin on an overnight train from Austria to Italy in October 2022.

  • I thought a sleeper train would be the best way to maximize my days while exploring Europe.

  • A few surprises along the way, such as a lack of privacy and a restless night, changed my mind.

When I decided to visit Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland for the first time in just two weeks back in 2022, I wanted to take trains and maximize my time exploring each country.

When I realized that my train ride from Vienna to Venice, Italy, would be 11 hours long, I thought traveling through the night seemed like the best way to leave my days free, and sharing a sleeper cabin with strangers helped me do it on a budget.

For $84, my ticket included a bunk in a shared cabin and a light breakfast. I was excited to move through the night and free my days for adventure.

But a few surprises along the way made me think that, ultimately, this ride wasn't worth the time saved.

A Nightjet sleeper car arrives in Venice, Italy, in 2022.
A Nightjet sleeper car arrives in Venice, Italy, in 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I arrived at the Vienna train station, I paid $10 to access the OBB Lounge. I was surprised that it was empty aside from me — a stark contrast to the crowded station where I couldn't find a seat.

An empty OBB Lounge at Wein Miedling Station in 2022.
An empty OBB Lounge at Wein Miedling Station in 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My journey began in Austria's Wien Meidling train station. I arrived 90 minutes before my 9:35 p.m. train was due to depart, and the waiting areas were so crowded that I couldn't find one empty seat. Then, I noticed a lounge for OBB guests.

The lounge is free for first-class OBB passengers traveling during the day and costs about $10 for all other OBB passengers who pay to access it, which is what I did.

Since I thought the fee was inexpensive and the station was so packed, I was surprised to find no other travelers inside.

The lounge had plenty of tables and chairs, as well as complimentary refreshments such as coffee, nuts, and seeds. It was a smaller selection than I've seen at Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge, which I've visited in New York, but I wasn't hungry, so I just got a water bottle and settled into a chair to wait until it was time to board my train.

When I went to the platform, I was surprised by how confusing it was to board the correct train.

From left: A platform where the train takes off in Austria and car two on a Nightjet train stopped in Venice, Italy.
From left: A platform where the train takes off in Austria and car two on a Nightjet train stopped in Venice, Italy.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I went to the platform about 20 minutes before my train's scheduled departure and was shocked to see a screen that said my train was going to Zurich. This made me worry that I booked the wrong sleeper train.

But at the information desk, I learned that the train's cars detach at various stations to go to different locations. I had to board my assigned train car to reach my ticketed final destination; each car had a number.

When my train arrived, I didn't have time to check the train-car number before boarding. I went to the closest car and asked an attendant to guide me to my car and room.

I knew my cabin would be small, but once on board, I was still shocked when I saw it for the first time.

Inside the author's shared Nightjet cabin.
Inside the author's shared Nightjet cabin.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

According to OBB Nightjet, my cabin was built to fit six people inside a 74-square-foot space.

I expected it to be a tight space, but seeing it in person made me realize that 74 square feet is smaller than I thought.

One traveler was already there when I boarded, and two others arrived within an hour. Two got off around 5 a.m., and the other stayed past my stop. We said hello to each other upon arrival, but other than that, the room was quiet. Some of us were on devices, while others slept.

I was surprised by how little personal space I had even when it was still just one other passenger and me. I couldn't imagine six people squeezing in there, and I was grateful we weren't booked to the max.

But I still felt cramped when there were four of us, especially with everyone's luggage around.

I expected each bunk to have a curtain for privacy, but the beds were completely exposed. This made me feel less comfortable.

The author felt she had no privacy without curtains on each bunk.
The author felt she had no privacy without curtains on each bunk.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Since the space was shared, I expected to find curtains at the front of each bunk to ensure privacy, but there was nothing to block the space between myself and other passengers.

This made me feel more uncomfortable than I expected. While another traveler changed their clothes in front of me inside the room, I preferred to change in private and chose to instead go to the shared bathroom at the end of the sleeper car.

I didn't think I'd have to wake up other passengers to use the bathroom. But the room's lock was only accessible from a top bunk where someone was sleeping.

Lighting and lock controls in the sleeper cabin.
Lighting and lock controls in the sleeper cabin.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I first entered the cabin, I learned the bunks were first-come, first-served. I opted for a bottom bunk since I'd previously found top bunks on other trains bumpier through the night.

But I didn't realize that the person on the top bunk would be the unofficial controller of the door lock since it was only accessible from their bed.

When I went to the bathroom to wash up and change around 10:30 p.m., the top-bunk passenger had just arrived and was still awake. But at around 2 a.m., I found myself lying awake with a full bladder because I didn't want to disturb her. Eventually, I couldn't hold it anymore and reluctantly woke her up.

It was a little awkward, and I felt bad for disrupting her sleep. The whole experience made me think I may have preferred the top bunk anyway. I'd rather have someone wake me than wake someone else up.

I thought I'd get a decent amount of rest in the sleeper cabin with a lie-flat bed, but the ride was so bumpy and uncomfortable that I struggled to fall asleep.

The author watches TV on an overnight train from Vienna to Venice, Italy, in 2022.
The author watches TV on an overnight train from Vienna to Venice, Italy, in 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Since I had a lie-flat bed in the cabin, as well as bed sheets and a pillow provided by the train, I thought I'd get a decent amount of sleep.

But when bedtime came around, I was surprised to find the bed and bedding didn't matter much.

I only got a couple of hours of sleep and woke up several times during the night due to other travelers entering and exiting the room or the bumpiness of the train, and I found the bed uncomfortable. For most of the night, I watched TV on my iPad since I had such a hard time sleeping.

"Offering our passengers a high level of travel comfort is an important concern for us," a representative for OBB Nightjet told Business Insider.

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

The statement continued, "We are constantly working on improvements to our product and also take into account the requirements of our customers."

Next year, the rail line is upgrading its overnight trains with new, more spacious shared sleeper cabins that will include a seating area in addition to beds.

When I got to Venice, I realized I was wrong about my expectations of a shared sleeper cabin. I didn't feel rested, which was the entire reason I booked it.

Left to right: The author before and after having coffee during her first morning in Venice.
Left to right: The author before and after having coffee during her first morning in Venice.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, which was perhaps the most surprising element of my ride since the entire reason I booked this train was to feel rested.

These surprises taught me that a shared cabin on an overnight train isn't the right choice for me.

While sometimes it's about the journey, not the destination, in this case, I'd rather arrive feeling refreshed so I can enjoy where I'm going.

A year after my trip, I booked another overnight ride in a Nightjet private cabin. It was worth the upgrade.

Inside a private cabin on a Nightjet train.
Inside a private cabin on a Nightjet train.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I learned my lesson during that shared cabin ride. So, when I went back to Europe in November 2023, I booked the train line's top-tier accommodation for an overnight trip from Venice to Vienna — a private cabin.

It was worth the $200 price tag for a private, 30-square-foot space with a vanity, wash basin, and storage space. I slept like a baby.

From now on, I'll only book private cabins for overnight train rides.

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