New Nightjet sleeper train links Vienna and Munich to Rome
ÖBB’s next-generation Nightjet has hit the tracks in style: its premier trip was the Austrian company’s first-ever night train from Vienna to Rome. Launching the route this week, Nightjet also kicked off a new sleeper service from the Italian capital to Munich. And as Austria’s twilight train fleet continues to grow, it’s understandable why locals are starting to dub Vienna “the night train capital of Europe”.
While ÖBB’s Nightjet has rapidly expanded its services in the last year – despite many of its routes being shut down this summer – the September 10 launch of its next-gen night train appears to have been particularly special. A new train and two new routes brought out several senior dignitaries to the send-off ceremony at Vienna Central Station. Among them were Austria’s Climate Protection Minister, the Italian Ambassador, and ÖBB’s CEO Andreas Matthä, who all waved off the first Vienna-Rome service with much fanfare.
“With the new generation Nightjet, we have created a game-changer for night train travel in Europe,” said ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä at the launch. “It brings a huge leap in comfort and also offers significantly more privacy for our travellers. We are very pleased that we can now travel from Vienna and Munich to Rome with this modern train.”
There was even an EU Commission representative there to laud Brussels’ hand in making the route possible. “The EU is investing heavily in new infrastructure and a European train control system,” said the Commission’s Christian Wigand. “A strong European rail network helps citizens get from A to B quickly, safely, and in an environmentally friendly way. The ÖBB Nightjet connections are a good example of this.”
New Nightjet train, new Nightjet routes
In terms of the rolling stock upgrade, the seven-car next-generation Nightjets are made up of two seating cars, three couchette cars and two sleeping cars. With a total of 254 seats, they offer more luggage and sports equipment space than previous models, as well as free WiFi. Each carriage has an upgraded passenger information system, new mobile phone-permeable windows, and in addition to the conventional power socket, there are also charging options for various electronic devices via USB.
But it appears that it’s the level of space that has really changed on the new Nightjets, exhibited by the several different “comfort categories” offered onboard. The top-end ‘sleeper car comfort plus’ option provides larger compartments for one or two people with a private toilet and shower, as well as two fixed bunk beds. Next is the ‘sleeper car comfort’ model, which appears to be slightly smaller than the former. Then there’s the ‘couchette comfort’ option which offers four-person compartments for families and group travellers with fixed beds.
There’s also the budget Mini Cabin, which offers “new innovative sleeping capsules in couchettes” for solo travellers, with nearby lockers for hand luggage. For people with disabilities, there’s the ‘barrier-free comfort compartment’ for up to two wheelchair users and two accompanying people, which has a modern barrier-free toilet next door. Finally, there’s the ‘seat car comfort’ offer, where passengers can sleep in their seats.
The night train capital of Europe
As for prices, ÖBB says that with its Sparschiene offer – a special discounted ticket deal for long-distance and international train travel – Nightjet travellers will be able to pay comparatively cheap prices to the Italian capital, as long as they book in advance.
For the Vienna-Rome route, a Sparschiene ticket for a seated carriage is going from 34.90 euros per person. Meanwhile, families or group travellers in a four-person couchette car can take tickets from 54.90 euros per head. The mini cabins for solo travellers are also available with the Sparschiene ticket from 54.90 euros. For more comfort, space and privacy, a seat in a sleeping car compartment can be booked with the discount option from 99.90 euros.
“Night trains are experiencing a real renaissance,” said Peter Hanke, Vienna’s City Councillor for Business and Tourism. “We are the night train capital of Europe; no other EU capital has as many night train connections as Vienna. With the new night train to the Eternal City, we are not only increasing the attractiveness of the two cities as travel destinations, but are also connecting two economic metropolises that are very closely interlinked.”
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