The Nightjet is Europe's answer to short-haul flights — travel relaxed overnight without booking a hotel. ÖBB operates Europe's largest night-train network and has expanded massively in 2024/25: new routes to Paris, more Comfort Plus cars, higher frequency. This guide shows which cabin suits which traveler type and how to find the cheapest "Sparschiene" contingents.
Important: Nightjet is an ÖBB product, not DB
- • Booking at nightjet.com is almost always cheaper than DB
- • BahnCard does not apply — 25/50% discount only works on DB trips
- • Passenger rights run through ÖBB (not DB) — delay-claim form from ÖBB customer service
- • ÖBB Vorteilscard offers Nightjet discounts — pays off from ~3 Nightjet trips/year
The 4 Nightjet cabins compared
Seat car
6-seat compartment, bench seating
Sleep comfort
Upright sitting, neck pillow recommended
Included
Seat + luggage rack
Best for
Backpackers, short routes (<6h)
Couchette
6 or 4-bunk compartment
Sleep comfort
Simple bunks, blanket + pillow included
Included
Bedding, breakfast (coffee + pastry), earplugs
Best for
Price-sensitive travelers, 6–10h trips
Sleeper
1, 2 or 3-person compartment
Sleep comfort
Real bed with mattress
Included
Bedding, welcome drink, breakfast, washbasin
Best for
Business trips, couples, >8h trips
Comfort Plus
1 or 2 people
Sleep comfort
Bed + own shower/WC in compartment
Included
Shower, larger breakfast, water + coffee
Best for
Premium travelers, important morning appointments
Main Nightjet routes from Germany
| Route | Via | Duration | From (seat car) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburg → Vienna | Berlin, Nuremberg, Salzburg | 12h | €29.90 |
| Berlin → Zurich | Frankfurt, Basel | 11h | €39.90 |
| Berlin → Paris | Mannheim, Strasbourg | 13h | €49.90 |
| Munich → Rome | Bologna, Florence | 14h | €59.90 |
| Munich → Venice | Villach, Udine | 10h | €39.90 |
| Munich → Paris | Stuttgart, Strasbourg | 11h | €49.90 |
| Düsseldorf → Vienna | Nuremberg, Passau | 13h | €39.90 |
| Amsterdam → Innsbruck | Munich (transit through DE) | 14h | €49.90 |
* Sparschiene early-bird prices, heavily contingented. Couchette +€20, sleeper +€40.
Pro tips
Book directly at nightjet.com: Not via the DB website — often 30–50% more expensive there. The ÖBB website accepts credit cards, has an English version and shows all contingents transparently.
Cheaper on weekdays: Tue/Wed/Thu departures almost always have the most Sparschiene contingents. Friday evening toward Vienna is the most expensive.
Couchette is the sweet spot: For €20 more than seat car you get real sleep quality. The difference to sitting upright is huge — sleeper only makes sense if you need privacy.
Interrail pass works on Nightjet: With 1st-class pass even in sleeper, with 2nd-class pass in couchette. Reservation fee €10–30 applies but still cheaper than single ticket.
Small bag is enough: Sleep mask, earplugs, toiletries, thin pullover (A/C!), plug adapter per destination country. Large luggage fits under the bed or in the corridor luggage racks.
Book Nightjet directly with ÖBB
nightjet.com shows all Sparschiene contingents. Direct booking saves €20–50 vs. DB resale — and you see the available cabins immediately.
Go to Nightjet booking