New High-Tech Sleeper trains set to be introduced on Europe’s top travel destinations

Trains are an essential part of the broader European travel experience, with some routes being enthusiastically sought after by travellers simply because they are attractions in their own right.

This is in sharp contrast to what obtains in North America where a company like Amtrak was very close to bankruptcy due to an almost non-existent demand for rail links, and only just got back on the road to recovery.

However, with European air travel facing some serious challenges, the popularity of trains on the continent has continued to rise. Moreover, as countries like Spain and Germany are slashing fares to promote sales this summer, more and more people are beginning to key into overnight train journeys. And with the recent launch of a high-tech sleeper train, night travel just became more interesting.

Presently, Europe is raising the bar by launching its brand-new night trains which are set to travel across all the major destinations such as Budapest, Vienna, Milan, Paris, etc.

More Information About the Launch

Indeed, when it comes to responding to the surge in train tourism, Europe has always had the edge. The continent never stopped investing in the railway and this mode of travel has continued to be a significant part of inter-European connectivity despite the widespread acceptance of air travel. This is in contrast with places like Mexico, where the government is re-introducing train travel years later.

Now, Europe is relying on sleeper trains to emphasise its supremacy in the market. Definitely, what we’re observing is a relaunch of a few night routes that had, leading up to this year, been eclipsed by low-cost, short-distance air travel. Apparently, contrary to widespread belief, long luxury train rides have not lost their appeal.

OBB, the Austrian national rail company has just announced the launch of its new NightJets – a group of posh-looking, high-tech trains designed to enhance comfort during overnight journeys, which are debuting next year. Actually, the new pan-European express from OBB has the likelihood of outdoing flight bookings.

About NightJet – Europe’s New High-Speed Overnight Express

There will be seven carriages on the new NightJet trains namely:

Two standard seats
Two sleeping cars – these can contain two travellers per compartment
Three sleeping cars – these come with four-passenger suites along with mini-cabins for travellers travelling alone who want more privacy

Probably, the most thrilling offering is the new mini-suites which are sold at couchette prices. The mini-suites can carry 254 passengers, which is more seats than a lot of short-haul flights can offer, including the ones used by Ryanair, the popular low-cost carrier, most usually a Boeing 737-800 with 189 seats. Also, the NightJet will hit a travel speed of 143 miles per hour so it can cover longer distances within a shorter time.

What Are the NightJet’s Best Features?

The NightJet is big on speed and amenities. It is comparable to the Frecciarossa, Italy’s famous high-speed trains which are among Europe’s best. The Frecciarossa can reach speeds of 186 miles per hour – which is only fairly quicker than the NightJet. The Nightjet will be carrying passengers from Western Europe to Istanbul (Turkey), thus competing against the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, one of Europe’s notable but exorbitantly-priced trains.

Even though they will not be as swanky as the Simplon-Orient Express, the NightJet trains have been undergoing some key upgrades compared to some of the other long-distance, cross-border services within Europe:

Toilets and showers in the sleeper car compartment
Mood lighting and wireless phone charging in the berths
Trains are equipped with air conditioners which are absolutely essential in the hot summer months. Each compartment would have its own temperature control.
Breakfast available on the couchette and sleeper coaches

When is the Launch Date and Where is the Launch?

The new NightJets are billed to start running in summer 2023 with service confirmed for 25 destinations across 8 countries namely;