Navigational blunder during a 14-day backpacking expedition across Europe's cities
Revamped Article:
Wanting a budget-friendly option for a European train journey, I opted for the cheapest accommodation: a seat in a sleeper car on the OBB Nightjet train.
The ride from Berlin to Vienna racked up a bill of just under 37 euros for a grueling 12-hour journey. Let me tell you, it was a nightmarish ordeal that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
I remember one sleepless night in October 2022, during a two-week backpacking trip across four European countries, when my body and mind were utterly drained. I was traveling on an OBB Nightjet train, and I had booked the shoddier, less expensive seat in the sleeper car.
The sleeper cars on this train come in different configurations: three, four, or six berths and seating areas. I wound up with a six-person seating area where six regular seats reclined back, reluctantly providing me with a makeshift bed.
Overnight trains have been a familiar sight in my travels, with numerous trips between the USA and Europe. On most of those trips, I had opted for the privacy of a personal compartment. Broken train tracks, stiff beds, and all - it was a far superior experience than the six-person sleeper car.
A Tight Quarters Fiasco
In Berlin, I boarded the overnight train, where dimly lit corridors led to these small, enclosed compartments with two sets of three seats. As soon as I entered, I felt claustrophobic, and the compartment was hardly spacious enough for each passenger.
When I embarked on my grueling 12-hour journey, there were already three passengers in the compartment, with two more joining within the first few hours.
The seat appeared wider than an average train seat, boasting two pillows and adjustable recline, but it wasn't enough to lie completely flat. The gap between the backrest and the underside of the seat made it difficult to get comfortable. I didn't spot any pillows or blankets provided for the guests either.
An OBB Nightjet representative explained to our website (BI) that pillows and blankets are provided only in sleeping cars with bunk beds, as the seating car is not recommended for long-distance travel.
Short on Creature Comforts
Despite the lack of pillows and blankets, the seats in the seating car came equipped with small tables that could be pushed out from the armrest. These tables were large enough for my ticket and phone, but nothing more. There were also power outlets in the carriage, but not enough for everyone. Passengers had to rotate, taking turns charging their devices at the dwindling number of available outlets.
An OBB Nightjet representative informed BI that the carriages were renovated in 2023 and now include more power outlets.
Even in a less crowded cabin, I couldn't get comfortable - especially knowing that someone might wake me up to shift positions. In the end, I remained wide awake until dawn.
My train arrived in Vienna at seven in the morning, and I was so drained that I wandered around the city searching for a hotel to accommodate me at such an early hour. The cost of a hotel room to catch a few hours of shut-eye did not seem worthwhile after my turbulent night and expensive train ticket. My lack of sleep made my time exploring Vienna far less enjoyable.
"Travel quality depends not only on the carriages, but also on the route," OBB Nightjet wrote in a statement to BI. "We recommend the sleeper car or couchette car for overnight travel. There's enough room to stretch out. For shorter trips, seating cars are recommended."
Curious about alternative options, I took another OBB Nightjet trip a year later in a train with private compartments. This time, I splurged on a room from Venice to Vienna and enjoyed a peaceful, sleep-filled journey.
Additional Insights:
European night trains provide various accommodation options, with sleeper cars, seating areas, and private rooms available. In contrast to budget-friendly seating cars, those with sleeper compartments or private cabins usually provide better comfort, including pillows, sheets, and more room to stretch out. Keep in mind that these upgraded options may come at a higher cost.
For longer journeys, it's best to consider private compartments or sleeper cars for better comfort and the ability to catch some much-needed sleep. When traveling between European cities, seating cars are a more affordable option, but had drawbacks, such as limited space, limited amenities, and fewer opportunities to rest comfortably.
- What was the budget-friendly option for a European train journey the author chose during a two-week backpacking trip across four European countries? It was a seat in a sleeper car on the OBB Nightjet train.
- The author's 12-hour journey on the OBB Nightjet train from Berlin to Vienna can be categorized under which industry? Transportation
- Travel and lifestyle choices can be impacted by factors such as budget, comfort, and quality. In the context of the article, budget-travel options like the one taken by the author on the OBB Nightjet train might compromise lifestyle and travel enjoyment due to lack of creature comforts, limited space, and few opportunities to rest comfortably.
