An icon shaped like an angle pointing downwards is shown on the page. A reporter from Business Insider embarked on journeys in private cabins on overnight trains in both the United States and Europe. In 2021, the reporter booked a 30-hour overnight train ride on an Amtrak roomette. Two years later, a private cabin was booked for an 11-hour journey on a European sleeper train. Despite similar amenities, the experiences were different with one offering better value. The reporter has traveled on six overnight trains in both the US and Europe, sometimes opting for shared accommodations and other times splurging on private cabins.
The most comparable rides in each country were the Amtrak roomette and a private cabin on OBB Austrian Federal Railway’s Nightjet train. Both options provided enclosed spaces with beds, in-room sinks, and wash basins, but the experiences varied in several ways. Read on to learn about which option offers more value and why.
The journey on an Amtrak roomette began in October 2021 with a 30-hour trip from NYC to Miami. For $500, the reporter traveled 1,094 miles in a cozy room with two seats, a pullout table, and two wide windows. The room transformed into sleeping quarters at night, offering comfortable bunks.
In contrast, the journey on a Nightjet train from Venice, Italy, to Vienna lasted 11 hours and cost $200 for a 269-mile trip. The private cabin on the Nightjet train provided three beds and more space to move around compared to the roomette. The reporter was pleasantly surprised to find welcome gifts in the cabin, such as wafer treats, slippers, and sleep essentials.
The Amtrak roomette featured a small sink and vanity area, while the Nightjet cabin had a spacious wash-up area with storage compartments for toiletries. Beds on both trains were comfortable, but the Nightjet bunk was slightly more comfortable with a thick, smooth comforter.
Both trains offered complimentary breakfast, but the Amtrak ride had more meal options throughout the journey. Despite being cheaper, the European ride did not provide as fulfilling of a breakfast as the US ride.
Overall, the reporter found the US trip to offer better value due to the longer distance, additional meals, and the room designed for both day and night travel. However, the European cabin was still considered worth the price for its spacious setup, vanity, comfortable bunk, and welcome gifts.
