Nightjet

A New Age of Rail Travel

Departing in 2023, a new fleet of Nightjets aim to bring comfort and privacy to overnight rail journeys.

As travellers look to reduce their carbon footprint, increasing numbers are turning to the tracks, hopping from city to city by train as a climatefriendly alternative to short-haul flights.

But with increased popularity comes increased demand, not only for new routes and timetabled services, but for contemporary design, greater comfort and more privacy – something that rail firms ÖBB and Siemens Mobility have set out to achieve with their next-generation sleeping and couchette cars.

Built at the Siemens Mobility plant in Vienna, the Nightjet is made up of seven carriages – two dedicated to seating, two to sleeping, and a further three fitted with four-berth couchettes – resulting in a maximum capacity of 254 passengers. The desire for privacy has been addressed by increasing the number of suites on board – made possible by reducing occupancy – with sleeping cars designed for two passengers only and mini-cabins available for solo travellers. Each compartment is equipped with beds and a seating area for working or dining, as well as storage lockers and coat hooks. They even have their own toilet and shower. Modern technology has also been integrated, with intuitive lighting control panels, ample charging stations and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.

The first Nightjet train is expected to depart next summer for travel between Austria, Germany and Italy, and by the end of 2025, a total of 33 Nightjets will be on the rails, connecting European cities overnight at speeds of up to 230kph. There are also plans to travel to mountainous regions, with an extra storage car for bikes, skis and snowboarding equipment.

“With the new Nightjet, we are making an important contribution to rail travel becoming more appealing and helping to achieve climate targets,” says Albrecht Neumann, CEO of Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility. “The trains are highly innovative: they stand out for their comfort, sustainability and flexibility, and will be a global benchmark for years to come.”

Andreas Matthä, CEO of ÖBB, concludes: “The night train has become the epitome of sustainable travel, and our Nightjet is a synonym for night trains in Europe. For our guests, comfort, design and privacy are becoming increasingly important, which is why we are investing in a next-generation experience. With this train, we are entering a new age.”