Europe’s next-generation night trains aim to draw passengers away from planes

theguardian.com:

From cosy sleeping pods to sliding doors, ambient lighting to curvaceous seating, a new generation of night trains designed to maximise passengers’ comfort and privacy are expected to be whizzing across Europe from next year.

NightJet, the sleeper division of Austria’s national railway, ÖBB – considered one of the world’s trailblazers in night rail travel – unveiled the interior of its new wagons this week.

Travel writers and railway buffs invited to Vienna to inspect them said they had the potential to give a new boost to the industry at a time of huge challenges such as the energy crisis and the climate emergency.

The carriages’ design focuses on passengers’ wishes for more privacy and safety, including cocoon-like cabins with lockable doors for individual travellers, and sliding shutters between pods at head level to allow for inter-cabin conversation when desired. Other modern conveniences include free wireless connection, power points, dimmable lighting and soft seating areas.

The routes the NightJets are expected to travel on span cities including Vienna, Budapest, Berlin, Milan, Rome and Zurich.

The first of 33 NightJet trains, in which ÖBB has invested €700m, will be launched next summer and the fleet will be rolled out fully by 2025.

Each has seven carriages including two seating cars, two sleeping cars with two-person compartments, and three sleeper cars with four-person suites as well as mini cabins for individual travellers.

Each train is capable of carrying 254 passengers, bigger than the capacity of most short-haul planes, and will be able to travel at up to 230kmh (143mph).

NightJet has promised its prices will be competitive with those of airlines, with sleeping car tickets available for between €50 and €100.