A Comparison of Private Overnight Train Accommodations: Europe's Nightjet and US Amtrak

Overnight train travel, utilizing private accommodations, presents varied experiences across different continents, as evidenced by services offered by Europe's Nightjet and the United States' Amtrak.

In 2023, an 11-hour Nightjet train journey from Venice to Vienna was undertaken in a private cabin priced at $200. The private cabin measured 30 square feet and included three bunks, an in-room sink, and a vanity. This accommodation represented a mid-tier option, offering more privacy than shared rooms but lacking the private full bathroom found in higher-tier Nightjet cabins, which were not available at the time of booking. Nightjet trains operate between 25 countries.

Conversely, a longer 53-hour Amtrak train trip, scheduled for 2026, from Chicago to Emeryville, California, was booked in a bedroom for $2,200. This journey utilized Amtrak's California Zephyr, recognized as the longest rail route in the US, traversing seven states on a double-decker Superliner train. The Amtrak bedroom provided 50 square feet of space, featuring two bunks and a private full bathroom. Amtrak also offers smaller roomettes (25 sq ft) and larger family bedrooms.

Both the Nightjet private cabin and the Amtrak bedroom were equipped with wash basins and vanities. The Nightjet's sink and vanity were situated behind double doors, while the Amtrak bedroom's were exposed. A key difference in amenities was the presence of a private toilet and shower within the Amtrak bedroom, an feature not present in the specific Nightjet cabin booked, although Nightjet does offer cabins with private bathrooms. The Amtrak bedroom also included a daytime setup with a seat, foldout table, pullout couch, and an upper bunk that could be lowered.

According to Business Insider, both trains offered shared bathrooms and showers within their sleeper cars.