This isn’t the first time I’ve written about a trip on the NightJet, operated by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). It’s safe to say that they are the most dominant night train operator in Europe and if you’re booked on a sleeper train in Western Europe, the chances are that it will be a NightJet.
Previously, I wrote about my experience on the NightJet from Vienna to Berlin, which I took as far as Rzepin, Poland. If you’d like to take a look, click here.
Why write again about the ÖBB NightJet you ask? Well, the ÖBB currently have four types of sleeping cars within their NightJet fleet. The most common is the type branded Comfortline, as experienced on the Vienna to Berlin route, built between 2003-05. There are also older double-deck coaches built in 1992-95 that ply on the Zürich <> Vienna / Hamburg routes and the brand new NightJet new generation fleet launched in 2023, on the Vienna / Innsbruck <> Hamburg route and expanding onto other routes as we speak. This is one I hope to experience in the future!
In November 2022, I took a trip on another type of sleeping car, launched recently but now the oldest type in the fleet!
As the ÖBB searched for elusive night train stock to serve their new routes, in light of the flight-free boom in long-distance overnight travel, they introduced the AB33 type when they launched the new Zürich to Amsterdam route with partner railways SBB, Deutsche Bahn and Nederlandse Spoorwegen. These were originally built in 1975.
Although, arguably, the hard product isn’t up to the levels of the more modern fleets, there was a certain charm of travelling on this type of sleeping car, complete with the typically high quality customer experience typically on offer on NightJet routes.
Here is the route map of the twelve hour overnight trip from Zürich HB to Amsterdam Centraal on the NJ 402 that typically departs at 21:34 and arrives at 09:58 the following morning.
Departure from Zürich HB
There are typically five nightly departures from the bustling main station in Zürich (HB or Hauptbahnhof), excitingly with carriages serving destinations in almost all directions – to Zagreb, Vienna, Budapest, Hamburg, Prague and now to Amsterdam. It’s quite the hub for train travel and exotic destinations!
Travelling in the sleeping car on the NightJet would normally afford lounge access in key stations in Austria, however, unfortunately Zürich has no First Class lounge. There are multiple restaurants in the station and supermarkets nearby to stock up on supplies though. I tend to visit the Coop across the road.
Onboard the Zürich-Amsterdam NightJet
There are three choices of accommodation available on the Zürich-Amsterdam NightJet including the sleeping car (featured in detail here), couchette car and the seated cars. There are usually ten carriages attached to this train and once the train reaches Basel, a further three carriages are attached, including a second AB33 sleeper.
Sleeping Car
As is commonplace with night trains in Europe, the sleeping cars have compartments with up to three beds in each, in bunks. How many beds are made up depends how many passengers are booked in the compartment, with the beds not in use usually folded away. Anyone travelling solo will have the lower bed made up only.
There is a window blind and wash basin in the compartment, again a standard feature in European sleeping cars. The AB33 type sleeper does have some unique features, though. Firstly, there is an armchair in the corner, by the window with table, idea for consuming breakfast while admiring the view. Secondly, one for the rail enthusiast, is an open window! This isn’t needed for ventilation purposes as there is effective air conditioning, however, first thing in the morning, before sunrise, it was invigorating to enjoy the fresh breeze of what was a chilly, misty morning in the Netherlands.
The compartment on the AB33 was dingy compared to the Comfortline sleeper but comfortable enough and I had a reasonable night’s rest, partly thanks to being able to steal a pillow from an unused bed in my solo compartment – the pillows could be plumper on the NightJet!
The usual amenities are provided including a small bottle of sparkling wine, bottled water and a comfort kit including slippers, small towel and snacks.
Unfortunately there is a serious negative with the AB33 type sleeper and that is in regard to the compartment doors. Keys aren’t provided unlike on the newer Comfortline sleepers, which means when the door is closed it’s locked. This isn’t great when you have solo occupancy and need to pop to the toilet through the night – you would need the host to re-open the door for you, or risk leaving your compartment door open. Although looking at other travel reports, it appears keys are provided on occasion.
There are two toilets at the end of the carriage, shared between the eleven compartments and kept clean throughout the trip. These were nicely decorated with photo of the Fraumünster Church in Zürich on the wall and flowers stuck on the window and probably the original 1975 sink. There aren’t any en-suite bathrooms, nor showers on the AB33.
Sleeping Car Breakfast
On the Zürich-Amsterdam sleeper, breakfast is included in the price of the ticket as normal on NightJet services. Upon boarding, a card is provided where you can select six options and the host collects this shortly after departure in addition to your ticket so it can be checked en route. This is always returned in the morning. Take a look at my Vienna-Berlin NightJet for more detail on the menu.
Couchette Car
The other type of lie-down accommodation is the couchette carriage. This is more basic compared to the sleeping carriage, but perfectly comfortable enough with sheets and blankets provided. Also a small breakfast is included in the ticket price.
First Class Seated Car
There is one First Class seated carriage of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) attached to the Zürich-Amsterdam NightJet, featuring 2+1 seating with seats exclusively around bays of two or four. This may be desirable accommodation on a daytime train, but I don’t recommend spending the whole night here if it’s within your means to upgrade to a couchette or a sleeper.
Second Class Seated Car
The bulk of the seated coaches are Second Class, also of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), similar to First Class but featuring a 2+2 layout.
Booking and Fares
Fares on the NightJet vary – just like air fares. Recently, the ÔBB has implemented new fares for travel in their sleeping cars in response to soaring demand for flight-free travel.
As a result, some fares have more than doubled with supplements being dynamically controlled meaning the earlier you book, the cheaper the price. For example, a solo sleeping compartment, as featured here, now can cost hundreds of Euros.
| Journey Leg | Solo Sleeping Car | Shared Sleeping Car – 2 people | Shared Sleeping Car – 3 people | 4-berth couchette | 6-berth couchette | 1st Class Seat | 2nd Class Seat |
| Zürich HB -Amsterdam Centraal | from 199,90€ per person | from 99,90€ per person | from 79,90€ per person | from 64,90€ | from 49,90€ | from 56,90€ + 5,90€ seat reservation | from 39,90€ + 4,90€ seat reservation |
Tickets for the sleeping and couchette carriages can be booked direct at the website of ÖBB, including with those travelling with InterRail/EU Rail pass, where the discount can be applied in the ‘discounts’ section.
Tickets for the seated carriages can be purchased at the website of DB with a seat reservation only if travelling on an InterRail/EU Rail pass.
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Conclusion
The AB33 sleeping carriage of the Zürich-Amsterdam NightJet may have charm, but it is lacking facilities compared to the newer NightJet carriages, including the absence of showers and compartments with en-suite bathrooms. The compartment door situation is annoying and one that isn’t a problem on newer fleets. Expect the usual high quality service levels from the onboard crew and breakfast included in the ticket price.
It’s only a matter of time before the AB33 is replaced on the NightJet passenger services with the new generation trains currently being delivered by ÖBB, so do experience it before it’s too late!
This travel report was first published in June 2024.
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Please get in touch if you have any feedback on this travel report by liking and sharing your thoughts below in the comments section. Have you made a similar trip? Please do share your own experiences on the rails.
Thanks for another excellent report. I love your newsletter.
Safe travels!
Joe Meyers
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Thanks Joe 😀