One was a means to an end. The other was a destination in itself. I'm talking about two overnight train journeys I took three years apart.
In the fall of 2023, I spent 11 hours in a private cabin on a European sleeper train traveling from Venice to Vienna for $200. Then, in the winter of 2026, I took a 53-hour train journey from Chicago to Emeryville, California, in an Amtrak bedroom for $2,200.
While I had a room to myself on both rides, my experiences on each couldn't have been more different.
First, I took an 11-hour Nightjet train from Venice to Vienna.
In November 2023, I took an OBB Nightjet, a train that travels after hours between 25 countries, from France to the Netherlands.
Then I took a 53-hour Amtrak trip from Chicago to California.
I took the full route of Amtrak's California Zephyr, the longest rail journey in the US. It's a scenic ride through seven states. My three-day, two-night trip was on the Superliner, a double-decker train.
On the Amtrak train, I paid $2,200 for a 50-square-foot bedroom with two bunks and a full bathroom.
The Amtrak train had coach seating, roomettes (25-square-foot cabins for two), bedrooms (twice the size of a roomette and with private bathrooms), and larger family bedrooms that sleep two adults and two kids. I booked the bedroom, and again, I traveled solo.
I instantly noticed the room felt larger than my cabin on the Nightjet train. For a ride nearly five times as long, I was grateful for the extra space.
Both cabins had wash basins and vanities with toiletry storage.
On the Nightjet train, the sink and vanity were behind a set of double doors across from the lower bunk. One of the doors had shelving inside.
The sink and vanity were also across from the lower bunk in the Amtrak bedroom, though they were exposed. A cabinet next to the mirror had space for small toiletries.
Both mirrors were brightly lit, and I appreciated being able to brush my teeth without leaving my room.
But I only had a private bathroom on the Amtrak train.
Both trains had shared bathrooms and showers in the sleeper cars. But having my own toilet and shower on the Amtrak train was a game changer for a three-day ride. Sure, the toilet and shower were squeezed into a tight space, but at least it was my space.
The Nightjet train also has cabins with private bathrooms, according to the train line's website. None were available when I booked, but since my trip was only 11 hours, it didn't feel necessary to splurge anyway. I skipped a shower and only used the bathroom a couple of times, so I didn't mind going without this amenity.
Only the Amtrak bedroom had a daytime setup.
In the bedroom, there was a seat, a foldout table, a pullout couch, and an upper bunk that pulled down from the ceiling. I appreciated the flexibility to switch up my cabin on the three-day ride. It was like having a living room and a bedroom at the same time.
While my Nightjet room didn't have a table or couch, some of the train line's newer accommodations do. The new-generation Nightjet, which debuted in December 2023 and operates on select routes, features cabins with tables and wall cushions above the beds.
The beds on the Amtrak train were more comfortable.
Both beds were quite comfortable, but the Amtrak bunks felt thicker and cushier. However, while both had cozy blankets, I preferred the Nightjet bedding because it had a thick comforter.
A Nightjet representative told Business Insider that bunks on the newer trains are about 4 inches longer than those on the train I rode.
I slept well on both rides.
My Nightjet train ticket included a basic breakfast.
About a half hour before my train arrived in Vienna, a train attendant came by my cabin with my breakfast tray. There were two hard rolls with butter, jelly, and Nutella on the side. I also had a cup of strawberry yogurt and a hot coffee. It filled me up for my morning in Vienna.
My Amtrak ticket included six meals.
All meals were included with my ticket for the 53-hour Amtrak journey, and passengers could eat in the dining car. There were a variety of dishes, from French toast breakfasts to steak dinners. I was surprised by how delicious the dishes were, given that they were prepared on a train.
Only the Amtrak train had communal spaces to hang out.
The dining and lounge cars were great places to get to know other passengers and break up the days on the Amtrak journey. There was a sense of community on the train because it felt like almost everyone was on vacation and appreciating the dramatic views of the wild American West.
It's important to note that these cars are typically only on long-distance Amtrak routes, where many passengers might spend multiple days on board.
The Nightjet train, however, is designed specifically to get passengers from one city to another while they sleep. There are no communal cars, and to me, they didn't seem necessary. I was only there to rest on my way to Vienna.
Both were worth the price for the experiences they provided. And I would take both rides again.
I thought $200 was a fair price for a private cabin on an 11-hour train ride. All I wanted from this trip was to fall asleep in Italy and wake up in Austria. The Nightjet room was comfortable enough for me to do so.
For $2,200, my Amtrak trip was a cozy adventure. In addition to getting from Illinois to California, I had an exciting experience from the comforts of a moving hotel room with nonstop views.
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Joey Hadden is a travel reporter and photojournalist at Business Insider based in NYC. She covers transportation modes, alternative lifestyles, and luxury travel. Many of Joey's stories are visual features that give readers a front-row seat to her personal experiences at home and around the world.Joey graduated from St. Edward's University in May 2019 with a BA in Photocommunications. Since joining BI in 2019, Joey has traveled by train in seven different countries, from day trips to overnight rides as long as 30 hours. She's ridden on many different train lines, including Amtrak, Via Rail, and the iconic Orient Express of the 21st century, among others. During her travels, she's slept in countless accommodations — five-star hotels, unique tiny homes, and private train cabins, to name a few.When traveling in North America, Joey takes readers inside the continent's wealthiest enclaves where billionaires hide away, from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to Medina, Washington. She spends her free time singing and playing drums for the indie-rock band Blanket Approval. You can follow Joey on Instagram or send her an email at [email protected].Popular ArticlesI spent $1,000 to have a room to myself on a 30-hour Amtrak ride. It was the best experience I've had on an overnight train in the US.I booked basic economy flights with Delta and United. They felt like 2 completely different classes.I went on an adults-only cruise for the first time, and 8 things surprised meI spent 2 nights in a 2-story, 100-square-foot tiny home in Germany that was smaller than any I've seen in the USStep inside the richest city in Arizona, where wealthy Californians are flocking for private mountainside estates
