Europe’s biggest network of overnight and sleeper trains is about to get a big upgrade, as Austria’s state rail system, owner of the Nightjet network gets ready to start taking on 33 new seven-car trains that will serve existing lines and the new lines scheduled to open across Europe starting in 2022.
The success of Nightjet has been a continuing surprise, requiring not only new but many more trains as more national rail operators team up with OBB to extend the route network. New routes are being added to Belgium and the Netherlands, Croatia, Spain and more.
When German rail operator DB abandoned its City Night Line routes for dead in 2016, and sold the remains to Austria, many were skeptical Austria could make a go of it, but growing environmental pressure against shorter airline routes and the convenience of traveling overnight and waking at your destination came along at the right time for Nightjet.
