I Slept in a Nightjet Mini Cabin—Here’s My Full Review

Sleeper trains are seriously the new hot way to travel right now. You get to save on a flight and a hotel! It’s a no brainer. I slept in the new Nightjet Mini Cabin so stay tuned for my review.

I’m a huge fan of train travel—not only does it cut out the stress and chaos of airports, but it’s also a more sustainable way to get around.

To get to any of the airports from my house in London, it takes at least one hour. But to get to Kings Cross Train Station is only 20 minutes! By the time you do the math, you’re actually saving on travel time since you can sleep your way to a new country.

I recently traveled overnight from Hamburg, Germany to Innsbruck, Austria. I tried the new generation Nightjet sleeper trains which include capsule-style pods. These capsule rooms remind me of the capsule hotels in Japan but on a train! It is such an innovative way to travel.

In this post, I’m sharing my honest Nightjet mini cabins review, how to book one easily through Omio, and which Nightjet routes actually offer this unique sleeper experience.

Just a heads up! This post is sponsored by Omio, but as always, all opinions are my own. It also contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through them—at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me keep creating travel content I love ♡ Thank you! Read my Affiliate Disclosure here.

How I Booked My Nightjet Mini Cabin with Omio

Booking a Nightjet mini cabin is super easy with the Omio.

Omio is a one-stop travel booking platform where you can compare and book trains, buses, and flights across Europe (and beyond). Instead of checking multiple websites, Omio lets you see all your options in one place—with real-time prices and availability. You don’t have to deal with language barriers booking on foreign train websites or confusing interfaces.

Here are the simple steps to book the new Nightjet mini cabins:

1. Download the Omio app (available on iOS and Android) or go to omio.com on your desktop.
2. Search for an evening route on one of the Nightjet lines. Popular ones include:
   • Hamburg → Munich, Vienna, or Innsbruck
   • Amsterdam → Vienna or Munich
3. Under “Seat Arrangement”, choose Mini Cabin.
4. Book your ticket!

👉 Pro Tip: These cabins can sell out fast, especially on popular routes, so book early if you want to avoid disappointment.

What is new about these trains?

The new generation of Nightjet trains were introduced by ÖBB in December 2023. It is a significant upgrade to sleeper trains as the design is super nice and modern. These Siemens-built trains are designed to enhance comfort, privacy, and convenience to those who are also budget-consious.

​Key Features of the New-Gen Nightjet Trains:

• Mini Cabins: Perfect for solo travelers like myself. You can have your own private pod without having to buy out an entire sleeper cabin or couchette.
• Better Sleeper and Couchette Options: the trains feature upgraded sleeper cabins with built-in beds and private en-suite facilities. The comfort has been enhanced so it will provide you a hotel-like experience on rails.
• Modern Amenities and Accessibility: There’s free Wi-Fi that actually works! Lots of luggage storage that you can secure safetly with locks. Each room is secured with electronic key cards. There’s USB charging ports at every seat and even wireless phone charging docks. For travelers with mobility needs, there are barrier-free compartments with accessible toilets and low-floor boarding. ​
• Sustainable and Efficient Design: The new trains are fully air-conditioned and pressure-resistant. They also feature energy-efficient LED lighting and CO₂-regulated fresh air systems making them very eco-friendly. ​

Nightjet New Generation Routes

These are the current routes you can take to try the Nightjet New Generation trains which include the mini cabins. More and more trains are being converted to the new design too.

• Hamburg – Vienna
• Hamburg – Munich & Innsbruck
• Bregenz & Feldkirch – Vienna
• Vienna/Munich/Salzburg – Bologna/Florence/Rome
• Amsterdam – Vienna (coming late May 2025)
• Amsterdam – Munich/Innsbruck (coming late May 2025)

Cabin Types on the Nightjet & Prices

While the mini cabins are one of the newest and most unique options on the Nightjet, there are several other cabin types to accomodate different travel styles and budgets.

You can choose from seated carriages (the most basic and budget-friendly option), couchette compartments (shared compartments with bunk beds for 4–6 people), or sleeper cabins, which offer the most comfort and privacy. They come with beds and the option to book an entire cabin to yourself. Plus, some sleeper cabins even come with private bathrooms and showers.

Prices for the Nightjet sleeper cabins can vary depending on the season and how early you book. I purchased my mini cabin from Hamburg to Innsbruck and it cost me €150. Below are some estimated pricings per cabin type.

My Nightjet Mini Cabin Review

I honestly loved this experience. Enjoying movies, snacks, reading in this little pod was just so fun. Here’s some of the features you should know about when considering booking the new Nightjet mini cabins.

Storage Space for Luggage

There’s plenty of unique places to store your bags on the new generation Nightjet! If you booked the lower mini cabin, you also get a secret storage compartment below the cushion of your cabin. Note: you won’t have this extra storage if you book the top cabin.

Next to the mini cabins, you will find a place to store your shoes and secure a small cabin bag. These are unlockable with your room key card. The dimensions of these spaces are and max. 18 x 57 x 15 cm for shoes and (max. 40 x 55 x 23 cm) for cabin bags. 

Within the seated carraige, one cabin down from the mini-cabins carraige, you’ll find a place to store larger suitcases. But don’t worry about people stealing your bags within the night! There’s a metal rope you can feed through your luggage. You can secure it either with a code you customize or with your room key card.

Bedding & Comfort

The mini cabins bed setup is up to you unlike the more upgraded sleeper cabins where the attendant sets it up.

You will find a pillow, sheets, blanket, water bottle, and small snack included upon your arrival.

I found it pretty comfortable but I know others have reviewed saying it could be more comfortable. If you’re picky about pillows, I’d say bring your own as the pillow resembles the ones you get on a flight so they aren’t the thickest.

Size of the Mini Cabins

​The new-generation ÖBB Nightjet Mini Cabins are compact sleeping pods designed for solo travelers. However, their size might raise challenges for overweight passengers.

Mini Cabin Dimensions

• Length: 188 cm (74 in)
• Width: 63 cm (25 in)
• Height: 98 cm (38.5 in)

As you can see, the space can be snug! While the design is efficient, it may not comfortably accommodate individuals who are taller than 6’1″ or those with a larger body frame.

Airconditioning in the Mini Cabins

The mini cabins on the Nightjet has air conditioning, although you can’t adjust the temperature yourself. Each pod has two vents positioned near the head area which you can close or open to suit your preference. I found that it was a little stuffy as I went to bed and then during the night, I felt a bit cold.

Sliding Door between pods

There’s a sliding door between the two sleeper pods on the Nightjet. This can be locked if you’re traveling solo so you aren’t exposed to a stranger next door! It is handy, however, if you’re traveling with a friend because you can slide open the door and chat when you want to.

It does feel a tad strange if you’re solo and someone’s head is just a sliding door away. Honestly, I did have someone next to me but it wasn’t bad and still felt super private.

Control Panel & Lighting

There’s a control panel above the sliding door in the Nightjet mini cabin. This will tell you if the bathroom is occupied or not.

The control panel also lets you adjust the cabin’s lighting, including mood options like red, blue, dim, and standard white lighting.

There’s also a coffee symbol which will call the train attendant over when you’re ready to have coffee & breakfast.

Hooks for Hanging Coats/Bags

There are 2 hooks in the mini cabins where you can hang your coat or small bag with some of your belongings.

Nightjet Mini Cabins Charging Stations

The Nightjet mini cabins come with plug sockets, a usb port, and a wireless charging dock. So, you have plenty of space to charge your devices.

Washroom/Bathroom Setup

The Nightjet mini cabins have a shared bathroom and wash basin down the hall. You can see if it’s in use from the control panel in your pod.

There’s no shower setup for the mini cabins. If you’d like a shower you’d have to upgrade to the Comfort Couchette or Deluxe Comfort Cabins.

Noise Level

When I went to bed, my cabin was really quiet. They set quiet hours after 10pm. The only thing I heard was people opening and closing their cabins. This was a bit loud, as the sliding doors sometimes got stuck.

Security of the Cabins

The cabins are locked with a keycard and so is your cabin storage.

Since the cabins are super new, I imagine they need some use to be able to open easier. Plus, sometimes after I used my keycard, I had trouble opening my cabin. My train attendent unlocked it for me and said it sometimes happens. I found that I needed to give it a strong push to open it on some occasions. PS: Don’t lock yourself out of your cabin like I did! I forgot my card inside but luckily the staff let me back in.

Extra Seating

Across the mini cabin you will find a seat that will fold out below the window in case you want a breather from being enclosed in your capsule.

Should you book a lower or upper cabin?

The lower cabin comes with a bit more advantages. There’s extra secret storage underneath the cushion of the bed. Plus, it’s a tad bit roomier. I have seen that it’s a bit less comfortable upstairs due to the way the back of the pod curves. Plus, you will have to climb up the steps everytime you want to leave your pod.

Is there a Nightjet Dining Car?

There is no dining car on the Nightjet so be sure to come prepared with plenty of snacks. I asked the train attendant if there was a place I could order food and he said there was none at all! I was a bit surprised. Online, it does say you can order snacks but my train attendant didn’t mention this as an option. That said, I would eat your dinner before or bring it on board.

There is however, a breakfast service which includes 2 bread rolls, butter, jam, and coffee or tea. The train attendant will bring this by one hour before your arrival or you can click the coffee button inside the cabin to request your breakfast.

Train Delays

I do hear that the trains can get delayed sometimes. Mine was delayed 40 minutes. I checked the Omio app for live timings to find out when my train would arrive. It was so handy to be able to track the live updates.

Tips for your overnight train journey

🍿 Bring snacks and eat beforehand—there’s no dining car or food service onboard.
🎥 Download movies or bring a book. Free Wi-Fi was available and actually worked!
🛌 Mini cabins come with a pillow, sheets, and blanket. If you’re picky about pillows or get cold easily, pack extras—I went to bed hot and woke up cold.
🚿 No showers in the mini cabins. You’ll need to upgrade to comfort cabins or couchettes for that.
💤 Bring earplugs and a sleep mask if you’re sensitive to light. I did find my cabin pretty dark and at night it was surprisingly quiet, however.
⛰️ Don’t miss the morning views—I woke up to stunning scenes of the Austrian Alps.
🚂 Check for delays and arrival times live during your trip via the Omio app.

Is the Nightjet Sleepr Train worth it?

In my opinion, the Nightjet Sleeper train was completly worth it. That’s because I saved on a flight and a hotel while getting to a completly new destination. It was an experience in itself to travel on this train. I loved the innovative design and how it’s so well-suited for solo travelers.

However, it was extremly tiny. At first I did feel a bit of claustrophobia but I settled in and got used to my space. It was pretty fun to experience and I would try it again.

I booked my journey through Omio, which made planning super easy. It laid out all the cabin options and departure times in one place. And I could easily track which platform to get on and if there were any delays straight in the app.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Would you try this!?