The state-of-the-art Nightjet service will connect Vienna with four neighbouring countries by 2025 (Italy, Switzerland, Germany and France), providing a faster, greener alternative to short-haul flights.

Beginning in December 2024, these trains will run from Vienna to cities like Hamburg, Zurich, and soon Barcelona.

These routes are expected to attract millions of passengers while slashing the carbon footprint of European travel. More destinations are also set to come in 2025.

With their sleek new design and luxurious interiors, the Nightjet trains will offer passengers capsule-style mini-cabins, en suite sleeping compartments, and even a cafe bar on board.

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The trains have been described as hotels on wheels, designed for travellers who value comfort and sustainability.

Nightjets are capable of reaching speeds of 143mph, connecting passengers between Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and France. Towards the end of 2024, a new route is also set to open between Zurich and Barcelona, linking Switzerland and Spain for the first time in decades via sleeper trains.

Those involved in the project said that this is more than just a transportation upgrade but it’s also a step towards climate-conscious travel.

Each of the 33 new trains has been built with eco-friendliness in mind, reducing the need for short-haul flights and giving rail a more modern and luxurious look in the post-pandemic world.

OBB’s investment in these trains is part of a broader European shift towards sustainable mobility. The company’s CEO, Andreas Mattha, said: “We’re investing because there is large demand. Night trains represent living climate protection. Our goal is to increase the number of night train passengers from 1.5 to three million [per year].”

Austria’s minister for climate protection Leonore Gewessler added: “Going by train means protecting the climate. With the new Nightjet, travelling will become even more comfortable. I’m already looking forward to the first journey.”

From free Wi-Fi to USB chargers, wheelchair-friendly compartments, and increased space for luggage and sports gear, these trains aim to cater to all needs. They will also feature improved security systems with CCTV.

OBB is already Europe’s leading operator of sleeper trains, and this latest expansion is expected to double its passengers.