Thinking of skipping the plane and taking the sleeper train from Paris to Berlin? Here’s what it’s actually like to travel overnight on the ÖBB Nightjet.
The Paris to Berlin Nightjet: route overview
The sleeper train departs Paris Gare de l’Est at 19:12 and arrives at Berlin Hauptbahnhof at 08:26 the next morning.
It operates as part of the ÖBB Nightjet service, with stops in Strasbourg and Frankfurt before continuing overnight across Germany.
The train serves cities east of Paris and also runs connections to Brussels and Vienna on the same network.
Cabin types on board
There are three main seating options on the Paris to Berlin Nightjet:
- Seated carriage: Basic seats, cheapest option, but not recommended for a 13-hour overnight journey unless you’re on a tight budget.
- Couchette cabins (4 or 6 berth): Shared compartments with bunk beds. These are a mid-range option and ideal for groups or families.
- Sleeper cabins: These come in single, double, or triple occupancy and include proper beds, bedding, a washbasin, and sometimes a private toilet/shower depending on configuration.
I travelled in a double occupancy women’s only sleeper cabin. It included two bunk beds, a small table, water, a sink (which unfortunately didn’t work), and a welcome pack with toiletries and even a small bottle of sparkling wine.
First class sleeper experience
Although this was a shared cabin, it felt comfortable and quiet. There’s a surprising amount of storage space, fold-out beds with proper mattresses, and a small ladder for access to the top bunk.
The cabin included a vanity mirror, soap, a towel, and a small breakfast served in the morning. You could choose a vegan or continental option. I opted for the vegan one: rye bread, dips, jam, and coffee.
The ride itself was smooth and relatively quiet, though we left Paris over an hour late due to technical issues. The train made only two scheduled stops overnight and remained dark and peaceful through the journey. I only properly woke up twice and overall slept well.
Toilets and showers
Each carriage includes shared toilets and showers.
The shower in my cabin’s carriage wasn’t functional during the trip due to a water supply issue, but there were working facilities further down the train. Everything was clean and stocked, if a little dated in appearance.
Food and drink on board
There is no restaurant car, but you can order food and drinks directly to your cabin.
Options include hot meals like lentil curry and sausage with mustard and bread, wraps, snacks, soft drinks, beer, and spritz. Prices were reasonable, and the service was efficient.
Cost breakdown
I paid €194.90 for a shared women’s sleeper cabin. Booking it for private use would have cost over €400.
Couchette and seated options are significantly cheaper, with couchettes starting around €70 depending on availability.
Should you take the night train from Paris to Berlin?
If you’re looking to avoid short-haul flights and want a genuinely restful journey across Europe, the Nightjet is a solid option. It’s not luxury, but it’s far more comfortable than a long coach or a night in an airport terminal. For solo female travellers, the women-only cabins are a great added option.
This journey is part of a wider push for sustainable travel in Europe, and trains like this are slowly making a comeback. If you’re travelling onward from Berlin, the connection timings allow for same-day rail travel to many major cities, including Copenhagen and Stockholm.
