I spent 11 hours sharing a cabin with 3 strangers on a sleeper train in Europe. 6 surprises made me regret it.

I embarked on a 11-hour journey from Vienna to Venice, Italy, aboard an OBB Nightjet train in October 2022, sharing a sleeper cabin with three strangers. Initially, I was enthusiastic about traveling by train, believing it would optimize my time exploring Europe. However, my experience took an unexpected turn, leading me to regret the decision.

Upon arriving at Wien Meidling station 90 minutes before my 9:35 p.m. train, I found the waiting areas packed, forcing me to pay $10 for access to the OBB Lounge. Initially, the lounge seemed empty, but I paid the fee, expecting to find other travelers. However, the lounge remained deserted, leaving me feeling isolated at the station.

When the train departed, I initially boarded the wrong car, which stopped at Zurich. Thankfully, I was directed to the correct train car, which was numbered and properly assigned. Upon boarding, I was surprised by the small size of my cabin, intended to accommodate six people in a 74-square-foot space. I expected the cabin to be tight, but the actual size left me feeling claustrophobic, especially when four people were present.

The cabin's lack of privacy was glaringly apparent, with exposed beds and no curtains to provide personal space. I found myself unable to change clothes without disturbing other passengers, as the bathroom door lock was only accessible from the top bunk, occupied by an awake traveler. A midnight bathroom visit turned into an awkward encounter, further emphasizing the cabin's lack of privacy.

Sharing a sleeper cabin with strangers on this night train in Europe proved to be a challenging experience, with a lack of privacy and cramped conditions making it an uncomfortable journey. Ultimately, this encounter left me questioning the worth of the time saved by opting for a train over other modes of transportation.