I slept in private rooms on overnight trains in the US and Europe. The experiences were completely different, but I'd book both again.

• I took an 11-hour overnight train from Venice to Vienna in 2023 and booked a private cabin for $200.
• I took a 53-hour Amtrak train from Chicago to California in 2026 and booked a bedroom for $2,200.
• While the overnight train rides were completely different, both were worth the price.

On the Nightjet train, I paid $200 for a 30-square-foot private cabin with three bunks.

It’s important to note that these cars are typically only on long-distance Amtrak routes, where many passengers might spend multiple days on board.

The Nightjet train, however, is designed specifically to get passengers from one city to another while they sleep. There are no communal cars, and to me, they didn’t seem necessary. I was only there to rest on my way to Vienna.

Both were worth the price for the experiences they provided. And I would take both rides again.

I thought $200 was a fair price for a private cabin on an 11-hour train ride. All I wanted from this trip was to fall asleep in Italy and wake up in Austria. The Nightjet room was comfortable enough for me to do so.

For $2,200, my Amtrak trip was a cozy adventure. In addition to getting from Illinois to California, I had an exciting experience from the comforts of a moving hotel room with nonstop views.