Berlin to Vienna night train: how to book the Nightjet
Berlin and Vienna are connected by one of ÖBB Nightjet’s core routes, running overnight in just over 11 hours so you leave one capital in the evening and wake up in the other. It’s part of Europe’s largest sleeper network, which makes it easy to book, but Nightjet’s own booking rules and cabin tiers catch out a lot of first-time travellers, so here’s exactly how it works.
The quick answer
The Berlin to Vienna night train is operated by ÖBB Nightjet, taking about 11 hours 30 minutes with fares starting from €40 for a seat, €55 for a couchette, €70 for a sleeper berth and €120 for a private compartment. Book directly at nightjet.com, ideally as close to the 180-day release window as possible if you want a private cabin, since those sell out first.
Schedule and journey time
The overnight run between Berlin and Vienna takes roughly 11h 30m, which puts it firmly in the “leave after dinner, arrive in time for breakfast” category of European night trains, one of the more comfortable overnight durations on the Nightjet network, long enough for a full night’s sleep without an awkward early wake-up.
Cabins and prices
| Cabin class | What it is | From-price |
|---|---|---|
| Seat | Reclining seat, shared car | €40 |
| Couchette | Bunk in a 4–6 berth shared compartment | €55 |
| Sleeper | Made-up bed in a 1–3 berth compartment, often with washbasin and breakfast | €70 |
| Private / Comfort | Ensuite compartment with private shower and toilet | €120 |
The private Comfort cabins run on Nightjet’s newer rolling stock, which has been rolling out route by route since 2023. Not every departure on this line will have it, so check availability at booking time rather than assuming it’s guaranteed.
How to book, step by step
1. Check the booking window. Nightjet releases each route for sale around 180 days (six months) before departure. If your travel date matters (a specific weekend, a connecting flight), mark that six-month point and try to book as close to it as you can, especially for a private cabin.
2. Book at nightjet.com. It’s ÖBB’s own booking engine and the most reliable place to see real-time availability across all four cabin classes for this specific route.
3. Pick your cabin class. Budget and privacy needs decide this one; see the table above. Sleeper is the standard mid-range pick for most travellers on an 11-hour route like this; private Comfort is worth booking early if you want it, since it has the least availability of the four tiers.
4. Check reservation requirements. A reservation is required for every cabin class on this route, including seats. You can’t board with just a rail pass and no reservation.
5. Confirm your fare’s refund terms before paying. The cheapest promotional fares are usually non-refundable; flexible fares cost more but can be changed.
Rail passes on this route
Eurail and Interrail passes are accepted on the Berlin–Vienna Nightjet, but only partially. A compulsory reservation fee plus a couchette or sleeper supplement applies on top of the pass itself, and private Comfort cabins have a limited quota reserved for pass holders, meaning even with a valid pass, a private cabin can sell out on a popular date while non-pass tickets are still available. If a private cabin is the goal, book it as early in the 180-day window as you can.
Practical things to know before you travel
- No formal check-in. You board at the platform; a conductor checks your ticket and ID at or shortly after departure.
- Baggage is free in your cabin or on the overhead rack, with no strict weight limit enforced.
- The Nightjet network shifted in 2025–2026. Paris–Vienna and Paris–Berlin services were discontinued in December 2025, and several German routes have been diverted via Munich during engineering works between Nuremberg and Linz through 2026. None of this affects the Berlin–Vienna route directly, but it’s worth a quick check on nightjet.com close to departure in case of timetable changes.
- Board at the right station. Confirm which Berlin and Vienna stations your specific departure uses. Nightjet doesn’t always depart from the same terminus as daytime intercity trains.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Berlin to Vienna night train?
About 11 hours 30 minutes, operated by ÖBB Nightjet.
How much does the Berlin to Vienna night train cost?
Fares start from around €40 for a seat, €55 for a couchette, €70 for a sleeper berth and €120 for a private ensuite compartment. These are floor prices; book early for the lowest fares in each tier.
Does Eurail or Interrail cover the Berlin-Vienna Nightjet?
Partially. The pass covers the base journey, but you’ll still pay a compulsory reservation fee plus a couchette or sleeper supplement, and private Comfort cabins have a limited allocation for pass holders that can sell out.
When should I book to get a private cabin?
Nightjet opens bookings 180 days before departure. Private Comfort cabins have the lowest availability of the four cabin classes and the highest chance of selling out first, so book as close to that six-month mark as you can.
Is there a dining car or is food included?
Sleeper-class tickets typically include breakfast; check the fare details at booking since inclusions can vary. There isn’t always a full dining car, so it’s worth having snacks for the journey regardless of cabin class.
Where do I check in for this train?
There’s no separate check-in desk. You board directly at the platform and a conductor checks your ticket and ID once the train is underway.
Has this route been affected by the Nightjet network changes in 2025-2026?
The Berlin–Vienna route itself hasn’t been discontinued, but ÖBB cut other corridors (Paris–Vienna, Paris–Berlin) in December 2025 and rerouted some German services via Munich during 2026 engineering works. Confirm your specific departure on nightjet.com close to travel.
Related reading
For the full route details, current pricing pulled from the operator, and pass compatibility notes, see the Berlin–Vienna route page. If this is your first time booking with ÖBB, our step-by-step how to book the ÖBB Nightjet guide covers the booking window and cabin selection in more depth, and our Interrail and Eurail on night trains guide breaks down exactly what a pass does and doesn’t cover on routes like this one. You can also browse every Nightjet destination on the ÖBB Nightjet operator page. Once you’re off the train in Vienna, planning the rest of the trip without a car is worth a look if you’re stitching together a longer overland itinerary from there.
