I am a train travel convert.

Whether it be a trip on The Ghan or the economical Melbourne to Sydney journey on the XPT train, I have had my eyes opened to the benefits of train travel over flying.

It's obviously more climate-friendly. It is often cheaper. You don't have to spend time rattling around at an airport, for an oft-delayed flight. They depart from the city centre. You can move about and easily BYO food. The luggage weight allowance is usually way more generous. If you book a sleeper car, you can save a night's accommodation and wake up refreshed at your destination (no trying to sleep like a pretzel on a red-eye flight).

So as someone planning on hitting Europe next year, I'm deeply excited by the new Nightjet trains, as an alternative to short-haul flights.

ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) is investing in 33 of these brand new Nightjet trains. The trains are state of the art - one of the best bits of engineering is the newly developed bogies [wheel frameworks] that have a lightweight construction, ensuring a particularly quiet journey for overnight travellers.

ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä says "the interiors in the Nightjets of the new generation will provide passengers with a completely new travelling experience. This train is the start of a new era in night-time travel.”

Austria’s climate protection minister, Leonore Gewessler adds to this, pointing out that "a trip with the Nightjet is around 50 times more climate-friendly than travelling with an aeroplane.”

Consider us very, very interested ... 

Where does the Nightjet train go?

With a speed of up to 230 km/h, the new trains connect a number of European cities overnight

The first of the new Nightjet trains are already in use on routes from Vienna/Innsbruck – Hamburg; Vienna/Munich – Rome and Vienna – Bregenz.

By the end of 2025, 33 of the latest OBB Nightjet trains will be in operation, connecting European cities across Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

There are a number of different categories for travellers to choose from ... 

Sleeping car comfort plus

At the top end of things, we have the sleeping car comfort plus ... 

It has separate seating, an en suite with both private shower and toilet, and two built-in beds one above the other.

Compartments also feature a control panel with various comfort features, such as light control and a call for service staff on board.

Sleeping car comfort

The next level is sleeping car comfort, which is a slightly smaller cabin. It still has its own ensuite bathroom. Massive win. 

Sleeper car bookings also get you mineral water, sweets, aperitif and daily newspaper in the evening, à la carte breakfast in the morning and toiletries.

Mini cabins for solo travellers

If you're not into the youth-hostel-on-wheel shared cabin vibes, there are also mini-cabins for solo travellers. Mini Cabin have a storage area, an adjustable folding table for breakfast (with an in-built mirror), clothes hooks, a reading lamp, and a locker for luggage.

These will be particularly good for solo female travellers who want a little more privacy and security. All of the compartments are fitted with an electronic access system using a swipe card.

Couchette car comfort

These four-berth compartments will be ideal for families, or groups of friends. These come with mineral water in the evening and breakfast in the morning.

There are also "barrier free" compartments that can accommodate two wheelchair users and two accompanying passengers.

If you're trying to save your bucks, you can also opt for the seat car. This section has bicycle parking spaces, storage facilities, reading lamps and inductive charging at the seats. 

Another bonus? The train has plenty of storage capacity for prams, skis and snowboards. 

Certain connections even allow you to take along your car or motorcycle on the train.

Another new feature is free on-board Wi-Fi and a passenger information system is integrated in all carriages, with up-to-date travel information for travellers. 

How about those lounges ...

Similar to a Virgin or Qantas lounge, ÖBB also has lounges in seven train stations through Austria.

Anyone who has a booking in the sleeper car on the Nightjet gets free access to the ÖBB Lounges - looks like it absolutely beats waiting for the train on a cold platform ... 

Inside you'll find free snacks and drinks, WiFi access and charging ports. ÖBB Lounges are found at Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz, Salzburg, Vienna and Vienna Meidling stations.

How much does the Nightjet train cost, and how do you book it?

Tickets on the Nightjet start at €29,90 ($A43.37) - you can book through raileurope.com or through your local travel agent. 

The good news for Aussie travellers is it's also included in the Eurail pass, Which means you can experience this train as part of your broader Euro train odyssey. 

At the time of writing, Eurail passes are: 

Eurail Global Pass: 4 travel days in 1 month (flexible), adult, second class: AUD $464.00

Eurail Global Pass: 3 months (continuous), adult, first class: AUD $1,991.00

There are discounts available for Children, Youth and Senior travellers too.

Seat reservation fees (to guarantee a specific seat / berth on a specifically timed train) are an additional cost to the Eurail Pass cost, however this is a discounted rate for Eurail Pass holders.

This fee varies by route and travel date, but is displayed on the Eurail Rail Planner App and on Eurail.com when searching journeys.