I paid $300 for 2 nights in an Airstream trailer. It was my first time sleeping in one, and I'll never do it again in a city.

Joey HaddenMar 12, 2024, 21:12 IST

Business Insider's reporter stayed in a luxury Airstream trailer in Vienna while traveling by train through Europe.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

On a trip to Vienna, I stayed in an Airstream trailer for the first time.
I found the 22-foot-long trailer on Airbnb and paid $300 for a two-night stay.

I'm pretty much a pro when it comes to staying in tight spaces.

I've booked small, unique accommodations in the US, Canada, and Europe, from tiny-home hotels to a repurposed wine barrel, and I usually have a pretty good time despite the lack of room to roam.

When I traveled to Vienna, Austria, in October 2023, I wanted an affordable, atypical accommodation. So I booked two nights in a luxury Airstream trailer that I found on Airbnb.

I'd never stayed in an Airstream before, but I always envisioned it as an ideal accommodation style for a remote glamping experience in a natural setting such as a desert or forest. And I thought it was interesting to see one in a city.

I paid $150 a night, though the nightly price has increased since my trip. I expected it to be a small space, but it was also too cramped, and the city environment was too loud for a good night's sleep.

The Airbnb is located in the heart of Vienna, about 10 minutes from the city's main train station on foot.

A map of Vienna shows where the Airstream trailer is located.Google Maps

The trailer is located in the parking lot of Hotel Daniel, a boutique luxury hotel in central Vienna with 116 rooms.

I thought the urban location was a unique way to try an Airstream and still explore a city with ease.

The trailer is located in the parking lot of Hotel Daniel, a boutique luxury hotel in central Vienna with 116 rooms.

I thought the urban location was a unique way to try an Airstream and still explore a city with ease.

When I got to the hotel from the nearby train station, I expected the trailer to be parked in a secluded area, perhaps behind the hotel. Instead, it was right in front of it, next to a busy street.

The Airstream trailer outside of the hotel.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Like other Hotel Daniel guests, I checked in inside the lobby. A staff member gave me a physical key to the trailer rather than a typical hotel key card.

When I got to the hotel from the nearby train station, I expected the trailer to be parked in a secluded area, perhaps behind the hotel. Instead, it was right in front of it, next to a busy street.

As soon as I stepped inside the Airstream, I noticed a large bathtub to my right.

The bathroom inside the Airstream trailer.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I knew the trailer had a tub when I booked, but thought it would be in a private bathroom. Instead, it was situated at the front of the trailer.

Aside from washing up, I also used the bathtub to hand wash my clothing.

I knew the trailer had a tub when I booked, but thought it would be in a private bathroom. Instead, it was situated at the front of the trailer.

Aside from washing up, I also used the bathtub to hand wash my clothing.

Next to the tub was a mirror and vanity area with soaps, lotions, and towels. The bed was in the back.

The entire room viewed from the bathtub.Florian Weitzer Hotels & Restaurants.

The trailer is 22 feet long, according to Hotel Daniel. The interior had a minimalist, midcentury modern design.

Between the bed and the vanity area was a tiny room with a toilet inside.

The toilet inside the trailer.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

This was the only enclosed space within the trailer. And it was quite cramped, in my opinion.

Across from the toilet, I found a hanging rack for clothing.

A hairdryer in the trailer.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

A hairdryer hung from a bag on the rack, which I used to dry my clothes after hand-washing them in the tub.

At the back of the trailer, I thought the queen-sized bed was really soft and comfortable.

The dimmer and an outlet by the bed.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

On either side of the bed was a light dimmer dial and an outlet for charging devices. I liked how they were smartly placed for my comfort.

There was also a small TV on the wall facing the bed, but I didn't use it.

On either side of the bed was a light dimmer dial and an outlet for charging devices. I liked how they were smartly placed for my comfort.

There was also a small TV on the wall facing the bed, but I didn't use it.

Above the bed was a skylight, which I thought was a nice touch for adding light to the room without sacrificing privacy.

Rain patters on the skylight in the trailer.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The windows on the walls of the trailer had curtains for privacy.

Unlike tiny homes I've stayed in, the trailer lacked storage hacks to make the space feel larger.

The author in front of the full-length mirror in the trailer.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Like others I've seen, I thought there'd be cabinets or hidden drawers, but there were none.

Hotel Daniel told Business Insider that the trailer is meant to surprise and inspire travelers but is only designed to be comfortable for a short stay, adding that it's next to a busy street, so it can be noisy through the night.

Like others I've seen, I thought there'd be cabinets or hidden drawers, but there were none.

My evenings were filled with discomfort as people banged on the door of my trailer and tried to open it.

The author reacts to banging on the door.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I called the front desk, and they said they'd tell people to stop if they caught them, but that was all they could do.

A manager of Hotel Daniel told BI that they never had complaints of people banging on the trailer door before and apologized for the disturbance.

I called the front desk, and they said they'd tell people to stop if they caught them, but that was all they could do.

A manager of Hotel Daniel told BI that they never had complaints of people banging on the trailer door before and apologized for the disturbance.

I thought staying in the heart of Vienna made it easier to explore during the day, but a unique budget accommodation wasn't worth it for me.

Streets near the trailer.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

At the end of my stay, I was happy that I picked a location with so many bustling streets just outside my door. But next time, I'll book a room inside a hotel when staying in urban areas so I can sleep better.

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I paid $300 for 2 nights in an Airstream trailer. It was my first time sleeping in one, and I'll never do it again in a city.

The Airbnb is located in the heart of Vienna, about 10 minutes from the city's main train station on foot.

When I got to the hotel from the nearby train station, I expected the trailer to be parked in a secluded area, perhaps behind the hotel. Instead, it was right in front of it, next to a busy street.

As soon as I stepped inside the Airstream, I noticed a large bathtub to my right.

Next to the tub was a mirror and vanity area with soaps, lotions, and towels. The bed was in the back.

Between the bed and the vanity area was a tiny room with a toilet inside.

Across from the toilet, I found a hanging rack for clothing.

At the back of the trailer, I thought the queen-sized bed was really soft and comfortable.

Above the bed was a skylight, which I thought was a nice touch for adding light to the room without sacrificing privacy.

Unlike tiny homes I've stayed in, the trailer lacked storage hacks to make the space feel larger.

My evenings were filled with discomfort as people banged on the door of my trailer and tried to open it.

I thought staying in the heart of Vienna made it easier to explore during the day, but a unique budget accommodation wasn't worth it for me.