I traveled in a bedroom and shared bunk cabin on overnight trains in the US and Europe. The bedroom was worth the additional $900.

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I traveled in a bedroom and shared bunk cabin on overnight trains in the US and Europe. The bedroom was worth the additional $900.
  • I've booked overnight trains in the US and Europe, from an Amtrak bedroom to a Nightjet bunk.
  • The $1,000 bedroom was a private space with a bathroom, and the $80 bunk was in a cabin for six.
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I'm a travel reporter who has spent 100 hours riding 3,000 miles by train.

I'm a travel reporter who has spent 100 hours riding 3,000 miles by train.
The author takes a selfie at an Amtrak stop in Washington, DC.Joey Hadden/Insider

For overnight rides, I've saved money by staying in shared spaces and also splurged on private rooms.

For overnight rides, I've saved money by staying in shared spaces and also splurged on private rooms.
The author lies in bed on an Amtrak train.Joey Hadden/Insider
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In October 2021, I booked a $1,000 bedroom for a 30-hour Amtrak train ride from Miami to NYC.

In October 2021, I booked a $1,000 bedroom for a 30-hour Amtrak train ride from Miami to NYC.
The author stays in a bedroom on an Amtrak train.Joey Hadden/Insider

And then a year later, I booked the cheapest bed I could find on a 12-hour Nightjet train from Vienna, Austria, to Venice, Italy: a bunk in a shared cabin that cost about $80.

And then a year later, I booked the cheapest bed I could find on a 12-hour Nightjet train from Vienna, Austria, to Venice, Italy: a bunk in a shared cabin that cost about $80.
Inside a shared sleeper cabin on a Nightjet train.Nightjet - © ÖBB/Harald Eisenberger
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The bedroom that I booked through Amtrak was a 45-square-foot space with a sofa that folded out into a bed, a bed that pulled down from the ceiling, and a chair that folded up out of the way.

The bedroom that I booked through Amtrak was a 45-square-foot space with a sofa that folded out into a bed, a bed that pulled down from the ceiling, and a chair that folded up out of the way.
A peak inside the bedroom.Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Amtrak

I thought it was spacious enough to stretch and move around in.

I thought it was spacious enough to stretch and move around in.
The author dances in the bedroom.Joey Hadden/Insider
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Meanwhile, the bunk that I booked through Nightjet was in a 74-square-foot, shared cabin with six beds. Although only four of the beds were booked for my ride, I thought the space felt cramped with three other people.

Meanwhile, the bunk that I booked through Nightjet was in a 74-square-foot, shared cabin with six beds. Although only four of the beds were booked for my ride, I thought the space felt cramped with three other people.
The author's bunk in the shared Nightjet train cabin.Joey Hadden/Insider

And I felt I had no privacy in the shared cabin, as there was a curtain covering the windowed door to the corridor, but none between the bunks.

And I felt I had no privacy in the shared cabin, as there was a curtain covering the windowed door to the corridor, but none between the bunks.
There were no curtains at each bunk.Joey Hadden/Insider
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Both rooms had tables that pulled out from the wall, but the one in the bedroom was twice as large with two foldout leaves for more space.

Both rooms had tables that pulled out from the wall, but the one in the bedroom was twice as large with two foldout leaves for more space.
Tables in the bedroom (L) and bunk cabin (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

Both rooms also had temperature and lighting controls, which I appreciated.

Both rooms also had temperature and lighting controls, which I appreciated.
A close up of the thermometer, air conditioning, and attendant call button.Joey Hadden/Insider
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But in the bunk, I had to share them with other travelers.

But in the bunk, I had to share them with other travelers.
Shared controls in the shared cabin.Joey Hadden/Insider

The bedroom had an enclosed bathroom with a toilet and shower inside.

The bedroom had an enclosed bathroom with a toilet and shower inside.
The bathroom inside the bedroom on the Amtrak train.Joey Hadden/Insider
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Outside of the bathroom, there was a vanity with three mirrors next to the couch.

Outside of the bathroom, there was a vanity with three mirrors next to the couch.
The author washes her face in the bedroom.Joey Hadden/Insider

But in the shared cabin, there was no toilet. So I had to use the bathroom in the train car. And I didn't see any showers on board.

But in the shared cabin, there was no toilet. So I had to use the bathroom in the train car. And I didn't see any showers on board.
The bathroom inside the Nightjet train.Joey Hadden/Insider
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The bedroom also had storage solutions that I didn't see in the Nightjet cabin — a small closet with three hangers and a cabinet with two shelves.

The bedroom also had storage solutions that I didn't see in the Nightjet cabin — a small closet with three hangers and a cabinet with two shelves.
The bedroom's closet (L) and cabinet storage (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

When it was time to sleep, I thought both beds felt thin and a tad uncomfortable, but the blankets on Amtrak's train were softer, in my opinion.

When it was time to sleep, I thought both beds felt thin and a tad uncomfortable, but the blankets on Amtrak's train were softer, in my opinion.
Blankets and pillows on Amtrak (L) and Nightjet (R) trains.Joey Hadden/Insider
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I had a hard time sleeping on both rides, as understandably neither bed was as comfy as my own at home. But I slept more on the Amtrak trains, which I attribute to the comfier blankets and private space.

I had a hard time sleeping on both rides, as understandably neither bed was as comfy as my own at home. But I slept more on the Amtrak trains, which I attribute to the comfier blankets and private space.
The author wakes up in the Amtrak bedroom.Joey Hadden/Insider

Both tickets included breakfast in the morning. On Amtrak, I had a filling, balanced meal with an egg sandwich, yogurt, oatmeal, and a muffin. Nightjet provided two rolls with butter and jam, which I appreciated, but I could've eaten more.

Both tickets included breakfast in the morning. On Amtrak, I had a filling, balanced meal with an egg sandwich, yogurt, oatmeal, and a muffin. Nightjet provided two rolls with butter and jam, which I appreciated, but I could've eaten more.
The author's breakfast on the Amtrak (L) and Nightjet (R) trains.Joey Hadden/Insider
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After trying both options, I personally preferred the private cabin and found it more comfortable than the shared cabin for an overnight ride. It was worth the additional price, in my experience.

After trying both options, I personally preferred the private cabin and found it more comfortable than the shared cabin for an overnight ride. It was worth the additional price, in my experience.
The author preferred the bedroom (L) over the bunk (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

A representative for OBB Nightjet told Insider that offering "a high level of travel comfort is an important concern for" the company, and that it's "constantly working on improvements to" its services.

A representative for OBB Nightjet told Insider that offering "a high level of travel comfort is an important concern for" the company, and that it's "constantly working on improvements to" its services.
A train car on the Nightjet.Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Nightjet

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Similarly, an Amtrak representative told Insider that it's "constantly evaluating ways to improve the customer experience" it offers.

Similarly, an Amtrak representative told Insider that it's "constantly evaluating ways to improve the customer experience" it offers.
An Amtrak train stopped in Baltimore, Maryland.Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Amtrak

While I didn't personally enjoy the shared cabin, Nightjet also has private cabins on select routes. In fact, Nightjet's new line of trains coming later this year have private rooms on routes to Italy, according to its website.

While I didn't personally enjoy the shared cabin, Nightjet also has private cabins on select routes. In fact, Nightjet's new line of trains coming later this year have private rooms on routes to Italy, according to its website.
A private cabin on a Nightjet train.Nightjet - © ÖBB/Harald Eisenberger

Source: Nightjet

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I can't wait to try them and see how they compare to Amtrak's bedroom.

I can't wait to try them and see how they compare to Amtrak's bedroom.
The author relaxes in the Amtrak bedroom.Joey Hadden/Insider