Massive fare reductions for ÖBB Nightjet trains, esp. Sleeping Car

[doc7austin]

Today, ÖBB has opened bookings for its Nightjet trains for the 2025/2026 timetable period.
I was very surprised to see that global price fares (incl. ticket + supplement) are starting at EUR 119 for a Single Sleeping Car compartment both for Amsterdam-Innsbruck and Graz-Berlin trains.
Since December 2023 I have never seen fares being so low.

 

[30907]

I imagine the traffic is highly seasonal, and a headline price might entice new customers.

 

[ABB125]

Does this mean Interrail reservation prices are also lower?

 

[doc7austin]

I haven't checked the Interrail supplement prices, yet.
But I wouldn't be surprised if the supplement equals the global price (ticket+supplement) for the lower price buckets - essentially rendering a railpass worthless.

 

[Austriantrain]

Today, ÖBB has opened bookings for its Nightjet trains for the 2025/2026 timetable period.
I was very surprised to see that global price fares (incl. ticket + supplement) are starting at EUR 119 for a Single Sleeping Car compartment both for Amsterdam-Innsbruck and Graz-Berlin trains.
Since December 2023 I have never seen fares being so low.

Maybe they have finally realized that while dynamic pricing can very well work for night trains, they have priced themselves somewhat out of the market in the more expensive categories.

 

[A S Leib]

For Amsterdam – Innsbruck on 5 January, I can see Interrail reservations from €45 in couchettes or €90 for sleepers, and €30 / €80 for Graz – Berlin.

 

[doc7austin]

That is an amazingly low passholder fare for sleeping car. I haven't seen such numbers for the last 2 years.

 

[rvdborgt]

That is an amazingly low passholder fare for sleeping car. I haven't seen such numbers for the last 2 years.

I agree. Double was always too expensive for my liking after they started dynamic pricing. Until now it seems.

 

[kaspertron]

Maybe they have finally realized that while dynamic pricing can very well work for night trains, they have priced themselves somewhat out of the market in the more expensive categories.

The whole point of dynamic pricing is that you can't price yourself out of the market - if the price is so high that you're not filling the train then the price comes down automatically. Maybe their dynamic pricing wasn't dynamic enough?

 

[doc7austin]

That is also my hypothesis: ÖBB was simply not able to sell its premium cabins at such inflated prices. This has reached a point, where ÖBB is loosing money, by transporting empty air in its sleeping cars. I am not surprised, because the few customers, who can afford these prices, probably became fed up by the operational unreliability of the Nightjet product.

The whole business case for the Nightjet 2 collapsed. Hence, ÖBB partially cancelled (converted) its Nightjet 2 order.

 

[30907]

That is also my hypothesis: ÖBB was simply not able to sell its premium cabins at such inflated prices. This has reached a point, where ÖBB is loosing money, by transporting empty air in its sleeping cars.

You may be right, but (anecdotally) over the summer there seem to have been plenty of punters who struggled to find what they required, giving the impression that the new sleepers were actually loading well. You are I think nearer gepgraphically than I, so may know otherwise.
Another factor must be that the new NJ offers a significant increase in sleeper berths compared with a single Comfortline car (11 compartments)

I am not surprised, because the few customers, who can afford these prices, probably became fed up by the operational unreliability of the Nightjet product.

Quite possibly. Did/does that apply across the whole network, or to specific routes (eg one doesnt hear much about the routes through Tirol? Or to older vehicles becoming unreliable.

 

[doc7austin]

The more West in Europe you get, the more unreliable Nightjet operations become.
Cancellations, early terminations, rude newrest staff, downgrades ...

Nightjet services to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam are the worst.

 

[nilvaj395]

For Amsterdam – Innsbruck on 5 January, I can see Interrail reservations from €45 in couchettes or €90 for sleepers, and €30 / €80 for Graz – Berlin.

That new price for a sleeper cabin is extremely good. Given it used to be €65 there or there abouts or more for a mini cabin prior to this. At this price, as much as I really enjoy the new mini cabins over a shared couchtee, its highly worth snapping up a sleeper room instead for the experience and added comfort.