On a recent training webinar attended by more than 300 travel advisors, Rail Europe shared that Austrian Railway’s OBB Nightjet is working with Dutch Operator NS on their new direct 14hr Amsterdam – Vienna service aimed to launch in Dec 2025.
Advisors also learned about other planned connections including Zurich – Rome and Zurich – Barcelona; and that new services will be added to the Zurich – Berlin and Hamburg routes. New daily night trains linking Zurich, Basel, Frankfurt, Cologne and Amsterdam are also in the works.
With demands far exceeding supply, Rail Europe shared that night travel is not a trend, as more and more travellers are preferring to connect between European cities this way for many reasons, including time and cost efficiencies, the convenience of centrally located stations, comfort, family friendly facilities, eco-friendliness, and of course, the novelty of overnight travel.
Advisors were reminded that Nightjet tickets are highly popular, with a 180-day booking horizon, and that reservations are mandatory for all seats, couchettes and sleepers.
Launched in 2016, OBB Nightjet services link Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Czech Republic and Belgium. Some of the most popular routes booked on Rail Europe include the 14hr Amsterdam – Wien, 11:30hr Graz – Zurich, 14:45hr Wien – Paris, 15hr Munich – La Spezia, 13hr Berlin – Budapest, and the 13hr Stuttgart – Budapest.
For rail journey ideas, advisors can refer to this brochure for a series of four, seven and 15-day themed suggestions. Advisors who haven’t done so are also encouraged to get their login to the Rail Portal booking tool, and sign up to Rail Europe’s monthly webinars and closed Facebook group for the latest incentives and offers.
