I bunked with 3 strangers in a shared cabin on an overnight train in Europe. It was bumpy, cramped, and I wouldn’t do it again.

• I spent 11 hours in a shared cabin on an overnight train from Vienna, Austria, to Venice, Italy.
• For less than $100, I got a bunk in a room of six beds with three other people.
• I’ve traveled overnight on Amtrak but in private rooms. I didn’t adjust well to the shared space.

In October 2022, during a two-week trip through four European countries, I spent 11 hours bunking with three strangers in an overnight sleeper train from Vienna, Austria, to Venice, Italy.

While it was my first time traveling in a sleeper car in Europe, I’d spent 60 hours on overnight Amtrak trains in the 20-square-foot roomette and 45-square-foot bedroom accommodations, where I had private rooms.

I thought an overnight train would be the best way to travel through Europe so I could explore more during the day. But the bumpy ride made sleeping hard, and I didn’t feel rested when I got to Venice.