Night train Hamburg-Vienna ÖBB nightjet 491/490
The overnight train NJ491 ÖBB nightjet connects Hamburg and Vienna with a journey time of 12 hours and 50 minutes. Ticket prices start at EUR 39. The night train in the opposite direction from Vienna to Hamburg (NJ491) takes 12 hours and 34 minutes. Important stops along the route are Hanover, Göttingen, Würzburg, Nuremberg, Passau, Linz and St. Pölten. The train has seats, couchettes and sleeping cars. The night train is family-friendly: children up to the age of 5 travel free of charge. Reduced tickets are available for children aged 6 to 14. There are private compartments in the seating and couchette carriages. The train saves you a night in a hotel.
Timetable Hamburg-Vienna
| NJ491 | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Hamburg Altona | 19:58 | |
| Hamburg Dammtor | 20:07 | |
| Hamburg Central Station | 20:24 | |
| Hanover main station | 21:54 | 21:57 |
| Göttingen | 22:57 | 22:59 |
| Würzburg main station | 01:32 | 01:34 |
| Nuremberg Central Station | 03:05 | 04:08 |
| Regensburg main station | 05:07 | 05:09 |
| Passau main station | 06:13 | 06:15 |
| Wels main station | 07:14 | 07:16 |
| Linz Central Station | 07:44 | 07:46 |
| Amstetten Lower Austria | 08:12 | 08:13 |
| St.Pölten Central Station | 08:38 | 08:40 |
| Vienna Meidling | 09:05 | |
| Vienna Central Station | 09:14 | |
| Status: April 2025 |
Timetable Vienna-Hamburg
| NJ490 | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna Central Station | 20:13 | |
| Vienna Meidling | 20:18 | 20:21 |
| Linz Central Station | 21:34 | 21:36 |
| Wels main station | 21:48 | 21:50 |
| Passau main station | 22:35 | 22:53 |
| Regensburg main station | 23:54 | 23:56 |
| Nuremberg Central Station | 00:56 | 01:51 |
| Würzburg main station | 02:47 | 02:50 |
| Göttingen | 05:51 | 05:53 |
| Hanover main station | 06:49 | 07:05 |
| Hamburg-Harburg | 08:30 | |
| Hamburg Central Station | 08:47 | |
| Hamburg Dammtor | 08:53 | |
| Hamburg Altona | 09:04 | |
| Status: April 2025 |
Categories
The following categories are available on Nightjet NJ491.
Seat trolley comfortDouble seats with folding armrest and full-length headrest.
Compartment barrier-free comfortBarrier-free compartment for up to 2 wheelchair users and 2 accompanying persons.
Couchette coach comfortfour beds in the compartment suitable for families or groups.
Mini CabinSleeping pods for one person, therefore a high level of privacy. Lockers for shoes and hand luggage.
Sleeping car comfortCompartment with its own sanitary facilities (WC and shower) for one or two people.
Sleeping car comfort plusVery spacious compartment with its own sanitary facilities (WC and shower) for one or two people.
Travel time
Ticket prices Hamburg-Vienna
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Seat trolley comfort | from EUR 34.90 |
| Compartment barrier-free comfort | from EUR 54.90 |
| Couchette coach comfort | from EUR 54.90 |
| Mini Cabin | from EUR 54.90 |
| Sleeping car comfort | from EUR 99.90 |
| Sleeping car comfort plus | from EUR 129.90 |
The ticket price depends on your Travel date and Purchase date. The sooner you book, the higher the likelihood of a Economy rail/savings fare ticket to receive. If you choose Departure day Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday are fewer travellers on the train, which also results in a cheaper ticket price leads.
Where to buy a ticket?
You can buy your ticket either at of the ÖBB the German Railways or , NS International Buy
Children
Up to 5 years: Children up to 5 years old travel free of charge if they share the pitch with an adult. If they need their own place to sleep, they can travel with the Favourable ticket "Child travel.
Ideally it is a Own compartment on the train to book. Further information can be found under "Couchette coach comfort".
Private compartment and families
Would you like to go out with your family or friends alone in a compartment travel, without other travellersyou can book your own compartment. This is possible in the "Mini Cabin" (single person), "Couchette Comfort" (up to four people) and in the sleeping car (one to two people).
Own compartment in the seat carriage from 99 euros
You can have your own seat compartment for Maximum 3 persons for an all-inclusive price starting at 99 euros. These three people can be adults or at least one adult with a maximum of two children up to 14 years.
With three travellers, you can pull out the facing seats a bit, put your legs up and quite comfortable and really very good value travel overnight!
Own compartment in couchette car from 199 euros
Your own couchette compartment is Ideal for families or a Group of friends. You can book a private compartment for a maximum of 6 people from 199 euros. Of which maximum 3 persons adult be, or maximum 5 children up to 14 years old. So it works wonderfully: two parents with one to four children.
Your own compartment in the sleeper car from 159 euros
You also have the option between Standard and Deluxe (including private shower and toilet in the compartment).
The categories in the ÖBB nightjet
Comfort seating trolley & multifunctional area
Double bucket seats with folding armrest and full-length headrest.
Storage options, reading lamps and inductive charging at the seats.
Multifunctional area with low-floor access.
Bicycle parking spaces.
Space for luggage, pushchairs, skis & snowboards.
Luggage security with NFC function on the luggage trolleys - which I find really ingenious!
Compartment barrier-free comfort
Barrier-free compartment for up to 2 wheelchair users and 2 accompanying persons.
Modern barrier-free WC next door.
Cars with low-floor access.
Couchette coach comfort
Modern 4-seater compartments for families and groups.
Fixed beds.
More space and privacy.
Mini Cabin
Innovative sleeping capsules for privacy. I find these really innovative. Inexpensive and private!
Lockers for shoes and hand luggage.
Movable folding table for breakfast.
Reading lamp, storage space, coat hooks, mirror.
Sleeping car comfort
Compartment with its own sanitary facilities (WC and shower).
2 fixed beds one above the other (can be booked as a compartment for 1 or 2 persons).
Cosy seating area.
Sleeping car comfort plus
Spacious compartment with its own sanitary facilities (WC and shower).
2 fixed beds one above the other (can be booked as a compartment for 1 or 2 people).
Cosy seating area.
Source, apart from my comments: www.nightjet.com/de/komfortkategorien/nightjet-neue-generation
Groups
Groups of 6 or more get a discount on the standard price for a seat. These can be requested from ÖBB Customer Service on the following telephone number (in Austria): +43 5 1717
Dog and animals
You can take your dog or pet with you. However, you have to book a whole compartment, just for you or shared with friends/family members. Your dog will travel with 29 euros calculated. Simply add it under "who is travelling" on the ÖBB booking page.
Bicycle
You can simply add the ticket for your bike on the ÖBB booking page ("wer fährt"). The bicycle in a bicycle parking space is charged with 12 Euro extra calculated. Of course, you can also take your bike disassembled or folded up in a bag as normal luggage. However, I recommend a private compartment.
Car and motorbike
Unfortunately, you can no longer take your car (passenger car) or motorbike with you on this ÖBB nightjet.
This is still possible for other train connections. You must specify the model for this. You can make the booking online or by phone: +43 5 1717
Loading can only take place at certain stations. These are always the start and end stations.
Daytime train connection from Hamburg to Vienna
You can also travel the route from Hamburg to Vienna during the day. The Journey time is 08:42 hours. You can buy train tickets from EUR 39 Buy
| Train | Arrival | Departure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburg-Altona | ICE91 | 07:43 | |
| Hamburg Central Station | 08:03 | ||
| Hanover main station | 09:22 | 09:26 | |
| Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe | 10:23 | 10:25 | |
| Würzburg main station | 11:32 | 11:34 | |
| Nuremberg Central Station | 12:27 | 12:31 | |
| Regensburg main station | 13:24 | 13:26 | |
| Passau main station | 14:25 | 14:29 | |
| Linz Central Station | 15:24 | 15:26 | |
| St.Pölten Central Station | 16:14 | 16:16 | |
| Vienna Central Station | 16:45 | ||
| Status: April 2025 |
Daytime train connection from Vienna to Hamburg
You can also travel the route from Vienna to Hamburg during the day. The Journey time is 08:39 hours. You can buy train tickets from EUR 39 Buy
| Train | Arrival | Departure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna Central Station | ICE90 | 13:15 | |
| St.Pölten Central Station | 13:44 | 13:46 | |
| Linz Central Station | 14:34 | 14:36 | |
| Passau main station | 15:31 | 15:37 | |
| Regensburg main station | 16:33 | 16:35 | |
| Nuremberg Central Station | 17:29 | 17:32 | |
| Würzburg main station | 18:23 | 18:26 | |
| Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe | 19:37 | 19:39 | |
| Hanover main station | 20:32 | 20:36 | |
| Hamburg Central Station | 21:54 | ||
| Hamburg-Altona | 22:12 | ||
| Status: April 2025 |
Night train videos
FAQ
Where can I book the ÖBB nightjet from Hamburg to Vienna?
You can buy your ticket for the night train from Hamburg to Vienna at NS International, the German Railways and the ÖBB Buy
What does a couchette car look like on the ÖBB nightjet Hamburg-Vienna?
A couchette car is a compartment with two or three couches on top of each other - on the left and on the right side. The middle is free. You can reach the upper berths with a ladder.
What does a sleeping car on the ÖBB nightjet Hamburg-Vienna look like?
A sleeping car is a compartment with a maximum of three beds. Depending on the occupancy, these are folded out or fixed to the wall. There is always a washbasin in the compartment. In the slightly more expensive deluxe compartments, you also have your own private shower and toilet. Otherwise, this is in the corridor.
What does the ÖBB nightjet from Hamburg to Vienna cost?
You can buy seat tickets from 29 EUR. A 6-seater couchette compartment is available from 49 EUR. For a seat in a 4-seater couchette, you pay from 59 EUR. And a bed in the Sleeping Car costs from 89 EUR (in a Triple), from 109 EUR (in a Double) and from 159 EUR (in a Single). The prices depend on your travel date and how far in advance you book.
Which is cheaper: flight or train from Hamburg to Vienna?
On average, the train is cheaper. When making an honest calculation, also take into account the departure to and from the airport to the city centres. In addition, you need one hotel night less with the night train. Besides: the environment you damage with a flight is priceless.
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Interrail and Eurail reservations
You can use the ÖBB nightjet from Hamburg to Vienna with your Interrail/Eurail Pass. However, you have to buy a reservation. In return, you save travel time and overnight accommodation in a hostel or hotel.
| Category | Interrail/Eurail Price |
|---|---|
| Seat | 14 EUR |
| Couchette 6-person compartment | 34 EUR |
| Couchette car 4-person compartment | 44 EUR |
| Sleeping car 3-person compartment | 54 EUR |
| Sleeping car 2-person compartment | 74 EUR |
| Sleeping car 1 compartment | 124 EUR |
| Sleeping Car Deluxe 3 Compartment | 74 EUR |
| Sleeping Car Deluxe 2 Compartment | 94 EUR |
| Sleeping Car Deluxe 1 Compartment | 144 EUR |
What is Interrail/Eurail?
Interrail/Eurail is a train ticket that allows you to travel by train for a flat rate of up to three months in up to 33 European countries. You can find all information about Interrail here.
Night train regulation
You only need to enter the departure date in your Interrail/Eurail Pass. Not the date of arrival. You will therefore spend on your pass only one travel daywhich is the day of departure. You can also use other trains on this departure day.
Example: you travel from Kiel to Hamburg in the morning of 20 July. Spend the day sightseeing in Hamburg. And in the evening you take the night train to Vienna. On 21 July you arrive in Vienna in the morning. The travel day you enter is only 20 July.
Flight from Hamburg to Vienna
Of course you can also fly the route from Hamburg to Vienna. The flight time is around 2 hours. Then there is the way from Hamburg city centre to the airport. The same in Vienna, from the airport back to the city centre. Be there in good time, check-in, etc.
Sustainable is, of course, not to sit in a subsidised plane for a short time. Everyone has to decide for themselves at what point they start doing something for Planet Earth. And on this route, from Hamburg to Vienna, it's really easy.
On the night train you save transfers and waiting times. In addition, a Night at the hotelwhich is not really cheap in both cities. It is simply a relaxed shape to travel. Definitely more relaxed and communicative than in a tightly squeezed plane.
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9 thoughts on “Hamburg-Wien ÖBB nightjet NJ491/NJ490”
Why are the travel times given wrong? Why is the train at a standstill in Nuremberg for over an hour?
Without specifying the date of travel, I cannot check your statement "the journey times are incorrect". In general, journey times can vary by a few minutes depending on the date of travel. You can find the exact details on the page where you book your ticket. This is just a private page I run for fun and not a timetable information with live data. In Nuremberg, the Nightjets are diverted from various lines.
Why is it not possible to book a single sleeping compartment anywhere?
Hello Mike.
What travel date are you looking for exactly?
If this category is sold out (and it often is), the option is not displayed.
Best regards, Πέτρος 🙂
Optionally, you could take the ICE from Hamburg to Berlin first and then take the night train to Berlin, if there are still single sleeper compartments available: https://nachtzug.net/berlin-wien/
It's not ideal, but it's optional. 🙂
Hello.
I have the afternoon in Hamburg and can choose which Hamburg station I get on the night train. Which is the most relaxed station? But one where I can also buy provisions. Thank you, Tom. And greetings, Tom
Good evening Tom.
Hamburg Hbf is of course the main station. But in my eyes "stressful": full, narrow, ...
I definitely recommend Hamburg Altona. There, the night train is usually ready 30 minutes before departure and you can get on and relax.
If you have more time, just walk along the platform and sit at the end (terminus). You'll have peace and quiet there.
If you look at the station from the tracks, you will also see a shopping centre on your right (go through the side exit). There you can get something to eat in the snack bars. There is a large supermarket.
There is also a multi-storey car park on the right. There you can go up to the roof (lift) and have a good view over the station.
And if you want to stay overnight: I find the Intercity Hotel directly on the platform top.
It is also interesting to see how the cars are loaded onto the trains via the platform (car train) 🙂 I have also seen kindergarten groups doing this in the morning as an "excursion".... 🙂
That's what I'm thinking of right now, off the top of my head. Oh yes, there is also a supermarket in the basement of the station itself, but I didn't find it that great.
Have a good trip, Πέτρος 🙂
What are the corona rules for the sleeping car when you share it with other people.
Hello Erich.
The following rules currently apply:
Travellers must be recovered, tested or vaccinated. This may or may not be checked.
Tests are considered to be:
- PCR tests are valid for 72 hours from sample collection.
- Antigen tests from an authorised body shall be valid for 48 hours from the time of sampling.
- Self-tests recorded in an official data processing system of the countries are valid for 24 hours.
A mask must be worn on the train, except in private compartments and when sleeping.
If you want to travel on the Nightjet without contact with other passengers, you have the following options:
- book a sleeper compartment for yourself alone, i.e. as a "single".
- book a couchette compartment (4-seater) as a private compartment. Then there are no other passengers in it.
I hope this helps you.
Best regards, Πέτρος 🙂