One of the ways we save money when travelling as a family is by combining transportation and accommodation whenever we can.
On our Europe trip, we did that by taking an overnight sleeper train from Graz, Austria to Split, Croatia.
We were travelling as a family of four for this portion (our oldest wasn’t with us), and the total cost for two sleeper cabins was $571 CAD.
This was part of our larger 3-week Italy, Austria and Croatia itinerary with kids, which you can read more about here:
Overnight Train: Quick Facts
If you’re considering this route, here are the key details:
• Route: Graz, Austria → Split, Croatia
• Train: ÖBB Nightjet
• Travel time: ~12 hours (10pm → 10am, often slightly delayed)
• Cost: $571 CAD for 4 people (2 sleeper cabins)
• Booking: I booked in April for a July trip
• Season: Late May to early October
• Cabin type: Private sleeper cabins (up to 3 people each)
• Stops: 8 intermediary stops overnight
• Arrival location: Split city centre (walkable to accommodation)
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things we’ve personally used and genuinely found helpful when travelling.
Getting to Graz from Lienz
Before catching the overnight train, we made our way from Lienz to Graz after finishing our time biking the Drau Cycle Path.
The train cost €39.80 for the 4 of us and took just under five hours. Normally, you can find routes closer to three hours, but when we travelled part of the track was closed, so we had to transfer to a bus for a portion of the journey.
If you’re booking trains in Europe, I usually use Omio to compare routes and prices across different operators.
👉 One important tip: make sure you’re selecting Lienz, not Linz. They’re completely different cities and it’s an easy mistake to make.
Staying in Graz Before the Overnight Train
We stayed one night in Graz and had the full day to explore before our train departed at 10pm. If I were doing this again I’d stay 2 nights in Graz. I had no idea what an amazing city Graz is and how much there is to do there with kids. Do yourself a favour and enjoy this city for more than one night!
Our overnight train was with ÖBB Nightjet, and I booked our tickets in April for a July trip. You may not have to book that far ahead but I’m a planner and as soon as I can book something, I do!
This route runs seasonally from late May to early October (for 2026, it starts May 26), so it’s something you’ll want to plan ahead for if you’re travelling in the summer.
One important thing to note is that this train doesn’t run daily. When we travelled, it only departed on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so you’ll want to plan your itinerary around those days.
Types of Cabins and What We Chose
On the Nightjet trains, there are a few different options depending on your budget and how comfortable you want to be.
We chose sleeper cabins, which are the most comfortable option, especially when travelling with kids.
These cabins can be booked for one, two, or three people, and the beds are fully made for you with sheets, a blanket, and a pillow. Our cabin also had a small sink with a mirror, along with towels, slippers, and a few basic toiletries.
Some of the newer or upgraded cabins even have their own private bathroom and shower, but ours used the shared bathrooms on the train.
One thing I really liked is that the cabins can be locked from the inside, which made it feel very secure. There’s also a call button if you need the train attendant, and they’re available throughout the night.
In the morning, breakfast is included and brought right to your cabin, and you can also order additional snacks or drinks if you’d like.
Other Booking Options (More Budget-Friendly)
If you’re trying to keep costs down, there are also more affordable options.
A couchette is a shared compartment with typically 4–6 people. You still get a bed, but it’s more basic and you’ll be sharing the space with other travellers unless you book the whole compartment.
The most budget-friendly option is a regular seat, similar to what you’d have on a daytime train. It’s much cheaper, but for an overnight journey, I personally wouldn’t choose it, especially with kids.
If you’re travelling as a family, I’d recommend at least booking a private couchette or a sleeper cabin so you’re not sharing with strangers.
We always use eSIMs from Airalo to stay connected while travelling without paying expensive roaming fees.
What the Sleeper Cabins Are Actually Like
The cabins are definitely small, but they’re designed really well.
During the day, there’s seating, and then the train attendant comes by in the evening and converts everything into beds.
My husband and I slept on the bottom bunks, and the kids were on the top bunks, which they thought was the best part. There’s a safety rail on the top bunk, so it felt totally fine.
There’s also just enough storage with a wall shelf and hooks to keep your luggage and bags organized, which makes a big difference in such a small space.
Sleeping on the Train (Honest Thoughts)
I’ll be honest, I don’t sleep that well on trains.
We’ve done overnight trains before (like London to Edinburgh), and I find them pretty loud, especially if you’re a light sleeper like me.
That said, my kids sleep like logs.
And even with the not-so-great sleep, I would still do it again.
There’s something really fun about it, especially for kids. Sleeping on a train feels like such an adventure, and from a budget perspective, you’re essentially combining a night of accommodation with transportation, which is a big win.
Boarding the Train (Don’t Miss This Part)
Our train actually started in Vienna and stopped briefly in Graz, so when it arrived, it didn’t stay long.
We made sure to be ready on the platform before 10pm because once it stops, you need to get on fairly quickly.
The Graz train station is easy to access and is located just outside the main downtown area. We were able to walk there from where we were staying, but it took about 20 minutes, so it’s something to plan for, especially if you have luggage.
Inside the station, there are a few convenient options if you need anything before boarding. There’s a McDonald’s, a Spar grocery store, and a few other small shops where you can grab snacks, drinks, or anything you might want for the train.
We ended up picking up a few extra snacks before boarding, which I’d definitely recommend, especially if you’re travelling with kids.
The Overnight Experience
Once we got on, we settled in, had some snacks, read for a bit, and were lights out by around 11pm.
The train makes eight intermediary stops between Graz and Split during the night. If you’re a light sleeper, that’s worth knowing, because between the stops and the general noise of the train, it’s definitely not the quietest night of sleep. That said, my kids didn’t seem bothered by it at all and slept really well.
In the morning, we woke up around 8:30am, now in Croatia, and breakfast was delivered to our cabin shortly after. The kids got dressed, wandered up and down the train a bit, and we took our time getting ready for the day.
Arriving in Split
We arrived slightly delayed, closer to 11am, and one of the best parts is that the train station in Split is right in the centre of the city.
We were able to walk to our accommodation in about 15 minutes, which made the whole arrival process really easy after an overnight trip. Because you’re arriving in the morning make sure you arrange with your accommodation that you’ll need to either check in early or drop off your luggage for storage early. If neither of those options work for you check out Bounce Luggage Storage – store your luggage for about 5-6 euro each for the day.
If you’re planning your stay, I usually book accommodations through platforms like Booking.com (you can also find options through my travel resources page), especially when travelling as a family and needing flexible options.
You can read more about our trip to Split, Croatia here:
Would We Do It Again?
Yes, absolutely.
Even though I don’t sleep perfectly, it’s such a fun experience, especially with kids, and a really practical way to travel between cities in Europe.
If you’re trying to balance budget, experience, and logistics, this is one of those options that checks a lot of boxes.
Planning a Trip to Italy, Austria or Croatia?
If you’re planning a similar trip, you might find these helpful:
- Biking the Drau Cycle Path in Austria with Kids
- What we Packed for Europe in the Summer with our Kids
- Our 3 Weeks in Italy, Austria and Croatia with Kids (Route, Stays & Costs)
- Split, Croatia with Kids What We’d Do Differently Next Time
- Alpe di Siusi with Kids: Hiking, Cable Cars and What We Learned
- Our Italy Dolomites Farm Stay (Agriturismo Experience)
If you’re planning a Europe trip and looking for other ways to keep costs down, we’ve also stayed at a Eurocamp before which is such a great, affordable option for families.
You can read more about that here:
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