I spent 11 hours with 3 strangers in a shared cabin on a sleeper train in Europe. 6 surprises made me regret it.

• I booked a shared sleeper cabin on an overnight train from Austria to Italy in October 2022. • I thought a sleeper train would be the best way to maximize my days while exploring Europe. • A few surprises along the way, such as a lack of privacy and a restless night, changed my mind.

When I decided to squeeze four countries into a two-week backpacking trip to Europe, traveling by overnight train seemed like the right move.

It was my first time visiting Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland, so I wanted to have as many daylight hours in each place as possible. That's why I took an 11-hour train ride from Vienna to Venice, Italy.

And sharing a sleeper cabin with strangers also helped me do it on a budget.

My ticket, which cost $84, included a bunk in a shared cabin and a light b