I planned to travel from Venice to Stuttgart on a night train, and researched how to do this weeks in advance. I decided to spend 470 euros, well over and above the regular fare, for a private 2 bed compartment on the ÖBB Nightjet.On the train:All through the night as the train stopped at stations on the way to Germany, the staff attendant for the carriage used a roof storage space outside my compartment door. When he closed this storage locker he slammed it shut. This had a hammer effect on the compartments. It woke up both occupants every single time. No sleep was possible with this hammer against out heads, despite paying hugely for a private room.When I complained to this very unpleasant attendant, he refused to give me his name, and said and I quote, "It's a train, what do you expect bro". This attendant proceeded to call me bro 5 or 6 times, and he also forgot to collect our breakfast cards.I have travelled on 5 night trains, including the Trans Siberian, and this is not what it is like on a good night train service.The holiday was really ruined by this experience and we had to spend the next day in Germany exhausted. It was a case of missing 3 days of the trip through total sleep exhaustion, like having very bad jetlag.Additionally, there was garbage bins tipped over on the train floor in two of the adjacent carriages, and they were left there all night and as we arrived at Stuttgart.Back Home:When I got back to the UK, I had 7 emails with ÖBB customer service to claim a refund. I was allocated a woman named "Sabrina Seiler" from customer service. You think it cannot get any worse.The unkind Sabrina needs over a week to respond to any message.Sabrina states every time that she has "too many enquiries" or complaints to respond within a reasonable time.After I complained 4 or 5 times and threaten to consult a lawyer, Sabrina offered a 117 euro ÖBB voucher (25% of the cost) for another trip on OBB railway.This is in no way compensation, and I will not be stepping foot on an OBB service again. This is their federal railway, and it is absolutely appalling.Rarely do I think privatisation is a good idea, but if it helps people like Sabrina and this dreadful attendant receive some training in competence, respect and courtesy, so be it.To any reader, avoid the Austrian Federal Railway, or ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG, at all costs.1.3/5 at Trustpilot. 2/5 TripAdvisor. ÖBB - are the worst and most disrespectful rail company I have ever had the misfortunate to travel in. Perhaps the worst in the world.Avoid.
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The Austrian Federal Railways is the national railway system of Austria, and the administrator of Liechtenstein's railways.