Deutsche Bahn concerns/ Nightjet train

An overnight train could be fun--but we've heard that Deutsche Bahn is not in great shape right now. Strikes, delays, dwindling government funding [...] I think the Nightjet overnight trains are run by the OBB, the Austrian national railroad--maybe that would be less problematic?

With trains, it's not like with airplanes that the change of carrier could bring about a significant change. The trains have to use the same rail network, so Nightjets are naturally affected by the same track works and other problems as DB trains. In addition, the Nightjets are operated by DB staff within Germany anyway. The problems that have recently occurred with the Nightjets have nothing to do with the rail network, but with a lack of rolling stock and the introduction of a new (very comfortable, btw) type of carriage - the latter seems to have been resolved in the meantime.

But we shouldn't dramatize either, e.g. "dwindling government funding" is absolutely wrong - more money than ever is flowing into the railroads, albeit after many years of false austerity. And delays, yes, the Nightjets are often late, perhaps understandable given their long route; but is it really a drama if a night train arrives at its destination half an hour or even an hour late? After all, we don't have such high expectations on flights either.

I would perhaps be more concerned about two other things: (1) Can we really sleep on the train? There are many intermediate stops and in the middle of the night there is also shunting to exchange cars with the train from Amsterdam. Some people don't mind, others feel exhausted in the morning. (2) The price: since the timetable change in December, ÖBB has introduced a dynamic pricing system, as we know it from flying. On average, this has led to a drastic fare increase, so that a cheap flight plus hotel is now often cheaper. If you decide to go anyway: Book in good time, because the capacity, especially of sleeping cars, is not very large and prices only go in one direction: upwards.

"dwindling government funding...." If anything has been positive regarding night trains as a travel option, it is that governments in the last few years have pumped more funds into night train routes, etc thanks to greater demand. The question is : who are these night train customers whom governments are attempting to placate.

The French, Austrian governments (those are the ones I know of) have earmarked more funds into expanding routes, bringing back routes, more departures, etc. Bravo !

If your family is seriously considering doing night train routes, I would suggest know your travel style and ability to cope. True, I have seen children with parents sharing the compartment I'm in. They have always been German.

My experiences with the Night Jet trains in Austria and Germany, have always been satisfactory. Ever since my post-retirement trip in 2009, every trip has included one or two night train rides, always in the general seating area or in a six seat compartment , absolutely no problems sleeping either, never had a sleeper, and always using a Eurail Pass.

On DB trains: this past summer several of the ICE trains were late, ie, more than 10 mins. Luckily, not every single one.

One DB train Mannheim to Paris was canceled as everyone was still waiting for it on the platform. I didn't bother with any attempts at a refund, used the ticket the next morning.

If you are going to Interlaken you should not take the night train to Zürich. Get off in Basel, and change for Interlaken there. Saves about 2 hours.
See www.bahn.de. Always plan train trips end-to-end, and make no a priori assumptions about the route.

Note that there is also a direct daytime train from Bremen to Interlaken. Leaves Bremen rather early, but it takes the scenic Rhine Valley route, and is good value booked in advance.