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Travelling by train is the ideal way to get the most out of your trip to Austria. With your Interrail Pass, you can discover the refreshing city of Vienna, take the ‘Sound of Music’ tour in Salzburg and explore snow-capped mountains in Innsbruck. During your journey, admire the stunning natural beauty and spectacular scenery from the train window.

Austria quick facts

Population: 8.9 million

Language: German

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Dialing code: +43

Trains in Austria

Find out all you need to know about Austria’s rail network, different train types and reservation requirements.

More about trains in Austria

Interrail passes for Austria

Interrail austria pass.

The Interrail Austria Pass is your ticket to discover famous cities in Austria by train, as well as jaw-dropping scenery as you travel between destinations

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Interrail Global Pass  

The Interrail Global Pass is the flexible and budget-friendly way to get around up to 33 countries in Europe. Travel by train from one cool destination to the next. One day you're on a pub crawl through Amsterdam and the next you're white-water rafting in Interlaken, Switzerland.

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Pass benefits in Austria

Check out the extra discounts and offers for Interrail Pass holders in Austria.

Places to visit

Attractions not to be missed

Spend half a day browsing around the Hohensalzburg Castle – the crown jewel of Mozart's birth city Salzburg. Built in 1077 this well-preserved castle has a medieval royal room, a palace, a church and a number of towers to keep you eagle-eyed. While you’re in the area, don't miss Austria’s cheesiest attraction: the Sound of Music Tour. You’ll be taken to some of the key film locations, where the story of the all-singing von Trapp family was brought to life, including Hellbrunn Palace and Mondsee Cathedral.

Crystal lakes and crashing waterfalls

Visit Austria’s salt mining region of Salzkammergut and set your eyes on bewitching blue lakes and wooded mountains. Take a hike, go cycling or relax around Grundlsee or Toplitzsee lake , then take a dip in the crystal waters. Finally savour a local culinary delight: Kaiserschmarrn (pancake pieces with raisins). Also, try and fit in a trip to one of Austria’s top beauty spots: Krimml Falls at the National Park Hohe Tauern. With a combined height of 380 metres, this three-levelled waterfall is Europe’s biggest and makes for picture-perfect photography.

Pumping night clubs and sumptuous cocktail bars

Salzburg isn’t alive and kicking only during the ski season there’s also a great nightly offering all year round. Built in the Rainberg mountain, the Cave Club pumps out techno and other hard sounds into the early hours. Alternatively, take a train to Austria’s second largest city, Graz for a night to remember. This student city has a great choice of bars, but it’s the cocktail bars that are the best-loved nightly attraction in this city. One of them, the Pharmacy Bar Lounge, has a vibrant atmosphere, along with a mouth-watering selection of cocktails.

River and mountain activity

Austria’s main river, the Danube is a great place to enjoy water sports – especially popular is wakeboarding and cable wakeboarding. There are a number of reputable wakeboarding camps along the river where you can sign up for an intensive short course. Salzburg is the birthplace of the Austrian musical maestro Mozart. It's also one of Europe’s top alp ski destinations, with a variety of runs for beginners and the more experienced skiers and snowboarders. The après-ski is also one of the wildest on the European ski circuit

Vienna: a top European city destination

Vienna (Wien), Austria’s endearing capital has been voted one of the most liveable cities in the world – a few days there and it will be easy to see why. The city is laden with green space, architectural jewels passed down through Austria’s rich heritage, plus an enigmatic injection of modern-day cool. Visit the city’s MUMOK (MUseum of MOdernKunst) and set your eyes on major works from the likes of Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. Or simply take a stroll around one of the pretty parks.

Christmas markets

Nearly every Austrian town puts on spectacular outdoor Christmas markets, complete with food, mulled wine and gifts of all shapes and sizes. Vienna and Salzburg are two cities that go all out during Christmas!

Amazing trip!

​Amazing trip, we visited almost entirely Austria! I recommend Interrail for sure. ​TrustPilot from Laure, France ​ View Review> 

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Austria by Rail: Exploring the Incredible Landscapes of Austria by Train

Discovering Austria’s magnificent landscapes and charming cities is a journey best experienced by rail. Traveling by train allows you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery while enjoying the convenience and comfort of Austria’s efficient railway system. From the majestic cities of Vienna and Salzburg to the stunning Semmering railway and beyond, Austria’s rail network offers endless opportunities to explore this enchanting country.

Rail Travel in Austria: Getting There and Around

Train travel in Austria is a convenient and efficient way to get around the country. The Austrian rail network offers a variety of train types to suit different travel needs, whether you’re exploring the stunning landscapes or visiting the elegant cities. One of the highlights of train travel in Austria is the Semmering railway, which offers breathtaking views as you journey from Vienna to Graz. Additionally, the state-of-the-art Nightjet trains provide overnight travel options, allowing you to arrive at your destination well-rested.

When it comes to comfort, first-class seats on ÖBB trains offer more space, reclining seats, and restaurant-style food service. And for those who plan their trips in advance, there are attractive ticket options available. The SparSchiene ticket is a great choice for budget travelers, with prices starting from just €9.90 per person and way. Kombitickets are also available, allowing you to combine your rail travel with ski passes or entrance to local attractions and events.

If you’re planning to explore not only Austria but also other European countries by train, the Interrail Austria Pass and Global Passes are recommended. These passes provide access to train travel in Austria as well as other European countries, allowing you to create your own personalized itinerary.

Rail Travel Tips for Austria

Here are a few tips to make your rail travel in Austria even more enjoyable:

1. Check train schedules and plan your journey in advance to ensure you don’t miss your connections or preferred departure times.

2. Consider making seat reservations for certain trains, especially during peak travel seasons or for international routes.

3. Take advantage of discounts and promotional fares by booking your tickets online through the ÖBB website or by phone.

4. If you’re traveling with a Eurail Pass, be sure to check if it is valid for the specific train or private railway company you plan to use.

Scenic Train Routes in Austria: The Beauty of the Austrian Landscape

Austria is a country known for its breathtaking landscapes, and what better way to experience its natural beauty than by taking a scenic train journey? The scenic train routes in Austria offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning countryside, enjoying panoramic views of rolling hills, majestic mountains, and charming villages along the way. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a photography lover, or simply seeking a peaceful and relaxing journey, these train trips are sure to leave you mesmerized.

“Traveling through the scenic train routes in Austria is like stepping into a postcard. The picturesque countryside, with its lush green meadows, crystal-clear lakes, and snow-capped peaks, creates an enchanting backdrop for your journey. It’s a feast for the senses, where you can breathe in the fresh mountain air, listen to the melodic sounds of nature, and marvel at the ever-changing landscapes passing by.”

One of the most popular scenic train routes in Austria is the journey between Vienna and Salzburg. This relatively short trip allows you to witness the beauty of the Austrian countryside, with picturesque vineyards, charming little towns, and stunning alpine views along the way. The Railjet trains that operate on this route provide modern and comfortable amenities, ensuring a pleasant and enjoyable travel experience.

If you’re looking for a longer and more immersive journey, consider traveling between Graz and Innsbruck. This route takes you through the heart of the Austrian Alps, offering breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, and picturesque mountain villages. It’s a truly unforgettable experience that showcases the natural beauty and rugged charm of Austria’s alpine region.

“The scenic train routes in Austria not only offer a visual treat but also provide a sense of tranquility and serenity. As you sit back and relax in the comfortable train carriage, you can truly appreciate the magnificence of the Austrian landscape unfolding before your eyes. It’s a journey that allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with nature.”

Whether you choose to embark on a short trip between Vienna and Salzburg or opt for a more extensive journey through the Austrian Alps, exploring the scenic train routes in Austria is an experience that should not be missed. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the country, to witness its diverse landscapes, and to create lifelong memories.

Traveling Between Major Austrian Cities: Convenient and Fast

Traveling between major Austrian cities is a breeze when you choose to explore Austria by train. With efficient connections and fast travel times, you can easily hop from one city to another, experiencing the best that Austria has to offer. Whether you’re planning a visit to Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Innsbruck, or Linz, the Austrian rail network has got you covered.

For example, the journey from Vienna to Salzburg takes less than 2.5 hours, allowing you to reach the birthplace of Mozart and explore its charming old town in no time. If you’re heading to the picturesque capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck, you can catch a train from Salzburg and arrive in less than 2 hours. And if you’re interested in experiencing the vibrant and cultural city of Graz, you can reach it from Vienna in just 2 hours and 38 minutes.

Tickets and Fares for Traveling Between Major Austrian Cities

When it comes to tickets and fares, ÖBB offers a range of options to suit every traveler’s needs. From affordable SparSchiene tickets for those who plan their trips in advance, to flexible standard fares for spontaneous travelers, there’s a ticket for everyone. Plus, with attractive discounts for youths, seniors, and families, exploring Austria by train is not only convenient but also budget-friendly.

So whether you’re planning a day trip or a multi-city itinerary, traveling between major Austrian cities by train is the perfect choice. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic landscapes as you make your way from one vibrant city to another, creating unforgettable memories along the way.

Traveling between major Austrian cities is easy and convenient by train. ÖBB provides fast and efficient connections, with travel times of less than 2.5 hours between Vienna and Salzburg, and less than 2 hours between Salzburg and Innsbruck. The journey from Vienna to Graz takes 2 hours and 38 minutes, while the trip from Graz to Linz is approximately 3 hours. For those looking to explore different regions of Austria, the routes from Innsbruck to Bregenz and Graz to Innsbruck offer the opportunity to discover the country from west to east. With reliable and frequent train services, creating an Austrian train itinerary is a breeze.

Ticket Options and Discounts: Affordable Travel in Austria

Traveling by train in Austria doesn’t have to break the bank. ÖBB-Austrian Railways offers a range of ticket options and discounts that make exploring the country affordable for all. One popular option is the ÖBB SparSchiene ticket , which starts at just €9.90 per person and way. These tickets are perfect for those who plan their trips in advance and are valid for a specific train and day of travel in one direction.

If you’re looking to combine your rail travel with other activities, ÖBB also offers Kombitickets that provide great deals. These tickets allow you to combine your train journey with a ski pass in winter or entrance to local attractions and events in summer, giving you even more value for your money.

For those planning to cover all of Austria by train and explore other European countries as well, the Interrail Austria Pass is highly recommended. With the Interrail Austria Pass , you can enjoy 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8 non-consecutive days of travel within a month, giving you the flexibility to create your own itinerary and save money on individual ticket purchases. Additionally, Austria is also included in the Interrail Global Pass, which offers access to train travel in 33 countries.

Save money on train tickets in Austria with these ticket options and discounts:

“The ÖBB SparSchiene ticket is perfect for budget-conscious travelers who plan in advance. With prices starting at just €9.90 per person and way, it’s a great way to save on train fares.”

“If you’re looking to combine your train journey with other activities, the Kombitickets offered by ÖBB are a fantastic option. Whether you want to hit the slopes with a ski pass or explore local attractions and events, these tickets provide excellent value for money.”

“For unlimited train travel in Austria and beyond, the Interrail Austria Pass is the way to go. With multiple options to choose from, you can customize your travel experience and save money on individual ticket purchases.”

Seat Reservations and Passes: Ensuring a Smooth Journey

When traveling by train in Austria, it’s important to understand the role of seat reservations and passes to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey. While most Austrian trains can be boarded with just a rail pass, it’s important to note that seat reservations may be required for certain trains, especially overnight and international routes. Reservations are optional but recommended during peak travel seasons and for public holidays. It’s advisable to check online train schedules or consult with the ÖBB booking center to determine whether seat reservations are necessary for your specific journey.

“Reservations are optional but recommended during peak travel seasons and for public holidays.”

For those planning to explore Austria extensively by train, rail passes are a convenient option. The Austria Eurail Pass covers all trains within Austria operated by ÖBB, as well as extras such as nonstop trains between Salzburg and Kufstein, S-Bahn trains in Vienna and Innsbruck, and privately operated WestBahn trains. Other international passes, such as the Eurail Global Pass, also include Austria in their coverage. It’s important to note that not all private railway companies accept Eurail Passes on their trains, so it’s advisable to check the specific terms and conditions before planning your journey with a private railway company.

If you prefer the flexibility of individual train tickets, it’s still important to consider whether seat reservations are necessary or recommended for your journey. While some trains may offer ample seating without reservations, others may have limited availability or require reservations for specific classes or compartments. By checking the train schedule and consulting with the ÖBB booking center, you can find the best options for your preferred travel dates and ensure a comfortable journey with peace of mind.

Tips for Buying Train Tickets in Austria: Saving Money and Finding Deals

When it comes to buying train tickets in Austria , there are several tips and tricks that can help you save money and find the best deals. One option is to take advantage of discounts for specific groups, such as youths, seniors, and families traveling with kids under 15. With a Vorteilscard, you can enjoy savings of up to 50% on point-to-point train tickets.

Another way to save money is by booking in advance. ÖBB offers Sparscheine discounts for those who book train tickets at least three days ahead for pre-selected dates and times. This is a great option if you have a fixed travel itinerary and can plan ahead.

It’s also worth considering alternative train operators, such as WestBahn, which often offer cheaper high-speed connections between Vienna and Salzburg compared to ÖBB’s Railjet trains. Additionally, ordering tickets online through the ÖBB website or by phone can provide access to additional discounts and promotional fares.

Overall, with a little bit of research and planning, you can find great deals on train tickets in Austria and save money while exploring this beautiful country.

International Train Connections: Exploring Europe from Austria

When traveling in Austria, you have the exciting opportunity to explore not only the beautiful landscapes of the country but also to venture beyond its borders and visit other European countries by train. Austria serves as a fantastic hub for international train connections, allowing you to embark on an adventure to various destinations.

With the Railjet and EuroCity trains, you can easily reach cities like Munich, Prague, Budapest, Zurich, and Venice from Austria. These trains offer convenient and comfortable travel options, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey. Additionally, ÖBB Nightjet provides overnight trains that allow you to wake up in cities such as Florence, Rome, Milan, Munich, Paris, and Amsterdam, ready to start your day of exploration.

Expand Your Horizons Traveling by train from Austria to other European countries not only offers convenience but also provides a unique opportunity to expand your horizons and immerse yourself in different cultures and experiences. Whether you’re interested in visiting historical landmarks, indulging in delicious cuisine, or simply exploring new landscapes, the international train connections from Austria have something for everyone.

When planning your international train travel from Austria, it’s important to note that reservations may be required for certain routes. Therefore, it’s advisable to check train schedules or consult with the ÖBB booking center to ensure you have the most up-to-date information for your desired destinations.

Embarking on a journey from Austria to other European countries by train not only allows you to witness the stunning scenery along the way but also provides a convenient and efficient way to explore Europe. So, hop on a train and let the tracks take you on an unforgettable adventure through the diverse landscapes and rich cultures of Europe.

Private Railway Companies in Austria: Alternative Travel Options

If you’re looking for alternative ways to travel in Austria, private railway companies offer unique options to explore the country. These companies operate alongside ÖBB, providing additional train routes and services that can enhance your rail journey. Micotra trains, for example, connect Villach in Austria with Tarvisio in Italy, offering a scenic ride through the breathtaking landscapes of the Carinthian Alps. RegioJet, on the other hand, runs yellow trains that connect Vienna with Brno and Prague in the Czech Republic, providing a convenient way to travel between these European capitals. Another alternative is Westbahn, which operates frequent trains between Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, and Munich, allowing you to discover multiple destinations in Austria and Germany.

While private railway companies offer unique travel experiences, it’s important to note that not all of them accept Eurail Passes on their trains. Before planning your journey, make sure to check the specific terms and conditions of each company to understand their ticketing policies. Additionally, private railway companies may have different amenities and services compared to ÖBB, so it’s worth considering your preferences and travel needs when choosing the best option for your journey. Whether you’re seeking a scenic ride, exploring less-known destinations, or looking for a different travel experience, private railway companies in Austria provide excellent alternative options for your rail adventure.

Enhancing Your Rail Journey

Private railway companies in Austria offer unique opportunities to enhance your rail journey and explore the country from a different perspective. These companies provide additional routes, scenic rides, and convenient connections to various destinations. Whether you’re interested in traveling to neighboring countries or exploring lesser-known regions of Austria, private railway companies can add a touch of adventure and diversity to your rail itinerary. Make sure to research and plan your journey in advance, considering the routes, schedules, and ticketing policies of each company to ensure a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.

Night Trains in Austria: Overnight Adventures

When it comes to exploring Austria, don’t limit your adventures to the daylight hours. Hop aboard the ÖBB Nightjet , Austria’s iconic night train, for an unforgettable overnight journey through the beautiful Austrian landscapes. Offering both domestic and international routes, the ÖBB Nightjet allows you to wake up in a new city, ready to start your day of exploration.

With the ÖBB Nightjet, you can travel comfortably while you sleep, enjoying amenities such as cozy sleeping compartments, in-room showers, and onboard dining options. Whether you’re traveling from Vienna to Milan, Munich to Florence, or any other combination of cities, the ÖBB Nightjet ensures a smooth and relaxing journey.

Experience the magic of Austria and beyond

But the adventure doesn’t stop at Austria’s borders. The ÖBB Nightjet connects you to a variety of European cities, allowing you to easily explore neighboring countries. From Paris to Budapest, Berlin to Venice, the ÖBB Nightjet opens up a world of possibilities for your European rail adventure.

With its convenient schedules, comfortable accommodations, and the ability to cover long distances while you sleep, the ÖBB Nightjet is a popular choice for travelers looking to maximize their time and experience the magic of Austria and beyond.

Whether you’re seeking a romantic escape, a solo adventure, or a family trip, the night trains in Austria offer a unique and immersive way to explore the beauty of the country and beyond. So, climb aboard the ÖBB Nightjet and let the rhythmic sound of the train lull you to sleep as you embark on an unforgettable overnight adventure through Austria and Europe.

Exploring Liechtenstein: A Side Trip from Austria

While exploring Austria by train offers breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural experiences, why not take a side trip to the neighboring country of Liechtenstein? Nestled between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein is a tiny principality that can easily be added to your Austrian itinerary. With a convenient rail connection from Feldkirch in Austria to Buchs in Switzerland, you can explore Liechtenstein’s charm and beauty in just a short journey.

From Feldkirch, hop on the train and pass through the picturesque countryside as you make your way to Liechtenstein. The train stations in Liechtenstein include Forst Hilti, Schaan-Vaduz, Nendeln, and Schaanwald. Once you arrive at Schaan-Vaduz, a short bus ride will take you to the capital city of Vaduz, where you can discover the country’s rich history and stunning architecture.

Adding Liechtenstein to your Austrian itinerary allows you to experience the unique blend of Swiss and Austrian influences that shape the principality’s culture. Explore the charming streets of Vaduz, visit the impressive Vaduz Castle, and immerse yourself in the welcoming atmosphere of this hidden gem. While Austria’s rail passes may not be valid in Liechtenstein, travelers with a valid Eurail Pass for Austria can still use it to travel to and from Liechtenstein as part of their itinerary.

Explore Liechtenstein: An Untouched Alpine Paradise

With its untouched alpine landscapes, historical landmarks, and warm hospitality, Liechtenstein offers a truly unique experience for travelers seeking a side trip from Austria. The principality’s compact size allows you to explore its beauty in a short amount of time, making it an ideal addition to your Austrian adventure.

Whether you choose to visit Liechtenstein for a day trip or extend your stay, this charming country will captivate you with its natural beauty and welcoming atmosphere. So, why not embark on a journey beyond Austria’s borders and discover the hidden treasures of Liechtenstein?

Plan Your Rail Journey in Austria with Ease

Are you ready to embark on a rail journey through Austria? Planning your trip is easy with the convenient and efficient train network in the country. Whether you’re exploring the incredible landscapes, immersing yourself in the rich culture and history, or embarking on international adventures, traveling by train in Austria offers a unique and memorable experience.

Start by considering the variety of train types available to you. From the state-of-the-art Nightjet trains that allow you to travel while you sleep, to the scenic Railjet trains that offer breathtaking views as you travel through the Alps, there’s a train for every traveler’s preference.

Once you’ve decided on your train, take advantage of the attractive ticket options offered by ÖBB-Austrian Railways. The SparSchiene ticket is perfect for those who plan their trips in advance, with prices starting from just €9.90 per person and way. If you’re looking for unlimited travel within Austria, the Interrail Austria Pass is recommended, providing multiple non-consecutive days of travel within a month. And don’t forget to check for discounts and promotional fares when booking your tickets online or by phone.

With affordable ticket prices, comfortable and efficient trains, and a network that connects major cities and scenic routes, planning your rail journey in Austria couldn’t be easier. So pack your bags, grab your Eurail Pass or individual train tickets, and get ready to explore the beauty and charm of Austria by train.

Source Links

• https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/austria-rail-passes
• https://www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/getting-there-around/by-train
• https://www.eurail.com/en/plan-your-trip/trip-ideas/top-destinations/austria-train

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The Joys of Train Travel in Austria Span Everything From Adventure To Art

Climb aboard a high-speed railjet train to trek from alpine paradise to historic cities and wellness retreats..

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Sit back and enjoy views like the Gastein Valley aboard the ÖBB railway.

ÖBB Personenverkehr AG/Harald Eisenberger

There are unforgettable train journeys tucked away in every corner of the Earth, but perhaps the most under-recognized are those with Austrian Federal Railways. Classic melds with the contemporary aboard Austria’s ÖBB, the country’s national railway company, where the romance of train travel meets engineering ingenuity. There’s no easier (or more sustainable) way for you to relax as you enjoy the views zipping from Vienna, the artistic and intellectual capital of the country, into the heart of the countryside where farm-to-fork cuisine beckons, landscapes amaze, and small villages offer hiking, biking, and intimate retreats.

Along the way, those in first and business classes can enjoy spacious leather seats with electrical outlets, Wi-Fi, a welcome drink, meal service at their seat, and digital access to more than 100 publications. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to take your eyes off mountains and castles, however, as ÖBB whisks and wends you across Austria’s most historic and beautiful sights and cities. Here are some highlights to consider.

Start in the capital, Vienna

Of the few urban cities in the world ringed by lush forests and well-marked hiking trails, Vienna is one of them. Trekkers and cyclists can enjoy the view of oak trees and then segue to oak barrels on City Hiking Trail 5, where cozy Heurigen wine taverns await oenophiles who love to sip what’s local and fresh. Regular rules don’t apply here when it comes to aging, and you’ll learn that in Viennese German, the word heuer translates to “this year.” What’s available for sampling is typically produced from a recent harvest.

If coffee is more your speed, then you’ll want to stop in at Cafe Hawelka. The kaffeehaus has been owned by the same family for three generations, and their buchteln sweet rolls are a highlight.

Coffeehouse culture in Vienna is legendary, and for centuries artists, writers, and thinkers have thrived in their bohemian atmosphere. You can check out some of their masterpieces at the MuseumsQuartier or spend a night listening to classical music at the Vienna State Opera. After all, Austria is the birthplace of Mozart, Strauss, Mahler, Schubert, Bruckner, and Schönberg, to name only a few.

Discover Graz’ museums, architecture, and cuisine

Murinsel, a floating, glass-paneled island, is one of Graz’s architectural marvels.

Graz Tourismus/Harry Schiffer

From Vienna, head directly via Railjet to Graz . It’s Austria’s second-largest city, but for many travelers from outside the country, Graz is a gem waiting to be unearthed. The UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site is also a UNESCO City of Design, and there are just as many modern marvels as historic ones. Check out the juxtaposition at the bubble-shaped Kunsthaus museum in the arts district around Mariahilferstrasse, or grab a cocktail at Murinsel, a floating, glass-paneled island.

Food fans will want to hit up one of two daily farmers markets, since Graz, surrounded by hundreds of farms, is the culinary capital of Austria. Make a picnic from the seasonal treasures at Kaiser Josef Markt or Lendplatz, and grab a souvenir like nutty pumpkin seed oil, Styria’s so-called “green gold.”

Castles, Mozart, and beer in Salzburg

The medieval Hohensalzburg Fortress, high above Salzburg

ÖBB Personenverkehr AG/Georg Pölzleitner

All that glitters isn’t simply gold, as you’ll see while admiring the treasures at Hohensalzburg Fortress after a scenic four-hour train ride to Salzburg. The castle watches over the baroque city from high atop Mönchsberg mountain, Mozart’s birthplace and the filming location of The Sound of Music . You can walk in the composer’s footsteps on charming Getreidegasse, a street lined with courtyards and tiny boutiques where chocolate lovers will find tasty Mozartkugel nougat treats.

Or raise a glass to good times and new discoveries at the Stiegl-Brauwelt museum, an institution devoted to the art of making beer. Brewing culture is strong in Salzburg—Austria’s beer capital with 11 breweries— and it’s easy to strike up a chat with locals at one of the communal tables that fill the beer gardens here.

Hot springs, hikes, and other day trips surrounding Salzburg

First Class aboard Austrian Federal Railways

Courtesy of ÖBB/Harald Eisenberger

The beauty of making Salzburg your home base for a few days includes what’s nearby. The city makes for a convenient jumping-off point for taking trains to nearby villages that aren’t often explored by travelers outside of Europe.

If you’re seeking some R&R, head by rail to the hot thermal springs in the small village of Bad Ischl. The healing salt waters made it a fashionable resort in the early 19th century after doctors recommended Archduchess Sophie receive saline treatments.

If the Middle Ages fascinate you, there are two must-visit attractions in the countryside outside the city of Salzburg. A train to Werfen includes hiking along the Sound of Music trail, and an opportunity to feel the wind whip through the feathers of birds of prey at Hohenwerfen Fortress. The medieval landmark hosts falconry demonstrations in its impressive courtyard gardens, where other period entertainment includes sword fights.

In Kufstein, a little more than an hour west of Salzburg by train, medieval meets multimedia at the Kufstein Fortress, built in the year 1205 C.E. Visitors can wear 3-D glasses to interact with a hologram, a “talking” painting, and 270-degree projections. It’s an impressive way to experience what life was like here a millennium ago.

Jump into Innsbruck’s mountainous history

See views of Innsbruck’s towering mountains from the 360-degree bar, Cafe Lichtblick.

Christof Lackner/Innsbruck Tourismus

Reaching great heights is easy in Innsbruck , a train ride that’s just under two hours from Salzburg. Whether you’re more into the arts or athletics, there’s plenty to marvel at Bergisel Ski Jump. The Zaha Hadid-designed architectural masterpiece towers high above the city overlooking the Nordkette mountain range, and you can visit the lift, jump tower, and glass-walled café for stunning panoramas and traditional Tirolean treats like kasspatzln , a traditional Tirolean dish of spätzle (egg noodles) with cheese.

Use Innsbruck [LINK TO: 3 Ways to Experience Innsbruck, Austria’s Imperial Gem ] as your hub for other regional adventures, too. In nearby Wattens, Swarovski Crystal Worlds’ intricate topiary awaits, while 17 futuristic Chambers of Wonder exhibits put you in the center of a gleaming jewel box.

Or, in the village of Mutters, admire the wooden balconies and painted facades of farmhouses en route to take the Mutteralm cable car up the mountain for a hike followed by lunch in a cozy mountain hut. Typical dishes include tasty schlutzkrapfen (dumplings stuffed with cheese or spinach,) and hearty Tiroler gröstl, (a dish of potatoes, meat, and vegetables).

Journey to the top of the world in the Arlberg region

The Arlberg Trail connects Arlberg’s five villages and can be enjoyed on individual shorter treks or on one unforgettable 25-mile journey.

DIE WEST Werbeagentur/Arlberg Marketing

Venture even further into Alpine paradise in Arlberg , just a one-hour train ride from Innsbruck. There, five intimate villages all feature hikes for varying abilities winding past pristine lakes, streams, and flower-filled fields. Serious trekkers will want to plan ahead to spend several hours outdoors, while others may choose to take the “easy way” on the Galzig and Valluga cable cars that whisk you up 9,222 feet to the top of Valluga, the region’s tallest mountain.

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OEBB Railjet in Autumn Landscape Oebb / Harald Eisenberger media_content.tooltip.skipped Good to Know about Traveling by Train

• Austria's Beauty Secrets
• Explore Austria with ÖBB
• Things to Know About Train Travel

Austria's extensive train system is easily one of the most convenient ways to travel between its major cities and small forgotten hamlets. Here is what you need to know before hopping on board!

Types of Trains

All ÖBB trains are state-of-the-art, with comfortable seating and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Certain trains just add that little extra something to your trip! Railjet

The Railjet offers more comfortable wagons, free Wifi on board, and much faster connections. At interval speeds of 140 mph (230 km/h), you can now reach Salzburg’s Main Train Station from the Vienna International Airport in as little as 2 hours and 49 minutes. Even service from Vienna airport to St. Anton am Arlberg - all the way in western Austria - is available, as the ÖBB Railjet whisks you to the ski destination of your dreams in less than 6 hours. Nightjet

 With the Nightjet , you can comfortably travel while you sleep in cosy sleeper cars, couchette coaches and day coaches. The next morning, you will arrive fully refreshed at your destination - directly in the city centre. Nightjet routes will take you all throughout Austria, including Salzburg, Vienna, Innsbruck, Bregenz, and Arlberg, among others. Sleeper cars and couchette coaches range from 1 to 6 beds, accommodating groups of different sizes and letting you choose your level of privacy.

Austrian Railways Nightjet in landscape ÖBB Personenverkehr AG / Harald Eisenberger media_content.tooltip.skipped

Travel Classes

Economy Class

The Austrian Railways’ Economy Class is all but basic. Modern, comfortable seats in perfectly air-conditioned trains feature power outlets and tables. WiFi is available on many trains, and a small onboard bistro is just a short walk away. First Class

For an upgrade, choose First Class , which gets you adjustable seats, more legroom and space on each side, extra wide tables, and power outlets at each seat. You can also order food and drinks straight to your seat! Business Class

Ultimate comfort waits in Business Class , which is even more luxurious than First! Maximum distance between seats, leather covers, leg rests, reading lights, and plenty of table space make this not just an ideal place to relax completely.

Lady in the Railjet ÖBB Personenverkehr AG / Harald Eisenberger media_content.tooltip.skipped

Convenient Services

Air to Rail

Austria's cities and Alpine regions are now more accessible than ever. Instead of renting a car after a long transatlantic flight or dealing with complicated shuttle services, you can now board your train right at the Vienna International Airport and be on your way. From the Vienna Airport , Railjets depart twice hourly for Salzburg, the city of Mozart and "The Sound of Music." There are hourly connections to Innsbruck, Tirol's capital city in the heart of the Austrian Alps. And at least every two hours, you can zip from Vienna's airport to St. Anton and Bregenz in Austria's westernmost province. Advance Seat Reservation

An online booking on the Austrian Railways' website allows you to reserve your seat for a small fee! Most trains allow for advance seat reservation, making travelling with others a breeze and guaranteeing a spot by the window. Night trains include an automatic seat or bed reservation with your ticket. This service only costs 3 Euros on domestic trains! Split Your Journey

Want to hop off the train along the way and explore? No problem, as long as you stay on the same route and complete your journey within 2 days. That means you can buy a ticket from Vienna to Salzburg and discover under-the-radar cities like Linz or Wels along the way! Or make a pit-stop in stunning Innsbruck en route to Austria's western mountains.

Online Ticketing Through the ÖBB App

Your whole booking experience can now be handled through the ÖBB App, which functions as a seamless digital travel companion. Book your ticket through the app, make a seat reservation, and get your final ticket right on your phone or tablet. The app also delivers real-time travel updates tailored to your itinerary, so you're prepared for any changes!

Get the ÖBB App:

ÖBB App in the Apple AppStore ÖBB App in the Google Play Store

Shared Mobility App

With ÖBB's smart mobility services, mobility extends beyond the train station: Get to work on the train, ride an e-scooter through the city, take a trip in a rental car, or maybe you'd rather get out and about by bike – there are plenty of smart mobility options.

Finding, booking and paying for our new mobility services couldn't be easier with the  wegfinder app – one app for all the different options. You can also compare different route options.

Discover All of Austria by Train

Train journey with unesco views, from vienna to salzburg by train, travel austria on the night train, book first class for ultimate comfort.

Am Hauptbahnhof 2

1100 Vienna

Related Content

Good to know:, encountering the obb website:, a guide to using the national rail operator's booking service:, is it possible to save money by booking austrian train tickets in advance, how far ahead can tickets be booked on the obb website, tickets for journeys wholly within each länder / state, what are the steps for booking 1st class tickets, is there anything in particular to be aware of when booking sparschiene tickets, which austrian train tickets sold by obb can be exchanged or refunded, what about seat reservations on austrian trains operated by obb, what about child tickets on austrian trains operated by obb, can railcards save money when visiting austria, do i need a ticket for my bike on austrian trains operated by obb, do i need a ticket for my dog on austrian trains operated by obb, can tickets for any train journey within austria be booked on the obb website, national ticket agents:, the general guide to austrian train travel:, booking tickets for international rail journeys from and to austria:, agents in neighboring countries, general train ticket guides:, travel guides which feature ticketing info:, using eurail and interrail passes on trains within austria, booking national rail passes:, using eurail and interrail passes on trains to and from austria, please support showmethejourney, booking international rail passes:, general guides to using rail passes:.

Buying and using Tickets & Rail Passes in Austria

This guide will help you save money, time and confusion.

Welcome to ShowMeTheJourney's guide to booking tickets for train journeys within or to and from Austria , the info covers the core basics of what you can expect to encounter when making bookings. The intention is to provide context for the tickets and journey options you should encounter, in usual circumstances, when making a booking either online or at the station. SMTJ has striven to ensure that the advice presented is as accurate as possible, but a guide such as this cannot cover every combination of journey options.

If you want to go right ahead with a booking, you can go use the Content menu, to go direct to the booking agents which sell train journeys within and both to and from Austria. Though before doing so, having an idea of what's available is recommended, hence the answers below to the questions you'll most likely have.

Four things which are good to know about tickets for long-distance Austrian train journeys:

1 - Tickets will typically be cheaper if you book online compared to the price charged at the ticket desks in stations (the discounted tickets can only be booked online). 2 - Online bookings typically open 6 months ahead of the travel date. 3 - Seat reservations are an optional extra and can be added to a booking. 4 - Reservations, seats in First or Business Class and more flexible tickets, are all sold as additions to the price of Second Class tickets.

Austria’s state railway operator OBB’s booking service was re-designed in November 2021, and it now easier to use than the previous version, but the booking path for purchasing tickets is comparatively unusual, particularly on a desktop PC.

It's worth persevering with if you want to save money on express train journeys both within and from/to Austria as the cheaper, discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets can only be booked online, or on the the OBB app .

Booking tickets for rail journeys within Austria:

You'll also need a touch of patience to take in all the time and money saving info below. So if need be, click a question to jump straight to what you need to know most.

If you will be travelling by the express trains on journeys which cross the länder / state boundaries, the answer is yes.

The discounted tickets for train journeys within Austria by express Railjet trains and IC trains AND on international trains from Austria are branded ‘ Sparschiene’ tickets and these tickets can only be booked online or on the OBB app .

Online bookings now DON'T close 3 days ahead of the travel date, so IF Sparschiene tickets are still available on the day that you will be travelling, you can book them online before you head to the station.

So if you will be travelling long distance on an OBB express* train, avoid booking tickets last minute at the station; because the Sparschiene tickets won't be available at the station.

*However, journeys by regional REX trains are NOT discounted online, so tickets for journeys by these trains will cost the same if you buy them at the station immediately prior to travel.

Check through the departures to find a bargain:

A sliding scale of prices will usually apply to Sparschiene tickets, so the very cheapest tickets of all disappear first. Search through the departures on your travel date because the cheapest Sparschiene tickets inevitably sell out fastest on the most popular trains, but they can linger on alternative earlier or later departures.

The prices of Sparschiene tickets can vary by more than €30 across a day's departures, so it can be a good idea to sort the results on OBB by 'fare', if you can be flexible re: departure and arrival times. On the Wien <> Salzburg route the cheapest prices are more likely to be available for the slower RJ services, compared to the faster RJX services. They can also be more widely available if you're willing to make connections between trains during a journey.

Tickets are available on OBB up to 6 months ahead of the travel date. However, it doesn't always follow that you'll need to book months ahead to ensure that you'll be travelling at the cheapest possible price.

OBB seems to rank how popular a train is likely to be, more highly than how far in advance a ticket can be booked. What this means in practice is that even when looking up a journey five months ahead, the same train departing one or two days later can be more than 50% cheaper.

It's also possible to find the price of a specific departure being more than 50% cheaper when looking up a journey only a month in advance, compared to booking 3 -6 months ahead. That's because the prices are seemingly closely tied to the demand, for example less people evidently travel on a Wednesday in January, than on a Wednesday in April. hence the prices being typically cheaper in January.

So you don't always have to be booking more than two months ahead to find the cheapest prices for long-distance journeys, but the cheapest prices tend to sell out faster on:

• Friday and Sunday afternoon/evenings year round
• summer Saturdays
• trains which depart between 08:00 and 10:30; and between 16:00 and 18:30
• around national holidays.

When the booking period can be shorter than six months ahead

The booking period can be shorter than 6 months ahead when looking up journeys which involve travelling after the second Sunday in each December. The nationwide and international train timetables / schedules have a major annual update, which takes effect from the second Sunday in December. However, tickets can't be placed on sale until the new timetable is confirmed and this confirmation tends to occur around mid-October, there isn't a set date for this. So if you will be be looking up a journey for travel after the second Sunday in December and can't find any tickets on the route you want to take, it will be because the tickets haven't yet been made available.

Also for journeys wholly within the länders/sates of Salzburg, which includes Bad Gastein, Radstadt and Zell-am-See; and Vorarlberg, which includes, Bregenz, Bludenz, Dornbirn and Feldkirch second class tickets aren't seemingly placed on sale more than around a month in advance.

How far you will be travelling matters when booking second class tickets in advance online, on the OBB ticket booking service ; OBB is the national rail company in Austria.

Different types of second class ticket are available for journeys which involve crossing länder / state boundaries compared to journeys wholly within a länder / state

Austria has nine länders / states one of which is the greater Vienna/Wien area, but when taking journeys by train wholly within each of the boundaries of the other eight länders, how second class tickets can be booked and used differs in comparison to taking a longer-distance journey, which involves crossing at least one boundary that separates the länders.

That's because each länder manages its public transport through its own transport authorities, VVV, VVT, SVV etc, and that includes the sale of tickets for journeys by train when travelling in second class. The tickets are sold on the OBB, national rail, website...

...but notice that the abbreviation of the transport authority is included on the ticket details

The key terms of these tickets

However, the terms for how these tickets are sold and how they can be used, differ from the discounted Sparschiene tickets that OBB makes available for the longer-distance journeys. The key differences are:

• The tickets aren't discounted, so you won't save by booking online in advance.
• The tickets can be cancelled and therefore refunded up to before the travel date.
• 'Single Trip' tickets are cheaper, but you need to travel by the specific departures you select when making a booking.
• 'Standard Tickets' allow you to travel by any departure on your travel date.
• 'Day Tickets' give the freedom to travel in second class on multiple train journeys within the region on your travel date, so they can also be used for return journeys; they tend to be twice the price of 'Single Trip' tickets, but give the freedom to be not tied to taking specific trains!

Journeys wholly within Salzburg and Vorarlberg

What's also worth knowing is that SVV in the länder of Salzburg, which includes Bad Gastein, Radstadt and Zell-am-See; and VVV in the länder of Vorarlberg, which includes, Bregenz, Bludenz, Dornbirn and Feldkirch, both don't release second class tickets for sale more than around a month in advance. However, because OBB takes responsibility for selling first class tickets, it's possible to look up journeys more than a month ahead when travelling between stations that are wholly within Salzburg or Vorarlberg. Though if you do so:

• for departures and connections by the express train services, EC, IC, RJ, or RJX, you will only find first class tickets;
• for departures and connections by the local (S-Bahn) and regional (REX) train services, you will see 'tickets are not available', because these trains don't include first class. It doesn't mean that second class tickets for the express trains and all of the tickets to travel by the REX trains have sold out, instead it's because the tickets haven't yet been released for sale. So if you want to book second class tickets in advance for journeys wholly within Salzburg or Vorarlberg, you will need to look up the journeys no more than a month ahead.

When looking up journeys on OBB it initially shows one price for each journey; namely the cheapest 2nd class price available for that specific journey.

However, if you want to book a 1st class ticket and therefore don't want to pay the price shown, you still need to click THIS price.

You will then be taken to the booking page on which other options are provided, including the price of upgrading to 1st class (Business Class is also available if you will be travelling on a Railjet ).

The trick to saving money when booking 1st class tickets on OBB:

Something that can be less than obvious is that the price of upgrading to 1st class can vary radically between departures, particularly on the Railjet routes. Also this variation in price can be out of sync with the price of 2nd class tickets.

For example you can look up a journey from Salzburg to Wien and see 2nd class prices of €19 or €29 for multiple departures. But the price for a 1st class upgrade on a departure with a 2nd class price of €29 can be €10, but on a departure with a 2nd class price of €19 it can be more expensive at €20.

So don't be guided by the price of 2nd class tickets, also check the price of the 1st class upgrades carefully; because the total cost of a Sparschiene ticket + a first class upgrade can be cheaper on a departure which looks more expensive, because of a higher cost of a 2nd class ticket.

Book a Sparschiene ticket and it will be specific to the departure you selected when making a booking and it can't be refunded at all if you subsequently change your travel plans and it also can't be exchanged to an alternative, later departure. Though the OBB booking service now links to an insurance policy costing only €3, which protects against circumstances such as having to cancel a booking due to illness, though scenarios such as change of mind due to a mix up of dates etc, won't be covered.

Meaning that if you arrive at a station too late to board a train because your taxi got stuck in traffic, or there was a fault on the tram etc, you will have to pay the full price at the station for a replacement ticket. The only scenario in which a Sparschiene ticket can be used for an alternative, later departure is IF your journey involves more than one train AND a delay to an OBB train causes you to miss the departure you were booked on to.

1st Class Sparschiene tickets:

When initially looking up a journey it's fairly obvious on which departures Sparschiene tickets are available. However, if you opt to add a 1st class upgrade, having clicked on the Sparschiene ticket price, the terms of the Sparschiene tickets still apply, Meaning that your 1st class ticket will also be specific to the departure you selected when making a booking AND it can't be refunded at all if you subsequently change your travel plans.

This has been altered recently, now when booking on the OBB website, if you're initially offered a 'Sparscheine' ticket, you can upgrade it to a ticket with less stringent terms and conditions, during the booking process.

Sparscheine Komfort tickets: The use of 'Komfort' in the name of this ticket type isn't to do with the seats on the trains, but it stems from the additional peace of mind that this type of ticket provides. As is clearly spelt out on the OBB website when making a booking, if you upgrade to this ticket you can cancel it free of charge up to 15 days ahead of the journey, but if you cancel it with 15 days left to go, you'll receive up to* 50% of what you paid for it (the 50% that OBB will retain is in effect the cancellation fee) *= OBB will retain a minimum of €15. Though in common with the standard 'Sparscheine ticket' you will be committing to travelling by a specific departure, if you subsequently realise that you'll need to take an earlier or later train, you'll need to follow the full/partial refund process and then re-book.

Standard-Ticket Gruppe: Choosing these tickets enables what OBB terms Adding 'Highest Flexibility' to your booking, in effect this means you won't have to travel by a specific departure and can choose any train within a 24hr period. You can also cancel and obtain a full refund at any time pre-travel date. Though these tickets tend to be much more expensive than Sparscheine tickets; also the use of 'Gruppe' in the ticket name is a tad confusing as these aren't group tickets.

However, these Standard-Tickets tickets cannot be 'exchanged'. The logic applied by OBB is that, if you want to subsequently travel on a different date, you can refund your 'Highest Flexibility' booking and purchase another ticket. If on your travel date, you want to travel by a different train to that what you had originally planned to take, then you can simply use your ticket on an alternative departure.

Reservations are available, but optional for journeys for journeys within Austria by Railjet trains, IC trains and the international express trains. So if you want to pay the €3 seat reservation per person fee, you need to be proactive and ADD it to your booking.

Therefore, seats on the train you will be travelling are NOT absolutely guaranteed if you haven't reserved. Though the OBB online booking service now indicates whether a specific departure is proving to be exceptionally busy.

If discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets are offered for your departure on the OBB website then these tickets are great value if you will be travelling with children who will be aged 14 and under on your date of travel. That's because each adult (aged 15 and over) purchasing a 'Sparschiene' ticket can take up to children aged 14 and under for free! These children will still require tickets, but there will be no charge for them.

This also applies when 'Sparschiene' tickets are available for direct journeys by international trains from AND to Austria; so when travelling with children from and to Austria, it usually pays off to book with OBB.

However, the flat rate will be charged for seat reservations per child and for upgrades to 1st class.

What can be confusing is that when adding the age of the children you will be travelling with to the booking, you will see 'no discount', but this is referring to the fact you won't be using a travel card or any other offer.

For journeys when no 'Sparschiene' tickets are available, including journeys by REX train, the terms are; Children aged 5 and under travel for free Children aged 6 – 14 travel at half-fare

You will need to show the proof of age of the children to the conductor on the train, so make sure you have the children's passports with you when making journeys within Austria.

A range of railcards which are branded Vorteilscards are available which provide discounts when booking rail journeys in Austria.

The most popular type of railcard is the Vorteilscard 66, which lives up to its name with a price of €66. It can only be purchased online and can then be used when booking tickets on the OBB website; it will be valid for a year. When booking it gives a discount of 50%.

The 'Vorteilscard Classic' card offers the same 50% discount for a year and costs €99, but this card can be purchased from and used at ticket counters. So unlike the Vorteilscard 66 card you can use it to purchase last minute tickets at a station just prior to boarding, either from a ticket counter or at a ticket machine.

In comparison InterRail passes and Eurail Passes for Austria cost from €146 for passes valid for 3 days of travel within a month; to €258 for up to 8 days of travel within a month.

The discounted Sparscheine for the longest rail journeys within Austria can cost as little as €29. Therefore when these prices are available, you'll need to be booking five or more trips at this distance before the Vorteilscard 66 becomes value for money. However, if you will be taking five long-distance journeys, on for example a Wien → Graz → Salzburg → Bregenz → Innsbruck → Wien itinerary; and can find the prices at the €29 rate, a Vorteilscard 66 + five tickets discounted by 50% will cost around €141. In contrast a rail pass valid for five days will be more than €50 more expensive at €197.

However, if you don't want to be restricted to Sparscheine tickets, using the Vorteilscard Classic to obtain a discounted rate on last minute tickets at the station can be (a lot) more expensive than using the one country Eurail/InterRail passes valid for Austria. On that five city itinerary outlined above a Vorteilscard Classic card + the five tickets bought last minute at the station at a 50% rate, will typically cost more than €300, so the 5 day pass would save more than €100.

So the best means of working whether a Vorteilscard Card + half price tickets , a rail pass, or just booking tickets will be the cheapest option, is to look up the journeys you want to take on the OBB website ; remembering to take 50% off the prices you see to obtain the Vorteilscard Card rate.

Travelling with Children:

OBB also offers a Vorteilscard Family card. They cost only €19 and an adult travelling with one these and a valid adult ticket, can also travel with up to four children aged 14 and under at no additional charge. So there's no point in buying these if you will only be using Sparscheine tickets, but they can be good value for money if you'll want to take last minute day trips from major cities, during a holiday.

Adults don't receive a discount with the family cards, but they can be used in conjunction with a Vorteilscard 66 or a Vorteilscard Classic.

Though if you will be travelling with children aged 4 to 11, keep in mind that if you purchase an Adult one country Eurail / InterRail pass, you can add two child passes for no additional cost.

Those aged 15 to 25:

A Vorteilscard Jugend card costs only €19 and anyone aged 26 can use one to obtain a 50% discount on Austrian rail tickets, so for those aged 15 to 25 these cards will typically pay off when booking just two long-distance rail journeys; or just one, if a ticket is priced at more than €40!

Though prices for Austrian Eurail and InterRail passes at the Youth rate begin at €127 for 3 days of travel, so even at €19 for the card, if you will taking more than six long-distance journeys, it's likely that the value for money balance will tip towards the passes.

Those aged over 65:

A Vorteilscard Senior card costs €29 and gives the 50% discount on most Austrian rail tickets, so the value money equation needs to be worked against Austrian Eurail and InterRail passes at the special Senior rate, though for the rail passes these prices apply to those aged 60 and over.

Yes, you can’t just hop on a train with a standard (non-folding) bike in Austria.

To travel by regional REX trains you will need to purchase a special bicycle ticket, which costs 10% of the full price 2nd class ticket; a minimum fee of €2 applies.

For journeys by Railjet trains, IC trains and on international EC trains within Austria you will need purchase both a bike ticket AND a reservation for your bike prior to boarding; more info is available on ShowMeTheJourney's guide to these special bike tickets

If you can transport a small dog in a pet carrier it is will be classed as hand luggage and no ticket will be required.

If your dog is too large to be taken in a pet carrier it will need to be muzzled and you will need to book a ticket. The ticket price will vary according to distance travelled; Wien/Vienna ↔ Innsbruck = €6.80, Wien/Vienna ↔ Linz = €3.30

If you want to travel at the cheapest possible price, it's best to book tickets in advance on the OBB booking service , OBB is the national rail operator in Austria. The booking process is similar to booking travel with a bike, you need to add a dog to your ticket You can't retrospectively add a dog ticket online to your booking, so if you decide to take a dog after you have booked a ticket online, you can buy a ticket for the dog at a station ticket counter.

The national rail operator OBB doesn't operate every train in Austria; the two main exceptions are:

(1) Trains operated by Westbahn , which offer an alternative to OBB trains in both directions on the Wien/Vienna - Linz - Salzburg route .

The OBB website does not sell tickets for journeys by Westbahn trains and the Westbahn website does not sell tickets for journeys by OBB trains

(2) The independent tourist lines in mountain areas.

Though OBB will sell tickets for train journeys within Austria that include an OBB train AND a journey on the independent railway, such as the Zillertalbahn between Jenbach and Mayrhofen

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OBB will sell tickets for international journeys by train from/to Austria. Though it's typically worth checking the price of a specific departure being offered by OBB and then checking the price being offered by the national rail operator, in the country that you will be travelling to and from (see the links below).

There can be particularly wide discrepancies in the prices offered for international train journeys to and from Austria, it's not unknown for OBB to be more than 50% expensive, or more than 50% cheaper; so shop around.

Though keep in mind that international Sparschiene tickets also can't be exchanged or refunded.

Child Tickets:

When 'Sparschiene' tickets are available for direct journeys by international trains from AND to Austria, each adult (aged 15 and over) purchasing a 'Sparschiene' ticket can take up to 4 children aged 14 and under for free. These children will still require tickets, but there will be no charge for them, so when travelling with children from and to Austria, it pays off to book with OBB.

Booking 1st class tickets for trains between Austria and Germany:

If you book 1st class tickets on the DB (German national railways) website, seat reservations are included within the booking. This also applies when booking tickets for journeys between Austria and Germany.

However, in contrast, if you book tickets for train journeys between Austria and Germany on the OBB website, reservations AREN'T included They can be added to the booking on payment of an additional fee, so booking these tickets with DB can be a money saver.

Booking tickets for non-direct international train journeys from Austria:

Some international journeys require a change of train outside of Austria. OBB can generally sell tickets for end-2-end journeys which involve a change of train in Germany or Switzerland, but NOT in other countries.

Look out for ‘Ticket Valid for Section of the Journey Only’ when looking up some international journeys on OBB that involve a change of train outside of Austria. In these instances the price displayed by OBB only includes the first leg of the journey from Austria over the border. If you book these tickets you will have to purchase another ticket(s), in order to continue your journey to your final destination; and OBB doesn't sell these tickets.

Because OBB can manage changes of train in Switzerland, it's possible to book end-to-end journeys between an Austrian station and the majority of locations on Swiss mountain railways , including Gstaad, Grindelwald, Davos, St Moritz and Zermatt.

A big tick in the box for using rail passes in Austria is that those 'Sparschiene' tickets are departure specific; meaning that those who have booked them, have the pressure of HAVING to be at the station on time. But if you're using a Eurail or InterRail pass, you can just hop on the next train if need be.

You often won't have to wait more than an hour for the next train to depart and seats will usually be available on the next train to leave.

Reservations:

Rail pass users don’t have to make reservations to travel on any DAY train operated by OBB; so you can be spontaneous and hop on and off the trains.

Seats are usually available on Railjet trains; IC trains and on international EC trains within Austria.

However, if you have a 2nd class pass, we recommend making reservations on Railjets departing/arriving from Wien between 08:00-10:00 and 16:00 -18:00 and on IC and Railjet trains on Fridays and Sunday afternoons/evenings.

Also if you want to take in the scenery, then it can be worth being aware that some seats on Railjets in both 1st and 2nd class have no window view; and on busy trains these can be the only free seats available.

Booking reservations:

Rail pass users can book seat reservations for OBB's national day and night trains online on the OBB ticketing site without paying any booking fees, this guide explains to how to book them , as it's not a particularly obvious process.

Seat reservations can also arranged without booking fees at the Reisezentrum desks at major stations.

Using Rail Passes on non-OBB trains:

Eurail and InterRail passes are also valid on the Westbahn trains between Wien and Salzburg.

However Eurail and InterRail passes are not valid on some independent railways, including

• the Zillertalbahn trains between Jenbach and Mayrhofen
• the Achenseebahn trains between Jenbach and Achensee

Whether you do or don't have to make reservations on the trains from and to Austria depends on the train service you will be travelling by;

When rail pass reservations (supplements) are OPTIONAL:

Reservations are optional on these three international train services to/from Austria:

(1) The international Railjet trains to Budapest, Munchen/Munich, Praha/Prague via Breclav and Zurich Although reservations are recommended for 2nd class pass users on these trains particularly on Fridays to Sundays and in June to August; they tend to be busy trains.

(2) The ICE trains to Germany; but are highly recommended for 2nd class pass users

(3) The EC trains to Germany and Switzerland (and for journeys to the Czech Republic on the EC trains heading to Poland).

They're also not available on cross border local trains, so rail pass users can just hop on board these trains.

Worth knowing if you want to travel between Innsbruck and Italy is that there are hourly local (S-Bahn) trains between Innsbruck and the border station at Brennero. There are less frequent Regionale trains between Brennero and locations to the south including Bolzano, Trento and Verona.

When rail pass reservations (supplements) are COMPULSORY:

• the EC trains to Croatia and Slovenia
• the EC and Railjet trains to Italy
• the EC trains to Poland
• the Nightjet trains
• All other overnight trains

Booking these reservations:

Rail pass users can book seat reservations for international day and now most night trains online on the OBB ticketing site without paying any booking fees, this guide explains to how to book them , as it's not a particularly obvious process.

Or you can arrange and pay for the reservations for day AND night trains at the Reisezentrum desks at major stations without paying a booking fee.

Note that the reservation availability can be looked up on OBB before you purchase a Eurail or InterRail pass.

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I wanted to share my passion for train travel and explain how anyone can take the fantastic journeys I have taken.

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Train Types Operated by OBB

The comfortable trains operated by OBB is the best and easiest way to journey through Austria and admire gorgeous alpine landscapes, historic towns and as well as lavish valleys. Here you can find out more about OBB's long-distance and suburban trains.

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Good news! Today you don't need to spend a lot of time lining up in the train station. Instead, you can easily buy your OBB train ticket online on Rail.Ninja  or in OBB mobile app. To learn more about online booking platform, check Rail Ninja review

ARE OBB TRAIN TICKETS REFUNDABLE?

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The 3 Most Beautiful Scenic Train Routes in Austria

Walter Geiersperger / Getty Images

Austria is an interesting mountainous country wedged between the Western European countries of Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. It also borders on the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia.

Mountainous territories offer lots of technical challenge to railroad designers, as well as a high degree of danger to those who work on rail routes. Of course, it is this difficult landscape which produces the most awe-inspiring views from the window of a train car.

The three scenic rail routes described in here were first built in the mid-1800s, a pioneering phase of railroad construction, and represent some of the greatest feats of civil engineering of their time.

Two of the scenic routes, the Semmering and the narrow gauge Mariazellerbahn are in eastern Austria near Vienna , the third, Arlberg , is found in western Austria near Innsbruck . The routes offer fine opportunities for hiking in the summer and skiing in the Winter.

How to Buy Tickets

Most Austrian trains are run by the state-operated Österreichische Bundesbahnen (Austrian Federal Railroad or ÖBB). There are nineteen small privately owned railroads operating primarily narrow-gauge lines.

You can buy point-to-point rail tickets and see schedules on Rail Europe. You will also find seasonal specials on rail travel there. 

A number of Austria rail passes are available. For the traveler interested in scenic rail journeys, the combined Eurail Austria-Switzerland Pass is probably the most interesting, because Switzerland contains some great scenic railways, including the Bernina Express , the Centovalli Railway, the Glacier Express, and the Wilhelm Tell Express.

Austria is also included in the European East Pass, which includes the Czech Republic and Hungary, as well as the Eurail Germany/Austria Pass.

The Semmering Railroad

The Semmering Railroad, running between Gloggnitz and the winter resort town of Semmering, passes through some extraordinary Austrian mountain scenery. Built between 1848 and 1854, the Semmering is considered to be one of the greatest feats of civil engineering from this pioneering phase of railway building and was acknowledged by UNESCO World Heritage Center in 1998.

The Semmering railway line is part of the Südbahn railway that runs between Vienna and Graz, continuing on to Maribor, Ljubljana and eventually to Trieste.

Built by the Carl Ritter von Ghega between 1848 and 1854, the scenic Semmering route was quite daring for the time; it had a maximum gradient five times that of previous railways.

What You'll See Along the Semmering Scenic Route

• 16 viaducts supported by several arches
• The main tunnel, 1,430 meters long, at the time, considered the most famous construction of its kind.

The Semmering railway was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO in 1998.

Rail World Photography offers a fine Photo Tour of the Semmering Scenic Route.

Semmering has long been a mountain health resort, known for its clean air. Winter sports and Summer hiking are the top draws for the town.

The Semmering Railway site: Die Semmeringbahn .

Arlberg Scenic Train Ride

After the Semmering route was finished, engineers considered a route through the Arlberg range as part of an England to Egypt route. Construction was started in 1880 and the route finished in 1884--if you had the money, you could now take the Arlberg Orient Express from London to all the way to Bucharest.

The scenic train ride seen on the map above takes you between Innsbruck and the Lake Constance area of Switzerland.

What to Do Along the Arlberg Scenic Train Route

Arlberg is the birthplace of modern Alpine Skiing, so winter sports will top the list. But scenic routes mean the train ride is your primary entertainment.

• Snowboarding
• Skiing at St. Anton (St. Anton offers Austria's largest ski school and perhaps the best skiing for intermediates in the region.
• Hiking and Trekking

See Mike's Railway History: Progressive Development in a Mountainous Country

The Mariazell Railway:Narrow Guage Scenic Route in Eastern Austria

The Mariazell Railway is a narrow gauge track rail route running between the towns of St. Poelten and Mariazell. See this spectacular virtual tour with a detailed route description of the Mariazellerbahn Scenic Route.

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Only non-European residents can travel with a Eurail Pass. If you’re a European resident you can travel with an  Interrail Pass .

Most high-speed and night trains require a reservation at an additional cost.  Learn more about seat reservations

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You need to activate your Eurail Pass within 11 months of the issue date. You can do this online using our free activation service at checkout, or once you've received your Pass at a European train station.

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The Man in Seat 61

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London to vienna & austria.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, london to austria by train in a day.

It's easy to travel from the UK to Austria by train.  You can travel from London to Vienna, Salzburg or Innsbruck in a day by high-speed train.  Or take an afternoon Eurostar from London to Brussels or Paris from £78 return and the excellent Nightjet sleeper train from Brussels or Paris to Salzburg & Vienna from €59 each way with couchette.  How about the scenic route through Switzerland ?  London to Paris by afternoon Eurostar in 2h20 and an evening TGV-Lyria onwards to Zurich in 4h05, stay overnight, then take a morning railjet train from Zurich to Innsbruck, Salzburg or Vienna through the fabulous Arlberg Pass.  It's comfortable, affordable and much better for the environment than any flight.  This page explains train times, fares & how to buy tickets.

Train travel within Austria

International trains to & from austria, useful travel information, interactive map.

Click a route or destination for times, fares & tickets.

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London to linz & vienna, which route to choose.

Which option is cheapest?  You have to go online and see, because each option involves several tickets and the price of each ticket varies like an air fare.  However, the London-Vienna in a day option is usually cheapest as no sleepers or hotels are involved.  At short notice, the Harwich ferry option may be cheaper than Eurostar.

Can you go out one way, back another?   Yes!  Almost all European train fares are priced as one-way, so you can book one-way out on one route and one-way back on another.  Eurostar is the exception where a return fare is cheaper than two one-ways, so book London-Paris or London-Brussels as a round trip if you can.

Can you stop off?   Of course!  Simply book trains either side of the stopover on whatever dates you want.  Each part of these journeys is ticketed separately in any case (for example, the Eurostar and the sleeper train), so it's no problem to stop off on the way in (for example) Paris or Brussels.

What if you're not starting from London?   See this advice about starting your journey from elsewhere in the UK .

Option 1, London to Vienna in a day

Thanks to Europe's high-speed trains, it's possible to travel from London to Vienna in a single day, potentially the cheapest option.

The Man in Seat61 says:   "Returning from a conference in Vienna, I travelled back to London by high-speed train in a single day.  ICEs are amongst Europe's most luxurious high-speed trains, a day of me-time, chilling out with a good book, with a refreshing Weissbier or two in the restaurant car as you speed through the landscapes of Austria, Germany & Belgium.  Breakfast & lunch are served on real china, you'll even glimpse the Danube after Passau as you'll see in my video ..."

London ► Vienna (06:16 departure, Monday-Friday)

London ► vienna (08:16 departure, daily).

Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Standard Premier & Business Premier fares include breakfast.

Vienna ► London (07:13 departure, daily)

Vienna ► london (09:13 departure, daily), how much does it cost.

London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £140 return standard premier (1st class).

How to buy tickets

Another way to buy tickets.

This is a more work, but with no booking fee.  Do a dry run on both sites first to check availability & prices, also check that your outward Eurostar and ICE are indeed a recognised connection by checking that they appear as a valid connection when you run a London to Cologne enquiry at int.bahn.de .

Step 1, book the Eurostar from London to Brussels (and back, if returning) at www.eurostar.com and print your own ticket, or load it into the Eurostar app to show on your phone.  After booking you can use the Eurostar Manage Booking system to select an exact seat on Eurostar .

Step 2, book from Brussels to Vienna at the German Railways site int.bahn.de and print your own ticket, or show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  An advantage of booking direct with int.bahn.de is that you can select an exact seat on ICE trains from a seating plan.

Using an Interrail pass

Pass or point to point?

Let's be clear, a pass will not save money over the cheapest point-to-point advance-purchase fares you might see if you book a few months ahead.  But when point-to-point fares are expensive (for example, at short notice) OR you want flexibility, for example the ability to change your mind, re-route or reschedule as necessary, a pass might be what you need.

If flexibility is what you want, buy the pass.  If it's about saving money, you'll have to check point-to-point prices and do the maths.

It's worth doing the maths if you are under 28, if you have kids (kids get a free pass when accompanying an adult but still need to pay reservation fees) or if you live a long way from London (as a pass covers you from your home station to London). Passes are available in 1st & 2nd class.

How to use a pass for a trip to Austria

Step 1, buy a 4-days in 1-month Interrail pass from www.raileurope.com (click Rail passes then select Europe ) or www.interrail.eu , see pass prices on the Interrail page .  You load the pass into the Railplanner app on your phone.

A 4-day pass is enough to get from almost anywhere in mainland Britain to anywhere in Austria & back again.

A 4-day pass gives you unlimited train travel on any 4 dates you choose in an overall 1 month period.  The first travel day can be any date you select in the 11 months after buying the pass, the overall 1 month period starts from that date.  Learn about how Interrail passes work here .

Step 2, make a Eurostar passholder reservation from London to Brussels & back, see prices & how to make Eurostar passholder reservations online .  Tip:  Eurostar passholder availability is limited, check availability before buying a pass .

Step 3, reservations between Brussels and Vienna are usually optional , you can just sit in any empty unreserved seat and show your pass when asked.  But it's a good idea to reserve seats for long journeys, you can reserve for around €5 each way at int.bahn.de by entering Brussels to Vienna and clicking the Book seat only link under the red search button.

By all means go out one way, back another, with an Interrail pass you can use almost any of the trains & routes to/from Austria shown on this page, find out how to reserve the relevant trains using the Interrail reservations guide .

Have your trip arranged as a package

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or holiday to Austria for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your own requirements.  And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.  They get very positive reviews.  One of their most popular trips is their Ultimate Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest which starts by train from the UK.  It can be customised to include train travel back to the UK as well, just ask them.

Tailor Made Rail can also organise a trip to Austria by train, with hotels and transfers. Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/austria .

How to buy tickets by phone

What's the journey like.

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels .

3. Brussels to Frankfurt by ICE3

Germany's superb ICE (InterCity Express) high-speed trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, food & drink orders are taken and served at your seat.  The ICE3neo train from Brussels to Frankfurt calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava, and at Cologne Hbf , where you'll see Cologne Cathedral to the right as you approach, right next to the station.  Immediately after leaving Cologne Hbf , the train crosses the long Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine before joining the 300km/h high-speed line to Frankfurt.  More about ICE trains .  Brussels Midi station guide .  Frankfurt (Main) Hbf station guide .

An ICE3neo at Brussels Midi with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICE trains .  Photo above courtesy of Christian Hunt.

3. Frankfurt to Vienna by ICE-T

Also with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, food & drink orders are taken and served at your seat.  On the ICE-T train from Frankfurt to Vienna you'll pass rolling countryside, it runs along the Danube in several places.  More about ICE trains .  Frankfurt (Main) Hbf station guide .  Vienna Hbf station guide .

An ICE-T from Frankfurt to Vienna with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICE trains .

Chill out across Germany & Austria, with glimpses of the Inn and Danube rivers.

Video:  Vienna to London by train in a day

The video shows departure from Vienna Westbahnhof, but remember that the train now leaves from Vienna's new Hauptbahnhof.

Option 2, London to Vienna using the Brussels-Vienna Nightjet

This is the easiest & most time-effective way from London to Vienna.  Take Eurostar to Brussels then the excellent Nightjet sleeper from Brussels to Vienna, this runs 3-times-a-week but should become daily from autumn 2024.  Incidentally, option 3 is almost identical, but via Paris rather than Brussels, so check that out too.

London ► Vienna

Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Standard Premier & Business Premier fares include lunch with wine.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

There's no restaurant car, but in sleepers or couchettes you can order drinks, snacks and hot dishes from a room service menu, served in your compartment.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee, served in your compartment.

The train travels along the famous Rhine Valley between Koblenz (23:46) and Mainz (00:39), so if you're still awake and your compartment happens to be on the left-hand side of the train, switch off the lights and watch the Rhine pass by, mountains, vineyards, castles & the legendary Lorelei Rock lit by moonlight.  Wonderful!

Vienna ► London

There's no restaurant car, but in sleepers or couchettes you can order drinks, snacks and hot dishes from a room service menu, served in your compartment.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee.

Tip:   If you have a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & free WiFi.

Fares vary like air fares, book early for the cheapest prices.  Return fares are twice the one-way fare.

On the sleeper train, berths are sold individually, so one ticket means one bed, the other beds in your compartment will be sold to other passengers.  For sole occupancy, simply book 1 ticket in a 1-berth sleeper or 2 tickets in a 2-berth sleeper or 4 tickets in a 4-berth couchette and so on.

Using www.thetrainline.com allows you to book all your tickets in one place, in €, £ or $, international cards no problem, small booking fee.  Booking for this Nightjet typically opens 3-4 months ahead, but this can vary.  More about when bookings open .  Child under 6?  See here .

Tip:   After booking you can use the Manage booking facility at www.eurostar.com to choose an exact seat from a seating plan, see tips on choosing a seat on Eurostar .

Or use an Interrail pass

It's worth doing the maths if you are under 28, if you have kids (kids get a free pass when accompanying an adult but still need to pay reservation fees) or if you live a long way from London (as a pass covers you from your home station to London).  Passes are available in 1st & 2nd class, a 2nd class pass is all you need to book any type of sleeper on the Nightjet, even a deluxe.

Step 2, make a Eurostar passholder reservation from London to Brussels & back, €30 each way.  See prices & how to make Eurostar passholder reservations online .  Tip:  Eurostar passholder availability is limited, so check availability before buying a pass .

Step 3, make a couchette or sleeper reservation on the Nightjet sleeper at www.oebb.at following the instructions here, method 1 .   Prices can be found on the Interrail reservations page .

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or holiday to Austria for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your own requirements.  And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.  One of their most popular trips is their Ultimate Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest which starts by train from the UK.  It can be customised to include train travel back to the UK as well, just ask them.

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .   Brussels Midi station guide .  In Brussels, I recommend using the Pullman Hotel bar as your VIP waiting room .

2. Brussels to Vienna by Nightjet  See the Nightjet guide

Video guide:  By Nightjet to Vienna

Option 3, london to vienna using the paris-vienna nightjet.

Almost identical to option 2, but via Paris instead of Brussels.  Option 2 involves an easy same-station change in Brussels from Eurostar to Nightjet, this involves an easy 7 minute walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est , that's the only real difference.  The Paris-Salzburg (-Vienna) & Brussels-Salzburg (-Vienna) Nightjets run on the same 3 days of the week, in fact they run coupled together as a single train between Mannheim and Vienna.

Important update 2024:  ÖBB have given up trying to run this train from 12 August to 25 October 2024, due to the amount of trackwork.  Use the Brussels-Vienna sleeper instead (option 2) as this will run.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and two ordinary seats cars.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

Important update 2024:  ÖBB have given up trying to run this train from 12 August to 25 October 2024, due to the amount of trackwork.  Use the Vienna-Brussels sleeper instead (option 2) as this will run.

Tip:   If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & free WiFi.

Fares vary like air fares, book early for the cheapest prices.

Return fares are twice the one-way fare.

Using www.thetrainline.com allows you to book all your tickets in one place, in €, £ or $, international cards no problem, small booking fee. 

Booking for this Nightjet typically opens 2-4 months ahead, it varies.  More about when bookings open .  Child under 6?  See here .

Step 2, make a Eurostar passholder reservation from London to Paris & back, €30 each way.  See prices & how to make Eurostar passholder reservations online .  Tip:  Eurostar passholder availability is limited, so check availability before buying a pass .

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in just 2 hours 20 minutes, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Gare du Nord station guide .

2. Paris to Vienna by Nightjet   See the Nightjet guide

Option 4, London to Vienna using the Amsterdam-Vienna Nightjet

This is similar to option 2, but instead of taking an afternoon Eurostar from London to Brussels and the 3-times-a-week Nightjet sleeper train from Brussels to Vienna, you take a late-morning Eurostar to Amsterdam, spend some time there, then take the daily Nightjet sleeper train from Amsterdam to Vienna.  This is a round-about route taking a few hours longer, but London-Amsterdam Eurostar fares are similar to (and often less than) London-Brussels fares, Amsterdam-Vienna Nightjet fares are the same as Brussels-Vienna, this option runs every day and you get some time in the Dutch capital.  What's not to like?

Times may vary, so check for your date at www.eurostar.com .  Always allow at least 1 hour between trains in Amsterdam, ideally more.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats cars.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

From April 2025 this train is due to become a new generation Nightjet , with new rolling stock including individual mini cabins.

Using www.thetrainline.com allows you to book all your tickets in one place, in €, £ or $, international cards no problem, small booking fee.

Booking for this Nightjet typically opens 3-4 months ahead, but it can vary.  More about when bookings open .

1. London to Amsterdam by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Amsterdam in just 3h55, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .   Amsterdam Centraal station guide .

2. Amsterdam to Vienna by Nightjet  See the Nightjet guide

Option 5 , London to Vienna with overnight stop in Zurich

The scenic route!  If you prefer daytime trains & scenery to overnight sleepers and want a leisurely journey with an overnight break, here's the scenic route with a hotel stop in Zurich.  Take an afternoon Eurostar & evening high-speed TGV-Lyria from London to Zurich in Switzerland, stay overnight, and next morning take a relaxing low-speed ride on a swish modern railjet train along the Zürichsee then snaking through the fabulous Arlberg Pass into Austria.  The world-class scenery through the Alps makes it a worthwhile experience!  By all means go one way by sleeper, the other by day.  See for yourself, watch the video & see the photos below .

This double-deck high-speed train travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, and seat number >60 is upper deck.

Day 2, travel from Zurich to London using any of the services suggested on the London to Switzerland page .

For example, you can leave Zurich HB by TGV-Lyria at 07:34 arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 11:38.  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord .  Leave Paris Gare du Nord by Eurostar at 15:12 arriving London St Pancras at 16:30.

London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £168 return standard premier (1st class).

Step 1, buy tickets from London to Paris & Paris to Zurich at www.raileurope.com .  I recommend reading these booking tips first .

Booking at www.raileurope.com allows you to book all your tickets in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $. There's a small booking fee.  About Rail Europe .  You can either book each sector separately, add to basket and pay at the end, or you can book from London to Zurich in one go.

Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes between trains southbound, 90 minutes northbound (to allow for the 30 minute Eurostar check-in).

Booking usually opens 4 months ahead , you can print your own tickets or show them on your phone.

If you're booking less than 3 months ahead you can buy tickets to Zurich starting at any station in Britain, not just London.

Step 2, now buy your ticket from Zurich to Vienna at www.raileurope.com .  A reserved seat is not essential, it's optional for an extra €3 or so but a good idea.  You print your own ticket.

Alternatively, more work, a little more fiddly, same prices, but with no booking fee, you can (1) book the Eurostar at www.eurostar.com , then (2) book the Paris-Zurich TGV-Lyria at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com , then (3) book Zurich to Austria at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at .  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.

A 4-day pass is enough to get from London to anywhere in Austria & back again via this route.

Step 3, make a passholder reservation on the Paris-Switzerland TGV-Lyria, €29 each way, see cost of reservations & how to make them .

Step 4, seat reservations from Zurich to Vienna are optional, but a good idea.  Make them at www.oebb.at using method 2 shown here . 

By all means go out one way, back another, with an Interrail pass you can use any of the trains & routes to/from Austria shown on this page, find out how to reserve the relevant trains using the Interrail reservations guide .

What's the journey like ?

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Paris Gare du Nord station guide .

2. Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria

All TGV-Lyria trains are now 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex like the one shown below.  TGV-Lyria trains have 3 classes:  Standard class (2nd), standard premiere (1st class) and business premiere (1st class with hot meal & drinks included in the fare).  There's a cafe-bar car selling drinks & snacks.  There are power points for mobiles & laptops at all seats in all classes.  Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways.  More about TGV-Lyria .  Paris Gare de Lyon station guide .  Zurich HB station guide .

3. Zurich to Vienna by Railjet

Railjets are ÖBB's (Austrian Railways) premier trains, with economy & 1st class, plus a premium 1st class called business class.  There's a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st & business class, restaurant car orders are taken and served at your seat.  This journey takes you along the Swiss lakes Zürichsee & Walensee, past Sargans castle, then into Austria through the beautiful Arlberg Pass.  More photos, information & tips about railjet trains & the scenic Arlberg Railway .  Zurich HB station guide .

Scenery on the Arlberg route

Swiss lakes :  Soon after leaving Zurich, the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Zürichsee and then the Walensee.

Arlberg Pass :  Above, we're now in Austria, with brooding skies over the Arlberg pass.  The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.

Arlberg Tunnel :  Between Bludenz and St Anton am Arlberg the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884.  See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel .

River Inn :  Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Ötzal.

Mountains near Innsbruck .  The train calls at Innsbruck Hbf for several minutes.

Kufstein :  The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station.

Above right, lunch is served.  In first & business class on a railjet, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.

Cutting across Germany :  East of Kufstein, the train takes a short cut through Germany without stopping, see the route map here .  All fast Innsbruck-Salzburg-Vienna trains do this, they're still considered Austrian domestic trains even though they spend an hour on German territory!  Such a train is called a Korridorzug .  The train crosses back into Austria near Freilassing, just before Salzburg.

Salzburg :  View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the right hand side as the railjet crosses the River Salzach into Salzburg Hbf heading east.

Video :  By railjet through the Arlberg

London to  salzburg.

Option 1: London to Salzburg in a day via Paris .  Take a morning Eurostar to Paris, a 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV Duplex to Stuttgart and an Intercity night train to Salzburg.  London to Austria in a day!

Option 2: London to Salzburg in a day via Brussels .   Take a morning Eurostar to Brussels, an ICE to Frankfurt, another ICE to Munich and a connecting train to Salzburg.

Option 3: London to Salzburg using the Brussels-Salzburg Nightjet sleeper train .  The most time-effective option.  Take an afternoon Eurostar to Brussels and the 3-times-a-week Nightjet sleeper train from Brussels to Salzburg.

Option 4: London to Salzburg using the Paris-Salzburg Nightjet sleeper train .  Another time-effective option.  Take an afternoon Eurostar to Paris and the 3-times-a-week Nightjet sleeper from Paris to Salzburg.

Option 5: London to Salzburg with overnight stop in Zurich - the scenic route!   Take a lunchtime Eurostar to Paris and an evening TGV-Lyria to Zurich in Switzerland, stay overnight, then travel to Salzburg next day through the scenic Arlberg Pass .  It's a relaxing & very scenic trip.  By all means go out one way and back another.

Option 1, London to Salzburg in a day via Paris

You can travel from London to Salzburg in a single day using Eurostar , a Paris-Stuttgart TGV Duplex and an Intercity train.  This route is sometimes cheaper than option 2, sometimes not.  It's slightly faster and more reliable than option 2, in fact, I'd choose this option 1 for that reason alone, but it's not as scenic as option 3.

London ► Salzburg

Salzburg ► london.

The superb German ICE3 has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Paris to Salzburg starts at €39.90 each way in 2nd class, €69.90 each way in 1st class.

2. Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex   See video

In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est for the TGV to Germany.  Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views.  The train is equipped with power sockets for laptops & mobiles at all seats in both classes, and a cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods & farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region.  An hour or two later, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg.  On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower.  Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart & Munich.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide .  Munich Hbf station guide .

Option 2, London to Salzburg in a day via Brussels

This route involves one or two more changes compared to going via Paris ( option 1 ), but the changes of train are all easy same-station changes.

Option 1, London depart 06:16 on Mondays-Fridays.  Leave London St Pancras by Eurostar at 06:16, change Brussels Midi , Frankfurt (Main) Hbf  & Munich Hbf , arrive Salzburg Hbf 18:58.

Option 2, London depart 09:01 daily:  Leave London St Pancras by Eurostar at 09:01, change Brussels Midi , Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen & Munich Hbf , arrive Salzburg Hbf 21:42.

Option 3, London depart 11:04 daily:  Leave London St Pancras by Eurostar at 11:04, change Brussels Midi , Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen & Munich Hbf , arriving Salzburg Hbf 23:37.

Option 1, departing 06:00 on Mondays-Fridays:  Leave Salzburg Hbf at 06:00 by regional train , change at Munich , Frankfurt & Brussels Midi onto Eurostar to London, arriving London St Pancras at 19:10.

Option 2, departing 08:00 daily, recommended:  Leave Salzburg Hbf by comfortable EuroCity train at 08:00, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto a high-speed ICE to Brussels Midi , change at Brussels onto Eurostar to London, arriving London St Pancras at 19:43.

Option 3, departing 10:00 daily except Saturdays:  Leave Salzburg Hbf by comfortable EuroCity train at 10:00, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto a high-speed ICE to Brussels Midi , change at Brussels onto Eurostar to London, arriving London St Pancras at 21:57.  No connection on Saturdays.

Buy tickets from London to Salzburg at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com .

Anyone from any country can use www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com , in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards accepted.  There's a small booking fee.

You print your own ticket, or after booking you can load the Eurostar ticket into the Eurostar app, and show the DB ticket on your laptop or phone.

When does booking open?

Booking for Eurostar and onward trains to Austria opens up to 6 months ahead, but often significantly less than this when the mid-December timetable change intervenes.  Any journey involving a Brussels-Cologne Eurostar (formerly Thalys) only opens 4 months ahead.  More about when booking opens .

Booking tips

Fares are dynamic like air fares, so book early for the cheapest prices and avoid busy days such as Fridays or Sunday afternoons.

It can help to specify Brussels as a via station if you want to see journeys with an easy same-station change in Brussels, rather than also seeing journeys via Paris.  At www.raileurope.com , click More options and enter Brussels (any station).

Is it a through ticket?

No, as there are no through tickets from London to Salzburg any more, DB's Sparpreis London fares were discontinued in March 2020 .  But www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com will seamlessly sell you a Eurostar ticket from London to Brussels plus an onward ticket from Brussels to Salzburg.

One-way or round trip?

With Eurostar , a return ticket costs significantly less than two one-ways.  With ICE & Eurostar (formerly Thalys) , a return is normally two one-ways.  So for a round trip you should book London to Salzburg & back as a return journey, or for more control over the booking, book London-Brussels as a return journey to benefit from the round trip discount, add to basket, then book Brussels to Salzburg one way, add to basket, then Salzburg to Brussels one-way, add to basket & check out.

Seat reservations

About the 20-minute connections (sometimes less) between Eurostar & ICEs at Brussels Midi

The slick 20-minute connection in Brussels between Eurostar and an onward ICE, sometimes less than this, is usually a recognised connection which lots of people make.  It's not usually a problem, especially if you use the Brussels Midi short cut between platforms .

Even though the system sells you separate tickets either side of Brussels, you are protected by the Railteam Promise/HOTNAT so if there's a delay and you miss the connection you will be allowed to travel on later onwards trains at no extra charge.

The system is programmed to know which connections are recognised/acceptable and which are too tight - if you intend booking your Eurostar and ICE tickets separately (which I often do to check prices for Eurostar and onwards trains separately, and to retain more control over the booking) it's wise to run a London-Cologne enquiry first just to check that the system does indeed recognise that specific Eurostar as connecting with that specific onward ICE, on that specific date.

How to buy a connecting ticket from other UK towns & cities:   See the advice on special add-on tickets here .

Onward tickets from Salzburg to Vienna and other Austrian cities can be booked at either www.thetrainline.com (easiest) or Austrian Railways' own website www.oebb.at from just €19 if you pre-book.  Potentially, that's London to Vienna for €78, about £65!

This is a little more work, but there's no booking fee.  Obviously, do a dry run on both sites first to check availability & prices.  Also check that your outward Eurostar and ICE are indeed a recognised connection by checking that they appear together when you run a London to Cologne enquiry at int.bahn.de , as explained in the paragraph about the 20-minute connections in Brussels in the previous section.

Step 1, book the Eurostar from London to Brussels (and back, if returning) at www.eurostar.com and print your own ticket, or load it into the Eurostar app to show on your phone.  Eurostar return fares are significantly less than two one-ways, so if you're coming back, make sure you book this as a round trip.  After booking you can use the Eurostar Manage Booking system to select an exact seat on Eurostar .

Step 2, book from Brussels to Salzburg at the German Railways site int.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  An advantage of booking direct with int.bahn.de is that you can select an exact seat on ICE trains from a seating plan.  A round trip is ticketed as two one-ways, so feel free to book one way at a time if it's easier.

Step 2, make a Eurostar passholder reservation from London to Brussels & back for €30 each way.  See prices & how to make Eurostar passholder reservations online .  Tip:  Eurostar passholder availability is limited, so check availability before buying a pass .

Step 3, reservations between Brussels and Salzburg are usually optional , you can just sit in any empty unreserved seat and show your pass when asked.  But it's a good idea to reserve seats for long journeys, you can reserve for around €5 each way at int.bahn.de by entering Brussels to Salzburg and clicking the Book seat only link under the red search button.

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .   Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels .

2.  Brussels to Frankfurt & Frankfurt to Munich by ICE

Germany's superb Intercity Express (ICE) high-speed trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, food & drink orders are taken at your seat.  The ICE3 train from Cologne to Frankfurt calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava, and at Cologne Hbf , where you'll see Cologne Cathedral to the right as you approach, right next to the station.  Immediately after leaving Cologne Hbf , the train crosses the long Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine before joining the 300km/h high-speed line to Frankfurt.  More about ICE trains .  Brussels Midi station guide .  Frankfurt (Main) Hbf station guide .  Munich Hbf station guide .

Travel tips

Tip 1 :  Take the couloir sud short cut when changing trains from Eurostar onto an ICE at Brussels Midi .  Diving down the 'Couloir sud' escalator half way along the Eurostar platform makes changing trains much quicker than slowly following the crowds off the front end of the Eurostar platforms and going the long way round to the main concourse.

Tip 2 :   If you DO miss a connection because of a late-running train, don't panic, just get your ticket endorsed by the station staff.  Because you're travelling with a 'through ticket' you're entitled to travel onwards forward on the next available later train at no extra charge.  All explained here .

Option 3 , London to Salzburg using the Brussels-Salzburg Nightjet

This is the easiest & most time-effective way from the UK to Salzburg.  Take Eurostar to Brussels, then the excellent Nightjet sleeper from Brussels to Salzburg.  This runs 3 times a week, but should become daily in autumn 2024.  Incidentally, option 4 is almost identical, but via Paris rather than Brussels, so check that out too.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

The train travels along the famous Rhine Valley between Koblenz (23:25) and Mainz (00:22), so if you're still awake and your compartment happens to be on the left-hand side of the train, switch off the lights and watch the Rhine pass by, mountains, vineyards, castles & the legendary Lorelei Rock lit by moonlight.

Tip:   If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Salzburg Hbf   with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & free WiFi.

It's worth doing the maths if you are under 28 (so can buy the cheaper Youth pass), if you have kids (kids get a free pass when accompanying an adult but still need to pay reservation fees) or if you live a long way from London (as a pass covers you from your home station to London as well).  Passes are available in 1st & 2nd class, a 2nd class pass is all you need to book any type of sleeper on the Nightjet, even a deluxe.

Step 3, make a couchette or sleeper reservation on the Nightjet sleeper at www.oebb.at following the instructions here, method 1 .  Prices can be found on the Interrail reservations page .

2. Brussels to Salzburg by Nightjet  See the Nightjet guide

Option 4, London to Salzburg using the Paris-Salzburg Nightjet

Almost identical to option 3, but via Paris instead of Brussels.  Option 3 involves an easy same-station change in Brussels from Eurostar to Nightjet, this involves an easy 7 minute walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est , that's the only real difference.  The Paris-Salzburg (-Vienna) & Brussels-Salzburg (-Vienna) Nightjets run on the same 3 days of the week, in fact they run coupled together as a single train between Mannheim and Vienna.

Important update 2024:  ÖBB have given up trying to run this train from 12 August to 25 October 2024, due to the amount of trackwork.  Use the Brussels-Salzburg sleeper instead (option 3) as this will run.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

Important update 2024:  ÖBB have given up trying to run this train from 12 August to 25 October 2024, due to the amount of trackwork.  Use the Salzburg-Brussels sleeper instead (option 3) as this will run.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

Tip:   If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Salzburg Hbf with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & free WiFi.

Tip:   For dinner in Salzburg before the sleeper, consider the brewpub Die Weisse ( www.dieweisse.at ) which also serves food, a 1.1 km  15-minute walk from the station, see walking map .  Feedback appreciated !

Booking for this Nightjet typically opens 2-4 months ahead, it varies.  More about when bookings open .

Step 1, buy a 4-days in 1-month Interrail pass from www.raileurope.com (click Rail passes then select Europe )  or www.interrail.eu , see pass prices on the Interrail page .  You load the pass into the Railplanner app on your phone.

2. Paris to Salzburg by Nightjet  See the Nightjet guide

Option 5 , London to Salzburg with overnight stop in Zurich

The scenic route!  You can reach Salzburg in one day from London using options 1 & 2 above, but it means an early start and late arrival, and it's a long day.  A more leisurely and scenic way is to break your journey in Switzerland, taking an afternoon Eurostar & evening high-speed TGV-Lyria from London to Zurich, stopping overnight, then taking a relaxing low-speed Railjet train snaking through the fabulously scenic Arlberg Pass into Austria.  The world-class scenery through the Alps makes it a worthwhile experience, see for yourself, watch the video & see the Arlberg Railway page .  By all means go out one way and back another.

There are several trains to choose from, for example:

A railjet train leaves Salzburg Hbf at 11:56 arriving Zurich HB at 17:20.

A railjet train leaves Salzburg Hbf at 15:56 arriving Zurich HB at 21:20.

A railjet train leaves Salzburg Hbf at 17:56, arriving Zurich HB at 00:12.

Paris to Zurich starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.   For more details see the London to Switzerland page .

Zurich to Salzburg starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €39 each way in 1st class.

All these fares work like air fares, cheaper in advance and on less popular days or dates, more expensive closer to departure date or on popular days or dates.  So book as far ahead as you can.

Booking usually opens 4 months ahead , and you can print your own tickets or show them on your phone.

Step 2, now buy tickets from Zurich to Salzburg at www.raileurope.com .  A reserved seat is not essential, it's optional for an extra €3 or so but a good idea.  You print your own ticket.

Step 4, seat reservations from Zurich to Salzburg are optional, but a good idea.  Make them at www.oebb.at using method 2 as shown here . 

What are the trains like ?

All TGV-Lyria trains are now 320km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex like the one shown below.  TGV-Lyria trains have 3 classes:  Standard class (2nd), standard premiere (1st class) and business premiere (1st class with hot meal & drinks included in the fare).  There's a cafe-bar car selling drinks & snacks.  There are power points for mobiles & laptops at all seats in all classes.  Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways.  More about TGV-Lyria .  Paris Gare de Lyon station guide .  Zurich HB station guide .

3. Zurich to Salzburg by Railjet

Watch the Video :   Through the Arlberg

London to  innsbruck & tirol.

Option 7, by Eurostar & Brussels-Innsbruck sleeper :  Twice a week during February & March 2025 , European Sleeper will run a direct sleeper train from Brussels to Innsbruck.  London to Innsbruck with one easy same-station change in Brussels!  You can also travel by ferry from London or Harwich and pick it up in Rotterdam.  See details here .

Option 1, London to Innsbruck via the Arlberg Pass

London ► innsbruck in a single day, london ► innsbruck with overnight stop in zurich, london ► innsbruck with overnight stop in paris.

You can leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:22 on Mondays-Saturdays arriving Zurich HB at 11:26 or you can leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:22 any day of the week arriving Zurich HB at 14:26.

Innsbruck ► London in a single day, early departure

The 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.

Innsbruck ► London with overnight stop in Zurich

The EuroCity Transalpin with 1st class panorama car leaves Innsbruck Hbf 15:47, St Anton 16:57, Feldkirch 16:44, arriving Zurich HB 19:20.

A railjet train leaves Innsbruck at 17:47, St Anton at 18:57, Feldkirch at 19:44, arriving Zurich HB at 21:20. 

Another railjet train leaves Innsbruck at 19:47, St Anton at 20:57, Feldkirch at 21:44, arriving Zurich HB at 00:12.

From Kitzbühel you'd take a train from Kitzbühel to Wörgl and change onto a railjet to Zurich, www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at will give you Kitzbühel-Zurich times.  It's possible to leave Kitzbühel as late as 18:00 if you don't mind arriving in Zurich just after midnight, but by all means take an earlier train.

Zurich to Innsbruck starts at €19 each way in 2nd class or €29 each way in 1st class.

All these fares work like air fares, cheaper in advance and on less busy days or dates, more expensive closer to departure date or on popular days or dates.  So book as far ahead as you can.

At www.raileurope.com you can book all your tickets in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $. There's a small booking fee.  About Rail Europe .  You can either book each sector separately, add to basket and pay at the end, or you can book from London to Zurich all in one go.

Step 2, now buy tickets from Zurich to Innsbruck at www.raileurope.com .  A reserved seat is not essential, it's optional for an extra €3 or so but a good idea.  You print your own ticket.

2. Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria   More about TGV-Lyria

3. Zurich to Innsbruck by Railjet

Railjets are ÖBB's (Austrian Railways) premier trains, with economy & 1st class, plus a premium 1st class called business class.  There's a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st & business class, restaurant orders are taken and served at your seat.  This journey takes you along the Swiss lakes Zürichsee & Walensee, past Sargans castle, then into Austria through the beautiful Arlberg Pass.  More photos, information & tips about railjet trains & the scenic Arlberg Railway .  Zurich HB station guide .

Mountains near Innsbruck .

Option 2, London to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train

Take a lunchtime Eurostar to Brussels, a high-speed train to Cologne, then the time-effective Austrian Nightjet sleeper from Cologne to Innsbruck overnight.  This is a comfortable & time-effective option. 

Tip:   Before booking this option, consider option 3 via Amsterdam - although you leave London a few hours earlier, it's usually cheaper, it only involves 1 change of train not 2, and you get to spend some time in the Dutch capital.

London ► Innsbruck

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has several couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

Innsbruck ► London

Tip:   If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Innsbruck Hbf with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

If you're starting in Kitzbühel , take the 20:00 from Kitzbühel arriving Wörgl at 20:40.  This gives a safe connection into the sleeper to Cologne, which leaves Wörgl at 21:23.

Transfer from Cologne Messe-Deutz across the Rhine bridge to Cologne Hbf by frequent S-Bahn train.

Booking for this Nightjet typically opens 3-4 months ahead, but it can vary.  More about when bookings open .  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.

How to buy a connecting ticket from other UK towns & cities :  See the advice on special add-on tickets here .

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Brussels Midi station guide .

2. Brussels to Cologne by Eurostar (formerly Thalys)

These trains have 3 classes, Standard (2nd class), Comfort (1st class seating) & Premium (1st class seating with at-seat food & drink included in the fare).  There's a cafe-bar selling drinks, snacks & hot dishes.  All seats have power sockets and there's free WiFi.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys) .

3. Cologne to Innsbruck by Nightjet

Option 3, London to Innsbruck via the Amsterdam-Innsbruck sleeper

This is similar to option 2, but instead of taking a mid-afternoon Eurostar from London to Brussels, a high-speed train to Cologne, then picking up the Nightjet sleeper train to Innsbruck in Cologne, you take a late-morning Eurostar to Amsterdam, spend some time there, then take the Nightjet sleeper train from Amsterdam to Innsbruck.  OK, so this is a more round-about route and you have to leave London a couple of hours earlier - but it involves only 1 simple same-station change of train instead of 2 changes, you get to spend some time in the Dutch capital, you can board the sleeper earlier in the evening rather than late at night, and it's cheaper:  London-Amsterdam Eurostar fares are similar to (and often less than) London-Brussels fares, Amsterdam-Innsbruck Nightjet fares are the same as Cologne-Innsbruck fares and you don't need a Brussels-Cologne ticket.  What's not to like?

Times may vary, so check what trains Eurostar is running on your date at www.eurostar.com .  Always allow at least 1 hour between trains in Amsterdam, ideally more.

Tip:   If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

2. Amsterdam to Innsbruck by Nightjet

Option 4, London to Innsbruck via Munich

London to graz, option 1, by nightjet sleeper train via vienna.

This is the most time-effective option, and includes a moonlit run down the Rhine Valley in your sleeper.

London ► Graz

Graz ► london, fares & how to buy tickets, option 2, by daytime trains with overnight stop in munich, london to hallstatt, villach, klagenfurt, london ► hallstatt, villach, klagenfurt, klagenfurt, villach, hallstatt ► london, london to austria by ferry from harwich.

The ferry alternative!  It's a great option if you live in East Anglia (there's a direct train from Cambridge & Ipswich to Harwich to connect with the night boat), if you want to avoid the Channel Tunnel or if there are strikes in France.  And if you need to travel at short notice when Eurostar is expensive, the rail & sail fare is usually cheaper.  I don't recommend the Dover-Calais route because of poor train/ferry connections, the Stena Line rail & sail service via Harwich & Hoek van Holland is the one to use as it has co-ordinated timetables and integrated ticketing, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page & watch the video .  It's one of the routes shown in dark blue on the route map above .

London, Cambridge & Harwich ► Austria

Austria ► harwich, cambridge & london.

Option 1,  take daytime trains from Austria to Hoek van Holland.  Using this option, you'd leave Austria early in the morning on day 1, and arrive London in the morning of day 2.  Use int.bahn.de to find suitable daytime trains from Austria to Hoek van Holland Haven, arriving no later than 21:00.  You'll need to leave Austria fairly early.  At Hoek van Holland Haven, the ferry terminal is right next to the station.

Option 2,   take the Nightjet sleeper train from Austria to Amsterdam, and enjoy a day in the Dutch capital.  Using this option, you leave Austria in the evening of day 1, and arrive London in the morning of day 3.

The Nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 20:10, Linz at 21:34 or Wels at 21:51, with another portion leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 20:44, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 09:59 next morning.  Coming from Salzburg, take the 19:11 railjet train from Salzburg to Wels and pick up the sleeper there.

Spend the day in Amsterdam, then take the 18:35 Dutch intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal to Schiedam Centrum and change onto the frequent metro to Hoek van Holland Haven.  The metro station is right next to the ferry terminal. 

Travel overnight from Hoek van Holland to London by train & superferry.  Check in at the Stena Line desk at least 45 minutes before sailing time, then walk up the gangway onto the luxurious Stena Line superferry Stena Britannica and sail overnight to Harwich in a snug private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV.  There's free WiFi in the public areas on 9 deck.

The ferry sails from Hoek van Holland at 22:00 and arrives at Harwich International at 06:30 next morning, UK time.  Take a train from Harwich to London Liverpool Street arriving around 08:56, or from Harwich to Cambridge arriving 09:41 (10:39 on Sundays).  See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details, photos & travel tips .

Step 1, buy tickets from London or any Greater Anglia station to Hoek van Holland as shown on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .

Step 1, London to Utrecht or Amsterdam by train & ferry

A train takes you from London's Liverpool Street station directly to the ferry terminal at Harwich.  You walk off the train, into the terminal, get your boarding card & cabin key at the Stena Line check-in desk and walk straight onto the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland.  The superferry Stena Britannica is the largest ferry of its kind in the world.  All passengers travel in private cabins with shower, toilet & satellite TV.  The journey from London to Utrecht or Amsterdam is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .  See the video .

The Stena Hollandica boarding at Harwich, a floating hotel with private cabins, restaurant, bar, lounges, shop & kennels.

Above left, a standard outside cabin.  Larger photo .   360º photo .  Above right, the Stena Plus lounge with complimentary red & white wine, tea, coffee & snacks.

Above left, the bar on 9 deck. Above right, a Captain's Class cabin with complimentary minibar, toilet & shower.

Step 2, Amsterdam or Utrecht to Austria by daytime train

At Hoek van Holland, you walk off the ship, through passport control and straight onto the station for the frequent metro train to Schiedam & Rotterdam.  Change at Schiedam Centrum for a Dutch Railways (NS) train to Amsterdam Centraal , or at Rotterdam Alexander for a train to Utrecht.  You can pick up a German Railways (DB) train to Cologne & Frankfurt at either Amsterdam Centraal (where these trains start) or at Utrecht Centraal (a bit quicker).  Change in Frankfurt for an onward daytime train to Austria, More info about ICE trains .

An ICE3neo at Amsterdam Centraal .  More about ICE trains .

Or Amsterdam to Vienna or Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train   See the Nightjet guide

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Scotland & the North to Austria

Naturally, you can take a train up to London then travel to Austria as described above.  You can buy special connecting train tickets from most British stations to London International, see my advice on buying connecting train tickets to London .  But DFDS Seaways ( www.dfds.com ) run an excellent overnight cruise ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, and P&O Ferries ( www.poferries.com ) sail overnight from Hull to Rotterdam.  After a day in Amsterdam, take the Nightjet sleeper to Austria.  So why not by-pass London, and have some time in Amsterdam into the bargain?

Scotland & the North ► Austria

Day 1, take a train to either Hull or Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for where you live.

In Hull, transfer to P&O ferry terminal and sail overnight from Hull to Rotterdam by P&O cruise ferry, with bus/train connection to Amsterdam Centraal.  The ferry has bars, restaurants & cosy en suite cabins.  For details of schedule, fares & tickets, see the Hull-Rotterdam page .

In Newcastle, transfer to the DFDS ferry terminal at North Shields and sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam by DFDS Seaways cruise ferry.  The ferry has bars, restaurants & cosy en suite cabins.  For details of schedule, fares & tickets see the Newcastle-Amsterdam page .

Day 2, spend the rest of the day in Amsterdam, all the sights are an easy walk from Amsterdam Centraal .  Left luggage lockers available.

Austria ► Scotland & the North

Day 1, take the Nightjet sleeper train from Austria to Amsterdam, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:10, Linz at 21:34 & Wels at 21:51, with another portion leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 20:44, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 09:59 next morning.

Coming from Salzburg, you'd take a train from Salzburg to Wels and pick up the sleeper there.

Day 2, you've now the best part of the day to explore Amsterdam, left luggage lockers are available .

Day 2, transfer from Amsterdam to Rotterdam Europoort or IJmuiden ferry terminal and sail overnight by ferry from Rotterdam to Hull or Amsterdam to Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for you, arriving next morning (day 3).  Transfer to the station and take a train home.

For details of transfers, ferry times & how to buy tickets from Amsterdam to Hull or Newcastle, see the Hull-Rotterdam page or Newcastle-Amsterdam page .

Step 1, check ferry fares & book the ferry at www.dfds.com for Newcastle-Amsterdam or www.poferries.com for Hull-Rotterdam.

Step 2, book the Amsterdam-Austria Nightjet at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem) or the Dutch Railways international website www.nsinternational.nl (in €, no booking fee).  You print your own ticket.

Step 3, buy a train ticket from your local station to Newcastle or Hull at any train operator website such as tfw.wales .  Make sure you allow plenty of time for the transfer from station to ferry terminal and for the ferry check-in.

Step 1, Newcastle to Amsterdam (DFDS) or Hull to Rotterdam (P&O) by overnight ferry ,

Both ferries have private cabins all with shower & toilet, restaurants, bars, cinema, a floating hotel.  If travelling with DFDS from Newcastle, a transfer bus takes you from IJmuiden ferry terminal to Amsterdam Centraal station next morning.  If travelling with P&O from Hull, a transfer bus takes you from Rotterdam Europoort ferry terminal to Rotterdam Centraal , from where frequent Dutch trains run to Utrecht or Amsterdam.

Holidays & tours to Austria by train

Railbookers, railbookers.co.uk.

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or holiday to Austria as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  Their website has a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your requirements.  As you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens such as a strike or delay. 

For example, they can do a 2-night short break from the UK to Vienna by train both ways, or an 8-night trip to Vienna & Venice via the Swiss Alps.  Or how about 8 nights to Vienna, Prague & Budapest, also by train throughout?  See the Railbookers Austria page for suggested itineraries & sample prices.

Byway, byway.travel

Byway ( Byway.travel ) is a UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, book a one-way or return UK-Austria trip through Byway as a package, including hotels and starting from any British station you like.  Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption and re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

They can build a trip to your requirements if you phone 0300 131 7173 (open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, from outside the UK call +44 300 131 7173) or email them or use this contact form .  Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

Tailor Made Rail, tailormaderail.com

European rail timetable & maps.

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

A good guidebook is a sound investment, even in the internet age.  For independent travel, the best guides are the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide.  Both guidebooks have the same excellent level of practical information and cultural and historical background.  You won't regret buying one!

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Hotels in Austria

Hotels in vienna, hotels in salzburg, backpacker hostels.

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Travel warning

Extreme weather conditions in Austria

Due to the current severe weather events in large parts of Austria, ÖBB has extended the urgent travel warning in force since Friday 13 September 2024 until Thursday 19 September 2024 . We urge all passengers to postpone non-essential journeys within this period to another time.

Please check the ÖBB timetable information SCOTTY , the ÖBB app or the ÖBB customer service on 05-1717 in advance to find out about the restrictions - information is updated continuously.

Validity and cancellation of tickets

The train binding for all national and international ÖBB tickets in the period from September 13th until September 19th (with purchase date until September 12th) is canceled. These are valid from now until September 22nd. The cancellation of the train binding also applies to night train tickets - these can also be used during the day.

Alternatively, ÖBB tickets for those trains affected by the travel warning can also be refunded. The above-mentioned periods apply. Please contact ÖBB customer service on 05-1717 or the ticket counters in the ÖBB travel centers.

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