What's a good place to stop between Vienna and Venice to break up the trip? We're travelling with 3 teenagers. I'm also debating turning in our rental car and either taking a train or bus over the border to avoid the one way fee, but not sure if this is feasible.
Thank you in advance for any input.
Take the bus/train combo with OeBB and just get there all at one time, in my opinion. If you want to stop, a logical place would be Villach as that is where you make the switch.
There is a direct overnight train or a direct 6:30 a.m. train (7.5 hours) from Vienna to Venice. Other daytime trains run to the border at Villach, where you connect to a bus, as Emily indicated. Bus tickets are sold by the Austrian railway, OEBB, and places are reserved. If taking the train works for you, would that allow you to turn in the car upon arrival in Vienna? Or do you prefer to meander and stop on the drive between Vienna and Villach?
Thank you very much for your reply. I've been thoroughly confused by the rail schedules/prices, but I'm assuming it would cost just as much if not more than the 500 euro fee (for a one way drop on a rental car) to take an overnight train (there's 5 of us) from Vienna to Venice. Therefore, we'll probably be driving and would like to stop somewhere along the way and spend the night before venturing on to Venice. Where would you recommend we stop, and any hotel recommendations would also be appreciated.
Thank you!
If you drive to Venice Graz would be a good stop. The city itself is very beautiful, but the real highlight is the armory. This is one of the few preserved "real" armories, with real armor and weapons to defend the city.
Or you could see Hochosterwitz castle, although it's a bit like Neuschwanstein... the view is better than the castle itself. Riegersburg castle offers a more interesting interior.
In case you are interested in architecture you could visit Gurk cathedral, one of Austrias best Romanesque churches. Stift Rein is one of Austrias many beautiful baroque abbeys. But both are small detours.
The website for Oebb is www.oebb.at (not obb.at as noted above).
Fares from Vienna to Venice should be from 29 Euros per person, so much cheaper than a rental car.
This isn't hard and we are here to help, so don't fall over with intimidation just yet and take the easy (expensive) way out and rent a car.
Thank you, Martin. I will look into your suggestions.
Thank you also, Emily. The only 29 euro fare I saw between Vienna and Venice had stops and a change to bus in Villach. With all our luggage, I think it would be too much of a hassle. We'd also need transportation from the bus station to our hotel. Then we are on to Cortona, so we'd definitely want a car.
Oddly, renting a car from Vienna airport and returning it to Florence airport is only $400 more than renting it in Venice for fewer days and returning it to Florence.
It looks like the best option will be to rent a car in Vienna, stop around Graz for the night, and then continue on to Venice.
Any suggestions on hotels and/or restaurants along the way?
Thank you for taking the time to help a stranger!
There is no such thing as a train from Vienna to Venice without stops (that is called a flight), and all day time options require a change to the bus in Villach.
A car rental is definitely more expensive, but sounds like it gives you the flexibility you are looking for.
