Are Eurrail passholders allowed to use the First Class lounges in Austrian train stations?
They told us to leave the First Class waiting room in Salzburg as we needed a first class ticket reservation to use the First Class waiting area. We were allowed in other Austrian stations.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
Yes, holders of a 1st class Eurail Pass covering Austria have free entry to the ÖBB lounges in Wien Hbf, Wien-Westbahnhof, Wien-Meidling, Linz Hbf, Salzburg Hbf, Innsbruck Hbf, Graz Hbf and Klagenfurt Hbf.
Posted by
1908 posts
The Eurail Pass is a rip-off, you are better off with individual tickets. Given the comfort of modern trains in western Europe there is no real reason to travel 1st class; you should buy seat reservations, though.
I had been using trains in Austria on several occasions, but never had the need to stay in a lounge. I usually arrive at the train station about 10 minutes prior departure and go directly to the platform. Should I be very early then I go for a coffee or a snack.
Posted by
Southeast US
3851 posts
This second-class traveler had no idea there was such a thing as 1st class lounges at train stations!
Posted by
1908 posts
I use special lounges only at airports.
Given the quality of trains in the US I understand that American tourists think they must travel 1st class.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5385 posts
Why you would need to use a lounge at a train station is beyond me. You get to the station 20 min. before departure and get on the train.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Guess I should have added that my husband and I are in our 80s and usually arrive at the train stations way ahead of time and there are few places to sit.
Posted by
San Francisco
14510 posts
There is a 1st class DB lounge at Berlin Hbf. I've always seen people inside whenever I pass by it.