Hello,
We’re visiting family in Stuttgart in late November, then traveling to Vienna. We have a few extra days and can’t decide between Innsbruck and Salzburg. We can easily spend time in either city. Since we’ll be traveling by train, I was curious if either town has a more scenic train ride.
Thanks in advance!
There is a direct train that goes along the Bodensee, then into Austria and on to Innsbruck via the Arlberg. This will probably be the most scenic route. Departs Stuttgart at 7:44 am.
From Innsbruck to Vienna, you will stop at Salzburg along the way if you want to stop off there for a bit.
there are quite a few Youtube vlogs about these cities, compare and contrast
It depends whether you are willing to spend extra time when travelling by train just for going a scenic route.
From Salzburg to Vienna the train follows most of the time a high-speed track, having noise-dampening walls on either side to protect residents along the line. Therefore you cannot see very much, except when you travel with a Westbahn train and sitting in the upper deck.
Here you can see all passenger train routes in Austria.
E.g. if you go via the south route from Salzburg to Vienna (via Stainach-Irdning and Leoben) you will have a very scenic ride, but it will add 2½ hours travel time (5½ hours instead of 3 hours).
@wmt1
Thanks for the info aboutr Westbahn. I had never heard of them. I will be traveling from Salzburg to Vienna in the spring and I may take the longer, more scenic route, having already done the walls, factories and farms train.
I also see that they offer discounts if you have a D-Ticket, even on the Salzburg-Vienna route.
Have you ever been to Innsbruck or Salzburg? Looks like the Weihnachtsmarkt in both are open then. Innsbruck is probably more likely to see snow, but the season is early then. Both have things to see and do, but at this time of year I think I would pick Salzburg. Mid-winter Innsbruck. Innsbruck hosted the 1976 Winter Olympics in February.
The train from Innsbruck to Salzburg is beautiful. But last year the train from Munich to Salzburg was beautiful too with snow falling the whole way in late November. Both Innsbruck and Salzburg are worthy of your time. Enjoy!
