Does anybody know about the direct train from Vienna to Hallstatt? I keep reading everywhere that there are only train options with one change. But I can see train IC 528 on the schedule that is direct, leaves around 10am and takes only a little over 3 hours. Anybody took it? Is it more expensive than the indirect route?
More people going to Hallstatt leave from Salzburg.
Yes, the IC528 will do the job from Vienna.
I checked a few random dates from 3 weeks out and the same €19 Sparpreise (savings price) fare is available as on the usual trains.
10:10 is a bit late in the day to be making a move towards Hallstatt - I guess you'll have a late breakfast!
Do note that for every day I checked that train was flagged as expecting very heavy loading - it is worth considering buying a reservation as well as a ticket.
The price of the tickets is based on distance. The route between Vienna and Hallstatt is the same for the direct train and any train combination requiring a change (in Attnang-Puchheim, Wels, or Linz).
Note that this train changes its type in Attnang-Puchheim.
Vienna - Attnang-Puchheim IC 528
Attnang-Puchheim - Hallstatt REX 528
IC = InterCity (low number of stops, i.e. 4)
REX = Regional Express (higher number of stops, i.e. 11)
The return train is REX 725/IC 725 departing from Hallstatt at 4:32pm.
The ride is 3:14 hours in either direction. These trains are operated on Saturdays and Sundays, between April and November on public holidays too, special schedule during the Christmas holiday weeks.