Greetings, I am sure this has already been asked, but I can't figure out how to search within these Austria- specific posts. Can that be done?
To meet a June My Way tour in Salzburg, if flying into Vienna from the US, with 2 full days in Vienna, it looks like faster trains to Salzburg take a couple hours?
So it would be feasible to depart late morning for adequate time to get to the Salzburg tour hotel prior to the group meeting?
Thank you in advance for any tips from recent personal experience- or why my idea needs revision!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11322 posts
A reliable site for checking and buying rail tickets in your case is https://www.thetrainline.com/. Very easy to 7mderstand and use. Your assumption is correct: leave late morning and you’ll be there in time. Travel time is 2.5 to 3 hours.
Posted by
1906 posts
Buying train tickets from resellers - like thetrainline.com - is strongly discouraged.
Two companies operate express trains from Vienna to Salzburg:
https://shop.oebbtickets.at/en/ticket
https://westbahn.at/en/
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11322 posts
Wmt1, Sometimes if one is unfamiliar with the actual train companies or those sites don’t perform well for the traveler, The Trainline can be very useful. I am a fan, especially in France, where SNCF sometimes gives me problems.
It is also nice that The Trainline displays multiple options if different train companies serve the route. For example, In Italy, One has to check both Italo and Trenitalia and The Trainline covers both companies and shows a side-by-side comparison.
Posted by
OP
West Coast
75 posts
Thank you both for the very helpful links! (I agree, it's great to have a resource akin to Google flights or Rome2Rio for options, rather an actual booking.)
Posted by
1906 posts
Laurel, I agree that The Trainline is good for gathering information, but I doubt that they provide you with the best offers. Most train operators have special bargain prices on their website only, e.g., €24 for going to Salzburg from Vienna.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17923 posts
Budapest to Vienna 10:40 to 1:21
Oct 3
Trainline 50.50 euro 2nd class
MAV (Hungarian national train service) 23.00 euro 2nd class
Trainline did show the Regiojet train later in the day for 9 euro. For that, one would normally have to go to the Regiojet website. But I am not convinced about Regiojet yet. First the reliability / customer service, second is you will lose time or money transferring to or from the wrong (less convenient) train stations. Oh, and the 9 euro is for 3rd class as 2nd class is an upgrade. No first class.
Posted by
Phoenix🌵
2735 posts
Use the ÖBB website or app. Wien to Salzburg on RJX is 2hr 25 min. I took this train in June. Shortest time, easy to book. Easy to reach Wien HBf train station on U Bahn. Depending where your hotel is in Salzburg you can walk or take the tram from the station. I booked 1st class tickets on all trains I took, thinking less people in car, less chance of Covid.
Which hotel are you staying at in Vienna? Independently I stayed at Pension Suzanne around the corner from the Opera House — affordable, surprisingly quiet, walking distance to many things, close to tram and subway. I disliked the hotel the RS Berlin, Prague & Vienna tour used.