Train tickets - best routes and when to purchase?

On some trains you can have your luggage on the overhead racks,we did that on the German Ice train in first class.In France in May we were in first class and there was storage near the entrance to the cars which is easier.The places that you are going safety will not be a concern.Switzerland are very safe.Always buy your tickets ahead,the prices rise as the departure date gets closer.Go Austrian Rail website to see about passes.Don't use the Eurrail website,they are a ripoff.
Mike

Do store your luggage in the trains always in a place where you can watch it. Unfortunately sometimes there are gangs from Eastern Europe trying to steal suitcases and leaving the train right before the departure from a station.

I recommend buying seat reservations, so you need not to walk through the train searching for vacant seats having to carry your luggage.

The only correct place online to buy your tickets is from www.oebb.at. OBB is the national rail carrier of Austria. Any other website you use will be a travel agency with often incorrect schedules and inflated fares.

Buying in advance for a specific train will save you money but you need to buy the tickets now as there are only a limited number of lower fare tickets. Vienna to Budapest would be 19 Euro, for example. One exception to what I have said is that on the Salzburg to Vienna leg there is also a private rail carrier, Westbahn, which offers high speed service between these two cities. You can buy those tickets on the train, from Tabak shops or from the Westbahn website. Tickets on Westbahn are cheap and they have family seating which is nice.

First class is a waste of money in this part of Europe as the entire train is nice.

As for a city pass in Vienna, you should look at a public transportation pass which would allow you to use the subway, tram, buses and regional trains. Various passes are offered and you can visit the Wiener Linien website for more details. Personally, I do not think that the passes which include attractions are cost effective.

What days will you be in Vienna? I ask as there are many fun festivals in September, especially for kids.

The oebb.at site might take a little getting used to as it has been revamped to be smart-phone friendly, especially after you have gotten used to the sbb.ch site. Looks like the 17 yo pays adult price, but the 14 yo is free traveling with you.

Westbahn from Salzburg to Vienna is very easy. Looks like you and 17 yo travel as adults, but the 14 yo for 1 EUR. Seat reservations are 5 EUR each, which might be a good idea on Westbahn. https://westbahn.at/en

Thanks so much, everyone, for all your help! And Sam, thanks for all the help you've given both here and for my Swiss tickets! :). I was able to figure out the ÖBB website, and have purchased tickets for St Anton to Salzburg and Salzburg to Vienna, and as recommended, I purchased seat reservations. Strangely, my 14 year old was free. I put in the correct age, and for both segments, she was free. I don't know if they are running a summer special or what, but I was pretty pleased! I have 2 new questions though. First, I got the app and have the tickets stored on my phone, but I'd also feel better if I had paper copies as well. Can you do both or are you limited to either or? Second, I tried to buy tickets for Vienna to Budapest on the OBB site but the site says tickets are unavailable. Any ideas as to why? They wouldn't be sold out, right? I suppose I can wait until we arrive in Vienna, but it would be nice to have all the tickets ahead of time.any suggestions?

I do not really understand why tickets from Vienna to Budapest should not be available online now. What day you were looking for?

Anyway, whereas the cheap "Sparschiene" tickets are only available via Internet purchase if the ride is within Austria, border crossing tickets (i.e. to Budapest) can be bought at the ticket counters. So when you arrive in Vienna, buy the tickets (and seat reservation) right away at the train station. You might not get the lowest price anymore, though.

Yes, children under 15 are free when traveling with a parent.

I am looking now, and it put 3 tickets for Vienna to Budapest in my shopping cart for Sept 7. 19 EUR each for adult and 17 yo, and free for 14 yo plus seat reservations of 3 EUR each, 46 EUR total.

Hi Sam, after reading your message, I went back to the site and tried again. Thankfully, this time I was able to make it work. Thank you so much! You have been a big help on all the train tickets we have purchased!

Just in case anyone else is buying tickets and reading this thread, I was really surprised to see the extreme disparity in prices for the exact same nonstop train ride depending on the time you travel. Make sure to scan the rides before and after the one you were considering because prices for this leg ranged from 19 Euro to twice that amount depending on what time you traveled.

Hi Emily,

I was so focused on train tickets that I overlooked your question about Vienna. We are there September 4 - 8. We are staying in an Airbnb in the area of Mariahilferstr, Barnabitengasse. Is that a pretty nice/safe place to stay?

I was really surprised to see the extreme disparity in prices for the exact same nonstop train ride depending on the time you travel.

And depending on when you book. It is the same system as for airline tickets.

... Mariahilferstr, Barnabitengasse. Is that a pretty nice/safe place to stay?

Yes, it is nice, and it is safe everywhere in Vienna.

When selecting an accommodation it is most important for tourists that the place has a good connection to public transport, i.e. without having to walk more than 5 minutes. Metro (U-Bahn) and tram are better than bus lines.

From different posts I learned that this aspect is widely ignored.

Great! Seems like I am ok on that count - the listing says that it is very near the U3 and U4 lines, and reviews seem to indicate the same. :)

the listing says that it is very near the U3 and U4 lines

U3 okay, U4 no.

This is the official city map of Vienna: https://www.wien.gv.at/stadtplan/en/

Enter "Barnabitengasse" and check "Public Transport" on the left side. You have to click three times on "zoom out" until you can see the (green) U4 line; U3 is orange. There are three bus lines, among which the 13A, Vienna's most used and most important bus route.

At the south end of Barnabitengasse there is the "Haus des Meeres" (House of the Sea), located in an old WWII bunker. That is for sure interesting for the kids.

Dear wmt1 - Thanks for the map link! Very helpful! And we will definitely try to see the House of the Sea.

Ah, you are just missing one of the best festivals - the harvest festival which starts on the 9th. You will also be here on the first week of school for Austrian kids so things will be quiet.

I would add that Mariahilferstrasse is THE major shopping area in Vienna which your kids will like. But do go down Neubaugasse, Lindengasse and Siebensterngasse for more boutique and unique shopping as well.

Thanks, Emily! Too bad we're just missing the Festival, but glad to hear about all the good shopping areas. Two weeks until we leave for Sion! I'm so excited, and realize that now that all the logistics are planned (planes, trains, and housing), it's time to start planning the actual fun stuff. I will likely start a new thread soon for any suggestions.

Thanks again!