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Trains-when to purchase tickets (Vienna airport to Linz)

Posted by on

We are (hopefully) going to Austria over our Winter break (Dec 18-31). I'm hoping to take the train straight from the Vienna airport to Linz (where our daughter will be). It looks like there are plenty of trains that leave the airport, so can we just purchase the tickets after we land? Or, would you recommend I buy them ahead of time?

Nothing has been purchased yet (although I have a few hotels reserved- they can be cancelled for free), but I'm visualizing Vienna to Linz, stay in Linz 4 nights, train to Salzburg for 4 night, then train to Vienna for 4 nights and leave from Vienna. The multiple city option (fly in one airport, out the other) would also work, but I would like to spend the first portion of the trip in Linz. I've also thought about venturing to Munich or Prague- as tempting as that is, I think I'd prefer to keep things simple this trip and just stay in Austria. Thanks for your advice!

Posted by
5713 posts

Have you looked at the Obb website? Looks like trains are very frequent. The problem with buying arrival day tickets in advance is what happens if your flight is cancelled or delayed? You end up having to buy a new ticket. I would be inclined to just buy a ticket for the next train as soon as you clear immigration.

Posted by
2314 posts

I second CJean's concerns about missing a pre-booked train. It is true that you could get considerably cheaper tickets through bargain offers long in advance, but these tickets are bound to a specific train, not cancelable, and non-refundable. If you miss the train the ticktes are void.

One-way trip from Vienna International Airport to Linz, 2nd class:
Regular € 46
Bargain € 15

There is a direct train every half an hour.

Posted by
1637 posts

To me that is enough of a difference to chance (better odds than the lottery) a reserved train. Just leave yourself time to be an hour or two late. If on time, you cam use this a a meal stop.

Posted by
5534 posts

As wmt1 points out, the cost of the pre-purchased ticket is low, so very little to lose. I'd spend the 15 Euro and risk it. What's the worst that could happen?

Posted by
905 posts

Agreed - buy the bargain ticket and give yourself a few hours cushion in case of customs/flight delays. If all works out well you at least have some time to decompress before hopping on the train.

Posted by
116 posts

Thanks for the replies! It sounds like there are enough trains that we don't have to worry about selling out. The price difference for the bargain ticket certainly makes booking ahead of time attractive!

Posted by
5534 posts

Trains don't sell out - that's not a thing.

If there aren't seats, you stand.

Posted by
116 posts

Right, of course :) I guess I should have asked if there's a good chance we'd get seat if we don't purchase ahead of time.

Posted by
34350 posts

unless you are at commuting time or a major holiday like Easter or Christmas you will find seats.

Posted by
2314 posts

If you buy a bargain ticket (called "Sparschiene") it is for a specific train, so you may add a seat reservation (€3 per passenger) having the choice of seat type (window, aisle, at a table, quiet zone, etc.).

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