The closest thing to a "good" train connection between Saulzburg and Venice that I have found is on OBB. Leaves at 12:12pm, goes to Vallach; from there you take a bus and arrive at 6:05pm. Is there a more direct, all train route?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
The bus connection at Villach has been the standard route for the last several years. However, current schedules through DB are also showing an 8:12 departure with train connection at Villach and an 11:00 departure with train connection at Innsbruck. I would expect OBB to show the same. How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it.
Posted by
Firenze
500 posts
Trenitalia, the main Italian operator, is not interested in running international trains, so services are run by OBB and its Italian associate (Trenord) also on the Italian section of the trip. Due a to lack of timetable slots most train services were substituted by buses over the Italian section, but there are still a few trains running between Wien and Venice; if you time carefully your departure from Salzburg, you may run all the way over trains.
The itinerary over Villach is the shortest one. As an alternative, OBB runs much more frequent service over the Brenner line, so you may travel Salzburg-Innsbruck-Verona-Venice. This route is all trains, but is longer than the Villach one.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
I would recommend the Villach one. The buses are comfortable and the train route from Salzburg to Villach is extremely scenic.