Hello
We are staying at Hotel Astoria in Vienna 9/12-9/14.
We are hoping to get a high speed train 9/14 that leaves early so we can enjoy the evening in krakow.
Is it best to book now? We see ninja rail. Any suggestions for booking trains from country to country?
We have other trains we will need to look into as well (Munich-Salzburg). (Salzburg-Vienna)
Thank you
Jane
We see ninja rail
It must have showed up because they pay google to get listed. You would be better to forget it, as it is just a travel agent and not a very good one. Book with the people who operate the trains, starting with OeBB, the Austrian National Railway. I don't think there are any "high speed" trains on this route. There is currently a direct train in the morning taking 6 hours.
https://www.oebb.at/en/
They also do Munich to Salzburg and Salzburg to Vienna, but there are other operators as well, like a regional carrier from Munich to Salzburg and Westbahn for Salzburg to Vienna.
As mentioned above, rail ninja is a travel agency - they are not a train company.
The rail route between Vienna and Krakow takes forever. Here are detailed instructions on how to buy the tickets from OeBB, that actual train company - https://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Vienna.htm#Vienna-Krakow
Do yourself a favor and fly, which is cheap and fast.
I vote for flying too.... Prices start at $25 and it takes about an hour.
As mentioned above, rail ninja is a travel agency - they are not a
train company.
Calling them a travel agency is doing them to much credit. They are actually an on-line scam.
A few things about train travel in Europe:
- Don't expect there to be high speed trains everywhere.
- Do not assume that therei s such a thing as an European wide railway company. Every country has its own.
- Trains are mass transit. No need to worry about train travel half a year in the future...
The best source for information on train routes, and where to buy tickets for them is www.seat61.com
Wien - Krakow is about 6 hours on a direct train. I would certainly consider that. Booked in advance the 8:10 EC can be had for as low as 22,90. A lot more civilized than a low cost airline...
And the total illusion of flying. It may be one hour in the air, but you have to get to and from city centres and the respective airports, and the time of airport rigmarole etc- on a 1 hour flight versus a 6 hour train journey there is maybe a one hour time saving over all.
By train you see something else except clouds, it is a massively pleasanter travel experience. And cheaper as well if you factor in all costs.
Its all a matter of preference. There isnt a right or wrong on this one. I like planes better than trains. I prefer moving around, drinking coffee in the airport (breakfast too) and I dont get worked up at the que to get on. I've done both the Vienna train station and the Vienna Airport on more than one ocassion so my opinion is not just in general.
The Vienna train station is quite an experience. Very much like an airport in many ways … and for good reason as millions go through it ever year. Figuring train station to and from times, the trip by train will take not less than 7 hours door to door. The first direct train is at 8:00am so you will be at your hotel not sooner than 3:00pm. The cost apparently is 30 euro. BUT, do check the cost with the Polish rail lines as OeBB tends not to have as many discounts as some of the other rail companies. Odd, but multiple companies sell the same seat on the same train for different amounts. You could reach the train station (both ends) with public transportation or if you have a lot of luggage and want the ease of a taxi, budget maybe 50 euro (just a guess) for the taxi.
“Trains are mass transit. No need to worry about train travel half a year in the future ...” but as you have invested tens of thousands of dollars in your holiday, and this is maybe a once in a lifetime experience you are not a typical mass transit commuter so do buy your ticket when it is first convenient to do so. Prices can go up and as the date becomes closer there are some rare occasions when seat selection becomes limited.
Some trains have wonderful views. These are usually marketed as such. That you will have to research, because the majority of trains I have been on in Europe have no views worth seeing. To keep noise down they buffer each side of the track with vegitation and when going through cities there are walls on both sides for noise control. I dont know about this trip. Out of the 6 hours you might get an hour or two of nice views, you might get a lot more, you might get none.
The Vienna airport is smaller and easier to navigate then most, so that’s a plus. Figuring all the time issues with a flight the trip by plane will take not less than 4 hours door to door. It almost seems like the Ryan Air flight is at a different time every day of the week. Some days you can leave early and have a full day in Krakow some days you leave late and spend the day in Vienna, rest up and hit Krakow in the morning. The flight with a checked bag will be 50 to 75 euro depending on the time of the flight. You could reach the airport with public transportation or if you have a lot of luggage and want the ease of a taxi, budget maybe 75 euro (just a guess) for the taxi.
I did this route last May. I left Vienna just after 8 AM and arrived in Krakow just after 2 pm. As stated it's about a six hour direct trip.
Train tickets are usually available about three months prior to the travel date. Stick with purchasing tickets from the train operator and not a third party. I traveled with OBB and that is where I purchased my ticket.
If you want to see most European schedules use
This is the German train system but they have excellent information. When you find the train you want, they will tell you who operates it. . Go to their website and buy the tickets.
OBB operates trains on all three of the journeys you mentioned.
As for flying vs trains.....it's really a personal choice. I took the train because I had never been to the area between Vienna and Krakow and wanted to see the scenery. If I was to do it again, I'd fly.
I've been in and out of Vienna quite a few times by both train and plane. As my regular hotel is five minutes from the train station, I sometimes favor trains. But it depends on the length of the journey.
You have one other option in reaching Krakow from Vienna other than flying or taking the day train, depending on your level of comfort.
There is also the direct night train Wien Hbf to Krakow arriving a bit after 6 AM...perfect in the summer.
Since this is the EN train, you can safely bet, enough passengers will be riding it to the point of it selling out. I take the night train to squeeze out another travel day.
