Hello, we are a family of four (kids 18 & 21) travelling from Venice to Salzburg on May 28 and then Salzburg to Prague on May 30. I have been on the OBB website and have found good train times and connections - Venice to Salzburg May 28 9:55-15:48 w connection in Villach and on May 30 Salzburg to Prague w connection in Linz 10:12 - 15:57. When I move to the ticketing portion of the website, I lose the English and I'm just not sure if I'm interpreting the ticket options properly. The first ride is 29 Euro + 3 Euro to reserve seats. The second ride is 24 Euro + 3 to reserve seat. Those prices say they are "sparschienne ticket", I also see a Komfort ticket and also think there is a regional pass price for 2-5 people travelling together, but not sure what that cost is or if it would apply to our routes. If someone can help me figure this out and if I need to purchase tickets in advance, should we reserve seats, or just purcahse tickets at train station on day of trips? Thank you!
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
I don't know of further group discounts, but I do see that same-day buying of these tickets almost doubles the price. On long trips I prefer to have a seat reservation. For a few euros you have the comfort of knowing in which carriage you can find a seat waiting for you and the certainly of not having to search for another one if it turns out to be reserved for someone getting on the train halfway.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16264 posts
Sparscheine is a discount ticket only available with advance purchase. They are available in both classes, Economy and Fisrt Class. They are limited and may sell out.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
You seem to have made a fair amount of progress so far , given your post , but while not difficult , learning how to use rail services requires a grounding in the basics . This website is one of the best sources of information available , and time spent here will enable you to walk first , and then , run - https://www.seat61.com/index.html Also , use this site for general scheduling information - https://www.bahn.com/i/view/index.shtml . As you grasp the building blocks , specific details will make more sense in context
Posted by
1906 posts
Sparschiene is the cheapest choice, but bound to the selected trains. If you are fine with your itinerary buy the tickets online as soon as possible. I recommend seat reservations, otherwise you have to walk through the cars to find spare seats, especially if you want to sit together. Print at home is available. Beware that the OeBB website requires European security (e.g. 3D Secure) enabled for credit card payments, mostly for Mastercard and Visa. AmEx - as far as I know - should be fine anyway as they lag behind in this respect.
Posted by
1906 posts
As both your planned train trips cross borders of European countries, a regional pass (i.e. for one country) makes no sense.