Interlaken, Switzerland to Vienna, Austria: By train or plane?

Posted by Bobby (Nashville, TN, USA) on 03/16/17 01:52 PM

I'll be travelling in Europe for two weeks in the summer, starting in Paris, then Interlaken (and the Berner Oberland area), then Vienna, and finally Budapest. The Interlaken to Vienna portion of the journey is quite long.

By rail during the day: about 10 hours
Night train: about the same
There is a nonstop flight from Zurich to Vienna that is less than 1.5 hours (Swiss Airlines or Austrian Airlines)

It would still take about six hours total, with the train from Interlaken to Zurich, and the lead time needed to get to the airport, but we would be in Vienna much earlier than by train - probably by 2PM, rather than 8PM by day train, or the next day by night train.

Is it worth the hassles of flying (and extra expense of about $150 each person) to avoid a 10 hour train trip? Any tips about the Zurich airport and flying in general are appreciated. (I'm planning to get a rail pass that includes 4 countries and 5 days of travel - I assume that would cover the train ride from Interlaken to Zurich).

Thanks!
Bobby

Posted by Chris F

Basel, Switzerland

03/16/17 03:02 PM

8889 posts

The train trip from Interlaken (change Zürich) to Vienna is long, but scenic, as it goes lengthways through the Alps. It is a question of personal choice, long but more comfortable journey by train or shorter but more hassle and standing around by air.

There is one train every 2 hours from Zürich to Vienna, so you have some choice of times.
Zürich airport is very easy. If arriving by train be aware of the station names:
Zürich HB = Zürich main station, in the centre of the city where the train to Vienna leaves from.
Zürich Flughafen = Zürich airport.
If you are flying, you need a train to the latter.

Yes, a rail pass would cover Interlaken to Zürich (either station).
But, I hope you are aware the Paris to Switzerland TGV train requires a reservation which is additional cost if you have a pass.
Are these only rail trips you are making outside Switzerland Paris-Switzerland, Switzerland-Vienna and Vienna-Budapest? If these are the only 3 trips you are making, it may be cheaper to buy normal tickets (which include all reservations fees), with advance purchase discounts, and then buy a pass for Switzerland only, where I guess you will be doing local trips as well.

Posted by Bobby OP

Nashville, TN, USA

03/24/17 03:38 PM

48 posts

Hi Chris - Thanks for the info. No, I didn't realize a reservation was required from Paris to Interlaken. And yes, I will only be on the train for these trips: Paris-Switzerland, Switzerland-Vienna and Vienna-Budapest.

I priced a Select Rail Pass, and it's $463 per person (5 days and 4 countries). That's without any needed reservations, including the night train, of course.

Rick's map with estimates of individual tickets comes out to $380 (also without reservations). And that doesn't include getting from Interlaken to Zurich.

Sounds like reservations would put the rail pass option over $500. If you have thoughts on which option to choose, let me know.

Thanks,
Bobby

Posted by Chris F

Basel, Switzerland

03/24/17 04:44 PM

8889 posts

Bobby,
A reservation is required from Paris to the Swiss border. From there to Interlaken Swiss rules apply - no reservation. Normally you would change at Basel (which is the Swiss border), but there is one through train per day from Paris to Interlaken.
When you buy individual tickets, the price includes the reservation, it is only an add-on if you have a pass.
Rick's map assumes you are paying the buy-on-the day price. You can get considerable savings by buying in advance from the company that runs the trains.
In this case the company is TGV-Lyria: http://www.tgv-lyria.com/en
For example for 15th May, Paris to Interlaken, it is currently offering prices between €86 and €177. For 15th August I even saw one train at €45!

The Swiss railways website ( http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html ) is offering Interlaken to Vienna, for mid-July, for CHF 79!
For Vienna to Budapest, go to the ÖBB (Austrian Railways) website: http://www.oebb.at/en/

If you are prepared to book early, and for these prices you decide which train you want when you book and cannot change your mind later, then a pass is usually not the cheapest option.