Hi
We are in Vienna from 10th to 14th May and would like to do a one day trip to Bratislava
Since we are closer to the dates, trains are becoming expensive and also they don't go the main station (Bratislava hl st)
Should we consider going by bus instead. If so, which is best way to book a bus. I also understand the bus will take us straight to the city centre instead of train, where we have to get down at Petrzalka and then take a bus to hl st
Please help
Thanks
Well the train is an hour plus another 15 minutes before you find a taxi and make the trip. The Bus is 1:15 an does pretty much take you where you want to go. The train to Budapest only takes another hour and costs about the same LOL. Seriously though, Bratislava has gotten so less than fun to get to while they fix the tracks that how about Melk Abbey instead? Or Gyor is as nice and as close in the amount of time it takes (and I like trains more than busses). FAIR DISCLOSURE: I am not a huge fan of Bratislava. Others who are might tell you the bus is small inconvenience for a meaningful experience.
Basically what I am doing here is keeping you bumped to the top so maybe you get some good input.
Thank you Mr E
We might still go to Bratislava
Your point regarding Melk is well taken. We are considering a day tour to Danube valley which includes Melk Abbey. Would that be good
I was also checking whether we can go on our own to Danube valley and come back - but I guess thats cumbersome due to 2/3 train changes
The Wachau Valley and Melk, for me at least, were a lot more interesting than Bratislava. Plenty of small group day tours you can join.
Not cheap, but pretty first class would be to use Daytrip.com from Vienna to Melk. Go take a look, when you see the price for the tranfer and click on next it takes you to a page with all the options for stops along the way. Its the stops that make it worth considering.
thank you Mr E
I have another question. I can book a day ticket from Vienna to Bratislava, but after booking the ticket, when I try for only seat reservation in OBB site, it shows no tickets available in any train, which are otherwise available in a normal booking. So its confusing
Is it really necessary to do a reservation for Vienna - Bratislava train, or we can just hop on to the train
They might not have reserved seats on the train. Not all do. Sorry but my Bratislava experience was a train from Budapest. Then DayTrip.com back with stops in Pannonhalma and Gyor. So not much help.
I can relate to your frustrations with OBB. Having experienced similar problems to yours in 2024 I finally gave up attempting to get tickets online and had to go to the train station to book in person. At least that worked, though it was a bit of hassle. Now that I think about it, OBB is pretty much the only train system that I have a complaint. Italy is probably the best, but all the others likewise seem to be reliable and have their act together.
We took a bus to Bratislava from the Vienna Airport. It was quick and easy. We enjoyed Bratislava very much for a day trip.
I bought tickets on the OBB app a little over two weeks ago. I got my ticket and seat reservation without a problem.
I traveled yesterday.
I'm in Vienna now and will be gong to Bratislava either later this week or early next week for the day. I'll report back on my experience considering the station closure. Someone I know from Bratislava suggested the bus.
