PARIS to VIENNA Itinerary: Have you done this connection before?

Sunday cdg to vie on airberlin, 92 Euros:
Monday at 0845 to vie on airberlin, 62 Euros.
It is one of my favorite airlines in the EU; didn't check, however I think both flights are out of T3 in CDG. To me, it sure beats flying and gives an extra day in Paris.
Bon chance!

It would help if you told us WHEN you plan to fly--yes, Airberlin is over $180 for July flights, however, in September they are about 62 Euros.

Maria,

I did this route Paris-Vienna on 20 May 2010 by night train with a change of trains in Frankfurt. So, it was Paris Est-Frankfurt, then Frankfurt-Vienna. I sat in a Sitzwagen compartment with 4 "strangers" since was I was solo...no problems, it was nice. The cost for the reservation for Paris-Frankfurt was 24 Euro (1st class)...that was my own mistake, the Frankfurt-Vienna route was 19 Euro, 2nd class. I had a rail Select Pass. All in all the entire route cost 44 Euro and arrived in Wien West around 0930, can't recall exactly. No problems sleeping upright.

There is also a Paris Est-Vienna route with a transfer in Munich, which is better than what I had, arriving around 0704 in Munich, where you transfer to Vienna. From Paris-Munich it's a CNL train...that's good.

Right. Either night train on 9/18 or fly 9/19 (one way).

I don't have any kind of rail pass. As far as sleeping upright... it's a long trip; depends how comfortable the seats are. I've travelled by train in different countries, and the accomodations vary quite a bit among the train companies.

Paris-Frankfurt-Vienna: Book each leg separately on the German Rail site to get the best fares. Take an ICE train from Paris Est to Frankfurt, departing at 19:05 and arriving at 22:58. The lowest Savings fare that is still available is 59 EUR. Take a EuroNight train from Frankfurt to Vienna, departing at 23:21 and arriving at 09:04. The best fares still available are 98 EUR for a bunk in a 6-person couchette and 109 EUR for a bunk in a 4-person couchette.

Paris-Munich-Vienna: Again, book each leg separately on the German Rail site to get the best fares. Take a CNL train from Paris Est to Munich, departing at 20:20 and arriving at 07:16. The best fares still available are 79 EUR for a bunk in a 6-person couchette and 89 EUR for a bunk in a 4-person couchette. Take the Railjet from Munich to Vienna, departing at 07:27 and arriving at 11:40. The best fare still available is 29 EUR.

For future reference, if you had booked as far in advance as possible (up to 92 days allowed), you could have gotten much cheaper fares.

my last trip I flew out of orly to vienna via SKYEUROPE who is now bankrupt. I suggest easyjet, which I think does that connection. It's a 2hr flight and was worth the less than $100 bucks rather than the train ride...

Maria,

You said that you've taken long trains before but want to know what the so-called comfort level is on the night trains that Tim correctly listed. I would suggest as regards to comfort take the Paris Est-Munich option, which is a CNL. The Euro-Night is a refurbished train...like those in the 1970s, that was my immediate impression when I walked into that compartment for six. Plus, getting into Munich at 0716 is preferable because you can stash your luggage in a train station locker and go have some good breakfast unburdened by luggage. The connections from Munich-Vienna are frequent.

Thanks everyone for the detailed train & air information. I've been researching the Bahn train website. The saver fares apparently don't last very long. Still, the cheapest fare is 86 euros for 2 people on a Day Couch - I imagine a chair that reclines? For a 6-person couchette the fare is 118 euros.

I did find some good air fares on Skyscanner - under $100. Easyjet doesn’t fly into Vienna from Paris. Airberlin also has good deals, but Aerlingus has better offers.

Anyway, I appreciate all the help. I’ve got to make a decision soon, as prices are changing quickly. I like the idea of getting there quickly; going by train is slow, but at the same time, we would save 1 night of hotel in Paris and that would save us 80-100 euros.

Maria,

That's exactly true...by taking the night train from Paris Est-Frankfurt, then Frankfurt-Vienna and arriving shortly after 0900, it saved 82 Euro (with breakfast) by not staying an extra night at the 2-star hotel at Gare du Nord.

Here's another thought - what do you think about this option: not making any transportation/hotel reservations from Day 7 - Day 13 for more flexibility. I was checking other train routes and we can get from Brussels to Vienna (via Cologne) for less than 100 euros (2 pass). From Vienna to Budapest looks like an easy & inexpensive 3-hr train ride. Would have to fly to Dublin from Budapest, and right now fares are under 100 dollars.

My main concern is that if we wait until the last minute we won't find as many travel options (because tickets are sold out) or will pay substantially more for train/air tickets. I wouldn't mind paying 15-20% in exchange for flexibility, but not much more than that. I have been to Europe 6 times in the last 8 years and have never traveled without a plan and reservations.

I'd love to hear from those who have traveled without reservations in Europe during the month of September, and whether you think it is a good/bad idea. Tx.

Have taken both the train (2 times) and the plane. Thought the flight from Paris to Vienna (Niki Air-a sub of Air Berlin) was really great and service was great too. They had to practically throw the food at us because there was so little time. And there was entertainment on the plane. Vienna Airport is not so difficult to maneuver. The idea of having to spend a nite on the train is kind of wasteful. There is no way I would pay more to take train than fly nowdays.

SUZANNE