traveling from Vienna airport to Salzburg

The train takes about 4 hours with at least one transfer in Vienna. See:

http://www.oebb.at/pv/en/Servicebox/Train_schedule/index.jsp

From: Airport/Vienna
To: Salzburg

Pick a practice date and a time near your expected arrival and see how it works.

Regards, Gary

Thanks Gary, do you think I'd be better off renting a car and driving?

I have no experience with the Austrian train system, but I understand that it is as good as that of Germany which I have used the last two years. I would not drive unless there were specific things that I wanted to do along the way.

I suffer from jet lag when I cross the ocean and driving is very difficult.

Michelin says that the drive is 3 hours compared to 4 hours by the train. They say that it would cost 28 euros in gas and 7 euros in road taxes. That is 35 euros before the cost of the rental car and insurance. The train second class is 44 euros.

Regards, Gary

That's good data from Gary. Once you get to Vienna Westbahnhof train station, the ride to Salzburg is 3 hours and pleasant. When you add time to the driving time for a stretch break and pit stop, the time is about the same by train or driving--but the train simplifies things when you're jet-lagged off the plane. If your only goal is to get from Vienna to Salzburg, it would be tempting to take the train, less expensive, too.

Nancy,
If you have to fly into Vienna, then take the train. Salzburg is about 150 mi. west, and the A-1 Autobahn will take you through some pretty countryside, very little of which you will enjoy because the high speed of traffic on the Autobahn right after arrival is unsettling. Also, you will have to negotiate your way around Vienna to bypass sometimes heavy traffic. Add to that the cost of car rental (plus gas at $7.55 or more per gal.) and the car becomes a less attractive option.
The train route parallels the Autobahn for most part. You will see the Vienna Woods, Melk Abbey, a couple of castles/ruins and, of course, plenty of Danube. You will bypass Linz (Austria's 3rd largest city), but as you head south toward Salzburg, there is plenty to see. You will skirt the Salzkammergut with the Mondsee visible nearby and the Alps at a distance. And you will arrive in Salzburg refreshed from the long journey.
I normally recommend car travel if you want to get off the beaten path, but in this case the train - and very frequent, good ones at that - is the better choice. Check out prices and routes at www.oebb.at

Willkommen in Õsterreich!

Danke schon to all of you. I think I'll take the train! We don't arrive until evening and I certainly don't want to drive at night.