I am planning on going from Vienna to Venice while on vacation. Time is of the essence, as the trip is only 11 days (plus flight connections), so is it generally a better idea for two people to take an overnight train, a regular train, or to drive to Venice? I have looked at the ticket options on the Italian rail sites, and the 7-9 hour rides, or even longer if there is a connection, seems less agreeable than renting a car in Vienna and driving down there ourselves. It would save time, though I have some concern over how feasible it is.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
No matter how you cut it, you are at least 8.0hrs away from Venice from Vienna by any type of public ground transportation. Some train runs are 11.0hrs. www.viamichelin.com estimates 5.5hrs by car. However, the drop off charge to drop a rental car from Austria off in Italy could be quite steep. There is a night train from Vienna Westbahnhof to Venice with no train changes. The run takes 12.0hrs but you leave at 8:40pm and arrive at 8:34am. That's not too bad. You can fly on Air Berlin for about $184 but even that flight takes 5hrs 35min with one stop in Dusseldorf. Austrian Airlines will fly you there direct in just over an hour. The fare is $654.
Posted by
OP
Royal Oak, MI, USA
67 posts
We would be driving the car back to Vienna, as our flight to the US departs from there.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Can you sleep on trains? If so, since time is of the essence, I suggest that you take a direct night train both ways. When are you taking this trip? If you book tickets on the Austrian Rail site several months in advance, you can get cheap discount fares. However, if you decide to drive, you could take a different route each way and get a chance to see more countryside. See viamichelin.com for those routes.
Posted by
OP
Royal Oak, MI, USA
67 posts
We are traveling in February, so quite a ways out yet. I do not know whether OBB will let us book that far in advance. I have not set down the exact dates we want to go to Venice, but I think it will be around the 11th - 13th.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
As of today, booking is open up to 8 December.
Posted by
OP
Royal Oak, MI, USA
67 posts
I have no problem sleeping on trains. I will keep an eye on the booking dates moving up and see how much a direct train will be.