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Best way to get from Venice Italy to Vienna Austria

My husband and I have a trip planned for this May. We are taking a train to our different locations in Italy. However our dilemma is determining the best way to get from Venice to Vienna. We thought about flying, which is the shortest route and about $500. We also considered a train which cost about the same but takes about 8 hrs and only 1 is available putting us in Vienna at about midnight, which is late to check in to a B&B. We lastly considered renting a car and driving it, just dont know if that is easy or what with the international borders and such. Any input and advice is greatly appreciated.

Mindy in California

Posted by
8967 posts

Mindy, where are you looking for train schedules? I see tickets for around 30-80 euro on trenitalia site for that admittedly long trip, with multiple departures every day.

Posted by
16895 posts

I'm questioning some of your sources. The DB link at Looking Up Train Schedules and Routes Online is most comprehensive for train schedules, but doesn't sell these tickets.

That evening train runs direct but you can also take a morning departure that starts with an Austrian-railway-run bus to Villach or there's a direct overnight train. Regular fare for 2nd-class tickets is about $100 per person, with advance-purchase discounts available of perhaps $50, or add 50% for 1st class or more for a sleeper reservation. For the connecting option, try booking at https://tickets.oebb.at/en/ticket for the best rates, although it can be problematic for credit card approval lately.

I see prices around $165 per person for Austrian Airlines, but they do run higher on weekends.

Cross-border car rental is expensive and not a good choice for this one day.

Posted by
7209 posts

I just looked at the Trenitalia website, and it's not showing you all of the trains. Instead go to the Austrian rail website http://www.oebb.at/en/ and search from Venezia to Vienna City and you'll see lots of departures. I just picked a day of May 4, 2017 and I see departures at 7:20, 7:50, 9:20, etc

The 9:20 has a particularly fantastic price of 38 Euro Sparschiene Ticket (Special) arrives into Vienna 17:49.