We'll be ending a Rick Steves tour in Vienna in late September. We're not quite sure if we want to spend one or two extra days in Vienna, but do know we want to take a train to Salzburg, spend a night, then travel to Venice from there. Wondering, is it safe to wait until we're in Vienna to buy our tickets last minute (we won't have passes of any kind) or is it better to buy online now? I appreciate anyone's help with this! Many thanks!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32327 posts
Robin, My preference would be to buy the tickets in Vienna, perhaps a day or so before you'll be travelling. The trip from Vienna to Salzburg is as short as 2H:45M direct, so it's very easy. For the trip from Salzburg to Venice, the shortest trip I could find was 6H:12M with 2 changes. I'd buy the ticket for that trip upon arrival in Salzburg (or possibly buy tickets for both trips in Vienna). Check the bahn.de website to determine which departure times will work best for you. That's the method I'd use. Hopefully Lee will have som suggestions on discounted tickets. Happy travels!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
I thought I already posted an answer, but maybe I pushed the wrong button. Or did you post this question twice? Anyway, for Salzburg to Venice, go to the Austrian Rail website, www.oebb.at. They have advance purchase Sparschiene fares to Venice starting at €29 per person. Austrian Rail doesn't have discount tickets within Austria, but German Rail has discount Europa-Spezial tickets from Vienna to Munich, stopping in Salzburg, starting at €29 per person. Book one of these. When you get to Salzburg, get off for a smoke, to stretch you legs, whatever. Be sure to take your luggage with you. (It is never a good idea to leave your luggage unattended, wink-wink). Miss the train to Munich.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4412 posts
Sneaky, sneaky. Me likes. (fist-bump)