Hi. I arrive in Vienna (from London) at 13:10 and would like to catch the EC 72 Smetana train to Prague departing Simmering train station at 14:38. I am flying business class and have only carry-on luggage. I am thinking about using a taxi to get from the airport to the train station. Do you think I have enough time to make the connection? Any suggestions?
Posted by
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
127 posts
Not even taking into account whether whether your flight arrives on time or whether England is a party to the Schengen protocol, you seem to be working with very close tolerances. Even if you take a taxi, you assume a priori knowledge of the layout of Simmering. You may have to ask questions. And, even if you have a rail pass, you may have to visit the station's office to present identification to activate the pass or have it validated. You can't wish away trafficon the road, or inside buildings where you may have to wait in line. And, as I found out at West Banhof, for my trip to Salzburg, schedules do changemy train's scheduled departure became 10 minutes sooner than I'd been lead to believe a few days earlier. And, while at the platform, an announcer told us that people going to Salzburg would occupy the first two carswhich meant hiking several cars ahead. Best wishes.
Posted by
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
127 posts
Ana, Be sure to verify which rail station serves trains that go to Prague. Vienna's rail station system is in flux. I believe the aim is to have a grand rail station (hauptbanhof) instead of co-equal stations. You talk about departure from Simmering. I know that Simmering is an U-Bahn stop (subway), but am not aware that it's a rail station too. Trains to Prague have run from the Sudbanhof, but I understand that the area is a construction site (and the likely location of the new hauptbanhof), so Simmering could very well be the latest exit point for rail to Prague. But do nail down the identity of the station...whether or not you decide to take a taxi.