I will be buying my train tickets online soon. I will not buy a rail pass this time around since it will not fit my needs. I just learned about the much cheaper Westbahn train line. I read some reviews online about the new Westbahn train but they were old posts, the newest post was in early 2014. I have traveled through Austria in the past and have taken OBB. I have not been to Austria since the Westbahn came into service. I will be traveling from Vienna to Salzburg at the end of July during the Music Festival. We will be three adults and a five year old child. Would anyone like to share their experiences/opinions about the Westbahn. I want to buy the ticket on the Westbhan but I wonder why it's so cheap? Will it be one of those instances of you get what you pay for? Or is Westbahn's price really that good of a deal?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Anthony,
I haven't used Westbahn yet, but planning to use them on a trip from Salzburg to Vienna later this year. I can only offer opinions at this point.....
- the prices may be cheap, as they're the "new kid on the block" and may be trying to drum up business.
- I'm not going to bother pre-purchasing a ticket. Apparently you can buy them on board with Westbahn, and that's probably what I'll do. I'll check with the staff at the hotel prior to the trip, and depending on their recommendation could also just buy a ticket at the station or online.
- If I have problems with tickets, I'll travel via OBB.
Posted by
California USA
4103 posts
We were in Austria last summer and my brother and his wife used Westbahn for a little getaway trip from Vienna (we were staying for a month). They really liked the train and service and would definitely use it again.
Posted by
OP
NYC
21 posts
Thanks for the information. I will use Westbahn, even if it is for the experience of trying something new. Thanks for your help and safe travels to you all.
Posted by
San Francisco
14980 posts
Hi,
I used Westbahn a few weeks ago going from Vienna (Wien Westbahnhof ) to Linz Hbf. on a day trip r/t. True, it is cheaper, very nice trains. I'm glad I did since I had avoided them in the past. The cheap price allows for flexibility since you just hop on and pay the conductor. The return trip to Vienna was one or two Euro higher since it was past 18:00