My wife and I will be traveling in Austria this September. 1 day will be for a train from Vienna to Melk (then boat ride to Krems) then the train from Krems back to Vienna. Another day will be for the train from Vienna to Salzburg. Another day for the train from Salzburg to Innsbruck (Hall). And finally we travel by train from Innsbruck to the Italian border at Brenner pass before entering Italy. My question: Does the Austria railpass work on all those trains? If so, the cost would be slightly less than for point-to-point tickets.
Any ideas out there?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23568 posts
Please indicate where you obtained your p2p pricing? And did your price comparison include the reservations charges when using the pass?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
I think the rail pass will work for all those trains. If you go from Salzburg to Innsbruck on an Austrian Rail train (ÖIC or ÖEC), it will go straight through Germany without any stops and should be considered entirely in Austria for the purpose of the rail pass. However, for the local trains around Vienna and Melk, you can probably use an Einfach Raus (day ticket) for €28, for up to five people, probably less than a day of the rail pass. And, if you force the trip to be with German Rail, by specifying a stopover in Rosenheim, Salzburg to Innsbruck can be €39, with advance purchase. And, Vienna to Salzburg can be only €29 with advance purchase from Vienna to Munich. No one is going to care if you get off in Salzburg (just to look around), and the train leaves without you. In 2009, I spent €6 for a one way ticket for one person from Innsbruck to Brenner Pass. I think that would also be a day where point-point would be less than a rail pass day. ETA: So, ½ (2 x 28) + 39 + 29+ 6 = €102. Add €3,10 for the S-Bahn from Hall to Tirol = €105,10 P-P.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4412 posts
Whoa! Looks like you'll do better WITH the Austria pass, and that's very rare! I figured (2nd class, per person) €136 for those 5 rides (into Bressanone/Brixen, Italy), and the 5-day Austria pass (2nd class Saver) is €123/$185. Any required reservations will be around €3,50 each...when they're required. And no supplements are required in Austria. This might be useful; I was just looking at the OBB website while planning my own trip... With the pass, you could keep some spontaneity in your plans.