Riding Train from Vienna to Frankfurt

If the tour ends in Vienna, why not come home from Vienna? Just fly into Frankfurt and home from Vienna. It is called open jaw and multi-city and is often the same price or cheaper than a RT to Frankfurt. And you save the price and time of a return plane ticket. We flew open jaw on nearly every trip we do including use frequently flier points.

I think that the general opinion on this board is that First Class does not offer that much over second class, providing you have a reserved seat in each. Maybe a little more room in First Class is the noticable perk. If you think there is not much cost difference, and it fits your budget, go for it. For luggage, you get it on the train yourself (or pay a porter I suppose) and you can either put it on a shelf above you or the seat next to you if there is no one there. There is also usually luggage storage at the ends of the cars near the doors. Some are leary of leaving bags there, but I have never had an issue, just keep an eye out, especially at stops. I definitely think that planning a night in Frankfurt before your flight out is a wise move. I do not like to rely on long distance trains, ferries, or other flights to get me to an International flight that day, just asking for problems.

I don't think you need a 1st class ticket on that route. You can always change seats if you don't like the ones you are in. Just make sure there isn't a reservation card on the window. Although you didn't ask, I'm going to offer the suggestion that you look into airfare on intra-Europe flights. There may be something priced similarly that will save you time.

THANKS to everyone for responding to my question! Sounds like 2nd class seat might be the way to go and save a few bucks. (always a good idea) :-)
We thought about intra-europe flight, and leaving from Vienna both. But my girlfriend and I both truly enjoy riding trains and doing this gives us an opportunity to ride a high speed rail system. Plus we hope we'll see just a little more of this beautiful country before enjoy a relaxing dinner and overnight stay alone (no group) before returning home.

If you book several months in advance on the Austrian Rail site, you can get a 2nd class SparSchiene fare as low as €39 for a direct ICE train.

or pay a porter I suppose Which porters would those be? In several years, in many stations throughout the UK, Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany and Austria I haven't seen any porters. Paul, have you used porters?