I'll be travelling from Salzburg to Venice in late Sept, and from the Deutsche Bahn website I've determined that I have basically two routing choices--via either Villach or Innsbruck. I'm inclined to choose the former, as its much faster, and my travelling companion is already making a few noises about the amount of time we'll be spending on trains this trip. But my main concern is the scheduled 4 minute connection time in Villach, which seems incredibly short. If we miss the 2nd train, the alternative is a bus departing 4 hours later. Can anyone who has travelled this way before, or made other regional Austrian train connections, comment on our likelihood of success in making this routing work? Any input is appreciated!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
The Swiss do this 6-8 minute transfer all the time. I haven't missed one yet but seeing your departing train on the other platform as you are pulling in can be a bit un-nerving. Just be prepared to move quickly.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Not sure of your connection, but the German Rail website shows one connection leaving Salzburg at 8:12 with a 4 min (10:43-10:47) change of trains in Villach. The Bahn website also shows it is from track 4 to track 5. I don't have a station layout for Villach, but in most stations that would be a cross platform change. As long as you are alert and ready to get off the train when it stops, you should have no problem. If the train from Salzburg is late, they will probably hold the connecting train for a few minutes.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
If they are showing it as a connection they will make it work. It is simply get off one train and walk across the platform to get on the next. It should take no more than 15-20 seconds.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Larry, actually, the train he will be on is scheduled to arrive at 10:43 and the connecting train is scheduled to arrive at 10:44. If he is at the end of the car ready to get off, he might be to the other side of the platform when the connecting train arrives.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Villach is a pretty small train station. As others have said, just be ready to get off as soon as the train arrives.
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
The train trip from Salzburg through Slovenia to Venice is a beatiful one: going through the Alps, and Bled.
However (if it still takes the same route it used to), you have to get off the train, onto a bus, then back on the train when crossing the Italian border - kind of a pain with bags.
It's been 10 years since I did that trip though, so it may route differently now. I liked the beauty of the ride - but it was a pain.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Judging from this picture, tracks 2 & 3 do share a platform. Track 3 is in the center, on the left side of the platform. Track 4 is at the far left, on a different platform.
Posted by
Freedonia
16283 posts
I would go via Innsbruck....beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, lots of people forget there are things to see outside the train window (Rick Steves, I think being one of them) and only think of trains as a way to get from point A to point B.
Why else would anyone recommend taking a night train through the Alps.
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1530 posts
We've done this and it was seamless. They don't force you off the train onto a bus. I things were quite different 10 years ago before the EU. I don't remember our connection being that short, but most likely it won't be a problem. It looks to me like the train arrives at 1043 and departs at 1047. Should be totally fine.
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
I'm glad to hear they route that section differently Jill. Through Trieste, you still have to do the train0bus-train thing. ugh. Good info!
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Just wanted to add - PACK LIGHT.
Quick train connections are doable if you are able to hop off, get to the other train in a timely manner and hop on. People who have small children, limited mobility or a lot of luggage will probably have trouble making quick connections.
I drove the route through the Brenner pass (from Innsbruck) but haven't taken the train for either route.