Travel from Vienna to Frankfurt - train or air?

Train is not particularly scenic, but it is direct. There is always some nice rural scenery along the way, but nothing to write home about.

Not extremely stunning, but there are some nice views from the train, like when it runs along the Danube. The direct ICE takes 6:20 from Hbf to Hbf, so while flying might be a bit faster I would personally take the train as it is a more relaxing and comfortable journey.

Silvana,

Although that trip is somewhat of a longer travel day, my choice would definitely be train. I'd probably use the departure from Vienna at 09:15, arriving Frankfurt Hbf at 15:36 (time 6H:21M, direct). They will likely have discounted Savings fares listed in a month or two. If you want to buy tickets in advance, have a look at www.trainline.com as they sell tickets for many rail networks in Europe.

I doubt that air travel will save much time or money. By the time travel to & from airports, check-in, security, waiting, boarding & deplaning is accounted for, the time will probably be about the same. You'll also have to contend with restrictive and expensive charges for checked luggage, uncomfortable and cramped seating, etc. Travel by train will be a much nicer experience!

Bahn.com (the international version of Bahn.de) will give you details on the different Wien to Frankfurt (City or Airport?) train possibilities, but you can't book a September trip yet. Five months from now I found the trip would cost about 38E/pp. It has a dining car (and bar). ICEs are nice trains. You can book directly through their website or through OEBB.at.

https://www.oebb.at/en/

For example:
Wien Hbf dep 09:15 8A-B ICE 28 Intercity-Express Direction: Frankfurt(Main)Hbf
Komfort Check-in möglich (Infos unter bahn.de/kci) (Passau Hbf --> Frankfurt(Main)Hbf), Bicycles conveyed - subject to reservation , Bordrestaurant
Operator: Österreichische Bundesbahnen, DB Fernverkehr AG
Wien Meidling dep 09:22 5
St.Pölten Hbf dep 09:46 5
Linz Hbf dep 10:36 5A-F
Passau Hbf dep 11:34 2
Plattling dep 12:01 4
Regensburg Hbf dep 12:32 5
Nürnberg Hbf dep 13:30

Würzburg Hbf dep 14:24

Hanau Hbf dep 15:18 102
Frankfurt(Main)Hbf arr 15:36

Thanks for the responses. I am not worried about saving time on the trip but would rather have a pleasant journey and a different experience than flying. I have enjoyed train travel in the US and in Italy - I think it will be an adventure. I appreciate the feedbac!

No, avoid Trainline and other ticket resellers and book direct with the company that actually operates the trains. In this case DB, or maybe ÖBB as they are probably involved as well.

I will take a train any day over a flight, even up to an 8 hours train ride.
Once you add in the time spent getting to the airport, waiting 1.5 hours before your flight, the flight time, getting out of the airport and then getting into the city center, you have spent more time on "flying" than the train would have taken, plus the costs of getting to and from the airport. Trains go from city center to city center. You get scenery, a dining car, WC and larger seats too.

Thanks again to all that responded. Pretty sure we will be taking the train!

If its me, unless time were of the absolute essence, its the train every time. Much less hassle, much more relaxed. Intra-europe flying just isnt any fun and (for me) to be avoided unless time is a priority.

If you asked me two years ago, I would’ve advocated flying. But since my back has become a disability, I am now a fan of trains and for 6 1/2 hours, why not?

Thanks for the continued replies to this post. We are taking the train for sure!!

No, avoid Trainline and other ticket resellers and book direct with the company that actually operates the trains.

I have no problems with using Trainline for buying European train tickets. Trainline charges a service fee, that IMHO think is quite reasonable for providing a user-friendly platform.