Is it better to pre-purchase train fare online or wait till I am in Vienna? I am there a week. Would like the day train, but all I see is 4 hours on a train, then 4 hours on a bus. Am I missing something? Thx J
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
The best fares are advance purchase fares from the European Rail companies. Note, Rail Europe is not one of them. However, there are a limited number of discounted tickets, and when they all sell out, you pay full fare. Don't rely on them being there when you get to Europe. Buy them whenever you can commit to the specific date and train. It's not just "a" bus, but a direct, modern over-the-road coach that makes the trip from Villach to Tronchetto with only two stops. Why Austrian Rail choose to use a bus instead of a train for this leg is anyone's guess, but it is the fastest way to get from Vienna to Venice. You can force the websites to give you an all rail connection via Innsbruck, but it will take you an extra 2 hours.