People often finish a river cruise at Passau, and want to take the train from Passau to Vienna, Prague, Salzburg or some other city. This page explains how to buy train tickets from Passau to other European cities at the cheapest prices, buying online direct from the operators, usually with print-at-home tickets. Click here to buy tickets starting in another city.
I want to go from
Passau to...
Post-river cruise tours by train: If you're finishing a river cruise at Passau and want to add a tour from Passau to Prague & Berlin by train, rail specialists Railbookers offer post-cruise packages, see www.railbookers.com/vacation/prague-and-berlin-from-passau for US & Canadian travellers or www.railbookers.com.au/holiday/prague-and-berlin-from-passau for Australian, NZ & Asian travellers. European travellers call www.railbookers.co.uk. Railbookers also offer a post-cruise tour from Passau to Munich & Frankfurt.
Before
you buy your tickets
Take a moment to read these important tips for buying European train tickets. It answers all the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or a €35 point-to-point ticket?". How far ahead can you buy train tickets?
European
train travel FAQ
Passau to Vienna or Bratislava
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Superb German ICE-T trains with restaurant car link Passau Hbf with Vienna Hbf Every two hours through the day, taking just 2h16, city centre to city centre. You'll also see 1-change options using regional trains, but I'd stick to the more comfortable direct ICEs.
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Look up times at www.thetrainline.com. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.
Tip: Select Passau Hbf (Main Station) to see trains, if you select plain Passau you may see no trains!
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There are two sorts of ticket, flexible and advance-purchase. Seat reservation is optional, for a few extra euros, a good idea.
Full-price is called Flexpreis by German Railways (DB) and Standardpreis by Austrian Railways (ÖBB). They have unlimited availability, cannot sell out, you can buy on the day. They are good for any train that day or the next day. Passau-Vienna full-flex is around €54.
Advance-purchase tickets save you money, as these start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. They are called Sparschiene by the Austrians. These commit you to the specific train you book, limited or no refunds or changes, so bear in mind that if your cruise boat arrives late and you miss the train you'll need to buy a new ticket at the Flexpreis rate. Buy these in advance at www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket. You cannot buy these at int.bahn.de, for this route it only sells Flexpreis tickets.
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For Bratislava, change in Vienna. Regional Express trains link Vienna Hbf and Bratislava Hlavna every hour, journey time 1h07, fare €11.20, buy at the station or at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at and print your own ticket.
Passau to Salzburg
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Trains link Passau with Salzburg at least every hour with 1 easy change at Wels, total journey as little as 2h23, but usually around 3 hours.
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Fares start at €9.90 in 2nd class or €19.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead. The on-the-day fare is around €39 in 2nd class.
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Book at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways site www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Look for a 1-change option in the search results.
Passau to Prague
Option 1, Passau to Prague through Austria, via Linz
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Passau to Prague takes 5h30 or so by train with 1 easy change in Linz in Austria.
You travel from Passau Hbf to Linz on a superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets & free WiFi, then Linz to Prague Hlavni on a comfortable air-conditioned Linz-Prague EuroCity train with bistro car, power sockets & free WiFi.
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Fares start at around €18 in 2nd class or €34 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. Look for journeys with just 1 change. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Pro tip: To see only 1-change options via Linz in the search results, go to www.cd.cz, enter Passau to Prague and your date of travel, click More options, click Travel via and enter Linz, now click Connection parameters, then Transfers, then reduce the desired number of transfers to just 1. Easy when you know how!
Option 2, Passau to Prague through Germany, via Regensburg
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This takes only slightly longer, 5h50 to 6h45 depending how the connections work, with 1 easy change in Regensburg in Germany.
You travel from Passau Hbf to Regensburg on a superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets & free WiFi, then Regensburg to Prague Hlavni on a comfortable Munich-Prague EuroCity train with refreshment trolley, power sockets & free WiFi.
If you fancy a stroll in Regensburg, use the Stopover feature to add a stopover of a few hours.
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Fares start at around €18.90 in 2nd class or €27.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Look for journeys with just 1 change. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Passau to Cesky Krumlov
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This is easy: Take a train from Passau Hbf to Linz in as little as 55 minutes, change onto a comfy Czech regional express from Linz to Ceske Budejovice taking 1h59. Now take the little branch line local train from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov taking 44 minutes.
In Linz & Ceske Budejovice it's a simple same-station change, stepping off one train, walking onto another and stepping on. However, I'd allow at least 40 minutes between trains in Linz in case of delay, as these trains only run every few hours and if you've a cheap train-specific ticket you'll need a new ticket if you miss the booked train. In Ceske Budejovice, 10 minutes is enough between trains as the local train runs every hour or so.
By the way, if you think you've never heard of Ceske Budejovice, think again. It's former Germanic name is Budweis, yes, where the name of the beer comes from!
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Fares start at €16 in 2nd class or €28 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
The full-flex on-the-day price is around €56 in 2nd class.
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Book from Passau to Cesky Krumlov at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Booking normally opens 92 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it in the CD app on your phone.
Passau to Budapest
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Take a train from Passau to Linz in as little as 55 minutes and make one simple same-station change onto a direct railjet train to Budapest Keleti taking 4h03. There are various 1-change options like this through the day.
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Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee). Select Passau Hbf as your starting point. Look for journeys with just 1 change. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Passau to Munich, Berlin or anywhere in Germany
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To check times from Passau to anywhere in Germany, simply use the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
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If you book ahead you'll find cheap Sparpreis fares, specific train only, limited or no refunds or changes to travel plans. On the day you pay the much higher Flexpreis fares, which are good for any train that day.
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Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. Simples!
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Tip: There's a direct Nightjet sleeper train from Passau to Cologne, Dusseldorf & Hamburg, leaving Passau Hbf at 23:53, with sleeping-cars & couchettes. Book this at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at and print your own ticket.
Passau to Amsterdam
Option 1, by daytime trains in a single day:
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You can easily travel from Passau Hbf to Amsterdam with just 1 easy same-station change in Frankfurt.
Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, but look carefully at the search results to find a 1-change option with a robust connection.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Option 2, using the Passau to Cologne/Dusseldorf/Amsterdam sleeper train. The time-effective option...
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Travel from Passau to Cologne, Dusseldorf or Amsterdam by nightjet sleeper train, leaving Passau Hbf at 23:53 every day, arriving Cologne Messe-Deutz at 06:53, Dusseldorf 07:23 & Amsterdam Centraal 09:59 next morning.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation.
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Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Passau to Brussels
Option 1, by daytime trains in a single day:
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You can easily travel from Passau Hbf to Brussels with just 1 simple same-station change in Frankfurt.
Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, but look carefully at the search results to find a 1-change option with a robust connection.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Option 2, using the Passau to Cologne/Dusseldorf/Brussels/Amsterdam sleeper train. The time-effective option...
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Step 1, take any train you like from Passau to Linz, as long as it arrives in Linz at least 1 hour before the sleeper leaves.
Check times and book this at www.thetrainline.com. You can leave Passau as late as 18:29. Have dinner in Linz.
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Step 2, travel from Linz to Brussels by nightjet sleeper, leaving Linz at 21:04 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays arriving Brussels Midi 09:56.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars, each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €79.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Passau to Paris
Option 1, Passau to Paris in a single day:
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You can easily travel from Passau Hbf to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam with just 1 simple same-station change in Frankfurt. Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, but look carefully through the search results to find sensible 1-change options with robust connections.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Option 2, Passau to Paris using the Linz-Paris sleeper train on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.
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Step 1, take any train you like from Passau to Linz, as long as it arrives in Linz at least 1 hour before the sleeper leaves.
Check times and book this at www.thetrainline.com. You can leave Passau as late as 18:29. Have dinner in Linz.
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Step 2, travel from Linz to Paris by nightjet sleeper, leaving Linz at 21:04 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 10:24.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars, each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €79.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Passau to London
Option 1, by daytime trains in a single day:
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www.raileurope.com can book a couple of daily departures from Passau Hbf to London St Pancras with only 2 changes, in Frankfurt & Brussels. You print your own ticket.
Option 2, Passau to London using the Passau to Brussels sleeper train on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays - the time-effective option...
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Step 1, take any train you like from Passau to Linz, as long as it arrives in Linz at least 1 hour before the sleeper leaves.
Check times and book this at www.thetrainline.com. You can leave Passau as late as 18:29. Have dinner in Linz.
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Step 2, travel from Linz to Brussels by nightjet sleeper, leaving Linz at 21:04 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays arriving Brussels Midi 09:56.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars, each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €79.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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Step 3, travel from Brussels to London by Eurostar.
Book this at www.eurostar.com. I'd allow at least 90 minutes or so between trains in Brussels.
Option 3, Passau to London using the Linz-Paris sleeper train also on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays - another time-effective option...
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Step 1, take any train you like from Passau to Linz, as long as it arrives in Linz at least 1 hour before the sleeper leaves.
Check times and book this at www.thetrainline.com. You can leave Passau as late as 18:29. Have dinner in Linz.
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Step 2, travel from Linz to Paris by nightjet sleeper, leaving Linz at 21:04 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 10:24.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars, each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €79.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar in 2h20.
Book this at www.eurostar.com. I'd allow at least 2 hours between trains in Paris.
Passau to Switzerland
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Take a train from Passau to Linz in as little as 55 minutes and make one simple same-station change onto a direct railjet train from Linz to Zurich HB taking 6h35. The Linz-Zurich journey takes you through the beautiful Arlberg Pass, a real chill-out trip on a train with restaurant car, free WiFi and power sockets at all seats. See the scenery photos & video here.
There are various 1-change options like this through the day. To buy tickets, you must split the booking like this (do a dry run for both parts of the journey first to make sure your whole journey works OK):
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Step 1, first book from Linz to Zurich at www.thetrainline.com looking for a direct railjet (RJ) train with 0 changes. You print your own ticket. Booking ahead saves money with a cheap Sparschiene fare from €29 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class, specified train only, limited or no refunds or changes to travel plans. On the day, a Standardpreis ticket good for any train that day or the next costs over €80 in 2nd class.
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Step 2, now use www.thetrainline.com again to add a connecting ticket from Passau Hbf to Linz, making sure you allow at least 40 minutes between trains in Linz in case of any delay, ideally a bit more. Tip: Type Passau & select Passau Hbf (Main Station) to see trains. If you select plain Passau it may not find any trains! You print your own ticket.
Passau to Italy
Option 1, Passau to Venice using the Linz-Venice sleeper
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Step 1, book the direct nightjet sleeper train from Linz to Venice, leaving Linz Hbf around 23:12 and arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 08:34 next morning, with sleeping-cars & couchettes (includes some deluxe sleepers with en suite toilet & shower).
Nightjet fares start at €59 with couchette or €99 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper.
Book at www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket.
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Step 2, now use www.thetrainline.com again to add a connecting ticket from Passau Hbf to Linz, making sure you allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Linz in case of any delay - why not plan to have dinner in Linz? Tip: Type Passau & select Passau Hbf (Main Station) to see trains. If you select plain Passau it may not find any trains! You print your own ticket.
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Step 3, change in Venice for onward train to Florence, Rome or Naples. I'd allow at least an hour between trains in Venice. Book this section at www.thetrainline.com as another journey.
Other options
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Travel from Passau to Munich, booked at int.bahn.de. Then travel via the scenic Brenner Pass to Verona & Italy, see the Trains from Munich page for details. An overnight stop may be necessary in Munich.
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You could also travel to Vienna as shown above, then use daytime trains from Vienna to Venice, or a nightjet sleeper train from Vienna to Florence or Rome, see the Trains from Vienna page for details.