Trains from Vienna to other European cities

I want to go from Vienna to...

Click here if your journey starts in another city

This page explains how to travel by train from Vienna to other European cities and the best way to buy tickets. Information current for 2023.

Going from Linz? All trains from Vienna westwards to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Germany & Switzerland call at Linz around 1h15 after leaving Vienna, you can pick up these trains there. Eastbound, travel to Vienna and use the information below.

Before you buy your tickets

Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets. They answer all the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or just buy a €35 point-to-point ticket online?". Click here to understand how far ahead you can buy train tickets.

European train travel FAQ

An introduction to European train travel	Senior fares (over 60)	Guide to Eurail passes (overseas visitors)
Important tips for buying European train tickets	Youth fares (under 26)	Guide to Interrail passes (for Europeans)
How to check European train times	Child fares & child age limits	Couchettes & sleepers on night trains
Do I need to book in advance?	Luggage on European trains	Train seat numbering plans
How far ahead can I book?	Luggage storage at stations	Wheelchairs & special needs
Can I stop off on the way?	Taking a bike by train	Real-time service updates
Should I travel 1st or 2nd class?	Taking a car by train	Hotels & accommodation
How long to allow for connections?	Taking dogs & pets by train	Changing stations in Paris by metro or taxi
How early to arrive at the station?	Maps of the European rail network	What to do when things go wrong...

Which station in Vienna?

Vienna Hauptbahnhof is Vienna's modern central station, opened in 2015. All long-distance & international trains now use this station. See Vienna Hbf station information.
Vienna Meidling: Many trains call at Vienna Meidling before or after calling at Vienna Hbf. See station information.
Vienna Westbahnhof is a terminus, once one of Vienna's major stations, now relegated to secondary status by Vienna Hbf. It's now only served by regional trains & the privately-run Westbahn trains to Salzburg & Munich. See station information.
Vienna Franz Josefs Bahnhof is a small terminus for regional trains. You're only likely to use it if heading for Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. See station information.

Vienna to Salzburg

See the Vienna to Salzburg page...

Vienna to Innsbruck, Linz, Graz & other destinations in Austria

You can book Austrian Railways ÖBB tickets online at www.thetrainline.com which is quick, easy, international credit cards accepted and it has the advantage over oebb.at that it book both ÖBB and Westbahn trains on the Vienna - Linz - Salzburg route. There's a small booking fee.

Alternatively, ÖBB's (Austrian Federal Railways) own website is www.oebb.at - for ticket sales use tickets.oebb.at and switch it to English by clicking Menu then changing Deutsch to English.
Whichever site you use, you print your own ticket or for Austrian domestic journeys you can show it on your phone screen.

Seat reservation is optional on Austrian internal trains, you can just turn up, buy a standard price ticket at the station, hop on the next train and sit where you like. Trains cannot 'sell out'. But to be 100% sure of a reserved seat on a specific train you can make an optional seat reservation on InterCity, EuroCity and railjet trains for around €3 per seat. And for cheaper tickets, book in advance...
Advance-purchase Sparschiene fares...
ÖBB introduced dynamic pricing in 2011, which means you can save money if you book a Sparschiene (saver) fare in advance and commit to a specific train on a limited-or-no-refunds, no-changes-to-travel-plans basis. ÖBB's Sparschiene fares between Austrian cities start from €9.90 upwards and vary with demand and according to how far ahead you book.
New open-access Westbahn trains from Vienna to Innsbruck started 11 December 2022...
From the December timetable change, open-access operator Westbahn extended several of its Vienna-Salzburg double-deck trains to Innsbruck in competition with ÖBB's railjets. You'll be able to see & compare both operators' prices at www.thetrainline.com.

Vienna to Hallstatt

Option 1, Vienna to Hallstatt - the direct route...

You can travel from Vienna Hbf to Hallstatt in as little as 3h18 with one easy change at Attnang-Puchheim. There's a departure at least every hour, fares start at only €19.90 if you pre-book - that's a cheap Sparschiene fare, specified train only, no refunds, no changes.

If you buy at the station on the day a full-flex ticket costs around €53.50 if you use ÖBB trains or around €53 if you use a Westbahn train between Vienna & Attnang Puchheim - full-flex tickets are good for any train that day and cannot sell out.

I recommend www.thetrainline.com to buy tickets because it's quick, easy, international credit cards accepted and it can book both ÖBB and Westbahn trains over the Vienna-Attnang Puchheim section. You print your own tickets.
The train arrives at Hallstatt railway station (Hallstatt Bahnhof) on the east side of the Hallstatter See (Hallstatt Lake). Hallstatt town is on the west side of the lake, so you need to take a small local ferry called the Stefanie from Hallstatt Bahnhof (to Hallstatt town, this sails shortly after most train arrivals and takes 15-20 minutes, see www.hallstattschifffahrt.at for a timetable. You pay for the ferry separately at the quayside before boarding, around €3 per crossing, children under 4 free, children under 14 at a reduced fare.

Option 2, Vienna to Hallstatt via the UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway - the scenic route...

There's an alternative route between Vienna & Hallstatt that's worth the slight detour.
ÖBB charges exactly the same price - from €19 in advance, around €53 on the day - for both routes but the scenic option takes a bit longer - 4h06 rather than 3h18 - and it involves two changes of train not one, at Leoben Hbf & Stainach Irdning - although both changes of train are easy, just stepping off one train and walking to another.

To book this route, use www.thetrainline.com, simply click the green via button at lower right and add Leoben Hbf as a via station. It'll then route you over the lovely UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway (see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway) and it's pretty much scenic all the way from Semmering to Hallstatt. Well worth the extra time!
The train arrives at Hallstatt Bahnhof (Hallstatt railway station) on the eastern shore of the Hallstatter See (Hallstatt Lake). Hallstatt town is on the western shore of the lake, so you need to take a ferry called the Stefanie from Hallstatt Bahnhof to Hallstatt town. This sails shortly after most train arrivals and takes 15-20 minutes, see www.hallstattschifffahrt.at for a timetable. You pay for the ferry separately at the quayside before boarding.

Railjet, Austria's premier train...

Railjets link Vienna, Linz, Salzburg & Innsbruck, and Vienna & Graz, as well as running internationally from Vienna to Venice, Zurich, Prague, Budapest.

A railjet about to leave Vienna. More information about railjets...


Business class. About.		Restaurant car.


First class.		Economy class.

Vienna to London

See the London to Austria page for times, fares & how to buy tickets, in either direction.

Vienna to Paris from €49.90

Option 1, Vienna to Paris by Nightjet sleeper train, 3 times a week - the safe, comfortable, time-effective option...

A Nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 19:40 on Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays & Linz at 21:02, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 09:43.
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 a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 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.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (more fiddly, in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Nightjet sleeper train boarding at Vienna Hbf

A comfortline sleeping-car on a Nightjet sleeper train. More information about Nightjets.


Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room		The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.


6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Nightjet couchette car...

Option 2, Vienna to Paris in a single day - the high-speed daytime option...

You can travel from Vienna to Paris in a single chill-out day on superb high-speed trains with one easy change.
Leave Vienna Hbf at 09:13 every day, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf (arrive 15:36, depart 16:56 by TGV Duplex), arrive Paris Est 20:41.
Leave Vienna Hbf at 11:13 daily except Saturdays, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf (arrive 17:36, depart 18:56 by ICE), arrive Paris Est 22:52.

It's a day relaxing through the countryside of 3 different countries with a good book and a beer or glass of wine. You travel from Vienna to Frankfurt on a luxurious German ICE-T train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Then from Frankfurt to Paris at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) on either a German ICE3 train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, or a French double-deck TGV Duplex. Book an upstairs seat for the best views on the TGV, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

See suggested places for a beer or coffee between trains in Frankfurt.

How much does it cost?
Vienna-Frankfurt starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class.
Frankfurt-Paris starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets...
The easiest way to book this journey is to use www.raileurope.com as you can then book from Vienna to Paris as one transaction. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You can book in €, £ or $. There's a small booking fee. More about Raileurope.
In the search results, look for a journey with 1 change, if you then click on the down arrow for details you'll see one change at Frankfurt. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. Simples!

If you prefer to book directly with German Railways, you'll need to split the ticket manually, paying for each ticket separately. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, there's no booking fee and you may get the chance to select exact seats from a seating plan, at least on the ICE.
Step 1, book a morning train from Vienna to Frankfurt at www.bahn.de and pay for that ticket.

Step 2, then book Frankfurt to Paris as a second transaction at www.bahn.de and pay for that, making sure you have at least 40 minutes between trains in Frankfurt. You print your own tickets or can show them on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

An ICE-T to Frankfurt waiting to leave Vienna Hbf...


Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration. There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant. In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!


You can see into the cab at each end of the train.		Comfortable 2nd class seats on the ICE-T to Vienna...

You'll glimpse the Inn and Danube rivers from the Vienna-Frankfurt ICE...

Option 3, Vienna to Paris using the Vienna-Brussels Nightjet sleeper train, 3 times a week - another time-effective option...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Brussels by Nightjet sleeper train leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:11 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Brussels Midi at 09:55 next morning.

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's 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 a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB 1st class lounge at Vienna Hbf before boarding, with tea, coffee, soft drinks & free WiFi.

Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 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.

Buy tickets at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards accepted, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (a little more fiddly, in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Step 2, travel from Brussels to Paris by high-speed Thalys train, leaving Brussels Midi at 10:43 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 12:05.

Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means spend some time ain Brussels and book a later train to Paris.

Buy tickets at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards accepted, small booking fee, this keeps all your bookings together in one place) or using the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

The Nightjet sleeper from Brussels to Vienna at Brussels

Step 1, Vienna to Brussels by Nightjet sleeper train. Above, the inaugural southbound train is ready to leave Brussels the following night, the first scheduled sleeper train to leave Brussels in 16 years - naturally, the Man in Seat 61 was on board! More information about Nightjet trains.


Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room		Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.


6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...		Couchette car on the Brussels-Vienna Nightjet...

Step 2, Brussels to Paris by 300km/h (186 mph) Thalys train. It takes just 1h22. Above, a Thalys arrived at Paris Nord. See panorama photos inside a Thalys train. More info about Thalys.


Comfort & Premium seats, 2+1 across the car. Larger photo.		Standard seats, 2+2 across. Larger photo.

Option 4, Vienna to Paris using the Vienna-Zurich Nightjet sleeper train - runs every day...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Zurich by nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 21:27 every day, arriving Zurich HB 08:20 next morning.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned double-deck sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 bed compartments with washbasin, several larger 1 & 2 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, and several 3-berth compartments with washbasin. It has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments & ordinary seats. The sleeper attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. Sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee in the morning, served in your compartment, see the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

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.

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 €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB 1st class lounge at Vienna Hbf before boarding, with tea, coffee, soft drinks & free WiFi.

Tip: If you like, you can check the train formation, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click nj.

Step 2, travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria, leaving Zurich HB at 11:34 arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:38.
TGV-Lyrias have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the TGV-Lyria guide. On some dates there's also an 09:34 departure from Zurich arriving Paris at 13:38.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards accepted, small booking fee, this keeps all your bookings together in one place) or using the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Double-deck sleeping-car on a Nightjet at Zurich

Step 1, Vienna to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper, overnight while you sleep. This is a double-deck sleeping-car arrived at Zurich HB. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.


Standard 1 or 2 bed sleeper, upper deck, set up as a single. More photos & information.


Nightjet couchette car...		6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.

TGV-Lyria from Zurich to Paris, at Zurich HB

Step 2, Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria, a 320km/h (199 mph) double-deck high-speed train. Above, a TGV-Lyria boarding at Zurich HB.


The cafe-bar on the upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes...		2nd class seats, this is upper deck seating. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.


1st class seats on the upper deck, a club duo on the left, club quatre on the right. Larger photo.		A TGV-Lyria at Paris Gare de Lyon. You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

Option 5, Vienna to Paris with overnight stop in Zurich, via the Arlberg Pass - the scenic route, watch the video!

This is the leisurely scenic route from Vienna to Paris via the lovely Arlberg Pass between Austria & Switzerland, see the Arlberg Railway page & watch the video here. This route takes longer, so is best done in 2 stages with an overnight stop in Zurich.

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Zurich by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at either 07:28, 09:28, 13:28 or 15:28, taking 7h52 to Zurich HB.
Just remember that if you take 15:28 (or in winter, the 13:28) it won't be daylight when you reach the Arlberg Pass, so an earlier on is better. The swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 1st & business class passengers have restaurant orders taken & served at their seat.
Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class, €54.90 in 1st class or €69.90 in business class (= premium 1st class). Fares vary like air fares.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, this keeps all your bookings together in one place, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a little more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Stay overnight in Zurich.

For something really special, the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof is one of my favourite hotels anywhere, just across the road from the station. They'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you & carry your bags from the train. For something cheaper, also next to the station with great reviews, try the 4-star Hotel St Gotthard or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map. If you're on a tight budget you can book private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.

Day 2, travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria, leaving Zurich HB at 07:34 every day arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 11:38.
Or have a leisurely breakfast and book the 11:34 arriving 15:38. TGV-Lyrias have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the TGV-Lyria guide.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

A railjet train about to leave Vienna...


Business class. About.		Restaurant car.


First class.		Economy class.

The mountains of Austria...


In the Arlberg pass itself, the railway hugs the valley side, past fir forests and meadows...		In railjet first & business class, a steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.

The lakes between Zurich and the Austrian border

The railjet clips a corner of Liechtenstein, passing non-stop through the little station of Schaan-Vaduz. Once in Switzerland, the railjet runs alongside the Walensee, then the Zürichsee...

Vienna to Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lourdes, Brittany & northern France...

Option 1, via Paris. You can get to anywhere in France via Paris, although it usually means changing stations by taxi or metro.

Step 1, travel from Vienna Hbf to Paris using any of the options shown in the Vienna-Paris section above.
The most time-effective way is to take the Nightjet sleeper train from Vienna to Paris, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est in the morning. Buy tickets as shown in the Vienna-Paris section.

Or you can travel from Vienna to Paris by day & stay overnight. Hotels near Paris Gare de l'Est with good reviews include the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français (opposite the station, 3-star); Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (350m from the station, 2-star), OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est (2-star).

Transfer by taxi or metro from the Gare de l'Est to the relevant Paris station for your onward train (or walk, if going to Paris Nord). If making a same-day connection across Paris always allow at least 60 minutes between trains, ideally more. If arriving by sleeper, I'd allow 2 hours between trains.

Step 2, take an onward train from...

Paris Montparnasse to Le Mans, Tours, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Biarritz, Lourdes, Brittany.

Paris Austerlitz to Orleans, Limoges, Brive, Cahors

Paris St Lazare to Rouen, Le Havre, Caen, Cherbourg.

Paris Gare du Nord to Amiens, Lille, Calais.
Paris Bercy to Vichy, Clermont Ferrand.
How much does it cost?

Vienna to Paris fares are explained in the Vienna-Paris section above.
Paris to other French cities typically starts at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets...

Buy tickets from Vienna to Paris as shown in the Vienna-Paris section above.

Buy tickets from Paris to any French city at www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no fee). Booking for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.

Vienna to Strasbourg...

Option 1, Vienna to Strasbourg by daytime trains...

Take a fast ICE-T from Vienna to Frankfurt and a double-deck TGV Duplex to Strasbourg. There are two daily departures with 1 change:

Leave Vienna Hbf 06:49, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arrive Strasbourg 16:02.

Leave Vienna Hbf 09:13, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arrive Strasbourg 18:48.

The ICE-T has a restaurant car, the TGV Duplex a cafe-bar. Both have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

How much does it cost?

Vienna to Regensburg (where we're going to split the booking) starts at 27.90 in 2nd class, €37.90 in 1st class.

Regensburg to Strasbourg starts at 39.90 in 2nd class, €69.90 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets...

There are no through tickets from Vienna to Strasbourg, at least not at affordable advance-purchase prices, so split the booking. Instead of splitting at Frankfurt, it's better to split the booking at Regensburg, as then you'll be on a through ticket Regensburg-Strasbourg and your connection in Frankfurt will be 100% legally protected by the CIV international conditions of carriage should there be a delay and missed connection. Just common sense, really.

Step 1, go to the German Railways website www.bahn.de and book from Vienna to Regensburg on the departure you want, 06:51 (ICE 228) or 09:15 (ICE 28).

Step 2, still at www.bahn.de, now book from Regensburg to Strasbourg, leaving Regensburg on exactly the same train, ICE 228 leaving 10:32, or ICE 28 leaving 12:32.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Option 2, Vienna to Strasbourg by Nightjet sleeper train, 3 times a week - the time-effective option...

A Nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 19:40 on Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays & Linz at 21:02, arriving Strasbourg at 05:06 next morning - the sleeper is en route to Paris.

See the Vienna to Paris section above for fares & how to buy tickets.

Option 3, Vienna to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train, onward trains to Strasbourg...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train, as shown in option 2 in the Vienna to Switzerland section below.
Step 2, travel from Zurich to Basel by Swiss Intercity train then Basel to Strasbourg by TER regional train, leaving Zurich HB at 08:59 and arriving Strasbourg at 11:39 Mondays-Fridays & Sundays. The connection runs around an hour later on Saturdays. The fare is around €42, fixed-price, good for any train.
How to buy tickets...

Book the Vienna-Zurich sleeper 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 €, more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Book from Zurich to Strasbourg at www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings together in one place) or at www.raileurope.com or at the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch. Booking opens 60 days ahead for Swiss trains, up to 4 months ahead for French TER trains. You print your own ticket.

Vienna to Lyon, Avignon, Aix, Marseille...

Option 1, Vienna to Lyon, Avignon, Aix & Marseille in a single day by high-speed train...

Take a fast ICE-T from Vienna to Frankfurt and a double-deck TGV Duplex to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille.

Leave Vienna Hbf 06:49, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf (arrive 13:36, depart 13:56), arriving Lyon Part Dieu 19:56, Avignon TGV 21:09, Aix en Provence TGV 21:33 & Marseille St Charles 21:48.

The ICE-T has a restaurant car, the TGV Duplex a cafe-bar. Both have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

How much does it cost?

Vienna to Regensburg (where we're going to split the booking) starts at 27.90 in 2nd class, €37.90 in 1st class.

Regensburg to France starts at 39.90 in 2nd class, €69.90 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets...

There are no through tickets from Vienna to Lyon & France, at least not at affordable advance-purchase prices, so we split the booking. Instead of splitting at Frankfurt, it's better to split the booking at Regensburg, as then you'll be on a through ticket Regensburg-France and your connection in Frankfurt will be 100% legally protected by the CIV international conditions of carriage should there be a delay and missed connection. Just common sense, really. It only takes 5 minutes to switch trains in Frankfurt, it's a terminus to level access between all platforms and concourse. The connection is 21 minutes which should be plenty even if there's a small delay, but it pays to be prepared!

Step 1, go to the German Railways website www.bahn.de and book from Vienna to Regensburg on the 06:51 departure, ICE 228.

Step 2, still at www.bahn.de, now book from Regensburg to your French destination, leaving Regensburg on exactly the same train, ICE 228 leaving 10:32, making 1 change at Frankfurt onto the direct TGV to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

The TGV Duplex from Frankfurt to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille, at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf...


The cafe-bar on the upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes...		2nd class seats, this is upper deck seating. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.


1st class seats on the upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360º photo.		The TGV to Marseille, boarding at Frankfurt am Main Hbf. You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

Option 2, Vienna to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train, Swiss train to Geneva, regional train to Lyon...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train, as shown in option 2 in the Vienna to Switzerland section below.
Step 2, travel from Zurich to Geneva by Swiss Intercity train then Geneva to Lyon by TER regional train, arriving Lyon Part Dieu around 14:25.
Step 3, change in Lyon for Avignon, Aix & Marseille.
How to buy tickets...

Book the Vienna-Zurich sleeper 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 €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Book Zurich to Geneva at www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings together in one place) or at the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch. Booking opens 60 days ahead for Swiss trains, up to 4 months ahead for French TER trains. You print your own ticket.

Book Geneva to Lyon & beyond at either www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings together in one place) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Vienna to Nice, Antibes, Cannes, Monte-Carlo...

Option 1, Vienna to Monaco, Nice & Cannes using the Vienna-Milan/Genoa sleeper, then a scenic coastal ride...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Genoa by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:18 every day, arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 09:38.
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, travel tips, photos & video.

Fares start at €59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €69.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 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 (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, a bit more fiddly, no booking fee). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

When travelling via Milan, transfer from Milan Porta Garibaldi to Milan Centrale by taxi (€6, 10 minutes) or walk (25 minutes) or local train.

Step 2, travel from Genoa to Ventimiglia by Intercity train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 12:58 & arriving Ventimiglia 14:54.
This is a lovely scenic ride along the Italian Riviera between Genoa & Ventimiglia. There's a refreshment trolley.

Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €26.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
Step 3, travel from Ventimiglia to Monaco, Nice or Cannes by TER local train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:16, arriving Monte Carlo 15:45, Nice Ville 16:11, Cannes 16:52.
The fare is €8, though promotional fares of €5 or €7.50 are sometimes available. 2nd class only.

Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
You'll find full details of the journey from Milan to Nice with photos & tips on the Nice to Italy by train page.

Step 1, Vienna to Genoa by Nightjet sleeper. More information about Nightjets...


Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room		The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.


6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Nightjet couchette car...

Step 2, Genoa to Ventimiglia by Intercity train. Above, an Intercity at Milan Centrale.

2nd class. Larger photo.

1st class. Larger photo.

Step 3, take a TER local train from Ventimiglia to Monaco, Nice & Cannes. Ventimiglia to Nice takes an hour along the coast. Here, a TER rolls into Juan les Pins station, between Nice & Cannes.

Coastal scenery from the upper deck of the TER from Ventimiglia to Nice & Cannes...

Option 2, Vienna to Monaco, Nice & Cannes with overnight stop in Verona - the scenic route, mountains & coastline...

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Verona, leaving Vienna Hbf at 12:28, changing at Innsbruck Hbf and arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 20:56.
You leave Vienna on a fast railjet train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and change onto a comfortable Austrian EuroCity train with restaurant car which through the wonderful Brenner Pass to Verona, see the Brenner Pass scenery photos & video.
Alternatively, leave Vienna Hbf at 09:55, change at Innsbruck Hbf & arrive Verona Porta Nuova at 18:58, to have more of an evening in Verona.
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket you can grab a quick tea or coffee in the ÖBB 1st class lounge at Innsbruck Hbf.
Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, look for a sensible option with just 1 change. You print your own ticket.

Stay overnight in Verona.
Hotels near the station with good or great reviews include the Corte Merighi Rooms & Breakfast, Novo Hotel Rossi, Guesthouse Verona or (a little closer to the centre but with fab reviews) the Relais Empire. Enjoy a morning in Verona.

Day 2, travel from Verona to Ventimiglia on the French border, leaving Verona Porta Nuova at 08:32, changing at the magnificent Milan Centrale onto an Intercity train, arriving Ventimiglia at 14:54.
It's a lovely scenic ride along the Italian Riviera between Genoa and Ventimiglia, through Savona and San Remo. If you'd like a morning in Verona, a 13:02 departure from Verona to France is also available, see the timetable on the Nice to Italy by train page.

Fares start at €38.90 in 2nd class or €59.80 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this journey at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, this keeps all your bookings together in one place, small booking fee). It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. You can also book at www.trenitalia.com, but you'll need to use Italian-language city names. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.

Day 2, travel from Ventimiglia to Menton, Monte Carlo, Nice, Antibes or Cannes by TER local train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:16, arriving Monte Carlo at 15:45, Nice Ville at 16:11 & Cannes at 16:52.
The fare is €8, though promotional fares of €5 or €7.50 are sometimes available. 2nd class only.

Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone. You can also book at the French Railways website, www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly).
You'll find full details of the journey from Verona & Milan to Nice with photos & tips on the Nice to Italy by train page.

Option 3, Vienna to Monaco, Nice & Cannes with overnight stop in Venice...

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Venice by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 12:18 and arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 20:05.
Tip: Why not take the earlier railjet leaving Vienna Hbf at 06:25 and arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 14:05 for an afternoon in Venice?

The railjet has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It takes the lovely UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Villach, a real treat.

Fares start at €29 in 2nd class, €44 in 1st class or €59 in business class (= premium 1st class). 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 €, a little more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Stay overnight in Venice. For a hotel that won't break the bank just 2 minutes walk from Venice Santa Lucia with good reviews, try the Hotel Maggior Consiglio or for a little more, the Hotel Abbazia.

Day 2, travel from Venice to Ventimiglia on the French border, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 11:48, changing at the magnificent Milan Centrale onto an Intercity train, arriving Ventimiglia at 18:54.
It's a lovely scenic ride along the Italian Riviera between Genoa and Ventimiglia, through Savona and San Remo. If you prefer, an earlier 07:18 departure from Verona to the South of France is also available, see the timetable on the Nice to Italy by train page.

Fares start at €38.90 in 2nd class or €59.80 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this journey at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, this keeps all your bookings together in one place, small booking fee). It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. You can also book at www.trenitalia.com, but you'll need to use Italian-language city names. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.

Day 2, travel from Ventimiglia to Menton, Monte Carlo, Nice, Antibes or Cannes by TER local train, leaving Ventimiglia at 19:16, arriving Monte Carlo at 19:45, Nice Ville at 20:11 & Cannes at 20:52.
The fare is a fixed-price €8, though promotional fares of €5 or €7.50 are sometimes available. 2nd class only.

Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone. You can also book at the French Railways website, www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly).
You'll find full details of the journey from Verona & Milan to Nice with photos & tips on the Nice to Italy by train page.

Vienna to Brussels & Bruges from €59.90...

Option 1, Vienna to Brussels by direct Nightjet sleeper train on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays - safe, comfortable, time-effective...

A Nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 20:11 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Brussels Midi at 09:55 next morning.
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's 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 a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB 1st class lounge at Vienna Hbf before boarding, with tea, coffee, soft drinks & free WiFi.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 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.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (a little more fiddly, in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own tickets.
Tip: If you like, you can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, click Train formations, scroll to Austria, click nj & look for NJ490.

On 20 January 2020, the inaugural Nightjet left Brussels for Vienna, the first scheduled sleeper train to leave Brussels in 16 years. Above, the inaugural southbound train is ready to leave Brussels Midi on 20 January - naturally, the Man in Seat 61 was on board!


Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room		Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.


6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...		Nightjet couchette car...

Option 2, Vienna to Brussels using the Vienna-Cologne Nightjet sleeper train - on days when the direct Vienna-Brussels sleeper isn't running...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Cologne by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:11 and arriving Cologne Hbf at 06:51.
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's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The train has several 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, travel tips, photos & video.

Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 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.

Buy tickets for this Nightjet sleeper train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (a little more fiddly, in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own tickets.

Tip: If you like, you can check the train formation, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click nj.

Step 2, travel from Cologne to Brussels by ICE train leaving Cologne Hbf at 07:42 and arriving Brussels Midi at 09:35.
The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start from €18.90 in 2nd class or €27.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
You can book through to Bruges & other Belgian stations using www.bahn.de if you like, for one inclusive price.

Option 3, Vienna to Brussels in a single day - the high-speed daytime option...

You can travel from Vienna to Brussels in one chill-out day with one easy change at Frankfurt, on luxurious German ICE trains. The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the ICE information page. For example...
Leave Vienna Hbf at 06:49 by ICE-T, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 17:35,

Leave Vienna Hbf at 09:13 by ICE-T, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 19:35.

Leave Vienna Hbf at 11:13 by ICE-T, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 21:35.

Fares start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, looking for journeys with just 1 change.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Tip: Click Stopover, enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with a stopover duration of 20 minutes. This should then show the 1-change options via Frankfurt with minimal irrelevant multi-change options. You can also click Types of transport and change both sectors from admit changes to direct connections.

You can book through to Bruges, Antwerp & other Belgian stations using www.bahn.de if you like, for one inclusive price.

An ICE-T to Frankfurt, waiting to leave Vienna Hbf...


Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration. There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant. In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!


You can see into the cab at each end of the train.		Comfortable 2nd class seats on the ICE-T to Vienna...

You'll glimpse the Inn and Danube rivers from the Vienna-Frankfurt ICE...

Vienna to Amsterdam from €49.90...

Option 1, Vienna to Amsterdam by direct Nightjet sleeper train - the safe, comfortable, time-effective option...

Every night, an excellent Nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 20:11 and arrives Amsterdam Centraal at 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's 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 several 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, travel tips, photos & video.

Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket you can use the ÖBB 1st class lounge at Vienna Hbf, with complimentary tea, coffee, wine & WiFi.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 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 €, more fiddly, same fares), or at the Dutch Railways international site www.nsinternational.nl (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. See suggested hotels in Amsterdam.

Tip: If you like, you can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, click Train formations, scroll to Austria, click nj & look for NJ490.

The Nightjet sleeper for Amsterdam boarding at Vienna Hbf. More information about Nightjet trains...


Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room		The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.


6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Nightjet couchette car...

Option 2, Vienna to Amsterdam in a day - the high-speed daytime option...

You can travel from Vienna to Amsterdam in one leisurely chill-out day, on comfortable (even luxurious) German ICE trains across 3 different countries. For example...
Leave Vienna Hbf 06:49 by ICE, change at Wurzburg & Hannover onto an Intercity, arrive Amsterdam Centraal 19:00.

Leave Vienna Hbf 09:13 by ICE, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto another ICE, arrive Amsterdam Centraal 20:29.

Leave Vienna Hbf 11:13 by ICE, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto another ICE, arrive Amsterdam Centraal 21:59.
These ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the ICE information page.
Fares start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. See suggested hotels in Amsterdam.

Stopover in Nuremberg or Cologne?
Both cities are worth a stop, in Cologne the cathedral is right next to the station, and in Nuremberg there's a pleasant old town, a railway museum and the thought-provoking historic Party Rally Grounds. You can stop for 3 hours and still do the journey in a day, or stop overnight and have a more leisurely look round. To programme in a stopover, use www.bahn.de to book Vienna to Amsterdam, but click Stopover, enter Cologne Hbf or Nuremberg Hbf, enter desired number of hours stopover and off you go. You can have up to 2 stopovers each of up to 48 hours and still get an end-to-end Sparpreis fare.

An ICE-T to Frankfurt, waiting to leave Vienna Hbf...


Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration. There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant. In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!


You can see into the cab at each end of the train.		Comfortable 2nd class seats on the ICE-T to Germany.

You'll glimpse the Inn and Danube rivers from the Vienna-Frankfurt ICE...

Vienna to Luxembourg...

Option 1, Vienna to Luxembourg using the Vienna-Koblenz sleeper - the time-effective option...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Koblenz by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:11 and arriving in Koblenz at 05:11 next morning.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 or 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, travel tips, photos & video.

Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 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 (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a little more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Step 2, travel from Koblenz to Luxembourg by regional train, leaving Koblenz at 06:03 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Luxembourg 08:23

On Sundays, leave Koblenz 07:06, change at Trier, arrive Luxembourg 09:23.

The line from Koblenz to Luxembourg is very scenic, much of it along the Moselle valley past river boats and vineyards. For the best river views, sit on the left hand side when going west from Koblenz (the train leaves Koblenz station heading north before turning west).

The fare is €31.50 in 2nd class or €53.40 in 1st class, fixed price, always available.

Buy this ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de or you can just buy at the station when you get to Koblenz.

Step 1, Vienna to Koblenz by Nightjet sleeper train. More information about Nightjets...

Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room

Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.

4-berth couchettes.

Nightjet couchette car...

Step 2, Koblenz to Luxembourg by double deck regional train. This is a CFL double-decker at Luxembourg.

1st class on the upper deck. Larger photo.

2nd class on the upper deck. Larger photo.

Scenery along the Moselle between Koblenz & Luxembourg in the morning sun, the mists still clearing. For the best river views, sit on the left hand side of the train going west from Koblenz.

Option 2, Vienna to Luxembourg by daytime trains...

You can travel from Vienna to Luxembourg in a single day with just 1 change at Koblenz - these are the ones to go for:

Leave Vienna Hbf at 09:13, change at Koblenz Hbf, arrive Luxembourg 20:23.

Leave Vienna Hbf at 11:13, change at Koblenz Hbf, arrive Luxembourg 21:29.

Leave Vienna Hbf at 13:13, change at Koblenz Hbf, arrive Luxembourg 00:34.

You travel from Vienna to Koblenz by superb ICE-T train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

This train travels along the Rhine Valley from Mainz to Koblenz, past vineyards, river boats, castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock, it's worth making sure you do this bit in daylight. See the Rails Down the Rhine page for photos & more information.

You then travel on a CFL (Luxembourg Railways) double-deck regional train from Koblenz to Luxembourg, along the Moselle valley which is also a scenic ride at least in summer when it's light, see the photos above.

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. These fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

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Vienna to Zurich, Basel, Geneva & Switzerland from €39.90...

Option 1, Vienna to Switzerland by daytime train - the direct route through the beautiful Arlberg Pass...

Smart modern railjet trains leave Vienna Hbf at 05:28, 07:28, 09:28, 11:28, 13:3280 & 15:28, taking 7h52 to reach Zurich HB.
These railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, treat this as a chill-out day, especially if you splurge on business class, a real treat. Railjets travel at up to 230 km/h (143 mph) on new sections of line, and at lower speed on the classic lines, which account for the vast majority of this route. They call at Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck, then travel through the Arlberg pass, clipping a corner of Lichtenstein before running alongside the Walensee & Zürichsee lakes into Zurich. The Arlberg offers some superb scenery, watch the Arlberg Pass video to see for yourself & see the Arlberg Railway page. It's worth checking sunset times for your date of travel and making sure you do the Innsbruck-Zurich bit in daylight.

Change at Zurich HB for onward Swiss trains to anywhere in Switzerland.

Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class, €54.90 1st class or €69.90 business class (= premium 1st class). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets from Vienna to almost any Swiss station at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a little more fiddly, same fares).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Going beyond Zurich, for example to Geneva, Bern, Zermatt, Lucerne, Wengen?
www.thetrainline.com and www.oebb.at can sell you a through ticket between Vienna and almost any town or city in Switzerland (in either direction) for one inclusive price. You'll often find that this costs the same as (or only a little more than) a ticket to Zurich!
Incidentally, I get a lot of people who think they will save money by using their Swiss Pass for the Swiss part of the journey. But if (let's say) Thetrainline.com gives you a price of €39.90 from Vienna to Zurich and exactly the same price from Vienna to Lucerne (as budget train fares are no more based on distance than budget air fares), then using up an expensive day on a Swiss Pass to cover the Zurich-Lucerne part of the trip is potentially saving you a big fat zero! So check prices before wasting a Swiss Pass day...

A railjet train about to leave Vienna...

Business class. About business class.

Restaurant. In 1st & business, you're served at your seat.

First class.

Economy class.

The mountains of Austria...

In the Arlberg pass itself, the railway hugs the valley side, past fir forests and meadows...

In railjet first & business class, a steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.

The railjet clips a corner of Liechtenstein, passing non-stop through the little station of Schaan-Vaduz. Once in Switzerland, the railjet runs alongside the Zürichsee, then along the Walensee...

Option 2, Vienna to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train - the comfortable & time-effective option that saves a hotel bill...

An excellent nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 21:27 every day and arrives Zurich HB at 08:20 next morning.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned double-deck sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 bed compartments with washbasin, four larger 1 & 2 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, and several 3-berth compartments with washbasin. It has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments & ordinary seats. The sleeper attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. Sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee in the morning, served in your compartment, see the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

Change in Zurich for destinations all over Switzerland.

Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB 1st class lounge at Vienna Hbf before boarding, with tea, coffee, soft drinks & free WiFi..

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.

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in €, a bit more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Tip: In the search results you'll see a second sleeper train leaving Vienna around 23:25 and also arriving 08:20. This is the Hungarian EuroNight (EN) sleeper train from Budapest to Zurich, which gets combined with the Vienna-Zurich Nightjet (NJ) in Salzburg. By all means take this if you need to be in Vienna until late, but otherwise I'd stick with the Austrian Nightjet leaving 21:27 as this has higher quality cars, the option of deluxe sleepers with shower & toilet & a better breakfast.

Tip: If you like, you can check the train formation, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click nj.

The safe & comfortable Nightjet from Vienna to Zurich. This is a double-deck sleeping-car arrived at Zurich HB. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.

Standard 1 or 2 bed sleeper, upper deck, set up as a single. More photos & information.

Nightjet couchette car...

6-berth couchettes.

4-berth couchettes.

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Vienna to Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome & Italy from €29...

Option 1, Vienna to Italy by nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option....

A nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 19:18 every day, with a portion arriving Verona Porta Nuova 05:51, Milan Rogoredo 07:42, Genoa Piazza Principe 09:38 & La Spezia 11:10, another portion arriving Bologna Centrale 05:15, Florence SMN 06:18 & Rome Termini 09:10.

Another nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 21:27 every day, arriving Venice Santa Lucia on the banks of the Grand Canal at 08:34.

These comfortable Austrian Nightjet trains have one or 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's 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 trains have 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, travel tips, photos & video.

Tip: If you like, you can check the train formation, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click nj.

Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf before boarding, with tea, coffee, soft drinks & free WiFi.

Update: Due to trackwork, from 10 June to 9 September 2023 & on certain weekends the Nightjet sleeper to Florence & Rome will terminate at Bologna Centrale. During this time you will need to buy a separate onward ticket by Italian high-speed train from Bologna to Florence or Rome.

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.

Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, can also book onward tickets within Italy) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Onwards to Naples, southern Italy & Sicily: Allow at least 1 hour or more after the arrival of the sleeper in Rome, then book an onward train to Naples, southern Italy or Sicily at www.thetrainline.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. Italian high-speed, intercity & sleeper trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

The Nightjet sleeper to Florence & Rome, boarding at Vienna Hbf. More information about Nightjets.

Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room

The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.

4-berth couchettes.

Nightjet couchette car...

Sunrise as the Vienna-Venice Nightjet crosses the causeway over the lagoon into Venice. What a wonderful way to arrive! Courtesy of Andreas Wiedenhoff.

Option 2, Vienna to Italy via Venice - a scenic route over the wonderful Semmering railway...

Step 1, two smart Austrian railjet trains link Vienna with Venice every day:

The morning railjet train leaves Vienna Hbf at 06:18 and arrives Venice Santa Lucia at 14:05.

The afternoon railjet train leaves Vienna Hbf at 12:18 and arrives Venice Santa Lucia at 20:05.

These smart modern railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. They travel via the UNESCO-listed Semmering railway through the mountains, a real treat. See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, tips, photos & video.

Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class, €44.90 in 1st class or €59.90 in business class (= premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, can also book onward trains in Italy) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Step 2, travel from Venice to Florence, Rome or Naples by Frecciarossa. If you take the morning railjet from Vienna, you can leave Venice Santa Lucia 15:26 arriving Florence SMN 17:39, Rome 19:25 & Naples Centrale 20:48. If you take the afternoon railjet, stay overnight in Venice and continue next morning.

These high-speed Frecciarossa trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Tip: You can in theory arrive an hour earlier by changing at Venice Mestre on the mainland, but I wouldn't risk any tight connections on separate tickets and I couldn't pass through Venice without at least a glimpse of the Grand Canal outside Venice Santa Lucia. In fact, I'd be tempted to book the later 16:26, 17:26 or 18:26 Frecciarossa and have a quick scoot to the Rialto Bridge & Piazza San Marco between trains.

Venice to Florence starts at €19.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 1st class.

Venice to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 in 2nd class, €39.90 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings together in one place) or at www.italiarail.com (easy to use, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com afterwards) or Italian Railways' own website www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian-language place names, read this advice on using it first). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

The afternoon railjet to Venice, about to leave Vienna Hbf. More information about Vienna-Venice railjets.

Restaurant. In 1st & business you're served at your seat.

Business class. About business class.

First class.

Economy class.

The railjet travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, photos & video.

Option 3, Vienna to Italy via the Brenner Pass - another scenic route...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Italy via Innsbruck & the scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass photos & video. Take a fast railjet train west to Innsbruck Hbf and change onto a comfortable Austrian EuroCity trains south through the Brenner Pass to Verona. One a day continues to Bologna, one or two per day to Venice. For example:
Leave Vienna Hbf 06:28, change at Innsbruck Hbf, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 14:58 & Bologna Centrale at 16:19.

Leave Vienna Hbf 08:28, change at Innsbruck Hbf, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 16:58 & Venice Santa Lucia at 18:25.

Leave Vienna Hbf 09:55, change at Innsbruck Hbf, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 18:58.

Leave Vienna Hbf 12:28, change at Innsbruck Hbf, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 20:56.

Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket you can grab a quick tea or coffee in the ÖBB 1st class lounge at Innsbruck Hbf.

Step 2, take an onward Frecciarossa from in Verona (or on the first train of the day, from Bologna) to Florence, Rome & Naples.

If you left Vienna Hbf at 06:28: Leave Bologna Centrale at 17:10, arriving Florence SMN 17:50, Rome Termini 19:35, Naples Centrale 21:03.

If you left Vienna Hbf at 08:28: Leave Verona Porta Nuova at 17:52, arriving Florence SMN 19:24 & Rome Termini 21:10.

How much does it cost?
Vienna to Verona, Bologna or Venice starts at €29.90 in 2nd class, €39.90 1st class.

Verona to Florence starts at €19.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 1st class.

Verona to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 in 2nd class, €39.90 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets...
First try booking from Vienna to your Italian destination all in one go at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.

Booking for the Austrian trains opens up to 6 months ahead, booking for Italian trains opens up to 4 months ahead, but can vary.

For Austrian trains, you print your own ticket, but Italian high-speed trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

Tip: The critical thing is to look through the search results carefully with brain engaged. A journey from Vienna to Florence, Rome or Naples should have no more than 2 changes. If a journey you find this way suits you, go ahead and buy. If not, or if no journeys appear, read on...

How to buy tickets, advanced...
To buy tickets with more control so you can ensure more robust connections, or if no journeys appear when you try booking all in one go, split the booking.
First use either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at to book from Vienna to the interchange point in Italy, either Verona Porta Nuova or (on the first train of the day) Bologna Centrale.
Then book the onward Italian train separately. I'd allow at least 40 minutes in Verona or Bologna between trains. You can book it at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com to keep all your bookings together in one place, or to avoid the small booking fee, at www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian language place names, read this advice on using it first).

After running south through the Brenner Pass from Innsbruck, this EuroCity train has arrived at Verona. You don't need to book a table in the restaurant car, just go along and sit down. Dining on the move as the scenery glides by is one of the pleasures of travelling on trains like this. More photos & information about these EuroCity trains.

2nd class seats, some in open-plan saloons like this, some in 6-seat compartments with side-corridor...

1st class leather seats. You'll also find seats in classic 6-seat compartments with side corridor....

The elegant restaurant car. Larger photo.

Lunch with wine on board...

Mountain scenery on the Brenner route...

Vineyards, mountains and castles south of Brenner as the train heads for Trento & Verona...

Watch out for hilltop fortresses... See the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

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Vienna to Trieste

Option 1, Vienna to Trieste by direct EuroCity train...

A EuroCity train called the Emona leaves Vienna Hbf at 07:58 every day, arriving Trieste Centrale at 17:16.

The Emona has comfortable air-conditioned Austrian 1st & 2nd class cars, 1st class is open-plan seating, 2nd class offers a choice of open-plan saloon seating or classic 6-seat compartments. An excellent Slovenian restaurant car & Slovenian seats cars are attached between Vienna and Ljubljana. Emona is the Roman name for Ljubljana.

It's a lovely scenic ride. South of Vienna the train travels over the UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway, a real treat, with more great scenery across the border in Slovenia along the beautiful River Sava. Between Ljubljana & Trieste you'll discover where Prosecco comes from as you pass through Prosecco station, closed to passengers since 2012, see the photo & account of the journey on the Ljubljana-Trieste page. And in my opinion, Trieste is one of Italy's most under-rated cities, along with Turin.

Tip: You can check the train formation, see carriage photos and view seating plans if you go to www.vagonweb.cz, select en top left for English, then click Train Formations and search for train EC 150 Emona westbound or EC 151 Emona eastbound.

Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €80.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (a bit more fiddly, in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, but often less than this. You print your own ticket.

The EuroCity train from Vienna to Trieste, about to leave Vienna Hbf.

One car has 2nd class open-plan seating like this, the other has 6-seat compartments.

1st class open-plan seating. There's just one section of 1st class seats on this train.

A Slovenian restaurant car is attached between Vienna & Ljubljana, with freshly-cooked scrambled eggs or omelette. How about a glass of fizz to go with that?

Between Vienna & Graz the Emona travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, photos & video.

Scenery in Slovenia, between Maribor & Zidani Most....

Option 2, Vienna to Trieste using the Vienna-Venice sleeper train...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Venice overnight by Nightjet sleeper train as shown above.

Step 2, regional trains link Venice Santa Lucia (the station to change at if you want to have a wander around Venice between trains) and Venice Mestre (on the mainland, the place to change if you just want to get to Trieste). These trains run every hour or so, journey time 2h05, no reservation necessary, fare around €14, buy a ticket at the station or online at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.trenitalia.com (in €).

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Vienna to Sicily

Option 1, Vienna to Sicily using the Vienna-Rome sleeper...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Rome by Nightjet sleeper train as shown in Vienna to Italy section above, leaving Vienna Hbf in the evening and arriving Rome Termini next morning. Buy tickets as shown above.

Step 2, travel from Rome Termini to Messina, Taormina, Catania, Siracuse, Cefalu or Palermo on the 11:26 Intercity train arriving in the evening, as shown on the Trains to Sicily page.
Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
This train is shunted onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina, one of the few places in the world that trains go onto ships, and a unique experience, see the video here. Buy tickets as shown on the Trains to Sicily page.

An Intercity train on board the train ferry sailing towards Sicily. Courtesy Discoverbyrail.com.

Option 2, Vienna to Sicily by daytime trains with overnight stop in Rome...

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Rome in a day as shown above, either via Verona or Venice.

Stay overnight in Rome...

Day 2, take one of two daily Intercity trains from Rome to Sicily, see the timetable here.

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Vienna to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain...

Option 1, Vienna to Barcelona & Spain via Zurich & Paris - the most time-effective option...

Day 1, travel from Vienna Hbf to Paris by direct Nightjet sleeper 3 times a week, or by Nightjet sleeper to Zurich & TGV-Lyria to Paris every day, as shown in the Vienna-Paris section above.

Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:56 arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:25.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a comfortable & scenic journey - I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, click here for the sights to see from the train on the way.

Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, same fares, but no fee). Booking usually opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.

Day 3, travel from Barcelona Sants to any Spanish destination next morning by high-speed train. Check times & book at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. Booking opens 60 days ahead, but this varies as Renfe loads blocks of dates at a time.

For Madrid: AVE-S103 high-speed trains link Barcelona Sants with Madrid Atocha every hour or two in as little as 2h30 from €35, check times at www.raileurope.com.

For Cordoba & Seville: Take the direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:35 arriving Cordoba 13:22 & Seville Santa Justa at 14:10. Fares start at €45. Alternatively, spend a morning in Barcelona and take the 15:15 AVE S112 high-speed train to Cordoba & Seville.

For Malaga: Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE-S112 high-speed train and change at Cordoba onto a high-speed AVE/Avant train arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:56. Alternatively, spend a morning in Barcelona and take the direct 15:15 AVE S112 high-speed train to Malaga.

For Granada: A direct AVE S112 high-speed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:35 arriving Granada at 15:00.

For Valencia & Alicante: EuroMed trains link Barcelona with Valencia & Alicante regularly through the day, for example one leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:15 Mondays-Fridays arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 10:55 & Alicante 12:45 or at 10:15 every day arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 12:55 & Alicante 14:48. Fares from €23.

For Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna & Vigo, there's a morning Alvia train to Galicia, see details here.

Option 2, Vienna to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Geneva...

Day 1, from Vienna to Geneva, leaving Vienna Hbf at 09:28 by railjet train, changing at Zurich HB onto a Swiss train arriving Geneva at 20:18.
The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, it travels through the wonderfully scenic Arlberg Pass, watch the video & see the Arlberg Railway page. Put your feet up and enjoy the ride, have lunch in the restaurant car...
An earlier 07:30 departure is also available for more of an evening in Geneva.
Vienna to Geneva starts at €39.90 in 2nd class, €54.90 in 1st class or €69.90 in business class (= premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares.
Book from Vienna to Geneva as one transaction at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a little more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Stay overnight in Geneva. Hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Genève, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare. Hotels in Switzerland can be expensive, if you're on a budget you can book budget private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.

Day 2, travel from Geneva to Barcelona, leaving Geneva at 07:14, change Lyon Part Dieu & Montpelier St-Roch, arriving Barcelona Sants 16:34.
Geneva to Lyon is by TER regional train along the river Rhône, Lyon to Montpelier is by TGV with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, Montpelier to Barcelona is by TGV Duplex also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
The TGV Duplex passes Beziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes between Montpelier & Narbonne, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks before Perpignan, with great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, see more photos & information about the journey.

Geneva-Lyon costs a fixed-price €29.40. Lyon-Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book from Geneva to Barcelona at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Malaga, Cordoba, Seville, Valencia or Alicante and so on by high-speed train...

A high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:25, arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

A fast EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:02 & Alicante 23:14.

For Granada, Seville, Cordoba & Malaga, stay in Barcelona overnight, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants inside the station. Next morning a direct high-speed AVE train leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:35 for Granada, Cordoba & Seville Santa Justa, change Cordoba for Malaga Maria Zambrano.

Check times & buy tickets using either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or Spanish railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it) or www.petrabax.com (in $, small mark-up). You print your own ticket.

Booking for Spanish trains normally opens only 60 days ahead, but this varies. Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona.

Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees... Seen from the train and one of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline all the way from Girona to Perpignan...

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Vienna to San Sebastian...

Option 1, Vienna to San Sebastian using the Vienna-Zurich sleeper - the most time-effective option...

Day 1, travel from Vienna Hbf to Paris Gare de l'Est by Nightjet sleeper train 3 times a week, as shown in the Vienna-Paris section above.
Transfer by taxi or metro from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare Montparnasse.

Day 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye on the Spanish border by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Montparnasse at 12:11, arriving Hendaye 16:47.
The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, no fee). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.

Day 2, transfer from Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren metro, every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes...

Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is in a corner of the main station forecourt. Buy a ticket for €2.75 at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren metro from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara station, journey time 37 minutes. You can check Euskotren times at www.euskotren.eus. See the Paris to San Sebastian page for more information, photos & tips.

Option 2, Vienna to San Sebastian with overnight stop in Paris

Day 1, travel from Vienna Hbf to Paris Gare de l'Est in a single day as shown in the Vienna-Paris section above.
Transfer by taxi or metro from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare Montparnasse.

Stay overnight in Paris...
Hotels near Paris Gare Montparnasse with good reviews: Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse (150m from the station, 4-star); Best Western Sevres Montparnasse (15 minute walk from station, 3-star); La Maison Montparnasse (10 min walk from station, 2-star); Hotel du Maine (5 min walk from station, 2-star).

Day 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 10:11 and arriving Hendaye 14:47.
An earlier 07:11 departure is available on Mondays to Saturdays, arriving Hendaye at 11:47.
The TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, no fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.

Day 2, transfer from Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren metro, every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes...

Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is in a corner of the main station forecourt. Buy a ticket for €2.75 at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren metro from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara station, journey time 37 minutes. See the Paris to San Sebastian page for more information, photos & tips.

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Vienna to Lisbon & Portugal...

Option 1, Vienna to Lisbon via Paris...

Travel from Vienna to Paris as shown above.

Stay overnight in Paris. The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for an early train next morning. See other suggested hotels near the Gare de l'Est & Gare de Lyon.

Travel from Paris to Lisbon with overnight stop in Madrid, as shown here.

Option 2, Vienna to Faro & the Algarve using a bus from Seville...

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Barcelona as shown above.

Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.

Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Seville by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:35 and arriving Seville Santa Justa at 14:10.
Fares start at around €46, book this at www.raileurope.com (easiest, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, only in €, may reject some international credit cards).

Day 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus. Buses run from Seville Plaza de Armas to Faro several times daily, journey time around 3h40, fare around €16-€20.

Buses are run by Damas, Eva-Bus & Alsa amongst others, you can check times & buy tickets for various bus companies all in one place at Omio.com. You print your own ticket.

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Vienna to Andorra...

Step 1, travel from Vienna Hbf to Paris using any of the options shown in the Vienna-Paris section above.
The most time-effective way is to take the Nightjet sleeper train from Vienna to Paris, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est in the morning. Buy tickets as shown in the Vienna-Paris section.

Change stations in Paris from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare Montparnasse by metro or taxi.

Step 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by high-speed TGV, leaving Paris Montparnasse at 15:08 arriving Toulouse Matabiau 19:26.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in €, but no fee).   You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.
Have dinner in Toulouse...

Step 3, travel from Toulouse Matabiau to Andorra la Vella by bus, taking 4 hours, fare €33.
There are 3 services every day run by Andbus, check times at www.andorrabybus.com. I'd allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse, just in case of delay. There's normally a bus leaving Toulouse Matabiau at 20:00 arriving Andorra at midnight.
The buses leave from bus stand 15 inside the Gare Routière (bus station) immediately outside Toulouse Matabiau station. Simply walk out of the station onto the forecourt and look to your right. The bus station is the modern building with the glass-and-blue-framework upper section, see the photos below.
Book the bus ticket at www.andorrabybus.com.

Paris to Toulouse by TGV Duplex. This is a TGV Duplex at Paris Montparnasse... Click the images below for larger photos...

TGV Océane cafe-bar, upper deck car 4 (or 14)

TGV Océane 2nd class...

TGV Océane 1st class. An innovation on TGV Océane, all 1st class seats (except the end ones) rotate to face direction of travel, or can be rotated to make a face-to-face group of 2 or 4 seats. The drop-down tables open to reveal USB & 2-pin power sockets.

Travel from Toulouse to Andorra by bus, seen at bus stand 15. The bus station is right next to the rail station.

Bus station in Toulouse Matabiau forecourt. Photos courtesy of Andrew McIntyre.

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Vienna to Nuremberg, Frankfurt, Cologne & Germany from €27.90...

Option 1, Vienna to anywhere in Germany by ICE - the fast daytime option...

Every hour or two, a luxurious German ICE-T train leaves Vienna Hbf for Regensburg, Nuremberg & Germany

Vienna Hbf depart 06:49 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & via the Rhine Valley to Koblenz, Cologne. Dusseldorf & Dortmund.

Vienna Hbf depart 09:13 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & via the Rhine Valley to Koblenz, Cologne. Dusseldorf & Dortmund.

Vienna Hbf depart 10:13 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Berlin Hbf & Hamburg Hbf.

Vienna Hbf depart 11:13 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & via the Rhine Valley to Koblenz, Cologne. Dusseldorf & Dortmund.

Vienna Hbf depart 13:13 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & via the Rhine Valley to Koblenz, Cologne. Dusseldorf & Dortmund.

Vienna Hbf depart 15:13 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & via the Rhine Valley to Koblenz, Cologne. Dusseldorf & Dortmund.

Vienna Hbf depart 17:13 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.

Change at Nuremberg or Frankfurt for destinations all over Germany.

ICE trains are a pleasure to travel on, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the ICE information page.

Enjoy the scenic ride along the Rhine Valley if going to Koblenz, Cologne. Dusseldorf & Dortmund

Fares from Vienna to Germany start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets from Vienna to anywhere in Germany at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

An ICE-T to Germany, waiting to leave Vienna Hbf...

Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration. There are also tables for four in both classes.

Lunch in the restaurant. In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

You can see into the cab at each end of the train.

Comfortable 2nd class seats on the ICE-T to Vienna...

You'll glimpse the Inn and Danube rivers from the Vienna-Frankfurt ICE...

Option 2, by Nightjet sleeper train - the comfortable time-effective option...

There are excellent Nightjet sleeper trains from Vienna to Munich, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hannover, Hamburg & Berlin.

Vienna Hbf depart 20:13, Koblenz 05:11, Cologne Hbf 06:51, Düsseldorf 07:23.

Vienna Hbf depart 20:13, Hannover arrive 06:49 & Hamburg Hbf arrive 08:47.

Vienna Hbf depart 22:10, Berlin Hbf arrive 09:51.

These comfortable Austrian Nightjet trains each have an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 or 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, travel tips, photos & video.
Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf before boarding, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 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 (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a little more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

A Nightjet sleeper at Vienna Hbf. More information about Nightjet trains...

Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room

The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.

4-berth couchettes.

Nightjet couchette car...

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Vienna to Munich from €27.90...

Option 1, Vienna to Munich by railjet train - the most frequent & fastest option...

Smart Austrian railjet trains run from Vienna Hbf & Linz to Munich Hbf every two hours from 06:28 to 18:28.
Vienna to Munich takes only 4 hours from city centre to city centre, with a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. They have a premium 1st class called business class, well worth the extra. More information about railjets.

Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class, €37.90 in 1st class or €52.90 in business class (= premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

To book business class tickets, buy a 1st class ticket using www.thetrainline.com and add the business class upgrade.

A railjet about to leave Vienna Hbf...

Business class. About business class.

Restaurant. In 1st & business you're served at your seat.

First class.

Economy class.

Pleasant farmland scenery between Vienna & Salzburg...

This is the view of Salzburg's Fortress Hohensalzburg on your left hand side as the railjet crosses the River Salzach after leaving Salzburg Hbf....

Pleasant Bavarian scenery between Salzburg & Munich...

Option 2, Vienna to Munich by Westbahn - up to 6 per day, cheaper at short notice, great double-deck trains...

On 8 April 2022, private operator Westbahn started operating up to 6 daily direct trains from Vienna Westbahnhof to Munich Hbf.

Their swish modern double-deck trains will compete directly with the ÖBB's railjet trains, with 1st class, comfort class and standard class, see the photos below. There are power sockets at seats & free WiFi. There's no restaurant car, but there are self-service areas with vending machines for tea & coffee, on-board staff can serve you snacks. In WESTbahn first class, food & drink orders are taken and served at your seat.

Advance-purchase fares start at €23.99 if you book ahead. Or pay €79.90 any train, any date, full-flex bought on the day.

Check times & buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com, this will show both the railjets and Westbahn.

WESTbahn double-deck train at Vienna Westbahnhof.

First class seats, upper deck. Seats arranged 2+1 across the car width. Larger photo.

Comfort class, upper deck. Same seats as 2nd class, but more legroom & all seats are at large tables. Larger photo.

Food vending area, 4 per trainset. You can buy snacks, drinks, tea & coffee with contactless bank cards. Larger photo.

Standard class seats, upper deck with power sockets & free WiFi. Seats arranged 2+2 across the car width. Larger photo.

Option 3, Vienna to Munich by sleeper train - the time-effective option...

As the daytime journey only takes 4 hours, most people travel by day. But to save both daytime hours and a hotel bill, there's also a sleeper although even by night it only takes 7 hours.

The sleeper train Kalman Imre leaves Vienna Hbf at 23:27 and arrives Munich Hbf at 06:29.

This is a Hungarian sleeper train en route from Budapest to Munich, it has an air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments. See the Hungarian sleeping-car video & see photos of the sleeper & couchettes on this train in the Budapest to Munich section.

Fares start at €49.90 with couchette in 6-berth, €59.90 with couchette in 4-berth, €89.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper, or €129.90 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper. 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 €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 90 days ahead and you print your own ticket.

The Vienna to Munich sleeper train starts in Budapest. It's seen here at Budapest Keleti. More information about this train.

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a 2-bed.

4-berth couchettes.

6-berth couchettes.

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Vienna to Berlin from €37.90...

Option 1, Vienna to Berlin by ICE train Berolina - the leisurely daytime option...

A superb German ICE train called the Berolina leaves Vienna Hbf at 10:13 every day, arriving Berlin Hbf at 17:53.
There's a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about ICEs. In 1st class a steward takes orders from the restaurant menu and serves them at your seat.
Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Stopover in Nuremberg?

The direct train goes via Nuremberg, but there are other trains between Vienna and Nuremberg, and between Nuremberg & Berlin. In Nuremberg you'll find a pleasant old town, a railway museum and the thought-provoking Party Rally Grounds (take tram 9 from outside Nuremberg Hbf, it's well worth the trip).

To book a ticket with a stopover at www.bahn.de, click Stopover, enter Nuremberg Hbf and a duration of up to 48 hours (the maximum stopover possible with a cheap sparpreis fare) or up to 8 hours (the maximum you can stop off and still get from Vienna to Berlin in a day, if you catch an early train from Vienna then a late train from Nuremberg to Berlin). You'll now get a cheap fare from Vienna to Berlin with a stopover in Nuremberg included. There are left luggage lockers in Nuremberg for your bags.

The ICE Berolina... On the first day of the new timetable, 9 December 2018, the southbound Berolina from Berlin to Vienna has arrived at Vienna Hbf spot on time. Courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler .

Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration. There are also tables for four in both classes.

Lunch in the restaurant car. I highly recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

You can see into the cab at each end of the train.

Comfortable 2nd class seats on the ICE-T to Vienna...

Option 2, Vienna to Berlin by railjet train departing 13:10 - a leisurely daytime option with restaurant car...

A swish Austrian railjet train called the Vindobona leaves Vienna Hbf at 13:10 every day, arriving Berlin Hbf at 21:56.

Important: Due to trackwork in the Czech Republic this train isn't running from 11 December 2022 until 30 June 2023, but it resumes from 1 July 2023 onwards.

This modern railjet train has 2nd class, 1st class, business class (= premium 1st class, just 6 luxurious seats at one end of the train) and a restaurant car. There's free WiFi & power sockets at all seats. In 1st & business class a steward takes food orders from the restaurant menu and serves them at your seat.

Although it takes a bit longer than the direct ICE train in option 1 above, this train is routed via Prague & Dresden, and in summer when it's light the scenery along the Elbe river valley between Prague & Dresden more than makes up for that, see the scenery photos & video for the Prague to Berlin part of the journey here.

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class, €69.90 in 1st class or €84.90 in business class (= premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

The southbound railjet Vindobona, about to leave Berlin Hbf. More information about railjets.

Business class. About business class.

Restaurant. In 1st & business you're served at your seat.

First class.

Economy (2nd) class.

The railjet Vindobona at Berlin Hbf.

Option 3, Vienna to Berlin by nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective overnight option...

An excellent nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 22:10 every night arriving Berlin Hbf at 09:55 next morning.
This comfortable Austrian nightjet train has a Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3 bed standard compartments with washbasin, three 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, there's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in standard sleepers. There are also 4 & 6 berth couchettes. A light breakfast is included in the fare in both sleepers and couchettes. See the nightjet sleeper train page for more photos, travel tips & information.
Tip: If you like, you can check the train formation, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click nj.

Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB 1st class lounge at Vienna Hbf before boarding, with tea, coffee, soft drinks & free WiFi.

Fares start at €59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €69.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 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 (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a little more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Nightjet to Berlin... On the first day of the new timetable, 9 December 2018, the very first Vienna to Berlin Nightjet prepares to leave Vienna Hbf. See the nightjet page for more photos, tips & information. Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room

Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.

4-berth couchettes.

Nightjet couchette car...

Option 4, Vienna to Berlin by day trains with overnight stop in Prague from €37.90...

Day 1, take any railjet train you like from Vienna to Prague in 4h05, see the timetable here.
For example the 17:10 from Vienna Hbf arrives Prague Hlavni 21:35, or the 19:10 arrives Prague Hlavni at 23:35. By all means take an earlier train and have an evening or an afternoon in Prague.

Stay overnight in Prague..
Hotels near the station with good reviews include the Esplanade Hotel (5-star), Falkensteiner Hotel Maria (4-star), Chopin Hotel (3-star). To stay in the old town, try the Ventana Hotel or Old Town Square Hotel (both 5-star), Grand Hotel Prague, Hotel Rott (both 4-star), Zlatý kůň Golden Horse (3-star). For dinner in Prague, consider a 6 minute 550m walk to the Restaurant Zvonice (www.restaurantzvonice.cz) which gets great reviews, see walking map. It's usually open until midnight, ideal if you're catching a sleeper. Feedback appreciated.

Day 2, take any EuroCity train you like from Prague to Berlin in 4h09...
The 06:25 from Prague Hlavni arrives Berlin Hbf at 10:43 with a restaurant car for breakfast, but by all means take a later train, they leave every 2 hours. The Elbe river scenery between Prague & Dresden is lovely. See the Prague to Berlin page for timetable, photos & more information.

Book from Vienna to Berlin at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.
To get the overnight stop in Prague, click Stopover, enter Prague and a duration of around 9 hours - I have set up this link to do that for you. Vary the departure time and increase the stopover duration to get the trains you want - a little trial & error is required until you see direct trains that suit you for both legs.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

So civilised! A meal in the Czech restaurant car as the Berlin-Prague express snakes along the beautiful Elbe river south of Dresden. Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

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Vienna to Passau...

Many river cruises start from Passau in Germany, just over the border from Austria.

Superb German ICE-T trains run from Vienna Hbf to Passau Hbf in around 2h16 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf, with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & WiFi.

Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Check departure times & buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Look for a direct train with 0 changes. You print your own ticket.

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Vienna to Copenhagen, Stockholm & Scandinavia...

Option 1, Vienna to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train, starting 1 September 2022 - the time-effective option...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by ICE train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:13 and arriving Hamburg Altona at 20:15.
The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Always allow at least an hour when connecting with a sleeper train you don't want to miss. Have dinner in Hamburg.

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. 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.

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Altona at 21:19 & arriving Stockholm Central 09:55 next morning.
From 1 April to 1 October 2023 this train will instead leave from Hamburg Hbf at 22:01, arriving Stockholm Central 09:55 next morning.

Procured by the Swedish government and run by Swedish Railways SJ, the train has sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. The sleeping-cars are former Austrian Railways AB32s, refurbished. More information about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Book tickets at the Swedish Railways website www.sj.se.

Booking opens several months ahead, You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train at Hamburg Altona, 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure...

6-berth couchettes.
Larger photo.

Couchettes in day mode, en route to Stockholm. Larger photo.

The inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm calls at Padborg, just after entering Denmark.

Typical Swedish scenery on the morning run into Stockholm...

Option 2, Vienna to Copenhagen, Malmö, Stockholm, Gothenburg or Oslo by daytime trains with an overnight stop in Hamburg.

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by ICE train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:13 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 19:51.

This comfortable ICE-T train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means take an earlier train if you like for a leisurely evening in Hamburg, but this is the ideal direct train, other departures require at least one change, usually in Wurzburg.

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is the top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.

Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish intercity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:56 & arriving Copenhagen at 13:34.

An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023, see the timetable here.

If you're only going as far as Copenhagen, book from Hamburg to Copenhagen from €27.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

Tip: If you're only going as far as Copenhagen, it can be cheaper to book from Vienna to Copenhagen as one transaction, clicking Stopover, entering Hamburg Hbf with 11 hours in the hh:mm stopover box - I have set up this link to Bahn.de for you with those parameters, just enter your date & number of passengers.

Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Sweden by onward train...

For Malmö, travel from Copenhagen to Malmö Central by Öresund train, these run every 20-30 minutes, journey time 39 minutes. Book from Hamburg to Malmö as one transaction at www.bahn.de.

For Gothenburg, travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central by Öresund train, these run every hour, journey time 3h53. Book from Hamburg to Gothenburg as one transaction at www.bahn.de, Gothenburg is listed as Göteborg Central.

For Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train. If you take the 08:56 from Hamburg you'll make the 14:21 X2000 from Copenhagen arriving Stockholm Central at 19:36.

From 17 June to 20 August 2023, either take the 06:45 from Hamburg Hbf to connect with the 12:21 from Copenhagen arriving Stockholm 17:37, or the 10:53 from Hamburg Hbf to connect with the 16:21 from Copenhagen arriving Stockholm 21:38.

Book from Hamburg to Stockholm as one transaction from €56.90 at www.bahn.de, looking for suitable departures with 1 change marked either 'ICE, X2' or 'EC, X2' (X2000s are shown as X2 on bahn.de for some reason).

Step 1, Vienna to Hamburg by ICE-T. More information about ICE-T.

Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration. There are also tables for four in both classes.

Lunch in the restaurant. In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

You can see into the cab at each end of the train.

Comfortable 2nd class seats on the ICE-T to Vienna.

You'll glimpse the Inn and Danube rivers from the ICE...

Step 2, Hamburg to Copenhagen by Intercity train seen here at Copenhagen. More about Hamburg to Copenhagen trains.

2nd class seats on an IC3 train. Larger photo.

1st class seats on an IC3 train. Larger photo.

Step 3, Copenhagen to Stockholm by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.

1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.

2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.

Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden...

Option 3, Vienna to Copenhagen by daytime trains with an overnight stop in Munich...

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Munich by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 18:28 and arriving Munich Hbf at 22:31.
These railjets run every couple of hours, so by all means book an earlier one to have a leisurely evening in Munich. The train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews. Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center. For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.

Day 2, travel from Munich to Copenhagen, either leaving Munich Hbf at 06:14 arriving Copenhagen 17:34, or leaving Munich Hbf at 10:21 arriving Copenhagen 21:34.

From 17 June to 20 August 2023 an altered timetable applies, leave Munich Hbf 07:17, change Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen 19:34 or there's a later departure from Munich Hbf at 11:56, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 23:34.

For Oslo & Norway, stay overnight in Copenhagen and travel to Oslo next day, see the timetable & information here.

How much does it cost?

Vienna to Munich starts at €27.90 in 2nd class, €56.90 in 1st class.

Munich to Copenhagen starts at €37.90 in 2nd class, €69.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets...
Step 1, book from Vienna to Munich at the German Railways website www.bahn.de looking for the direct EC train with 0 changes leaving at or around 13:35. Step 2, book from Munich to Copenhagen at www.bahn.de looking for a convenient option with just 1 change.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Option 4, Vienna to Copenhagen & Malmö using the Vienna-Hamburg sleeper train...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:11, arriving Hamburg Hbf 08:47.
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, travel tips, photos & video.

Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 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 Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish IC3 intercity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 12:53 and arriving Copenhagen 17:34.
From 17 June to 20 August 2023 an earlier connection is possible, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 10:53 and arriving Copenhagen 15:34
Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you're going to Malmö or Gothenburg, travel from Copenhagen to Malmö or Gothenburg by Öresund train, these run several times each hour to Malmö taking 39 minutes, and once an hour to Gothenburg taking 3h53. Book from Hamburg to Malmö or Gothenburg as one transaction at www.bahn.de (Gothenburg is listed as Göteborg Central).

Step 1, Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train. More information about Nightjets.

Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room

Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.

4-berth couchettes.

Nightjet couchette car...

Step 2, Hamburg to Copenhagen by Intercity train. This is a Hamburg to Copenhagen IC3 leaving platform 5 at Hamburg Hbf on a busy summer day. The yellow stripe above the windows indicates first class, located at one end of each 3-car unit. More information about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

2nd class seats on an IC3 train...

Boarding a train to Copenhagen in Hamburg.

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Vienna to Oslo & Norway...

Option 1, Vienna to Oslo via Hamburg & Copenhagen - by train all the way...

See above.

Option 2, Vienna to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most comfortable way to Oslo...

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:11 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 08:47.
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, travel tips, photos & video.

Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 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 €, a little more fiddly, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Day 2, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Kiel Hbf by regional train, these leave several times each hour taking 1h10, fixed-price fare around €23.
In Kiel, the Color Line ferry terminal is only 5-6 minutes walk from Kiel Hbf, but allow several hours between train & ferry for the ferry check-in and in case of delay.

Day 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo by luxurious overnight Color Line ferry, with a full range of en suite cabins, suites, bars, restaurants and lounges. The m/v Magic or m/v Fantasy normally sails at 14:00 arriving Oslo at 10:00 next morning (day 3 from Vienna).
Check times & buy tickets using the Direct Ferries website or www.colorline.com.
Make sure you're on deck next morning as the ship sails through spectacular scenery up Oslo Fjord. The ship docks at the modern Color Line terminal about 2 km from the city centre. Color Line provide transfer buses to Oslo Sentral station costing 55 krone, or there are plenty of taxis. If you have little luggage it's possible to walk. See map of Oslo showing ferry terminal.

Step 1, Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet and take a regional train to Kiel. More information about Nightjets.

Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room

The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes...

4-berth couchettes...

Nightjet couchette car...

Step 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo with Color Line. This photo is taken from the exit of Kiel station, so you can see how close the ferry is. It's a 5-6 minute walk across the harbour, with a street lift up to a connecting walkway which takes you to the ferry terminal. If you have reserved one of what Color Line call their "5 star suites", check in at the desk rather than the machines and you'll be directed to a special lounge to wait with free tea, coffee, juice, snacks & WiFi. You'll also have priority boarding of the ship. Photos courtesy of Andrew Leo.

Boarding the Color Line ferry to Oslo in Kiel...

A 5 Star Suite on the ferry...

More cruise liner than ferry! The restaurant.

Wake up to this....

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Vienna to Helsinki...

Option 1, Vienna to Helsinki using a Finnlines ferry from Germany - the easiest option...

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:13, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:51 (times may vary).

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Day 1, transfer from Hamburg Hbf to the Travemünde ferry terminal by train+bus and sail from Travemünde to Helsinki with Finnlines, see the Hamburg page for full details of the transfer, check-in arrangements & ferry crossing.

Finnlines sail from Travemünde in northern Germany to Helsinki every day, boarding at 23:30, sailing at 02:45 (the exact time varies) and arriving at Helsinki's Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari at 09:15 2 nights later (Day 3 from Munich).

Check sailing dates, times & book the ferry using the Direct Ferries website or at www.finnlines.com.

Book onward trains within Finland at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi.

Finnlines operate the Finnstar, Finnmaid & Finnlady on the Travemünde-Helsinki route. Photo courtesy of Hubert Bartkowiak. Photos below courtesy of Chris Russell.

Standard cabin. Larger photo.

Gym with a view...

Sauna...

Option 2, Vienna to Helsinki by train to Stockholm, then ferry...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Stockholm as shown above.

Step 2, travel from Stockholm to Helsinki either by direct overnight cruise ferry, or by daytime or overnight ferry to Turku and connecting train to Helsinki as shown on the Trains & ferries from Stockholm page.

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Vienna to Prague from €14.90...

Option 1, Vienna to Prague by railjet train in just 4h05...

The train is definitely the way to go, see the Vienna to Prague page for full details...

Smart new railjet trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi link Vienna Hbf and Prague Hlavni every two hours, journey time 4h25 from city centre to city centre, fares from just €14.90 - or €29.90 in 1st class or €44.90 in business class, see the Vienna to Prague page for details.

Option 2, Vienna to Prague by competing RegioJet train...

Since 2017 these railjets have been joined by 4 daily trains run by open-access competitor Regiojet with fares from just €15, free WiFi and at-seat service, see the Vienna to Prague page for details.

A blue Czech railjet train from Prague to Vienna, seen at Prague Hlavni...

Option 3, by sleeper train. This was discontinued from the timetable change in December 2018...

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Vienna to Český Krumlov from €12...

Vienna to Český Krumlov takes around 4h29 in total with two easy changes of train at České Velenice & České Budejovice.
Trains leave every 2 hours from Vienna Franz Josefs Bahnhof in the north of the city, see station location map.
You can look up train times using the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

What's the journey like?
The Austrian regional express (REX) train from Vienna to České Velenice is 2nd class only, a comfortable City Shuttle train using ÖBB's double-deck air-conditioned Weasel trains. Sit upstairs for the best views!

At České Velenice you simply get off and walk a few feet across the same platform to the waiting Czech regional train to České Budejovice. If the Austrian train is a bit late the Czech train will wait for it.

The Czech train from České Velenice to České Budejovice is also 2nd class only, modern & air-conditioned, see the photo below. Both Austrian & Czech trains have plenty of luggage space & toilets. Bring food & drink with you.

Incidentally, České Budejovice might sound more familiar by its former Germanic name, Budweis. That's right, where the name of the beer comes from! The town is worth a look around in its own right.
You then take the little green-&-orange GWTR local train from České Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov, a leisurely journey on a winding single track branch line past farmland & forest. This runs every hour or so, taking 44 minutes, with luggage space, toilet, power sockets & free WiFi. The final destination of most of these trains is a place called Nove Udoli.

How much does it cost?

If you're happy to commit to specific departures, advance-purchase fares from Vienna to Cesky Krumlov start at €12.

If you want to stay flexible, a Standard-Ticket (Local Trains in Czech Republic) from Vienna to Ceske Budejovice costs around €36.30, good for any train on this route that day, unlimited availability so it cannot sell out. You then need to pay separately for the GWTR local train from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov, this costs 40 Koruna (€1.55), bought at the station or on board the train.

How to buy tickets - if you want the cheapest price...

If you are happy committing to a specific departure, no refunds, no changes, go to the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

Search for Vienna to Cesky Krumlov. Booking opens 3 months ahead. In the results, look for journeys via České Velenice & České Budejovice.

You'll also see journeys from Vienna Hbf via Linz (Donau) & Ceske Budejovice, this is a longer way round but the trains are faster so it only takes a little longer. The trains have 1st class on this route. However, it's less frequent and more expensive, so I'd stick with the direct route via České Velenice unless the main Vienna Hbf is significantly more convenient for where you're staying.

You'll see prices in a green button. If you are happy committing to a specific departure, the cheapest option is click one of those. You'll get a First Minute advance-purchase fare for the Vienna-České Budejovice trains plus a OneTicket fare to cover the GWTR local train between České Budejovice & Cesky Krumlov, all booked as one easy transaction.

You can also buy flexible full-price tickets at www.cd.cz, these are simply called International ticket, good for any train that day. But this is over €50, for flexible tickets it's cheaper to use www.oebb.at as I'll explain now:

How to buy tickets - if you want to stay flexible...

If you want to remain flexible and not commit to a specific departure and/or want to buy on the day, go to the Austrian Railways www.oebb.at and run an enquiry from Vienna (just plain Vienna) to Cesky Krumlov.

In the search results, look for journeys from Vienna Franz Josefs Bahnhof with 2 changes marked REX, Os and then a greyed out train symbol. It'll specify via Ceske Velenice and Ceske Budejovice underneath.

Oebb.at will show fares including advance-purchase Sparschiene tickets, but it will say Ticket for section only because ÖBB can't sell tickets for the GWTR local train from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov. The fares shown are only for Vienna to Ceske Budejovice.

Click on the Sparschiene fare and other fares appear. To remain flexible, select Standard-Ticket (Local Trains in Czech Republic) for around €36. You can either carry on and buy this online or buy it at the station on the day, fixed-price, it cannot sell out.

You then buy the GWTR local ticket from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov at Ceske Budejovice station from the distinctive green-&-orange GWTR ticket counter in the ticket hall. Tickets cannot sell out, you sit where you like, it's just local transport. Easy!

Changing trains at Ceske Velenice. That's the double-deck Austrian train from Vienna Franz Josefs Bahnhof arrived the right and the modern Czech regional train to Ceske Budejovice on the left. Yes, all you have to do is walk across the platform! Courtesy Colin Penfold.

The distinctive orange-and-green GWTR local train from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov...

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Vienna to Brno from €7...

The Vienna to Prague railjet trains call at Brno. Departure from Vienna Hbf every 2 hours, journey time to Brno just 1h28.

Advance-purchase First Minute fares start at €7, limited availability, specific train only, no refunds, no changes. The full-flex fare bought on the day is around €26, good for any train that day.

Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket or show it on your phone. Booking opens 90 days ahead.

You can also book at Austrian Railways www.oebb.at or at www.thetrainline.com, Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, although the Czechs are usually cheaper for a given date & train.

The Vienna-Prague Regiojet trains also serve Brno. Book at www.regiojet.com and print your own ticket or show it on your phone. Regiojet can be cheaper bat short notice, too.

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Vienna to Ostrava...

Several times a day, direct EuroCity trains link Vienna Hbf with Ostrava, journey time 2h50, you can check times at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

The final destination of these trains is usually Warsaw, carriages are usually supplied by Polish Railways, comfortable and air-conditioned, and there's usually a restaurant car and power sockets at seats. You can see the train formation, on-board facilities and photos if you go to www.vagonweb.cz and search for the train number once you have found that at www.oebb.at.

Advance-purchase Sparschiene fares start at €19.90.

Book at the www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz (where booking usually opens 90 days ahead). You print your own ticket.

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Vienna to Bratislava for €10.20

Regional express trains link Vienna Hbf with Bratislava Hlavna every hour in 1h06, see the Vienna to Bratislava page for details.

The hourly regional express train from Vienna to Bratislava Hlavna, about to leave from Vienna Hbf.

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Vienna to Poprad-Tatry & Kosice...

A direct Intercity train links Vienna with eastern Slovakia once a day, leaving Vienna Hbf at 14:42, arriving Poprad Tatry 19:57 & Kosice 21:13.
This excellent air-conditioned Slovakian Intercity train has a Slovakian restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Tip: You can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, click Train formations, scroll to Austria, click IC and look for IC45.

If you'd prefer an earlier departure, take the hourly regional express train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna and change onto a Slovakian Intercity or Rychlik (fast) train, these leave every 2 hours or so for Poprad Tatry and Kosice, usually with a restaurant car.

Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at the Slovakian Railways website www.zssk.sk. Booking opens 60 days ahead. Switch it to English by clicking EN top right. It's a little fiddly, but it works. You print your own ticket.

You can also book at Austrian Railways www.oebb.at, but fares are significantly higher on the ÖBB website.

Slovakian Intercity train at Bratislava Hlavna...

Bar area at one end of the restaurant car.

2nd class open-plan seating...

1st class open-plan seats...

2nd class compartment seating...

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Vienna to Budapest from €9...

Every hour, a smart Austrian railjet train or air-conditioned Hungarian EuroCity train links Vienna Hbf with Budapest Keleti in 2h40.
Advance-purchase Sparschiene fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class or €44.90 in luxurious Business class.

Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket. More information...

In addition, private open-access operator Regiojet now operates 2 trains a day each way with 4 classes (lo-cost, standard, relax & business) with fares from €9, book at www.regiojet.com and print your ticket or show it on your phone. More information...

See the Budapest to Vienna by train page for train times, fares, how to buy tickets & travel tips...

A railjet on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti station. More information about railjets.

First class... Larger photo.

Economy (2nd)... Larger photo.

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Vienna to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest from €58...

Option 1, Vienna to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest by Dacia Express sleeper train - safe, comfortable, time-effective & scenic...

The Dacia Express leaves Vienna Hbf at 19:42 arriving in Simeria 07:13, Sighisoara 09:21, Braşov 12:35, Ploeşti 14:27 & Bucharest Nord 15:05.

It has a modern air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, plus several deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet. It has a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.

A Hungarian restaurant car is attached in the evening, treat yourself to dinner with wine. A Romanian bar car is attached in the morning between Arad & Bucharest, serving drinks & snacks. There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat...

The Dacia Express also conveys a portion from Vienna to Cluj Napoca, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 and arriving Cluj Napoca at 08:19. This portion has a Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, and ordinary seats.

Fares start at €59 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, €69 with a couchette in a 4-berth compartment, €79 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €99 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper or €159 with a bed in a single-berth sleeper all to yourself. All per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

Booking normally opens 90 days ahead. In the search results, look for the direct train marked D with no changes. If it says not available you can't book it (booking may not have opened yet), but if a Sparschiene fare is shown you can.

You can now (as of 2022) book this train in either direction at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro. Click EN top right for English. Booking opens 60 days ahead. For Vienna type Wien, for Bucharest type Bucuresti. It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers. For Austria to Romania journeys you print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

Tip: Prices might be cheaper than on oebb.at, so check both sites!

Tip: If you like, you can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria, click D and look for Dacia.

The Dacia Express sleeping-car at Vienna Hbf. The Dacia has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car of their most modern type. Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple. Most have a washbasin, two compartments have a shower & toilet. Beds fold away to form a private sitting room for day use. Sleeper photo courtesy of @PaliparanDotCom. Larger photo.

The Dacia Express couchette car, boarding at Vienna Hbf. There is one Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6-berth compartments, bedding provided. Larger photo.

Transylvania: The Dacia Express passes villages in rural Transylvania. Courtesy of @PaliparanDotCom.

Carpathian mountains: Alpine scenery as the Dacia Express passes through the Carpathians. Courtesy @PaliparanDotCom.

Option 2, Vienna to Romania using the sleeper train Ister from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest - a good alternative...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 14:42 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 17:19.

The EuroCity train has a restaurant car. By all means take an earlier train and spend a day or an afternoon exploring Budapest.

Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class, €44.90 in business class (= premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, 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 €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train, leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10, arriving Brasov 08:40, Bucharest Gara de Nord 11:19.

This comfortable sleeper train is called the Ister, the ancient name for the river Danube. It has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. There's no restaurant car so take a picnic and bottle of wine, although a bistro-bar is usually attached within Romania. Enjoy the alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov & Bucharest.

Fares start at €39 with a couchette in 6-berth, €46 with a couchette in 4-berth, €69 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €84 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €162 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro. Click EN top right for English. Booking opens 60 days ahead. For Bucharest type Bucuresti. For Hungary to Romania journeys you print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
You can also book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mav-start.hu, see my advice on using it. For Bucharest type Bucuresti. You show your ticket in the MAV app on your phone. Tip: If it won't offer tickets for a 2-bed or 1-bed sleeper, book 3 tickets in a 3-bed sleeper to get sole occupancy.

Option 3, Vienna to Romania with an overnight stop in Budapest - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers...

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 18:42 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 21:19.

The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means take an earlier train and spend a pleasant afternoon or evening in Budapest.

Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. 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 €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.

Day 2, travel from Budapest to Transylvania & Bucharest by daytime train...

A comfortable air-conditioned InterCity train called the Traianus leaves Budapest Keleti at 07:10 and arrives Bucharest Nord at 23:49.

Another InterCity train leaves Budapest Keleti at 09:10 via Simeria & Sibiu arriving Brasov 22:46.

Fares start at €26.30 in 2nd class or €40.50 in 1st class. These are advance-purchase fares with limited availability.

Book these trains at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice on using it. Booking opens 60 days ahead. You show the ticket in the MAV app on your phone.

You can also book at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro. Click EN top right for English. Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. For Bucharest type Bucuresti. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

The Intercity train Traianus from Budapest to Bucharest, boarding at Budapest Keleti.   Three modern air-conditioned Romanian carriages travel all the way, additional cars are attached whilst in Hungary, and additional cars and a bar car are attached between Drobeta Turnu Severin & Bucharest.

On the left, the daytime train to Bucharest is about to leave Budapest Keleti...

Comfortable 2nd class seats on the Budapest to Bucharest train. There are power outlets under the tables. Larger photo.

A bar car is attached between Drobeta Turnu Severin & Bucharest. Photos courtesy of @AndyBTravels, DiscoverByRail.com.

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Vienna to Ljubljana & Slovenia...

The air-conditioned EuroCity train Emona links Vienna with Ljubljana every day, leaving Vienna Hbf at 07:58 and arriving Ljubljana at 14:00.
The Emona uses a mix of comfortable air-conditioned Austrian & Slovenian carriages with a choice of sitting in an open-plan saloon car (my own preference) or in classic 6-seater compartments with side corridor. The Austrian cars have power sockets at seats, although the Slovenian ones don't. Emona is the Roman name for Ljubljana.
The Emona has a Slovenian restaurant car serving inexpensive cooked breakfast, beer & wine. How about a glass of Slovenian fizzy with your omelette? South of Vienna it takes the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains, sit back and enjoy the fabulous scenery.
Tip: If you like you can check the train formation & see what the carriages are like at www.vagonweb.cz - Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria and click EC then look for the Emona.
Tip: This train runs through to Trieste, so will be shown on the departure boards as the EC train to Trieste.

Other departures are available:
Leave Vienna Hbf around 12:25, change at Villach & arrive Ljubljana around 18:31.

Leave Vienna Hbf around 14:25, changing at Villach onto a train to Ljubljana arriving around 20:33.

Leave Vienna Hbf at 15:58, change at Maribor arrive Ljubljana 22:08.

Fares start at €24.90 in 2nd class or €34.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets 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 €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

The EuroCity train Emona to Ljubljana about to leave Vienna Hbf, with its Slovenian restaurant car in the foreground and two Slovenian cars in rear. The Austrian cars are ahead of the restaurant car.

The Emona has a Slovenian restaurant car with inexpensive freshly-cooked scrambled eggs or omelette. How about a glass of fizz to go with that?

2nd class open-plan seating. Seats in classic 6-seat compartments are also available.

1st class open-plan seating. There's just one section of 1st class seats on this train.

Between Vienna & Graz the Emona travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, photos & video.

Scenery in Slovenia, between Maribor & Zidani Most....

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Vienna to Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik & Croatia...

Option 1, Vienna to Zagreb & Croatia all year round...

The air-conditioned EuroCity train Croatia links Vienna & Zagreb every day, leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:58 and arriving in Zagreb at 22:27.
The Croatia has an Austrian restaurant car, so treat yourself to dinner, and at least in summer enjoy the fabulous scenery along the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Graz.
The Croatia uses comfortable and spacious air-conditioned Austrian carriages, with power sockets at seats and a choice of sitting in an open-plan saloon car (my own preference) or in classic 6-seater compartments with side corridor.
If you like you can check the train formation & see what the carriages are like at www.vagonweb.cz - Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria, click EC then look for the Croatia.

Another departure is available leaving Vienna Hbf at 07:58 by EuroCity train Emona, changing at Zidani Most onto a Croatian train to Zagreb arriving 17:07. Or leaving Vienna Hbf at 12:18, change Villach, arriving 20:46. These trains also take the UNESCO-listed Semmering route.

Fares start at just €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets 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 €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

For Split, stay overnight in Zagreb and take a train from Zagreb to Split next day, a lovely scenic ride. The fare is only around €20 in 2nd class. See the Trains from Zagreb page for details.

Buy tickets at the Croatian Railways website www.hzpp.hr - though it's not usually a problem to get places on the day.

For Dubrovnik, take a train to Split then a bus from Split to Dubrovnik. Buses leave every hour or even every half hour from Split bus station taking between 3h45 and 4h35 to Dubrovnik bus station. There are various operators, the fare is between €13 & €17. Buy at the bus station on the day, it's easy.

See suggested hotels in Zagreb & Split.

Vienna to Zagreb on the Croatia: This is the EuroCity train Croatia about to leave Vienna Hbf for Zagreb...

1st class open-plan seating. 1st class seats in classic 6-seat compartments are also available...

2nd class compartment seating. Seats in open plan saloon cars also available

The elegant Austrian restaurant car. Larger photo.

Dinner with wine on board...

Between Vienna & Graz the Croatia travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, photos & video.

Scenery in Slovenia, between Maribor & Zidani Most....

Sevnica Castle, seen from the train between Zidani Most & Zagreb....

Zagreb to Split by train: These fast, tilting, air-conditioned ICN trains link Zagreb & Split once or twice a day through great scenery. Above right, first class seats. You can now buy tickets online at www.hzpp.hr.

Scenery between Zagreb and Split seen from the train... Photo courtesy of Páraic Maguire.

Option 2, Vienna to Split by direct sleeper train (for bus to Dubrovnik), runs Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays in summer - with a sleeping-cars, recommended.

A EuroNight sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 18:23 and arrives Split at 08:10 next morning.

This runs on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays from 3 May to 6 October 2023.

It starts its journey in Bratislava, with a comfortable air-conditioned Slovakian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, 6 berth couchettes and ordinary seats.

Fares from €29.90 in a seat, €49 in a couchette, €79.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 in a 2-bed sleeper, €149.90 in a single-bed sleeper.

Book at either www.thetrainline.com (easy, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, international credit cards no problem) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a little more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket.

For Dubrovnik, take a bus from Split. There are buses every hour or even every half hour, run by several companies. Journey time between 3h45 and 4h35, fare around €13-€17. Buy a ticket at the bus station in Split.

What a journey! Scenery between Zagreb & Split seen from the sleeper train. Photos courtesy of Rob Romans.

The comfortable air-conditioned Slovakian sleeping-cars on the train from Bratislava & Vienna to Split, arrived at Split station. Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple, and comes with soap, towel, fully-made up beds and a washbasin. A light breakfast is included. Larger photo. Photo of 2-berth, courtesy of Michael Allsop.

A couchette car on the train from Bratislava & Vienna, arrived at Split. Larger photo.

Option 3, Vienna to Croatia using the Regiojet sleeper from Bratislava to Rijeka - summer only, 3 per week.

Step 1, travel from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna by regional train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:16 and Bratislava Hlavna at 20:23.

By all means travel earlier and have dinner in Bratislava, these trains leave every hour at xx:16 minutes past each hour, journey time 1h07. See the Vienna to Bratislava to page for more information. Transfer to Bratislava Nove Mesto by local train or taxi.

Step 2, travel from Bratislava to Rijeka by Regiojet sleeper train, 3 times a week from 16 June to 30 September 2023.

It leaves Bratislava Nove Mesto (4km from Bratislava Hlavna) at 21:26 on Tuesday, Friday & Sunday, arriving Rijeka at 10:40 next morning.

This excellent train has 4-berth couchettes & seats. The couchette fare includes all necessary bedding and a light breakfast.   There's excellent on-board at-seat service from an extensive menu, with complimentary bottled water and excellent Illy coffee. There's free WiFi.

Open-access operator Regiojet introduced this train in 2020 and it was the surprise runaway success of that year, with every 500-seat train averaging 90% occupancy and carrying tens of thousands of passengers on holiday. It came back for summers 2021 & 2022, expanded to serve Zagreb, Rijeka and Split, with bus connections to other resorts along the Croatian and Montenegrin coast. It's back again in 2023, but without a portion for Split.

The fare is €22.90 in a seat or €29.90 with a couchette in a shared 4-berth compartment, or €89.60 for sole occupancy of a private couchette compartment for 1 to 4 people.

Buy an e-ticket online at www.regiojet.com. Booking is a breeze, it even allows you to choose your exact place from a carriage plan.

The holiday train... Above left, Regiojet overnight train at Prague Hlavni. Above right, a 4-berth couchette compartment on this train, in daytime mode. The seat back hinges up to form the upper berths.

Arrived in Croatia...

Couchette...

Option 4, Vienna to Split using the Budapest-Split sleeper train Adria, runs in summer June-September...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 13:40 and arriving Budapest Keleti 16:19.

Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this 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 €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Step 2, travel from Budapest to Split by direct sleeper train Adria, this runs from mid-June to early September, leaving Budapest Keleti around 18:53 every day and arriving Split around 08:56 next morning.

The Adria has a comfortable Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments and a couchette car with 4 & 6 bunk compartments.

The fare is around €79 with couchette or from €92 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper.

Check to see if it is bookable online at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu. If not, you will need to book at the station or by phone with a ticketing agency in your home country.

For Dubrovnik, take a bus from Split. There are buses every hour or even every half hour, run by several companies. Journey time between 3h45 and 4h35, fare around €13-€17. Buy a ticket at the bus station in Split.

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Vienna to Belgrade, Sofia & Montenegro...

Option 1, Vienna to Belgrade & Sofia via Zagreb...

This is a round-about route, but the direct Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade route is currently blocked for several years by major track rebuilding.

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Zagreb by EuroCity train Croatia, leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:58 and arriving Zagreb Glavni Kolod at 22:27.

The Croatia has a restaurant car serving snacks, meals, beer & wine so treat yourself to dinner, and at least in summer enjoy the fabulous scenery along the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Graz.

Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices but a little more fiddly). You print your own ticket.

Stay overnight in Zagreb. There are good hotels just a stone's throw from the station, I suggest the historic Esplanade Hotel, the Palace Hotel or Central Hotel, all near the station with good reviews.

Step 2, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 and arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.

This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended in 2023.

This train has air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats, but no 1st class. There's no catering, so bring a picnic and some beer or wine.

The fare is around €29 bought at the station in Zagreb or paid on board the train, tickets cannot be bought online.

Step 3 for Sofia, stay overnight in Belgrade (I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva) and travel from Belgrade to Sofia next day (day 3), see the Belgrade to Sofia page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.
This route is currently suspended due to Covid-19.

Step 3 for Montenegro, stay overnight in Belgrade (I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva), transfer to Belgrade Topcider station next morning and take the daytime train Tara to Podgorica or Bar. See the Belgrade to Montenegro page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.

Step 1, Vienna to Zagreb on the Croatia: This is the EuroCity train Croatia about to leave Vienna Hbf for Zagreb...

1st class open-plan seating as used on the Croatia. 1st class seats in classic 6-seat compartments are also available...

2nd class compartment seating as used on the Croatia. Seats in open plan saloon cars also available

Between Vienna & Graz the Croatia travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, photos & video.

Scenery in Slovenia, between Maribor & Zidani Most....

Sevnica Castle, seen from the train between Zidani Most & Zagreb....

Step 2, Zagreb to Belgrade by Serbian train. There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink.

Option 2, Vienna to Sofia using a Budapest-Bucharest sleeper - currently the only viable option...

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 11:40 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 14:19.

The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means take an earlier train if you'd like more time in Budapest, perhaps for lunch.

Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. 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 €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Day 1, travel from Budapest to Bucharest on the sleeper train Muntenia, leaving Budapest Keleti at 15:10 and arriving Bucharest Nord at 08:06.
The Muntenia has 4 & 6-berth couchettes and ordinary seats. A Romanian sleeping-car is attached from Timişoara Nord (depart 21:50) to Bucharest. There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

Fares start at €40 with a couchette in 6-berth or €47 with a couchette in 4-berth. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.

Book this at the Romanian Railways international website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket.

If you want the comfort & privacy of a proper sleeper from Timisoara to Bucharest, (1) book a 2nd class seat from Budapest to Timisoara from €17 using bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket. (2) Now book berths in a 1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper from Timisoara Nord to Bucharest Nord at the Romanian domestic website bilete.cfrcalatori.ro and print your own ticket. A single sleeper all to yourself costs as little as €59.

Day 2, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by daytime train as shown on the train from Bucharest page. You leave Bucharest Nord at 10:55 and arrive Sofia Central at 20:10 after a pleasant day meandering across the Danube and through the river valleys of Bulgaria. In summer it's direct, in winter you have to switch trains at Ruse. There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.
The fare is around €34.

Book this at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket.

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Vienna to Warsaw from €42.90...

Option 1, Vienna to Warsaw by daytime train - the leisurely daytime option...

Two comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity (EC) trains with restaurant car link Vienna with Warsaw every day, city centre to city centre:
The EuroCity Sobieski leaves Vienna Hbf at 06:06 and arrives Warsaw Centralna at 13:28.

The EuroCity Polonia leaves Vienna Hbf at 14:10 and arrives Warsaw Centralna at 21:29.

Take a good book and treat yourself to an inexpensive meal in the Polish restaurant car with beer or wine, see the photos below.
Tip: You can check the train formation & see photos of the cars inside and out if you go to www.vagonweb.cz, Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria, click EC and locate your specific train.

Fares start at €42.90 in 2nd class or from €52.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book online at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

A EuroCity train from Vienna to Warsaw & Gydnia at Vienna Hbf. On these PKP Polish Railways cars, the green stripe above the windows indicates 2nd class. Yellow indicates first class, red indicates the restaurant car. Courtesy of Jennifer Delaney.

Most 2nd class cars have compartments like this with side corridor & 6-seat compartments, although one or two cars may have open-plan saloons. All 1st class seats are in 6-seat compartments on these trains. Click images for larger photos.

Restaurant car...

Option 2, Vienna to Warsaw by sleeper train - safe, comfortable, time-effective...

A EuroNight sleeper train called the Chopin leaves Vienna Hbf at 22:10 arriving Warsaw Gdanska at 08:56.
This train has a safe & comfortable air-conditioned Polish sleeping-car with 1, 2 or 3 beds per compartment. It also has two 1 or 2 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, see the photos below. It also has ordinary seats, but no couchettes.

Fares start at €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 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, happily accepts overseas payment cards) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (a little more fiddly), you print your own ticket. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.
Tip: If using www.thetrainline.com and no sleepers appear, try selecting Semi-Flex at the top instead of Cheapest. If using oebb.at, if it says Please choose a different service when trying to select a couchette or sleeper, scroll back up to the fares section, click More services and select the higher-priced fare instead of the cheapest Sparschiene price. It means couchettes and/or sleepers are no longer available in conjunction with the cheapest Sparschiene rates.

The modern Polish sleeping-car from Vienna to Warsaw, boarding at Vienna Hbf...

Standard sleeper in evening/morning mode with seats folded out.

Standard sleeper set up as 3-berth, can also be set up as a single or double.

Deluxe sleeper, set up as a 2-berth, showing TV & wardrobe.

Deluxe sleeper: En suite shower & toilet. Click the photos for larger images.

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Vienna to Krakow from €32.90...

Option 1, Vienna to Krakow by daytime train - the leisurely daytime option...

An air-conditioned EuroCity train called the Porta Moravica leaves Vienna Hbf at 08:10 and arrives Krakow Glowny at 13:46.

This train's final destination is Przemysl, it consists of comfortable air-conditioned Austrian cars, some with side corridor and 6-seat compartments, some with open-plan saloon seating, see the photos below. Until 10 June 2023 the 1st class car is normally one with 6-seat compartments. An Austrian restaurant car is available as far as Bohumin, reached just after 11:00.
You can check the train formation & see photos of the cars inside and out if you go to www.vagonweb.cz, Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria, click EC then locate your specific train, EuroCity EC104 Porta Moravica.
Tip: Most people prefer an open-plan saloon seating car. If you are a group of 5 or 6 family or friends you may prefer a compartment car.
Tip: From 11 June 2023 until December, the one and only 1st class car (car 352) on this train is due to be a Swiss Railways panorama car on loan to ÖBB, a real treat. If there was ever a feature worth paying extra for 1st class, this is it!

Later departures are possible with one easy change of train:
Leave Vienna Hbf at 14:10, change trains at Katowice, arrive Krakow Glowny 21:04.

Fares start at €32.90 in 2nd class or from €42.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

The morning train from Vienna to Krakow, about to leave Vienna Hbf...

Austrian restaurant car. Larger photo.

Lunch with wine on board...

2nd class seats in an open-plan saloon. Some of the Austrian Vienna-Krakow cars are like this. Larger photo.

2nd class seats in a compartment. Other Vienna-Krakow cars are like this. Larger photo.

Option 2, Vienna to Krakow by sleeper train - the time-effective option...

A EuroNight sleeper train called the Chopin leaves Vienna Hbf at 22:10 arriving Krakow Glowny at 05:46.
This train has a safe & comfortable air-conditioned Polish sleeping-car with 1, 2 or 3 beds per compartment. It also has two 1 or 2 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, see the photos below. It also ordinary seats, but no couchettes. The train's final destination is Warsaw Centralna.

Fares start at €54.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €69.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 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, happily accepts overseas payment cards) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (a little more fiddly), you print your own ticket. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.
Tip: If using www.thetrainline.com and no sleepers appear, try selecting Semi-Flex at the top instead of Cheapest. If using oebb.at, if it says Please choose a different service when trying to select a couchette or sleeper, scroll back up to the fares section, click More services and select the higher-priced fare instead of the cheapest Sparschiene price. It means couchettes and/or sleepers are no longer available in conjunction with the cheapest Sparschiene rates.

Tip: The sleeper arrives in Krakow at an early hour. Exit the station through the shopping centre and you'll find the Hotel Puro Stare Miasto on the other side of the road and to the right. They'll let you join their excellent breakfast buffet from 7am for around €16. Of course, your own hotel may let you join their breakfast buffet on the morning of arrival. Suggested hotels in Krakow.

The modern Polish sleeping-car from Vienna to Krakow & Warsaw, boarding at Vienna Hbf.

Standard sleeper in evening/morning mode with seats folded out.

Standard sleeper set up as 3-berth, can also be set up as a single or double.

Deluxe sleeper, set up as a 2-berth, showing TV & wardrobe.

Deluxe sleeper: En suite shower & toilet. Click the photos for larger images.

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Vienna to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn...

Day 1, travel from Vienna Hbf to Warsaw by EuroCity train, as shown in the Vienna to Warsaw section above.

Or take the overnight sleeper & spend the following day exploring Warsaw.

Fares start at €29.
Book at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Stay overnight in Warsaw. The Polonia Palace Hotel is excellent, historic, relatively inexpensive for such a good hotel, and it's just across the road from the station. For something much cheaper, but still with great reviews and near the station, try the Hotel Metropol next door to the Polonia Palace or the nearby Novotel Warsaw Centrum. Also see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information.

Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Kaunas & Vilnius by train as shown on the Warsaw to Vilnius page.

Day 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga in Latvia, see here.

Day 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn in Estonia, see here.

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Vienna to Lviv, Kyiv & Ukraine...

Option 1, Vienna to Lviv & Kyiv by direct sleeping-car, still running in spite of the war in Ukraine.

Two direct sleeping-cars leave Vienna Hbf at 16:42 every day, travelling via Budapest & Chop, arriving next day at Lviv 11:00 & Kyiv at 18:30.
Introduced in 2017, this train consists of one or two Ukrainian sleeping-cars with comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below. At Chop on the other side of the border the through sleeping-car is jacked up to have its wheelsets changed from European standard gauge (4'8½") to Russian gauge used in Ukraine (5').
A Hungarian restaurant car operates between Vienna and Zahony (on the Ukrainian border just before Chop), treat yourself to dinner.

Book the train from Vienna to Lviv or Kyiv online at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

This will only book one-way or round trip starting in Vienna because tickets need to be collected from an ÖBB station in Austria. They cannot be collected in Ukraine. Booking this way you pay no fee or mark-up, just the official fare.

If you have any problems or want a one-way ticket starting in Ukraine, you can also book the Vienna-Kyiv train via reliable agency www.polrail.com, with tickets posted or couriered to you for a small fee. Polrail are based in Poland so charge in zlotys, but as they have access to Ukrainian ticketing system they are good for booking this train. The sleeper is popular, it usually sells out.
Suggested hotels in Lviv: The famous George Hotel or Grand Hotel.

Booked through oebb.at:
Vienna to Kyiv costs €80.50 in a 3-berth sleeper, €90.50 in a 2-berth sleeper or €152.90 in a single sleeper.

Vienna to Lviv costs €62.10 in a 3-berth sleeper, €70.10 in a 2-berth sleeper or €119.30 in a single sleeper.

Booked through Polrail:
Vienna to Kyiv costs around €138 in a 3-berth sleeper €149 in a 2-berth sleeper, or €241 in a single-berth sleeper.

Vienna to Lviv costs around €120 in a 3-berth sleeper €129 in a 2-berth sleeper, or €207 in a single-berth sleeper.

Booked at the station in Ukraine, Kyiv to Vienna costs around €80, Lviv to Vienna around €60, in both cases with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper.

Boarding the Vienna to Kyiv sleeping-car at Vienna Hbf. The Ukrainian sleeping-car to Lviv & Kyiv is attached to the back of a EuroCity train to Zahony.

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeper about to leave Vienna Hbf... Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

The sleeper corridor. Courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler.

A comfortable 1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper.

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeper is jacked up to have its bogies changed at Chop on the Ukrainian border. Photo Helmut Uttenthaler.

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeping-car arrived Kyiv Pass. Photos courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

Option 2, Vienna to Lviv using the Vienna-Lviv daytime connection, also useful to Kyiv if the direct sleeper is full...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Przemysl by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 08:10 and arriving Przemysl at 17:12.
Fares start at €32, buy this ticket at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

Step 2, travel from Przemysl to Lviv, leaving Przemysl at 18:59 and arriving Lviv at 22:40 and Odessa at 11:15 next day. This train has 4-berth kupé sleepers. The connection at Przemysl isn't long, but I understand this is a recognised connection. Feedback appreciated.
The fare to Lviv is about €12 in kupé, book this train at the Ukrainian Railways site booking.uz.gov.ua/en.

Option 3, Vienna to Lviv & Kyiv using the Budapest-Lviv daytime connection, also useful to Kyiv if the direct sleeper is full...

Day 1, take any afternoon or evening train you like from Vienna Hbf to Budapest Keleti booked online at www.oebb.at from €19 in 2nd class or €29 in 1st class. Trains leave every hour or two, journey 2h45.

Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.

Day 2, travel from Budapest to Mukachevo, leaving Budapest Nyugati at 07:23 every day arriving Mukacheve in Ukraine at 15:30.

Just one or two through cars run direct to Mukachevo, with comfortable air-conditioned 2nd class open-plan seats.

The fare is around €23 bought on the day.

Tickets from Budapest to Mukachevo cannot be booked online, so buy at the station, there are always places even on the day. You can check times for this train at www.bahn.de or www.mavcsoport.hu.

At Mukachevo there's a supermarket across the road from the station and a pizza restaurant nearby.

Day 2, travel from Mukachevo to Lviv or Kyiv on train 81, leaving Mukachevo at 18:02, arriving Lviv at 22:15 & Kyiv at 07:25 next morning.
Train 81 has 1st class 2-berth sleepers (spalny vagon), 2nd class 4-berth sleepers (kupé) & open-plan sleepers (platskartny).
The fare from Mukachevo to Lviv is around €11 in kupé.
The fare from Mukachevo to Kyiv is around €49 in spalny vagon, or €21 in kupé.
This train can be booked online at the Ukrainian Railways website www.uz.gov.ua. Booking opens 30-60 days ahead.

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Vienna to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia...

Option 1, Vienna to Moscow via Kyiv - runs daily & avoids Belarus, the route I'd recommend...

Step 1, travel from Vienna to Kyiv by direct sleeping-car, leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:42 and arriving Kyiv at 18:30 the next day. See the Vienna-Kyiv section above for details, and how to buy tickets.

Step 2, travel from Kyiv to Moscow by sleeper train, there are several, for example one leaves at 19:36 arriving Moscow Kievskaya station at 10:09 the next morning.
All Kyiv-Moscow trains were suspended due to Covid-19 and remain suspended due to the war in Ukraine...
The fare is around €92 with a bed in 4-berth kupé or €180 with a bed in a 2-berth spalny vagon.

You can ask www.polrail.com to book this for you too, or you can book tickets from Kyiv to Moscow at the Ukrainian Railways site booking.uz.gov.ua/en/ booking from Kyiv to Moskva Kievskaya. You collect tickets at the station in Kyiv. Feedback appreciated.

Option 2, Vienna to Moscow with a day in Warsaw, daily...

Step 1, take the daily EuroNight sleeper train Chopin from Vienna to Warsaw as shown in detail above, booking this train online at www.oebb.at.

Spend the day exploring Warsaw.

Step 2, travel from Warsaw to Moscow by Russian sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 every day and arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 next day. You can check times at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru.
This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to the war in Ukraine...
This train uses impressive Austrian-built sleeping-cars with 4-berth compartments built in 2014, see photos of this type of sleeper here & see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers. Each compartment can be sold as 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth. The train consist of two or three sleeping-car which start their journey in Prague. There's a bistro car in Poland and a Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (on the Polish/Belarus border) & Moscow.

You can book this train by contacting reliable Polish train ticketing agency www.polrail.com - their booking system is at booking.polrail.com. Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.
Alternatively, you can book with Russian Railways at www.rzd.ru although it's a little quirky and may not accept some overseas credit cards.
Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa and Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus. See my important update about travel to Russia through Belarus.

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Vienna to Athens & Greece...

Option 1, Vienna to Athens & Greece via ferry from Italy - currently the most practical route...

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Bologna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:18 & arriving Bologna Centrale at 05:15.

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's 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. There are 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, travel tips, photos & video.

Fares start at €49.90 with couchette, €99.90 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, light breakfast included.

Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, can also book onward tickets within Italy) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Day 2, travel from Bologna to Bari by Frecciarossa, leaving Bologna Centrale at 09:45 arriving Bari Centrale at 15:27.

The train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a pleasant run along the scenic Adriatic coast.

Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, $ or £, they'll refund the €3.50 booking fee to seat61 users if you email them after booking at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly, requires Italian-language place names, see advice on using it).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

In Bari, transfer from station to port, see map of Bari showing station, port entrance, check-in building & Superfast Ferries berth.

You can walk the 1.9 km from the station to the port entrance in 25 minutes, a stroll through Bari's pleasant old town, see correct walking map from the station to the port entrance gate - if Google tells you any different, trust me, not Google!

Alternatively, bus 50 runs from Bari Centrale station to the road outside the port gate roughly every 40 minutes. A taxi will take 10 minutes.

Day 2, sail overnight from Bari to Patras in Greece with Superfast Ferries.

The ferry sails from Bari at 19:30 on Mondays-Saturdays, arriving Patras at 13:00 next day (Day 3).

On Sundays the ship sails at 13:30, too early to make connections from Milan.

You can check sailing times & dates at using the Direct Ferries website or at www.superfast.com or www.ferriesingreece.com.

You should check in at the Superfast desk on the ground floor of the cruise terminal (Terminal Crociere) at Bari port with passport & booking number to get your boarding pass, ideally 3 hours before departure in summer, although in practice 2 hours or even 1½ hours is normally fine.

You then walk 500m from check-in to the ferry, board the ferry via the foot passenger gangway at the stern and head up the escalator to the main lounge and reception desk to get your cabin key.

The ship is comfortable, with self-service restaurant, lounge, bar and sun deck. You can book a deck place (a good & cheap option in summer if you have your own sleeping bag), a reclining seat or various types of cabin, all with private shower & toilet. Strolling the decks in the morning sun as the ship cruises past the islands of Cephalonia and Ithaca is the nicest part of the trip, and it's a wonderful way to arrive in Greece.

In Patras, the ferry arrives at the new South ferry terminal a few km from the town centre. Bus 18 links the port with the Patras bus station every hour on the hour, fare €1.20 or you can hop in a taxi for around €9, journey time 15-20 minutes.

Day 3, travel from Patras to Athens by Greek Railways bus/train combo.

Hellenic Train (Greek Railways) operate an integrated bus/train service from Patras to Athens every hour or two, total journey time 3h02, fare around €18. No prior reservation is necessary, just buy a ticket to Athens at Patras railway station ticket office.
For example, at the time I write this, buses leave from outside Patras railway station at 14:15, 15:15, 16:00, 17:15 & 18:15, taking 90 minutes to reach Kiato railway station near Corinthos. At Kiato they connect with a modern air-conditioned regional train taking 78 minutes to Athens Larissa Station in downtown Athens. You can check Patra to Athens bus/train times using the journey planner at www.hellenictrain.gr.

Corfu: The Bari-Patras ferry calls at Corfu on certain dates in summer. It calls at Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland on all departures year-round. If you can't find a direct ferry to Corfu, book the ferry from Bari to Igoumenitsa, then take the local ferry from Igoumenitsa to Corfu with Kerkyra Lines (kerkyralines.com). These sail half a dozen times a day, crossing time 60-90 minutes, fare around €5-€10. Buy a ticket at kerkyralines.com or when you get to Igoumenitsa.

The ferry Superfast II from Bari to Patras, boarding at Bari. Photos courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

The passenger gangway, onto the ferry.

Reception desk & lounge on the ferry.

Lounge and bar on the Superfast II.

Self-service restaurant.

Private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.

The ferry passes Cephalonia & Ithaca then approaches mainland Greece. This is what travel to Greece should be like!

The ferry approaches the new port of Patras...

Option 2, Vienna to Athens & Greece by train through the Balkans - currently suspended...

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Belgrade as shown above.

Spend a night & day in Belgrade. I recommend the excellent and well-located Hotel Moskva, at the end of Belgrade's premier pedestrianised shopping street.

Day 2, travel from Belgrade to Thessaloniki in Greece by direct overnight train, leaving Belgrade Centar station at 18:35 for Thessaloniki in Northern Greece as shown on the Trains from Belgrade page. This train now runs summer-only, from mid-June to mid-September. Service suspended.

Day 3, take a very scenic 4h09 train ride from Thessaloniki to Athens, either bought at the station or booked online in advance for €45 at www.hellenictrain.gr with the advice shown here.

The Belgrade to Thessaloniki couchette car... Below, scenery between Thessaloniki & Athens...

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Vienna to Istanbul & Turkey...

Option 1, Vienna to Istanbul via Budapest & Bucharest - 3 nights, 2 days, currently the most viable route...

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Bucharest overnight on the sleeper train Dacia Express as shown above.

Day 2, stay overnight in Bucharest. The Hotel MyContinental Bucuresti Gara de Nord is walking distance from the station, inexpensive and gets great reviews.

Day 3, travel from Bucharest to Istanbul by sleeper train as shown on the Bucharest to Istanbul page, arriving in the morning on Day 4.

Option 2, Vienna to Istanbul via Belgrade & Sofia - currently suspended...

Take a train from Vienna to Sofia as explained above.

Then take overnight sleeper train from Sofia to Istanbul as explained on the as described on the Trains from Sofia page.

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Railbookers custom-made tours

If you just want to buy train tickets at the cheapest price, book online as shown on this page. However, if you want someone to sort out your whole trip for you, arranging all your trains, hotels and transfers, and to look after you if anything affects your arrangements, the people to talk to are Railbookers. Railbookers can tailor-make a train trip around Europe to your own specification. Just tell them what you want and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels. They get good reports and a lot of repeat business! They now have offices in the UK, North America and Australia.

UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk.

US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website.

Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website.

New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

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Hotels in Vienna

Hotels near Vienna Hbf

There are a number of good and relatively inexpensive hotels just outside Vienna Hbf, try the Novotel Vienna Hbf, Motel One Vienna Hbf, Hotel Zeitgeist Vienna Hbf.

Hotels close to the sights

Hotels in the city centre close to the sights tend to be expensive, but try the 3-star Pension Nossek (with art nouveau rooms, just 5 minutes walk from St Stephen's cathedral), 4-star K&K Palais Hotel, Mercure Centrum Wien or Le Meridien Vienna. If you really want to push the boat out, there's the 5-star Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna & Park Hyatt Vienna.

For something inexpensive try the Best Western Plus Amedia Hotel, a little way out of the centre and a taxi ride from the station.

My favourite hotel search site: www.booking.com

www.booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally prefer booking my hotels all in one place here. You can usually book with free cancellation - this allows you to confirm your accommodation at no risk before train booking opens. It also means you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary, and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when putting a trip together. I never book hotels non-refundably. I have also come to trust their review scores - you won't be disappointed with anything over 8.0.

Tip: It can pay to compare prices across multiple hotel sites: HotelsCombined.com is a price comparison site which compares hotel prices on Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Accor, Agoda and many others. Though if there's not much in it, I prefer keeping all my bookings together in one place at www.booking.com.

Other hotel sites worth trying

www.tripadvisor.com is the place to find independent travellers' reviews of all the main hotels.

Backpacker hostels...

www.hostelworld.com: If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels. Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.

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1st class on the upper deck. Larger photo.		2nd class on the upper deck. Larger photo.


Business class. About business class.		Restaurant. In 1st & business, you're served at your seat.


Restaurant. In 1st & business you're served at your seat.		Business class. About business class.


2nd class seats, some in open-plan saloons like this, some in 6-seat compartments with side-corridor...		1st class leather seats. You'll also find seats in classic 6-seat compartments with side corridor....


The elegant restaurant car. Larger photo.		Lunch with wine on board...


Vineyards, mountains and castles south of Brenner as the train heads for Trento & Verona...


One car has 2nd class open-plan seating like this, the other has 6-seat compartments.		1st class open-plan seating. There's just one section of 1st class seats on this train.


A Slovenian restaurant car is attached between Vienna & Ljubljana, with freshly-cooked scrambled eggs or omelette. How about a glass of fizz to go with that?


TGV Océane cafe-bar, upper deck car 4 (or 14)		TGV Océane 2nd class...


TGV Océane 1st class. An innovation on TGV Océane, all 1st class seats (except the end ones) rotate to face direction of travel, or can be rotated to make a face-to-face group of 2 or 4 seats. The drop-down tables open to reveal USB & 2-pin power sockets.


Travel from Toulouse to Andorra by bus, seen at bus stand 15. The bus station is right next to the rail station.		Bus station in Toulouse Matabiau forecourt. Photos courtesy of Andrew McIntyre.


Business class. About business class.		Restaurant. In 1st & business you're served at your seat.


First class seats, upper deck. Seats arranged 2+1 across the car width. Larger photo.		Comfort class, upper deck. Same seats as 2nd class, but more legroom & all seats are at large tables. Larger photo.


Food vending area, 4 per trainset. You can buy snacks, drinks, tea & coffee with contactless bank cards. Larger photo.		Standard class seats, upper deck with power sockets & free WiFi. Seats arranged 2+2 across the car width. Larger photo.


1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a 2-bed.		4-berth couchettes.		6-berth couchettes.


Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration. There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant car. I highly recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!


So civilised! A meal in the Czech restaurant car as the Berlin-Prague express snakes along the beautiful Elbe river south of Dresden. Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.


The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train at Hamburg Altona, 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure...		6-berth couchettes. Larger photo.


Couchettes in day mode, en route to Stockholm. *Larger photo.*		The inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm calls at Padborg, just after entering Denmark.

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Railbookers custom-made tours

UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk.

US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website.

Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website.

New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

Hotels in Vienna

Hotels near Vienna Hbf

Hotels close to the sights

My favourite hotel search site: www.booking.com

Other hotel sites worth trying

Backpacker hostels...

Train travel
UK & Ireland...

Train travel
in Europe...

Train travel
in Asia...

Train travel
in Africa...

Train travel
in America...

Train travel
in Australasia


2nd class seats on an IC3 train. Larger photo.		1st class seats on an IC3 train. Larger photo.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.


2nd class seats on an IC3 train...		Boarding a train to Copenhagen in Hamburg.


A 5 Star Suite on the ferry...		More cruise liner than ferry! The restaurant.


The hourly regional express train from Vienna to Bratislava Hlavna, about to leave from Vienna Hbf.


Bar area at one end of the restaurant car.		2nd class open-plan seating...


1st class open-plan seats...		2nd class compartment seating...


First class... Larger photo.		Economy (2nd)... Larger photo.


*The Dacia Express* sleeping-car** at Vienna Hbf. The Dacia has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car of their most modern type. Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple. Most have a washbasin, two compartments have a shower & toilet. Beds fold away to form a private sitting room for day use. Sleeper photo courtesy of @PaliparanDotCom. Larger photo.