|
This page explains how to travel by train from Vienna to other European cities and the best way to buy tickets. Information current for 2025.
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 buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or 35 point-to-point ticket?". How far ahead can you buy train tickets?
European train travel FAQ
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 guide.
-
Vienna Meidling: Many trains call at Vienna Meidling before or after calling at Vienna Hbf. See station guide.
-
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 guide.
-
Vienna Franz Josefs Bahnhof is a small terminus for regional trains. You're only likely to use it if heading for Českύ Krumlov in the Czech Republic. See station guide.
Vienna to Salzburg
Vienna to Innsbruck, Linz, Graz & other destinations in Austria
-
You can buy Austrian Railways ΦBB 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 ΦBB and Westbahn trains on the Vienna - Linz - Salzburg route. There's a small booking fee.
Alternatively, ΦBB's (Austrian Federal Railways) own website is www.oebb.at.
Whichever site you use, you print your own ticket or for Austrian domestic journeys you can show it on your phone.
-
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
ΦBB introduced dynamic pricing in 2011, so it's cheaper to book a Sparschiene (saver) fare in advance and commit to a specific train on a limited-or-no-refunds, no-changes basis. ΦBB's Sparschiene fares start from 9.90 upwards and vary with demand and how far ahead you book.
-
Vienna to Innsbruck by competing Westbahn trains
In 2022, open-access operator Westbahn extended several of its Vienna-Salzburg double-deck trains to Innsbruck in competition with ΦBB's railjets. There are now up to 5 Westbahn trains per day between Vienna and Innsbruck. You can compare Westbahn and ΦBB prices using www.thetrainline.com.
Vienna to Hallstatt
Option 1, Vienna to Hallstatt - the direct route
-
Vienna Hbf to Hallstatt station takes as little as 3h18 with one easy change at Attnang-Puchheim. There's a departure at least every hour, fares start at 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 Standardpreis ticket costs 56 on ΦBB trains, good for any train that day, cannot sell out.
-
You can buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com, it's quick, easy, international credit cards accepted and it can book both ΦBB and Westbahn trains over the Vienna-Attnang Puchheim section. You print your own tickets.
Alternatively, buy at ΦBB's (Austrian Federal Railways) own website www.oebb.at, in , same prices.
-
Transfer from Hallstatt station to Hallstatt town by ferry:
The train arrives at Hallstatt station (Hallstatt Bahnhof) on the east side of Halltstatt Lake (Hallstatter See). 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 the timetable.
You pay for the ferry at the quayside before boarding, cash only, 3.50, children under 4 free, children under 14 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.
ΦBB charges exactly the same price - from 19.90 in advance, around 59.90 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, 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), transfer to Hallstatt town by ferry as shown above.
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.
Vienna to London
-
See the London to Austria page for times, fares & tickets in either direction.
Vienna to Paris from 49.90
Option 1, Vienna to Paris by Nightjet sleeper train, 3 times a week - the time-effective option
-
A Nightjet leaves Vienna Hbf at 18:13 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 09:39.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. In sleepers & couchettes, a light breakfast is included. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
-
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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Child under 6? See here.
Option 2, Vienna to Paris in a day via Germany - the fastest route
-
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 20:43.
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 3 different countries with a good book and a beer or glass of wine. You travel from Vienna to Frankfurt by 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 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 above 60 is upper deck.
Suggested places for a beer or coffee between trains in Frankfurt.
-
How much does it cost?
Vienna-Frankfurt starts at 37.99 in 2nd class or 54.99 in 1st class.
Frankfurt-Paris starts at 39.99 in 2nd class or 69.99 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 phone. Simples!
-
If you prefer to book directly with German Railways, you'll need to split the booking, paying for each ticket separately. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, there's no booking fee and you can choose your seats from a seat map at least on the Vienna-Frankfurt ICE.
Step 1, book from Vienna to Frankfurt at int.bahn.de, looking for those morning trains.
Step 2, book Frankfurt to Paris as a second transaction at int.bahn.de, making sure you have at least 40 minutes between trains in Frankfurt.
I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 3, Vienna to Paris in a day via Zurich - the scenic Arlberg route!
-
Travelling via Switzerland takes an hour or two longer than going through Germany, but it's the route to take for the superb Alpine scenery through the Arlberg Pass, see photos, video & tips on the Arlberg Railway page. An overnight stop in Zurich breaks up the journey nicely (see option 5), but you can travel from Vienna to Paris in a single day this way:
Leave Vienna Hbf 05:28 arriving Zurich HB 13:20. Have lunch in Zurich. Leave Zurich HB at 15:34, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 19:38.
Leave Vienna Hbf 09:28 arriving Zurich HB 17:20. Leave Zurich HB at 18:34, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 22:42.
-
What's the journey like?
You travel from Vienna to Zurich on a swish Austrian railjet train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi via the beautiful Arlberg pass. In 1st & business class a steward takes food & drink orders and serve you at your seat. More about railjets.
For lunch in Zurich, the Brasserie Federal on the station concourse is great for steak-frites & a beer.
You then travel from Zurich to Paris on a 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV-Lyria high-speed train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, taking only 4h03. More about TGV-Lyria.
-
How much does it cost?
Vienna to Zurich starts at 39.90 in 2nd class, 54.90 in 1st class or 69.90 in business class (premium 1st class).
Zurich to Paris starts at 29 in 2nd class or 51 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
How to buy tickets?
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.
Both are easy to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee. You can book both trains together in one place.
First book from Vienna to Zurich and add to basket. Then book Zurich to Paris, add to basket and check out.
Booking for TGV-Lyria opens up to 4 months ahead, booking for the railjet opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.
-
Another way to buy tickets
You can also book with the operators, more work, same prices, but no booking fee. Book Vienna to Zurich at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at, then book from Zurich to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com.
Crossing the Salzach at Salzburg: View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the left hand side as the railjet crosses the river after leaving Salzburg Hbf.
Cutting across Germany: From Salzburg to Kufstein the train takes a short cut through Germany without stopping, see the route map here. All fast Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck trains do this, they're still considered Austrian domestic trains even they spend an hour on German territory! Such a train is called a Korridorzug.
Kufstein: The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station.
Above right, lunch is served. In railjet first & business class, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.
Mountains near Innsbruck. The train calls briefly at Innsbruck Hbf.
River Inn: Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Φtzal & Landeck.
Arlberg Pass: Above, brooding skies over the Arlberg pass. The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.
Arlberg Tunnel: Between St Anton am Arlberg & Bludenz the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.
Swiss lakes: Between Sargans & Zurich the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Walensee and then the Zόrichsee.
Option 4, Vienna to Paris using the Vienna-Zurich Nightjet sleeper train - runs every day
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Zurich by Nightjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 21:39, arriving Zurich HB 08:20.
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 guide to Nightjet accommodation.
* The double-deck sleeping-cars are due to be replaced by two single-deck Comfortline-type cars from late May 2025.
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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ΦBB 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 09:34, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 13:38.
TGV-Lyrias have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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 , no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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.
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 earlier 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 at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, this keeps all your bookings in one place, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Stay overnight in Zurich. For something 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 Ruby Mimi Hotel or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map. If you're on a budget, book a private rooms in a 1-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, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 11:38.
Or have a leisurely breakfast and book the 09:34 arriving 13:38, or the 11:34 arriving 15:38.
TGV-Lyria trains have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 6, Vienna to Paris with overnight stop in Munich - almost as time-effective as the sleeper, but daily and with a hotel!
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Munich by railjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 18:28, arriving Munich Hbf 22:32.
Railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about railjets.
By all means take an earlier railjet and spend a pleasant evening in Munich. For dinner in Munich I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.
Fares start at 24.99 in 2nd class or 39.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log in at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection Mόnchen 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 Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Munich Hbf at 06:51, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 12:32.
The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Watch the sun rise and the morning mists clear, see the Munich-Paris TGV video. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.
Fares start at 39.99 in 2nd class or 69.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
If you want the 08:27 or later departure, I'd change Transfer time from normal to 20 minutes.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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.
The most time-effective way is to take the Nightjet sleeper from Vienna to Paris, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est in the morning.
Buy tickets as shown in the Vienna-Paris section.
Or 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 Franηais (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 at least 2 hours between trains.
-
Step 2, take an onward train from...
Paris Montparnasse to Le Mans, Tours, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Biarritz, Lourdes, Rennes, Angers, Nantes.
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?
For Vienna to Paris fares, see the Vienna-Paris section.
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.
Buy tickets from Paris to any French city at www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Booking for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it 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 07:13, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arrive Strasbourg 16:04.
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 27.99 in 2nd class, 37.99 in 1st class.
Regensburg to Strasbourg starts at 39.99 in 2nd class, 69.99 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 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-Strasbourg and your connection in Frankfurt will have the cast-iron legal protection of the CIV international conditions of carriage if there's a delay and missed connection. Just common sense, really.
Step 1, go to the German Railways website int.bahn.de and book from Vienna to Regensburg on the departure you want, 07:13 (ICE 228) or 09:13 (ICE 28).
Step 2, still at int.bahn.de, now book from Regensburg to Strasbourg, leaving Regensburg on exactly the same train, ICE 228 leaving 10:35, or ICE 28 leaving 12:35.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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 18:13 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays & Linz at 19:36, arriving Strasbourg 04:54 - the sleeper is en route to Paris.
-
See the Vienna to Paris section 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.
-
Step 2, travel from Zurich to Strasbourg, leaving Zurich HB at 08:59 by Swiss Intercity train, change at Basel SBB onto a French TER regional train, arriving Strasbourg 11:39.
The fare is around 67, fixed-price, good for any train or from around 34 if you pre-book.
-
How to buy tickets
Book the Vienna-Zurich sleeper at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, international 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 6 months ahead for Swiss trains, up to 4 months ahead for French trains. You print your own ticket.
Vienna to Lyon, Avignon, Aix, Marseille
Option 1, 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.
-
Step 2, travel from Zurich to Geneva by Swiss Intercity train then Geneva to Lyon by TER regional train, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 15:22.
-
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 $, international 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 6 months ahead for Swiss trains, up to 4 months ahead for French 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 it 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 Milan by Nightjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:18, arriving Milan Rogoredo 07:42 (07:58 29 Sept-13 Dec 2025).
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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. In sleepers & couchettes, a light breakfast is included. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
-
Transfer from Milan Rogoredo to Milan Centrale by metro or local train, as shown here.
-
Step 2, travel from Milan to Ventimiglia by Intercity train, leaving Milan Centrale at 11:10, arriving Ventimiglia 14:54.
This is a lovely scenic ride along the Italian Riviera between Genoa & Ventimiglia. There are vending machines, or bring your own food & drink.
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 15:18, arriving Monte Carlo 15:48, Nice Ville 16:14, Cannes 16:53.
The fare is 9.20, fixed-price, 2nd class only. Promotional fares of 5 or 7.50 are sometimes available.
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 it on your phone.
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, change at Innsbruck Hbf, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 20:59.
You leave Vienna on a fast railjet train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and change onto another railjet through the scenic Brenner Pass to Verona, see the Brenner Pass photos & video.
Alternatively, leave Vienna Hbf at 10:28, change Innsbruck Hbf, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 19:01, for more of an evening in Verona.
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket you can grab a quick tea or coffee in the ΦBB 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, 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, change at the magnificent Milan Centrale onto an Intercity train, arriving Ventimiglia 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 $, international 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 15:18, arriving Monte Carlo 15:48, Nice Ville 16:14 & Cannes 16:53.
The fare is 9.20, fixed-price, 2nd class only. Promotional fares of 5 or 7.50 are sometimes available.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com or at the French Railways website, www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 3, Vienna to Monaco, Nice & Cannes with overnight stop in Venice
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Venice by railjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 12:24, arriving Venice Santa Lucia 20:04.
Or take the earlier railjet leaving Vienna Hbf at 06:24 arriving Venice Santa Lucia 14:14 and spend 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 28.30 in 2nd class, 56.60 in 1st class or 71.60 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on you phone.
-
Stay overnight in Venice. For a hotel that won't break the bank just a few minutes walk from Venice Santa Lucia, look no further than the friendly Albergo Marin or the Hotel Maggior Consiglio. Or for an upmarket place near the station, book the Hotel Canal Grande or the Hotel Abbazia.
-
Day 2, travel from Venice to Ventimiglia on the French border, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 11:48, change at the magnificent Milan Centrale onto an Intercity train, arriving Ventimiglia 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 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 $, international credit cards no problem, this keeps all your bookings together in one place, small booking fee). It's ticketless, you print 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 19:48, arriving Monte Carlo 20:19, Nice Ville 20:45 & Cannes at 21:25.
The fare is 9.20, fixed-price, 2nd class only. Promotional fares of 5 or 7.50 are sometimes available.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com, keeping all your bookings in one place, or book this at the French Railways website, www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
You'll find more about the journey from Verona to Nice on the Nice to Italy by train page.
Vienna to Brussels from 59.99
Option 1, Vienna to Brussels by Nightjet sleeper train 3 times a week - safe, comfortable, time-effective
-
A Nightjet leaves Vienna Hbf at 18:13 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Brussels Midi 09:55.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. In sleepers & couchettes, a light breakfast is included. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car ticket, you can use the ΦBB lounge at Vienna Hbf before boarding, with complimentary refreshments & 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own tickets. Child under 6? See here.
-
Tip: 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, click Train formations, scroll to Austria, click nj & look for NJ490.
Option 2, Vienna to Brussels in a single day - the daytime option
-
You can travel from Vienna to Brussels in one chill-out day with one easy change at Frankfurt:
Leave Vienna Hbf 07:13, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 17:35,
Leave Vienna Hbf 09:13, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 19:35.
Leave Vienna Hbf 11:13, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 21:35.
Vienna to Frankfurt is by ICE-T, Frankfurt to Brussels is by ICE3neo, both trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
-
Fares start at 49.99 in 2nd class or 79.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
You can book from Vienna to Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp or any station in Belgium for one inclusive price.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: Look for journeys with 1 change. If you click Stopovers, enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with a length of stay of 20 minutes, this should then show the 1-change options via Frankfurt with few irrelevant multi-change options.
-
Stopover in Nuremberg or Cologne?
Both cities are worth a stop, in Cologne the cathedral is 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 get a stopover, use int.bahn.de to book Vienna to Brussels, click Stopovers and enter Cologne Hbf or Nuremberg Hbf, and a suitable length of stay. You can have up to 2 stopovers within the 2-day ticket validity of a Sparpreis fare.
Step 1, Vienna to Frankfurt by ICE-T. Above, an ICE-T waits to leave Vienna Hbf. More about ICEs.
Step 2, Frankfurt to Brussels by ICE3neo. Above, an ICE3neo at Brussels Midi. Courtesy Christian Hunt.
Vienna to Amsterdam from 49.99
Option 1, Vienna to Amsterdam by direct Nightjet sleeper train - safe, comfortable, time-effective
-
Every night, a Nightjet leaves Vienna Hbf at 20:10, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 09:50.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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. In sleepers & couchettes, a light breakfast is included. See the Nightjet guide.
From 28 May 2025 this train is due to become a new generation Nightjet, with new rolling stock including individual mini cabins.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car ticket you can use the ΦBB lounge at Vienna Hbf, with complimentary refreshments & 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares), or at the Dutch Railways international site www.nsinternational.nl (in , no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Child under 6? See here. Suggested hotels in Amsterdam.
-
Tip: 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, click Train formations, scroll to Austria, click nj & look for NJ490.
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 luxurious German ICE trains across 3 different countries:
Leave Vienna Hbf 07:13, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 19:29.
Leave Vienna Hbf 09:13, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 21:29.
Leave Vienna Hbf 11:13, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 23:29.
Vienna to Frankfurt is by ICE-T, Frankfurt to Amsterdam is by ICE3neo, both trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
-
Fares start at 49.99 in 2nd class or 79.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
You can book from Vienna to Amsterdam or almost any station in the Netherlands for one inclusive price.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. 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 int.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 within the 2-day ticket validity and still get an end-to-end Sparpreis fare.
Step 1, Vienna to Frankfurt by ICE-T. Above, an ICE-T waits to leave Vienna Hbf. More about ICEs.
Step 2, Frankfurt to Amsterdam by ICE3neo. Above, an ICE3neo at Amsterdam Centraal.
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, leaving Vienna Hbf at 18:13 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Koblenz 05:45.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. In sleepers & couchettes, a light breakfast is included. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
-
Step 2, travel from Koblenz to Luxembourg, leaving Koblenz at 06:03 Mondays-Saturdays, change at Trier, arriving Luxembourg 08:23
On Sundays (or if the sleeper is late), 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 34.50 in 2nd class or 58.20 in 1st class, fixed price, always available.
Buy this ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
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 07:13, change at Koblenz Hbf, arriving Luxembourg 17:48.
Leave Vienna Hbf 09:13, change at Koblenz Hbf, arriving Luxembourg 20:23.
Leave Vienna Hbf 11:13, change at Koblenz Hbf, arriving Luxembourg 21:29.
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, see the Rails Down the Rhine page.
You then travel on a CFL (Luxembourg Railways) double-deck regional train from Koblenz to Luxembourg, along the Moselle valley, also a scenic ride at least in summer when it's light.
-
Fares start at 37.99 in 2nd class or 59.99 in 1st class.
These fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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
-
Railjet trains leave Vienna Hbf at 05:28, 07:28, 09:28, 11:28, 13:3280 & 15:28, taking 7h52 to Zurich HB.
These swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Treat it as a chill-out day, especially if you splurge on business class, a 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 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 & Zόrichsee lakes into Zurich. The Arlberg offers some superb scenery, watch the video & 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , 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'll 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.
Crossing the Salzach at Salzburg: View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the left hand side as the railjet crosses the river after leaving Salzburg Hbf.
Cutting across Germany: From Salzburg to Kufstein the train takes a short cut through Germany without stopping, see the route map here. All fast Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck trains do this, they're still considered Austrian domestic trains even they spend an hour on German territory! Such a train is called a Korridorzug.
Kufstein: The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station.
Above right, lunch is served. In railjet first & business class, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.
Mountains near Innsbruck. The train calls briefly at Innsbruck Hbf.
River Inn: Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Φtzal & Landeck.
Arlberg Pass: Above, brooding skies over the Arlberg pass. The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.
Arlberg Tunnel: Between St Anton am Arlberg & Bludenz the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.
Swiss lakes: Between Sargans & Zurich the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Walensee and then the Zόrichsee.
Option 2, Vienna to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train - the comfortable & time-effective option that saves a hotel bill
-
A nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 21:39 every day, arriving Zurich HB 08:20.
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. More about Nightjets.
* The double-deck sleeping-cars are due to be replaced by two single-deck Comfortline-type cars from late May 2025.
Change in Zurich for destinations all over Switzerland.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car ticket, you can use the ΦBB lounge at Vienna Hbf before boarding, with complimentary refreshments & 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Child under 6? See here.
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 21:39 as this has higher quality cars, the option of deluxe sleepers with shower & toilet & a better breakfast.
Tip: You can check the train formation, 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 nj.
Option 3, Vienna to Zurich using the Vienna-Feldkirch new generation Nightjet.
If the direct sleeper is sold out or fares are expensive, this is a great alternative. And you get to experience a new generation Nightjet, the affordable privacy of the new mini cabins is reason enough on its own!
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Feldkirch by new generation Nightjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 22:55 or Vienna Meidling 23:03, arriving Feldkirch 07:49.
This modern sleeper train offers 1 & 2 bed sleepers with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet guide. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins. Wake up to the great scenery in the Arlberg Pass.
Fares start at 59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, 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 the sleeper at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (same prices, in ). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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 Feldkirch to Zurich by Austrian railjet, leaving Feldkirch at 09:44, arriving Zurich HB 11:20.
The railjet has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 14.90 in 2nd class, 24.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in CHF, , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Vienna to Feldkirch by Nightjet sleeper train. More about new-generation Nightjets
Vienna to Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome & Italy from 29
Option 1, Vienna to Italy by nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective overnight option
-
A nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 19:18 every day.
One portion arrives Bologna Centrale 05:38, Florence Campo di Marte 06:48 & Rome Tiburtina 10:05.
Another portion arrives Verona Porta Nuova 05:51 & Milan Rogoredo 07:42.
Important: From 29 September to 13 December 2025, both portions of this train are cancelled due to trackwork and replaced by a single train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:18, arriving Bologna Centrale 05:38 & Milan Rogoredo 07:58. Change in Bologna or Milan for Florence, Rome & Naples.
-
Another nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 21:39 every day, arriving Venice Santa Lucia 08:34.
-
The Nightjet to Bologna, Florence & Rome is a new generation Nightjet with 1 & 2 bed sleepers with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet guide. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.
The Nightjets to Venice & Milan each have 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. In sleepers & couchettes, a light breakfast is included. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
Tip: You can check the train formation, 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 nj.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car ticket, you can use the ΦBB lounge at Vienna Hbf before boarding, with tea, coffee & free WiFi.
-
Fares for the new-generation Nightjet start at 59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, 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.
Fares for the original Nightjets 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, can also book onward tickets in Italy) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Child under 6? See here.
-
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.
Option 2, Vienna to Italy via Venice - the scenic daytime option
-
Step 1, two smart Austrian railjet trains link Vienna with Venice every day:
The morning railjet train leaves Vienna Hbf at 06:24 arriving Venice Santa Lucia 14:14.
The afternoon railjet train leaves Vienna Hbf at 12:24 arriving Venice Santa Lucia 20:04.
These smart modern railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
They travel via the UNESCO-listed Semmering railway a scenic treat. More about the journey from Vienna to Venice.
Fares start at 28.30 in 2nd class, 56.60 in 1st class or 71.60 in business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, can also book onward trains in Italy) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , 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, you can leave Venice S. 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, see suggested hotels.
These high-speed Frecciarossa trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Tip: You can 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 a 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) 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.
Option 3, Vienna to Italy via the Brenner Pass - another scenic daytime route
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Italy via Innsbruck:
Leave Vienna Hbf 06:28, change Innsbruck Hbf, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 15:01 & Bologna Centrale 16:08.
Leave Vienna Hbf 08:28, change Innsbruck Hbf, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 16:58 & Venice Santa Lucia 18:25.
Leave Vienna Hbf 10:28, change Innsbruck Hbf, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 19:01 & Bologna Centrale 20:16.
Leave Vienna Hbf 12:28, change Innsbruck Hbf, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 20:59.
You travel west from Vienna to Innsbruck by fast railjet train, then south on a new-generation railjet train through the Brenner Pass to Verona. One or two trains a day continue to Bologna, one or two a day to Venice.
These swish Austrian railjets have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st & business class a steward takes restaurant orders and serves you at your seat. You travel through the scenic Brenner Pass, see the photos & video on the Brenner page.
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket you can grab a quick tea or coffee in the ΦBB lounge at Innsbruck Hbf.
-
Step 2, take an onward Frecciarossa from in Verona (or on the 1st & 3rd train of the day, from Bologna) to Florence, Rome & Naples.
If you left Vienna Hbf at 06:28: Leave Bologna Centrale at 17:27, arriving Florence SMN 18:04, Rome Termini 19:49, Naples Centrale 21:13.
If you left Vienna Hbf at 08:28: Leave Verona Porta Nuova at 17:52, arriving Florence SMN 19:24 & Rome Termini 21:15.
If you left Vienna Hbf at 10:28: Leave Bologna Centrale at 21:27, arriving Florence SMN 22:04 & Rome Termini 23:55.
-
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 $, international 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, the Italian trains are ticketless, you print 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...
-
Another way to buy tickets
To buy tickets with more control over 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 1st & 3rd trains 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, they will refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com) or the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian language place names, see advice on using it).
A new generation railjet at Verona Porta Nuova, showing a low-floor section for easy boarding. More about these railjets.
Option 4, Vienna to Rome or Naples using the Udine-Rome sleeper - another sleeper option
This option can be cheaper than the direct Nightjet and it gets you to Rome before the start of the business day.
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Udine by smart Austrian railjet trains leaving Vienna Hbf at 12:24, arriving Udine 18:16.
These smart modern railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
This is a scenic ride via the UNESCO-listed Semmering railway, a real treat.
Fares start at 20.40 in 2nd class, 46.40 in 1st class or 61.40 in business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, can also book onward trains in Italy) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Have dinner in Udine.
-
Step 2, travel from Udine to Rome by Intercity Notte, leaving Udine at 19:59, arriving Rome Termini 06:40.
The Intercity Notte sleeper train has sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and 4-berth Comfort couchettes. There's no restaurant car, so take your own supplies and maybe a bottle of wine, although in the sleepers the attendant will serve you morning tea or coffee, included in the fare. More about Intercity Notte trains.
Fares start at 39.90 in a 4-berth comfort couchette, 49.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 59.90 in a 2-bed sleeper, 89.90 in a single-bed sleeper. Prices are per person per bed.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (also easy to use, in £, or $, they'll refund their booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in ). You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Step 3, if you're going to Naples take a suitable onward train from Rome Termini to Napoli Centrale.
You should book from Udine to Napoli Centrale as one booking, this will protect your connection if the sleeper is late. You'll usually find a high-speed Frecciarossa leaving Rome Termini at 07:00 arriving Napoli Centrale at 08:12.
Above, an Intercity Notte sleeping-car
Vienna to Trieste
Option 1, Vienna to Trieste by EuroCity train
-
A EuroCity train called the Emona leaves Vienna Hbf at 07:58 every day, arriving Trieste Centrale 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 (cash only) & 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 more about this 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 seat maps at 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, but often less than this. You print your own ticket.
Option 2, Vienna to Trieste using the Vienna-Venice sleeper train
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Venice 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 15.55 buy a ticket at the station or online at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.trenitalia.com (in ).
Vienna to Sicily
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Rome as shown in Vienna to Italy section.
-
Step 2, travel from Rome Termini to Messina, Taormina, Catania, Siracuse, Cefalω or Palermo by daytime or sleeper train 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.
Vienna to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain
Option 1, Vienna to Spain using the Vienna-Paris sleeper - the most time-effective option
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Paris by Nightjet sleeper train 3 times a week, as shown in the Vienna-Paris section.
-
Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a cafι-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.
The train speeds along the Rhτne valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Bιziers cathedral, flamingos on the ιtangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Booking usually opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Stay overnight in Barcelona. The Hotel Barcelo Sants is 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 to other Spanish destinations:
For Madrid: AVE S103 high-speed trains link Barcelona Sants & Madrid Atocha every hour or two in as little as 2h30.
For Granada: Leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 by AVE 112 high-speed train, arriving Granada at 13:11.
For Malaga: Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano 15:05.
For Cordoba & Seville: Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Cordoba 13:27 & Seville Santa Justa 14:32.
For Valencia & Alicante: Euromed trains link Barcelona Sants with Valencia & Alicante regularly through the day, for example one leaves Barcelona Sants at 07:15 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 10:10 & Alicante 12:38 or at 10:15 every day arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 13:13 & Alicante 15:32.
For Santiago de Compostela, A Coruρa & Vigo, there's a morning Alvia train to Galicia, see details here.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.
Option 2, Vienna to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Paris
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Paris in a day, as shown in the Vienna-Paris section.
Leave Vienna Hbf at 09:13 every day, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arrive Paris Est 20:43.
Leave Vienna Hbf at 11:13 daily except Saturdays, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arrive Paris Est 22:52.
Book this as shown.
In Paris, change stations by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare de Lyon.
-
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. Other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon.
-
Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a cafι-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.
The train speeds along the Rhτne valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Bιziers cathedral, flamingos on the ιtangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
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 $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: See advice about sometimes getting a cheaper fare by split-ticketing at Perpignan.
-
Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Malaga, Seville and so on by high-speed train.
For Madrid, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.
Another AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:00 every day, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.
For Cordoba & Seville, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Cordoba 20:16, Seville Santa Justa 21:24.
For Malaga, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano 21:43.
For Valencia & Alicante, a fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 19:02 & Alicante 21:34.
All these trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
-
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 opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona.
Option 3, Vienna to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Geneva
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Geneva, leaving Vienna Hbf at 09:28, change at Zurich HB, arriving Geneva at 20:18.
Vienna to Zurich is by railjet train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, through the scenic Arlberg Pass, watch the video & see the Arlberg Railway page. Put your feet up and enjoy the ride.
An earlier 07:28 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Stay overnight in Geneva. Hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Genθve, 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 Lyon by TER regional train, leaving Geneva at 09:30, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 11:22.
It's a pleasant journey on spacious former inter-city cars through the Jura and along the river Rhτne.
The fare is a fixed-price 33.40 in 2nd class, 50.80 in 1st class.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Have dinner in Lyon, see suggested restaurants near the station.
-
Day 2, travel from Lyon to Barcelona by AVE, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:35, arriving Barcelona Sants 19:33.
This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
It passes Bιziers cathedral, flamingos on the ιtangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan. Look out for the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.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).
For Madrid, a same-day connection is possible: Leave Barcelona Sants at 21:00 by AVE, arriving Madrid Atocha 23:46.
-
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 to other destinations in Spain:
For Madrid: AVE S103 high-speed trains link Barcelona Sants & Madrid Atocha every hour or two in as little as 2h30.
For Granada: Leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 by AVE 112 high-speed train, arriving Granada at 13:11.
For Malaga: Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano 15:05.
For Cordoba & Seville: Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Cordoba 13:27 & Seville Santa Justa 14:32.
For Valencia & Alicante: Euromed trains link Barcelona Sants with Valencia & Alicante regularly through the day, for example one leaves Barcelona Sants at 07:15 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 10:10 & Alicante 12:38 or at 10:15 every day arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 13:13 & Alicante 15:32.
For Santiago de Compostela, A Coruρa & Vigo, there's a morning Alvia train to Galicia, see details here.
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). Booking opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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.
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.
In Paris, change stations by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare Montparnasse.
-
Day 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye on the Spanish border by TGV Duplex Ocιane, leaving Paris Montparnasse at 12:11, arriving Hendaye 16:47.
The TGV Duplex 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 easy to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Day 2, travel from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara by Euskotren, every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes, fare 2.75.
Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is just 50m away. Buy a ticket at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter with cash or card and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren to San Sebastian Amara.
Check Euskotren times at www.euskotren.eus. More about the Paris to San Sebastian journey.
Option 2, Vienna to San Sebastian with overnight stop in Paris
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Paris in a day, as shown in the Vienna-Paris section.
Leave Vienna Hbf at 09:13 every day, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arrive Paris Est 20:43.
Leave Vienna Hbf at 11:13 daily except Saturdays, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arrive Paris Est 22:52.
Book this as shown.
In Paris, change stations by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare de Lyon.
-
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 Ocιane, leaving Paris Montparnasse at 10:11, arriving Hendaye 14:47.
An earlier 07:11 departure is available on Mondays to Saturdays, arriving Hendaye 11:47.
The TGV Duplex Ocιane 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 easy to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Day 2, travel from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara by Euskotren, every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes, fare 2.75.
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 at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter with cash or card and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren to San Sebastian Amara.
Check Euskotren times at www.euskotren.eus. More about the Paris to San Sebastian journey.
Vienna to Lisbon & Portugal
Option 1, Vienna to Lisbon via Paris
-
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
-
Days 1 & 2, travel from Vienna to Barcelona as shown above.
-
Stay overnight in Barcelona. The Hotel Barcelo Sants is 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. Other suggested hotels near the station.
-
Day 3, travel from Barcelona to Seville by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:35, arriving Seville Santa Justa 14:32.
The AVE S103 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at around 46, book this at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in , may reject some international credit cards).
-
Day 3, travel from Seville to Faro by bus.
An Alsa-Rede Express bus leaves from outside Seville Santa Justa at 15:30, arriving Faro 18:00.
In Faro, the Alsa-Rede Express buses arrive at the Eva bus station next to the excellent Eva Senses Hotel, just 2 minutes walk from Faro railway station. The bus continues to Lagos, or you can have a coffee and continue to Tunes & Lagos by train.
The fare is 17-25.
Buy a ticket at Omio.com or www.alsa.es. You print your own ticket.
Vienna to Andorra
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Paris, as shown above.
-
Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the Gare de l'Est.
Change stations by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare Montparnasse.
-
Day 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by TGV, leaving Paris Montparnasse at 11:11 arriving Toulouse Matabiau 15:45.
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 at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Have dinner in Toulouse.
-
Day 2, travel from Toulouse Matabiau to Andorra la Vella by bus, leaving Toulouse Matabiau at 17:45 arriving Andorra 21:45.
Check times at Andbus.net or Omio.com. I'd allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse in case of delay.
The bus leaves from bus stand 15 in the Gare Routiθre (bus station) 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, see the photos below.
The fare is 36.
Book the bus at Andbus.net or Omio.com.
Paris to Toulouse by TGV Duplex: This is a TGV Duplex at Paris Gare Montparnasse. Click the images below for larger photos.
TGV Ocιane cafe-bar (above left) and 2nd class seats (above right).
TGV Ocιane 1st class seats. All 1st class seats (except the end ones) rotate to face direction of travel. There are USB & 2-pin outlets above each drop-down table.
Vienna to Nuremberg, Frankfurt, Cologne & Germany from 27.90
Option 1, Vienna to anywhere in Germany by ICE - the daytime option
-
Every hour or two, a luxurious German ICE-T train leaves Vienna Hbf for Regensburg, Nuremberg & Germany
Leave Vienna Hbf 06:13 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Berlin Hbf & Hamburg Hbf.
Leave Vienna Hbf 07:13 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & via the Rhine Valley to Koblenz, Cologne & Dortmund.
Leave Vienna Hbf 09:13 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & via the Rhine Valley to Koblenz, Cologne. Dόsseldorf & Dortmund.
Leave Vienna Hbf 10:13 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Berlin Hbf & Hamburg Hbf.
Leave Vienna Hbf 11:13 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & via the Rhine Valley to Koblenz, Cologne. Dόsseldorf & Dortmund.
Leave Vienna Hbf 13:13 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Hannover & Hamburg Hbf.
Leave Vienna Hbf 15:13 for Regensburg, Nuremberg, Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & via the Rhine Valley to Koblenz, Cologne. Dόsseldorf & Dortmund.
Leave Vienna Hbf 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. More about ICEs.
Enjoy the scenic ride along the Rhine Valley if going to Koblenz, Cologne, Dόsseldorf or Dortmund.
-
Fares from Vienna to Germany start at 27.99 in 2nd class or 56.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
You can book from Vienna to anywhere in Germany for an inclusive price.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, by Nightjet sleeper train - the comfortable overnight option
-
There are excellent Nightjet sleeper trains from Vienna to Munich, Cologne, Dόsseldorf, Hannover, Hamburg & Berlin.
Leave Vienna Hbf at 18:13 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, Koblenz 05:45, Cologne Hbf 06:59.
Leave Vienna Hbf at 20:10 daily, arriving Hannover 06:49 & Hamburg Hbf 08:47.
Leave Vienna Hbf at 22:10 daily, arriving Berlin Hbf 08:14.
-
The Vienna-Koblenz-Cologne and Vienna-Berlin Nightjets 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. In sleepers & couchettes, a light breakfast is included. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
The Vienna-Hamburg train is a new generation Nightjet with 1 & 2 bed sleepers with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to accommodation. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car ticket, you can use the ΦBB lounge at Vienna Hbf, 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Vienna to Berlin from 37.99
Option 1, Vienna to Berlin by ICE train - the daytime option
-
Two superb German ICE trains link Vienna with Berlin every day:
Leave Vienna Hbf 06:13 by ICE Belvedere, arriving Berlin Hbf 13:53.
Leave Vienna Hbf 10:13 by ICE Berolina, arriving Berlin Hbf 17:52.
The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about ICEs. Treat yourself to lunch with a beer or two, I heartily recommend the Erdinger Weissbier. In 1st class a steward takes orders from the restaurant menu and serves them at your seat. These trains are routed through Germany via Nuremberg.
-
Fares start at 37.99 in 2nd class or 69.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Stopover in Nuremberg?
In Nuremberg you'll find a pleasant old town, a railway museum and of course 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 int.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.
Option 2, Vienna to Berlin by railjet departing 13:10 - another comfortable daytime option
-
A swish railjet train called the Vindobona leaves Vienna Hbf at 13:10 every day, arriving Berlin Hbf 21:54.
Arrives Berlin at 21:46 from 31 May to 28 June 2025. Due to trackwork, this train won't run from 30 June to 13 December 2025.
This modern Czech 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.
It takes a bit longer than the direct ICE train in option 1, but it's routed via Prague & Dresden and in summer when it's light the scenery along the Elbe river valley between Prague & Dresden makes up for that, see the photos & video for the Prague to Berlin part of the journey.
-
Fares start at 37.99 in 2nd class, 69.99 in 1st class or 84.99 in business class (premium 1st).
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 3, Vienna to Berlin by nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective overnight option
-
A nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 22:10 every night, arriving Berlin Hbf 08:14.
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. More about Nightjets.
Tip: You can check the train formation, 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 nj.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car ticket, you can use the ΦBB lounge at Vienna Hbf before boarding, with tea, coffee & 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Option 4, Vienna to Berlin by day trains with overnight stop in Prague from 37.99
-
Day 1, take any railjet train you like from Vienna to Prague in just over 4 hours, see the timetable here.
For example the 17:10 from Vienna Hbf arrives Prague Hlavni 21:15, or the 19:10 arrives Prague Hlavni at 23:19. 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), Zlatύ 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 just over 4 hours, see the timetable here.
The 06:28 from Prague Hlavni arrives Berlin Hbf 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. More about this journey.
-
Book from Vienna to Berlin at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
To get the overnight stop in Prague, click Stopovers, enter Prague and a suitable length of stay, say 9 or more hours. Adjust the departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Prague, a little trial & error may be needed.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Vienna to Hamburg
Option 1, Vienna to Hamburg by daytime train:
-
Three direct ICE trains now link Vienna & Hamburg every day.
Leave Vienna Hbf 06:13, arriving Hamburg Hbf 16:00.
Leave Vienna Hbf 10:13, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:51.
Leave Vienna Hbf 13:13, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:55.
ICE trains are a pleasure to travel on, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Treat yourself to lunch and an Erdinger Weissbier in the restaurant car - in 1st class class a steward takes orders and serves you at your seat. More about ICEs.
-
Fares start at 27.99 in 2nd class or 56.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: Check Austrian Railways www.thetrainline.com as well, I've often seen cheaper fares on oebb.at than bahn.de on a given date & train. You also get a print-your-own ticket.
Option 2, Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper
-
A Nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 20:10 every night, arriving Hamburg Hbf 08:47.
This is a new generation Nightjet with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to accommodation. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in the sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.
-
Fares start at 59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Vienna to Munich from 27.99
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 4 hours city centre to city centre, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. There's a premium 1st class called business class, well worth the extra. More about railjets.
If you have a 1st or business class ticket, you can use the ΦBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf before boarding.
-
Fares start at 27.99 in 2nd class, 37.99 in 1st class or 52.99 in business class (premium 1st).
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
A reserved seat is optional and costs an extra 5 or so. In business class seat reservation is compulsory, but included in the fare.
-
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
To book business class tickets, buy a 1st class ticket using www.thetrainline.com and add the business class upgrade.
Option 2, Vienna to Munich by Westbahn - up to 6 per day, cheaper at short notice, great double-deck trains
-
In April 2022, private operator Westbahn started operating up to 6 daily trains from Vienna Westbahnhof to Munich Hbf.
Their swish modern double-deck trains compete with the ΦBB's railjet trains, with 1st class, comfort class and standard class. There are power sockets at seats & free WiFi. There's no restaurant car, but self-service areas have vending machines for tea & coffee and 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.
-
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com, this shows both railjets and Westbahn trains.
Option 3, Vienna to Munich by sleeper train - the time-effective option
-
The daytime journey only takes 4 hours so 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 23:28, arriving Munich Ost 05:50.
This is a Hungarian sleeper train on its way from Budapest to Stuttgart, 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. The sleeping-car fare includes a light breakfast. See the Hungarian sleeping-car video. More about this sleeper train.
-
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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 90 days ahead, you print your own ticket.
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 ΦBB 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 $, international 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.
Vienna to Copenhagen from 49.99
Option 1, Vienna to Copenhagen in a day.
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by ICE, leaving Vienna Hbf at 06:13, arriving Hamburg Hbf 16:00.
The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
-
Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 16:53, arriving Copenhagen 21:38.
The EuroCity has a refreshment trolley, power sockets at all seats & WiFi whilst in Denmark.
It also calls at Kolding (for Legoland) and Odense. More about this journey.
-
Fares from Vienna to Copenhagen start at 49.99 in 2nd class or 79.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
-
Book from Vienna to Copenhagen at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Vienna to Copenhagen with overnight stop in Hamburg
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by ICE train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 13:13, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:55.
This comfortable ICE-T train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means take an earlier train for a leisurely evening in Hamburg.
-
Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is 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 EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50, arriving Copenhagen 13:38.
The EuroCity has a refreshment trolley, power sockets at all seats & WiFi whilst in Denmark.
It also calls at Kolding (for Legoland) and Odense. More about this journey.
-
Fares from Vienna to Copenhagen start at 49.99 in 2nd class or 79.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
-
Book from Vienna to Copenhagen at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 10 hours. Adjust departure time and length of stay to get the departure from Brussels you want and the 08:50 departure from Hamburg next morning.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Step 2, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train. From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2025-2026. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
Above left, the 1st class car has 6-seat compartments like this. Above right, 2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this.
Option 3, Vienna to Copenhagen using the Vienna-Hamburg sleeper
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:10, arriving Hamburg Hbf 08:47.
This is a new generation Nightjet with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to accommodation. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.
Fares start at 59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
-
Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 10:53, arriving Copenhagen 15:38.
The EuroCity has a refreshment trolley, power sockets at all seats & WiFi whilst in Denmark.
It also calls at Kolding (for Legoland) and Odense. More about this journey.
Fares start at 27.99 in 2nd class or 56.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Step 1, Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train. Above, a new generation Nightjet ready to leave. More about new-generation Nightjets.
Step 2, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train. From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2025-2026. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
Above left, the 1st class car has 6-seat compartments like this. Above right, 2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this.
Vienna to Stockholm & Sweden
Option 1, Vienna to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train - the most time-effective option
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by ICE train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:13, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:51.
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, see suggested restaurants near Hamburg Hbf.
Fares start at 37.99 in 2nd class or 56.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:03, arriving Stockholm Central 09:55.
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), this EuroNight sleeper train has one or two 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 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Malmφ and Stockholm. More 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.
Option 2, Vienna to Malmφ, Gothenburg & Stockholm with overnight stop in Copenhagen.
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by ICE, leaving Vienna Hbf at 06:13, arriving Hamburg Hbf 16:00.
The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
-
Day 1, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 16:53, arriving Copenhagen 21:38.
The EuroCity has a refreshment trolley, power sockets at all seats & WiFi whilst in Denmark. More about this journey.
If you're going to Malmφ, hop on the next Φresund train from Copenhagen to Malmφ Central, these leave every 15 minutes taking 40 minutes.
-
Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
-
Day 2, for Gothenburg: Travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg (Gφteborg Central) by hourly Φresund train, journey time 3h50.
-
Day 2, for Stockholm: Travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000, leaving Copenhagen at 08:21, arriving Stockholm Central 13:34.
SJ's X2000 trains have a bistro, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. They use the impressive Φresund fixed link from Sweden to Denmark.
Update 2025: Unfortunately, SJ is short of X2000s and until further notice you'll need to change at Malmφ:
On Mondays-Fridays, leave Copenhagen 08:59, change at Malmφ Central, arriving Stockholm Central 14:39.
On Saturdays & Sundays, leave Copenhagen 08:44, change at Malmφ Central, arriving Stockholm Central 14:32.
Or there are earlier & later departures, check times at www.sj.se or Omio.com.
-
How much does it cost?
Vienna to Copenhagen starts at 49.99 in 2nd class or 79.99 in 1st class.
Copenhagen to Stockholm starts at 346 SEK (31) in 2nd class or 525 SEK (47) in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
There are through fares from Vienna to Malmφ or Gothenburg from 56.99.
-
How to buy tickets to Stockholm
Step 1, book from Vienna to Copenhagen at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Step 2, book from Copenhagen to Stockholm at www.sj.se (in SEK) or using Omio.com (in SEK, , £ or $, small booking fee).
Booking opens several months ahead, it varies. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
How to buy tickets to Malmφ
Book from Vienna to Malmφ Central at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
How to buy tickets to Gothenburg
Book from Vienna to Gφteborg Central at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
To get the overnight stop in Copenhagen, click Stopovers and enter Copenhagen with a suitable length of stay, say 10:00 hours. Adjust the departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Copenhagen, a little trial and error may be needed.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 3, Vienna to Malmφ, Gothenburg or Stockholm with overnight stop in Hamburg
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by ICE, leaving Vienna Hbf at 13:13, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:55.
This comfortable ICE-T train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means book an earlier train.
-
Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is 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 EuroCity, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50, arriving Copenhagen 13:38.
The EuroCity train has power sockets at all seats & a refreshment trolley. More about the journey.
-
Day 2 for Malmφ, travel from Copenhagen to Malmφ Central by Φresund train, these leave every 20 minutes taking 40 minutes.
-
Day 2 for Gothenburg, travel from Copenhagen to Gφteborg Central by Φresund train, these leave every hour taking 3h50.
-
Day 2 for Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000, leaving Copenhagen at 14:19, arriving Stockholm Central 19:37.
SJ's X2000 trains have a bistro, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. They use the impressive Φresund fixed link from Sweden to Denmark,
Update 2025: Unfortunately, SJ is short of X2000s and until further notice you'll need to change at Malmφ:
On Mondays-Fridays, leave Copenhagen 15:59, change at Malmφ Central, arriving Stockholm Central 21:33.
On Saturdays & Sundays, leave Copenhagen 14:59, change at Malmφ Central, arriving Stockholm Central 20:36.
-
How much does it cost?
Vienna to Copenhagen starts at 49.99 in 2nd class or 79.99 in 1st class.
Copenhagen to Stockholm starts at 346 SEK (31) in 2nd class or 525 SEK (47) in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
There are through fares from Vienna to Malmφ or Gothenburg from 56.99.
-
How to buy tickets to Stockholm
Step 1, book from Vienna to Copenhagen at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 10:00 hours. Adjust the departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Hamburg, a little trial and error may be needed.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Step 2, book from Copenhagen to Stockholm at www.sj.se (in SEK) or using Omio.com (in SEK, , £ or $, small booking fee).
Booking opens several months ahead, it varies. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
How to buy tickets to Malmφ or Gothenburg
Book from Vienna to Malmφ Central or Gφteborg Central at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 10:00 hours. Adjust the departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Hamburg, a little trial and error may be needed.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Step 2, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train. From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2025-2026. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
Above left, the 1st class car has 6-seat compartments like this. Above right, 2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this.
Option 4, Vienna to Copenhagen & Malmφ using the Vienna-Hamburg sleeper train
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:10, arriving Hamburg Hbf 08:47.
This is a new generation Nightjet with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to accommodation. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.
Fares start at 59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
-
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 10:53, arriving Copenhagen 15:38.
The EuroCity train has power sockets at all seats & a refreshment trolley. More about the journey.
For Malmφ, travel from Copenhagen to Malmφ Central by Φresund train, these run 2-3 times each hour taking 40 minutes.
For Gothenburg, travel from Copenhagen to Gφteborg Central by Φresund train, these run every hour taking 3h50.
Fares from Hamburg to Malmφ or Gothenburg start at 56.99 in 2nd class or 79.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Step 1, Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train. Above, a new generation Nightjet ready to leave. More about new-generation Nightjets.
Step 2, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train. From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2025-2026. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
Above left, the 1st class car has 6-seat compartments like this. Above right, 2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this.
Vienna to Oslo & Norway
Option 1, Vienna to Oslo with overnight stop in Copenhagen
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by ICE, leaving Vienna Hbf at 06:13, arriving Hamburg Hbf 16:00.
The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Then travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 16:53, arriving Copenhagen 21:38.
The EuroCity train has power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley. More about this journey.
Fares from Vienna to Copenhagen start at 49.99 in 2nd class or 79.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
-
Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Oslo, leaving Copenhagen at 07:30, change at Gothenburg Central, arriving Oslo Sentral 15:47.
Earlier & later departures are available, see the Copenhagen-Oslo timetable & how to buy tickets.
Alternatively, spend the day in Copenhagen and take the overnight ferry to Oslo with a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet, sailing from Copenhagen at 16:30 (15:00 some days) and arriving Oslo at 10:00 on day 3, as shown here. This is remarkably affordable, and saves a hotel bill. Book the ferry at www.dfds.com.
Option 2, Vienna to Oslo with overnight stop in Hamburg
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by ICE train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 13:13, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:55.
This comfortable ICE-T train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means book an earlier train.
-
Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is 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 Gothenburg by EuroCity train & Φresund train:
Leave Hamburg Hbf 08:50, arriving Copenhagen 13:38. Leave Copenhagen at 14:30, arriving Gφteborg Central 18:20.
The EuroCity train from Hamburg to Copenhagen has power sockets at all seats & a refreshment trolley. More about this journey. The Φresund train from Copenhagen to Gothenburg has power sockets & free WiFi, but bring your own food & drink. Have an early dinner in Gothenburg.
-
Day 2, travel from Gothenburg to Oslo, leaving Gφteborg Central at 20:10, arriving Oslo Sentral 23:47.
This smart modern Norwegian train is run by Vy, it has power sockets & free WiFi, but bring your own food & drink.
-
How much does it cost?
Vienna to Gothenburg starts at 56.99 in 2nd class or 79.99 in 1st class.
Gothenburg to Oslo starts at 249 Krone (24) if you book a few weeks ahead.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
How to buy tickets
Step 1, book from Vienna to Gothenburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Set departure time to 13:00, or earlier if you want an earlier departure from Vienna.
To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 10 hours. Adjust departure time and length of stay to get the departure you want from Vienna and the 08:50 from Hamburg to Copenhagen next morning.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Step 2, book the train from Gφteborg Central to Oslo Sentral at Vy's website www.vy.no or at www.entur.no.
Option 3, Vienna to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most comfortable way to Oslo
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:10, arriving Hamburg Hbf 08:47.
This is a new generation Nightjet with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to accommodation. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.
Fares start at 59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , 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 27.40.
In Kiel it's a 7 minute 450m walk from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line ferry terminal, see walking map. But always allow several hours between trains and ferry for the ferry check-in and in case of any delay.
-
Day 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo by luxurious overnight Color Line ferry, with a full range of cosy 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.
Money-saving tip: It's considerably cheaper to book on Color Line's Norwegian website www.colorline.no in Norwegian Krone, for example a 274 fare becomes the equivalent of 164. You'll need to use Google to translate the Norwegian. You are still able to enter a UK or other European address and contact details. Feedback appreciated.
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 sleeper train & regional train to Kiel. Above, a new generation Nightjet. More about new-generation Nightjets.
Step 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo with Color Line. It's just a 6 minute walk across from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line terminal. There's a lift up to a connecting walkway which takes you to the ferry terminal. If you've booked one of Color Line's 5 star suites, check in at the desk rather than the machines to be directed to a VIP lounge with free tea, coffee, juice, snacks & WiFi. You'll have priority boarding & free access to the on-board spa. Photos courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry except where shown.
Above left, cabin with TV, shower & toilet, luxury suites are also available. Above right, restaurant with a view.
Restaurant and lounge on the Kiel-Oslo ferry.
Wake up to lovely scenery sailing up Oslo Fjord.
The Color Line ferry, arrived at Oslo. Above right, there's a transfer bus to Oslo Sentral, photo courtesy of Andrew Leo.
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 37.99 in 2nd class or 56.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Tip: You should book from Vienna to Skandinavienkai Terminal, Lόbeck as one transaction as this gets you a through ticket to the ferry terminal covering the train from Vienna to Hamburg, the regional train to Lόbeck and the bus to the Skandinavienkai Terminal. If you'd like time for dinner in Lόbeck, click Stopovers and enter Lόbeck Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 2 hours.
-
Day 1, transfer from Hamburg Hbf to the Travemόnde ferry terminal by train+bus and sail from Travemόnde to Helsinki with Finnlines, see the Hamburg page for full details of the transfer, check-in & ferry crossing.
Finnlines sail from Travemόnde 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).
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.
Option 2, Vienna to Helsinki by train to Stockholm, then ferry
Vienna to Prague from 14.90
Option 1, Vienna to Prague by railjet
-
Railjet trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi link Vienna Hbf and Prague Hlavni every two hours, journey time 4 hours city centre to city centre, fares from just 14.90, see the Vienna to Prague page.
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 15, free WiFi and at-seat service, see the Vienna to Prague page.
Vienna to Českύ Krumlov from 12
-
Vienna to Českύ Krumlov takes around 4h30 with easy changes of train at Českι Velenice & Českι Budejovice.
Trains leave every 2 hours from Vienna Franz Josefs Bahnhof, see location map.
Check train times using the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
-
What's the journey like?
The Austrian regional express (REX) train from Vienna to Českι Velenice is a comfortable City Shuttle train using ΦBB's double-deck air-conditioned Weasel trains. 2nd class only, sit upstairs for the best views!
At Českι Velenice you get off and walk a few metres across the same platform to the waiting Czech regional train for Českι Budejovice. If the Austrian train is a few minutes late the Czech train will wait.
The Czech train is also 2nd class only, modern & air-conditioned. There's plenty of luggage space & toilets. Bring your own food & drink.
Incidentally, Českι 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.
You then take the little green-&-orange GWTR local train from Českι Budejovice to Českύ Krumlov, a leisurely journey on a winding single track branch line through farmland & forest. This train runs every hour or two 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 a specific departure, advance-purchase fares from Vienna to Českύ Krumlov start at 12.
If you want to stay flexible, a Standard-Ticket (Local Trains in Czech Republic) from Vienna to Českύ Krumlov costs 40.40, good for any train on this route that day, unlimited availability so it cannot sell out.
-
How to buy tickets - if you want the cheapest price
If you are happy committing to a specific departure, go to the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Search for Vienna to Českύ Krumlov. Booking opens 3 months ahead. In the results, look for journeys via Českι Velenice & Českι Budejovice.
You'll also see journeys from Vienna Hbf via Linz (Donau) & Českι Budějovice, 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 Českι 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, click one of those. You'll get a First Minute advance-purchase fare for the Vienna-Českι Budejovice trains plus a OneTicket fare to cover the GWTR local train between Českι Budejovice & Českύ Krumlov, all booked as one easy transaction.
-
How to buy tickets - if you want to stay flexible
If you want to remain flexible and/or buy tickets on the day, go to the Austrian Railways www.oebb.at and run an enquiry from Vienna (just select plain Vienna) to Českύ Krumlov. Before running the enquiry, click + Add via and enter Českι Velenice as a via station.
Oebb.at will show departures with the cheapest fare for each. Click on any departure and other fares appear. To remain flexible, select Standard-Ticket (Local Trains in Czech Republic) for 40.40.
This is good for any train on this route that day, no reservation necessary. There's no benefit in buying the pricier 53+ standard ticket.
Vienna to Brno from 7
-
The Vienna to Prague railjet trains call at Brno. They leave Vienna Hbf every 2 hours, journey time to Brno around 1h30.
-
Advance-purchase First Minute fares start at 7, limited availability, specific train only, no refunds, no changes.
-
Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Booking opens 90 days ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
-
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.
Vienna to Ostrava
-
Several times a day, direct EuroCity trains link Vienna Hbf with Ostrava, journey time 2h50.
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.
-
Fares start at 19.90. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead
-
Book at the www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, international 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.
Vienna to Bratislava for 11
-
Regional express trains link Vienna Hbf with Bratislava Hlavna every hour in 56 minutes, see the Vienna to Bratislava page.
Important: If travelling before 5 July 2025, see the update here.
Vienna to Poprad-Tatry & Kosice
-
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.
Important: If travelling before 5 July 2025, see the update here.
-
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 ΦBB website.
Vienna to Budapest from 9
-
Every hour, an Austrian railjet train or Hungarian EuroCity train links Vienna Hbf with Budapest Keleti in 2h40.
Advance-purchase Sparschiene fares start at 19.90.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com.
-
In addition, private open-access operator Regiojet now operates several trains a day 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.
-
See the Budapest to Vienna page for times, fares & how to buy tickets.
Vienna to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest from 58
Option 1, Vienna to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest by Dacia Express - safe, comfortable, time-effective & scenic
-
The Dacia Express leaves Vienna Hbf at 19:42 arriving Simeria 07:17, Sighisoara 09:17, Braşov 12:50, Ploeşti 14:47 & Bucharest Nord 15:26.
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.
-
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 also 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 phone.
Tip: Prices might be cheaper than on oebb.at, so check both sites!
-
Tip: 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.
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, arriving Budapest Keleti 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
-
Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train Ister, leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10, arriving Brasov 08:48 & Bucharest Nord 11:35.
Ister is 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. 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 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, leaving Vienna Hbf at 18:42, arriving Budapest Keleti 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
-
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 01:09.
Another InterCity train leaves Budapest Keleti at 09:10 via Simeria & Sibiu arriving Brasov 22:42.
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 phone.
Vienna to Bled, Ljubljana & Slovenia
Option 1, by direct EuroCity train Emona
-
The EuroCity train Emona leaves Vienna Hbf at 07:58 every day, arriving Ljubljana 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. It's routed via Maribor, not Bled. Emona is the Roman name for Ljubljana.
The Emona has a Slovenian restaurant car (cash only) 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, sit back and enjoy the fabulous scenery.
Tip: 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.
-
Fares start at 23.30 in 2nd class or 32.60 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 2, Vienna to Bled & Ljubljana with a change of train
-
From 2024 there's a regular service from Vienna to Bled & Ljubljana with one easy change at Villach:
Leave Vienna Hbf 08:24, change at Villach, arriving Lesce-Bled 13:45 & Ljubljana 14:32.
Leave Vienna Hbf 10:24, change at Villach, arriving Lesce-Bled 15:47 & Ljubljana 17:00.
Leave Vienna Hbf 12:24, change at Villach, arriving Lesce-Bled 17:45 & Ljubljana 18:33.
Leave Vienna Hbf 14:24, change at Villach, arriving Lesce-Bled 19:50 & Ljubljana 20:35.
Leave Vienna Hbf 16:24, change at Villach, arriving Lesce-Bled 21:45 & Ljubljana 22:30.
-
Fares start at 23.30 in 2nd class or 32.60 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Vienna to Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik & Croatia
Option 1, Vienna to Zagreb & Croatia, every day all year round
-
Travel from Vienna to Zagreb by train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:58, change at Graz, arriving Zagreb 22:20.
From Vienna to Graz the Austrian Intercity train has a refreshment trolley, enjoy the scenery along the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route. You change in Graz onto a Croatian train with no catering, so bring your own food & drink..
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 www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
-
Other departures are available:
Leave Vienna Hbf at 08:24, change at Villach, arriving Zagreb 17:10.
Leave Vienna Hbf at 12:24, change at Villach, arriving Zagreb 20:45.
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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. 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.
Option 2, Vienna to Split by direct sleeper train (for bus to Dubrovnik), 3 times per week in summer - recommended
-
A EuroNight sleeper train links Vienna with Split 3 times a week in summer.
It runs on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays from 30 April to 12 October 2025.
It leaves Vienna Hbf at 19:05, arriving Split 09:51.
The train starts in Bratislava, with three comfortable air-conditioned Slovakian sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a Slovakian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats. You can see details of train formation & carriages if you go to www.vagonweb.cz switch it to English, click train formations and search for train number EN 1153.
Fares start at 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 , same prices). 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.
Option 3, Vienna to Split using the Budapest-Split sleeper train Adria, 3 times per week in summer - if option 2 is fully-booked or expensive
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 13:40, 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 $, international 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.
-
Step 2, travel from Budapest to Split by sleeper train Adria.
The Adria runs on Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays from 18 June to 30 September 2024, 2025 dates tbc.
It leaves Budapest Keleti at 18:45, arriving Split 08:46.
The Adria is a pleasure to travel on. It has two comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-cars (with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin) and three or four couchette cars with 4 & 6 bunk compartments. There are no seats cars.
It has a Hungarian restaurant car serving dinner and breakfast - start your day in Croatia with a cooked breakfast of ham & eggs! The restaurant car usually used on this train is an older wood-panelled type which used to be part of the Hungarian governmental train, see the photo below.
Fares start from 49 with couchette in 6-berth, 59 with couchette in 4-berth, 64 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, 79 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper or 119 in a single-bed sleeper. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
You can book it at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it. Booking opens 60 days ahead.
-
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.
Vienna to Belgrade & Montenegro
Option 1, Vienna to Belgrade, 07:40 departure - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 07:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 10:19.
By all means book the earlier 06:40 railjet if you'd like more time between trains in Budapest. These swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Transfer from Keleti to Nyugati station by metro, tram or taxi as shown here.
-
Step 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati at 11:50, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade, for details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around 23, see more about fares.
Option 2, Vienna to Belgrade, 10:42 departure - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:42, arriving Budapest Keleti 13:19.
By all means book the earlier 09:40 railjet train if you'd like more time between trains 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Transfer from Keleti to Nyugati station by metro, tram or taxi as shown here.
-
Step 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati at 14:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 21:19.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade, for details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around 23, see more about fares.
Option 3, Vienna to Belgrade with overnight stop in Budapest - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 18:42, arriving Budapest Keleti 21:19.
This swish Austrian railjet trains has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Or there are earlier or later departures, trains run every hour until 21:40, see the timetable here.
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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Transfer from Keleti to Nyugati station by metro, tram or taxi as shown here.
-
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. If you prefer to stay near Budapest Nyugati, look no further than the 3-star T62 Hotel just across the road, a traveller's favourite with funky interior design. The cheaper 3-star Star Inn Budapest Centrum is a few minutes walk away, also with good reviews. The 4-star Radisson Blu Bιke Hotel is one block along the road from the station. 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.
-
Day 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati at 05:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 12:38.
Or if you'd prefer a later departure, leave Budapest Nyugati 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade, for details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around 23, see more about fares.
Option 4, Vienna to Belgrade with overnight stop in Zagreb
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Zagreb by train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:58, change at Graz, arriving Zagreb 22:20.
From Vienna to Graz the Austrian Intercity train has a refreshment trolley, enjoy the scenery along the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route. You change in Graz onto a Croatian train with no catering, so bring your own food & drink..
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 www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. 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.
-
Day 2, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04, arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar 18:12.
This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended in 2024.
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.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.
A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 09:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 14:30.
The fare is around 21, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
-
Step 3 for Montenegro, take the sleeper train Lovcen from Belgrade Centar to Podgorica or Bar, see the Belgrade to Montenegro page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.
Vienna to Sofia & Bulgaria
Option 1, Vienna to Sofia using the Budapest-Bucharest Muntenia - fastest, most time-effective
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:42, arriving Budapest Keleti 13:19.
The comfortable Hungarian EuroCity train has a restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch. There's also an 11:30 departure, but I'd play safe.
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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
-
Day 1, travel from Budapest to Videle on the sleeper train Muntenia, leaving Budapest Keleti at 15:10, arriving Videle 08:32.
Videle is a small town 60 km west of Bucharest. Why get off here rather than staying on to Bucharest? In 2024, The Muntenia arrived Bucharest Nord 08:42 and the onward train to Sofia left at 10:47, a safe enough connection if there's a delay. In 2025, the Muntenia now arrives at 09:36 and the train to Sofia leaves at 10:11, no longer safe. So I suggest switching trains at Videle, as both trains call here.
The Muntenia has 4 & 6-berth couchettes and ordinary seats. A Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments is attached from Arad (depart 20:57) 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.
Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. Click EN top right for English. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
If you want the comfort & privacy of a proper sleeper from Arad to Bucharest, (1) book a 2nd class seat from Budapest to Arad from 17 at bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket. (2) Now book berths in a 1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper from Arad to Bucharest Nord at the Romanian domestic website bilete.cfrcalatori.ro and print your own ticket.
-
Day 3, travel from Videle to Sofia, leaving Videle at 11:27 every day, arriving Sofia central 20:35.
The train starts in Bucharest at 10:11, but the connection in Bucharest would be too tight for comfort, so change at Videle.
In summer from mid- June to early October this is a direct train, or rather, a 2nd class through car.
At other times of year it's an air-conditioned Romanian diesel unit from Bucharest to Ruse arriving 13:45, then a Bulgarian train leaves Ruse at 14:20 for Sofia.
Update: Due to track upgrading, from 7 May 2024 for maybe a year, the train will terminate at Sofia Sever (Sofia North, 2.7 km from Sofia Central, see map). You can take a taxi from Sofia Sever to your hotel, or take a suburban train the last few km into Sofia Central.
There's no catering so bring a picnic and some wine or beer. It's a lovely scenic ride, crossing from Romania into Bulgaria over the Danube between Giurgiu & Ruse on Europe's longest steel bridge, 2.5 Km long, then meandering at slow speed through the valleys of Bulgaria.
You can confirm this schedule at the Bulgarian Railways website www.bdz.bg. Click English top right. Click Menu then look for International rail-routes, go to the Bucuresti-Sofia page and open the pdf timetable.
The fare is 31 standard tariff, bought at the station or online.
Book from Videle to Sofia at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro. You should get an e-ticket that can be printed or shown on your phone.
Option 2, Vienna to Sofia via Bucharest - easier to book, more leisurely, with a day & night in Bucharest
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Budapest by sleeper train Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42, arriving Bucharest Nord 15:26 (day 2).
The Dacia Express 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.
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 also book this train in either direction at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro. Prices might be cheaper than on oebb.at, so check both sites! 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 phone.
Tip: 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.
-
Day 2, stay overnight in Bucharest. The Euro Hotel Grivita, Hotel MyContinental Bucuresti Gara de Nord & Hello Hotels Gara de Nord are all just a 5 minute 350m walk from the station, inexpensive with good or great reviews. Other hotels in Bucharest.
-
Day 3, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by daytime train as shown in the Bucharest-Sofia section of the Trains from Bucharest page.
You leave Bucharest Nord at 10:11 and arrive Sofia Central at 20:35 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 36.
Book this at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You should now get an e-ticket that can be printed or shown on your phone.
Option 2, Vienna to Sofia via Belgrade
-
Not currently viable while Zagreb-Belgrade, Budapest-Belgrade and Belgrade-Sofia trains remain suspended.
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 link Vienna with Warsaw every day, city centre to city centre:
The EuroCity Sobieski leaves Vienna Hbf at 06:10, arriving Warsaw Gdanska 13:55.
The EuroCity Polonia leaves Vienna Hbf at 14:10, arriving Warsaw Centralna 21:50.
The Polonia has a refreshment trolley, the Sobieski has a restaurant car. Take a good book and treat yourself to a cooked breakfast or early lunch in the Polish restaurant car of the Sobieski, 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, and search for Sobieski or Polonia.
-
Fares start at 42.90 in 2nd class or from 52.90 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 or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Vienna to Warsaw by sleeper train - safe, comfortable, time-effective
-
A sleeper train called the Chopin leaves Vienna Hbf at 23:19, arriving Warsaw Centralna 09:08.
The EuroNight sleeper train Chopin has two comfortable air-conditioned Polish sleeping-cars with 1, 2 or 3 beds per compartment. Each car also has two 1 or 2 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, see the photos below. It also has ordinary seats, but no couchettes. In the sleepers, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included.
Tip: If you're not keen on the late-night departure from Vienna, you can take a frequent Westbahn or ΦBB railjet train from Vienna to Linz (1h15) or Salzburg (2h30), have dinner and pick up the sleeper there. The Chopin leaves Salzburg Hbf at 20:30 and Linz Hbf at 21:46. Or look at option 3, which can be cheaper.
-
Fares start at 53.50 in a 3-bed sleeper, 68.20 in a 2-bed sleeper, or 126.70 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed as berths are sold individually. Prices 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 (in , same prices), 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 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 sleepers are no longer available in conjunction with the cheapest Sparschiene rates.
Option 3, Vienna to Warsaw using the Bratislava-Warsaw sleeper - often cheaper than option 2 and you get to bed earlier!
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Bratislava by regional express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:14, arriving Bratislava Hlavna 20:10.
These regional express trains run every hour, why not leave earlier and have dinner in Bratislava? More about Bratislava to Vienna trains.
Important: If travelling before 5 July 2025, see the update here.
The fare is 11, fixed-price, unlimited availability.
Buy at the station on the day or at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.
-
Day 2, travel from Bratislava to Warsaw by EuroNight sleeper train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 21:58, arriving Warsaw Centralna 09:08.
It has a modern, safe & cosy Polish sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments, plus two 1 or 2 berth deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, see the photos below. It also has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments. The train comes from Budapest.
Booked via Czech Railways, the base fare is around 74, plus one of the following supplements: Couchette in 6-berth 14, couchette in 4-berth 21, bed in 3-berth sleeper 24, bed in 2-berth sleeper 34, bed in single-berth sleeper 72.
Buy tickets at the CD (Czech Railways) website www.cd.cz.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
Vienna to Krakow from 32.90
Option 1, Vienna to Krakow by daytime train - morning departure
-
An air-conditioned EuroCity train called the Porta Moravica leaves Vienna Hbf at 08:10, arriving Krakow Glowny 14:04.
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. An Austrian restaurant car is available as far as Bohumin, reached just after 11:00.
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: The only 1st class car (car 353) on this train is due to be a Swiss Railways panorama car on loan to ΦBB, a real treat. If there was ever a feature worth paying extra for 1st class, this is it!
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 EC106 Porta Moravica.
-
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 or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Vienna to Krakow by daytime train - afternoon departure
-
There's now a second direct daytime EuroCity train between Vienna & Krakow called the Danubius, leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:10, arriving Krakow Glowny 21:25. It has a through car to Wroclaw, arriving 21:30.
The Danubius has one Austrian 1st class car with open-plan seating and two Polish 2nd class cars with 6-seat compartments. Refreshments are available. It has a Czech through carriage to Wroclaw, 2nd class only.
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 and search for Danubius.
-
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 collect tickets from an ΦBB ticket machine at the station.
Step 2, Vienna to Warsaw or Krakow by EuroCity train. This is the Danubius to Krakow at Vienna Hbf on a winter afternoon. That's the Czech through car to Wroclaw nearest the camera, the Polish cars to Krakow are ahead of it. Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.
Most 2nd class cars have compartments like this with side corridor & 6-seat compartments.
Option 3, Vienna to Krakow by sleeper train - the time-effective option
-
A EuroNight sleeper train called the Chopin leaves Vienna Hbf at 23:19, arriving Krakow Glowny 06:20.
This train has two comfortable air-conditioned Polish sleeping-cars with 1, 2 or 3 beds per compartment. Each car also has two 1 or 2 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, see the photos below. It also has ordinary seats, but no couchettes. In the sleepers, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included. The final destination of this train is Warsaw.
Tip: If you're not keen on the late-night 23:10 departure from Vienna, you can book a frequent Westbahn or ΦBB railjet train from Vienna to Linz (1h15) or Salzburg (2h30), have dinner and pick up the sleeper there. The Chopin leaves Salzburg Hbf at 20:30 and Linz Hbf at 21:46 for Krakow. Or look at option 4 instead, which can be cheaper.
-
Fares start at 43.50 in a 3-bed sleeper, 58.20 in a 2-bed sleeper, or 116.70 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed as berths are sold individually. Prices 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 (in , same prices), 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 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 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.
Option 4, Vienna to Krakow using the Bratislava-Krakow sleeper - often cheaper than option 2 and you get to bed earlier!
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Bratislava by regional express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:14, arriving Bratislava Hlavna 20:10.
These regional express trains run every hour, why not leave earlier and have dinner in Bratislava? More about Bratislava to Vienna trains.
Important: If travelling before 5 July 2025, see the update here.
The fare is 11, fixed-price, unlimited availability.
Buy at the station on the day or at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.
-
Day 2, travel from Bratislava to Krakow by EuroNight sleeper train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 21:58, arriving Krakow Glowny 06:20.
It has a modern, safe & cosy Polish sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments, plus two 1 or 2 berth deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, see the photos below. It also has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments. The train comes from Budapest.
Booked via Czech Railways, the base fare is around 74, plus one of the following supplements: Couchette in 6-berth 14, couchette in 4-berth 21, bed in 3-berth sleeper 24, bed in 2-berth sleeper 34, bed in single-berth sleeper 72.
Buy tickets at the CD (Czech Railways) website www.cd.cz.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
Vienna to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna Hbf to Warsaw by EuroCity train, as shown in the Vienna to Warsaw section.
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 guide.
-
Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Kaunas & Vilnius by train as shown on the Warsaw to Vilnius page.
-
Stay overnight in Vilnius. Try the inexpensive Stay Vilnius hotel, a 6-minute walk from the station, or the Conti Hotel Vilnius, a 9-minute walk from the station towards the old town, both with excellent reviews.
-
Day 3, travel from Vilnius to Riga (Latvia) or Tallinn (Estonia) by train as shown on the Vilnius-Riga-Tallinn page.
Vienna to Lviv, Kyiv & Ukraine
Option 1, Vienna to Lviv & Kyiv by direct sleeping-car, still running in spite of the war.
-
Two direct sleeping-cars leave Vienna Hbf at 16:42 every day, travelling via Budapest & Chop, arriving next day at Lviv 09:59 & Kyiv 16:41.
Introduced in 2017, this train consists of 2 or sometimes 3 direct Ukrainian sleeping-cars attached to a Vienna-Zahony EuroCity train. The sleeping-cars have comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below. At Chop on the other side of the border the through sleeping-cars are jacked up to have their wheelsets changed from European standard gauge (4'8½") to Russian gauge used in Ukraine (5').
Suggested hotels in Lviv: The famous George Hotel or Grand Hotel.
-
Vienna to Lviv costs 71.20 in a 3-berth sleeper, 79.20 in a 2-berth sleeper or around 130 in a single sleeper.
Vienna to Kyiv costs 89.60 in a 3-berth sleeper, 99.60 in a 2-berth sleeper or around 170 in a single sleeper.
-
Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking for these direct sleeping-cars opens 20 days ahead, but tickets sell out a day or two after booking opens, so book as soon as the booking period opens. If the ΦBB website says Ticket not available within 20 days it means fully-booked, if it says that more than 20 days ahead it means booking isn't open yet.
Tickets can now be printed out so you can book in either direction. However, you must print the ticket, it cannot be shown on a mobile device.
-
You can also try booking these sleeping-cars from Budapest to Lviv or Kyiv at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my tips for using it. Then add a seat from Vienna to Budapest on the same train also using www.mavcsoport.hu, or using www.oebb.at.
Budapest to Kyiv starts at 66 with a bed in a shared 2 or 3 bed sleeper. Vienna to Budapest starts at 19.90.
Option 2, Vienna to Lviv & Kyiv via Budapest - easy to book with good availability, useful if the direct sleepers are full
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 17:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 20:19.
The smart Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all sears & free WiFi.
Fares start at 19.90 in 2nd class or 29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket 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 (same prices, in ).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Day 1, travel from Budapest to Ukraine by sleeper train, leaving Budapest Keleti at 22:40, arriving Lviv 13:38 & Kyiv Pass 19:11 (day 2).
The sleeper train Transcarpathia consists of up to 8 Ukrainian sleeping-cars, with one car of 1st class 2-berth compartments (spalny vagon), and up to 7 cars of 2nd class 4-berth compartments (kupι).
Bedding is provided, there are toilets & washrooms at the end of the corridor. The sleeper attendants can provide snacks and delicious Ukrainian tea, but bring your own food as there's no catering car. The train is jacked up at Chop on the Ukrainian border to have its bogies changed from standard gauge (4' 8½") to Ukrainian gauge (5').
You can check the consist and car numbers for this train using www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, and search for Transcarpathia.
Fares start at:
63.10 with a bed in a 2nd class 4-berth sleeper.
76.10 with a bed in a 2-berth 1st class sleeper.
These are limited-availability fares book online in advance.
Buy tickets at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my tips for using it.
Booking opens 3 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone in the MAV app.
Tip: You should select 2-bed compartment (double) or sleeping-car, 4-bed compartment. Single and triple options are shown, but result in a ticket without reservation. If it says x Reservation not included, do not proceed. Like I said, select double or 4-berth!
Above left, the Transcarpathia on its first day of operation. Above right, a 1st class 2-bed sleeper. Courtesy of Ukrainian Railways Укрзалізниця.
Option 3, Vienna to Lviv using the Vienna-Lviv daytime connection, useful when the direct sleeping-cars are full
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Przemysl by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 08:10, arriving Przemysl 16:50.
Fares start at 32.
Book this at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
-
Step 2, travel from Przemysl to Lviv, leaving Przemysl at 18:59, arriving Lviv 22:40 and Odessa 11:15 next day.
This train has 4-berth kupι sleepers. Feedback appreciated.
The fare to Lviv is about 12 in kupι, book this train at the Ukrainian Railways site booking.uz.gov.ua/en (you may need to set your VPN to a Ukrainian IP address to access this).
Option 4, Vienna to Lviv & Kyiv using the Vienna-Chop daytime train then sleeper, useful when the direct sleeping-cars are full
-
Step 1, travel from Vienna to Chop by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:42, arriving Chop, just over the border in Ukraine, at 21:00.
This is a comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian EuroCity train with restaurant car. Treat yourself to lunch and dinner with a beer or two.
Fares start at 32.
Book this at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
-
Step 2, travel from Chop to Lviv & Kyiv by Ukrainian sleeper train 367, leaving Chop at 23:54 arriving Lviv 05:18 and Kyiv at 13:12.
This train has comfortable 2nd class 4-berth sleepers. Bring your own food & drink.
Book this train at the Ukrainian Railways site booking.uz.gov.ua/en (you may need to set your VPN to a Ukrainian IP address to access this). This train can get fully-booked, so book ahead.
-
Alternatively, stay overnight in Chop, there's a morning train to Lviv & Kyiv.
Vienna to Moscow & Russia
-
There are currently no international trains to or from Russia,
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, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:18, arriving Bologna Centrale 05:38.
This is a new generation Nightjet sleeper train with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to accommodation. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.
Fares start at 59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, can also book onward tickets within Italy) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , 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 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in , $ or £, they'll refund their 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.
Option 2, Vienna to Athens & Greece by train through the Balkans - currently suspended
-
There are currently no international trains to or from Greece, use a ferry instead.
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 Euro Hotel Grivita, Hotel MyContinental Bucuresti Gara de Nord & Hello Hotels Gara de Nord are all just a 5 minute 350m walk from the station, inexpensive with good or great reviews. Other hotels in Bucharest.
-
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
-
Take a train from Vienna to Sofia as explained above.
-
Stay overnight in Sofia.
-
Then take overnight sleeper train from Sofia to Istanbul as explained on the as shown on the Trains from Sofia page.
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.
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.
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.