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A Westbahn train to Salzburg at Vienna Westbahnhof.
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A choice of two operators
You can travel from Vienna to Salzburg with either of two competing train operators, State-owned ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) and private operator Westbahn. This page explains which to choose and how to buy tickets.
What are Westbahn trains like?
Travel tips: Luggage, WiFi, food & drink...
Vienna
to other European cities by train
Salzburg to other European cities by train
Station guides:
Vienna Hbf
Salzburg Hbf
Which operator to choose?
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ÖBB runs 2 swish modern railjet trains every hour between Vienna Hbf & Salzburg Hbf, some trains take 2h53, expresses 2h22.
The railjets have economy, first & business class, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Westbahn runs smart double-deck trains between Vienna Westbahnhof & Salzburg Hbf twice an hour taking 2h28.
The double-deck Westbahn trains have standard, comfort & first class, power sockets at all seats, free WiFi & drink/snack vending machines.
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Both operator's trains are excellent, see the photos below. A prime consideration is the station in Vienna: ÖBB uses Vienna Hbf, the main station with some trains extending to/from Vienna Airport. WESTbahn runs to/from Vienna Westbahnhof, less convenient for onward connections, but it may or may not be better for your hotel. In Salzburg, both operators use Salzburg Hbf. Railjets have a restaurant car with service at your seat in 1st & business class, Westbahn trains only have vending machines for tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks. You won't be disappointed whichever operator you choose!
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If you don't mind a much longer but scenic trip via the famous Semmering Railway, click here.
How to check times
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You can check times for both operators at www.thetrainline.com as this sells tickets for both Westbahn & ÖBB.
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Or check WESTbahn trains at www.westbahn.at and ÖBB trains at www.oebb.at.
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Vienna Hbf to Salzburg Hbf is 312 km or 194 miles by train on the direct route.
How much does it cost?
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ÖBB railjets:
Advance-purchase Sparschiene fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.
Sparschiene prices vary like air fares, limited availability at each price level, specified train only, limited or no changes or refunds.
The full-flex Standardpreis is €65.00 in 2nd class or €126.80 in 1st class.
Standardpreis tickets are good for any train, unlimited availability, cannot sell out. This is what you'd pay on the day.
To travel in business class (= premium 1st class) you pay €20 on top of any 1st class fare.
With ÖBB, children under 6 go free, no ticket required. Children under 15 go free if accompanied by an adult with a Sparschiene fare as long as the child was included in the booking so mentioned on your ticket. If you buy a full flex ticket on the day, children under 15 pay half the adult fare.
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Westbahn trains:
Advance-purchase WESTsuperpreis fares start at €13.99 in standard class.
The price varies like air fares, limited availability at each price level, specified train only, limited or no changes or refunds.
The full-flex WESTflexpreis fare is €65.90, good for any train, unlimited availability so cannot sell out. This is what you'd pay on the day.
To travel in comfort class (= premium 2nd class) you pay any standard class price + €9.90.
To travel in first class you pay any standard class price + €34.90.
On Westbahn, children under 6 go free, no ticket required. Children under 15 pay only €1 if accompanied by a parent or guardian paying any type of adult fare. However, children pay the full adult supplements to travel in 1st class or comfort class.
How to buy tickets
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Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com.
This can sell tickets for both ÖBB and Westbahn so you can compare prices.
Easy to use, in €, Ł or $, overseas credit cards no problem. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket or show it on your phone. Small booking fee.
On both ÖBB and Westbahn you can add a reserved seat for a small additional fee, around €3. Reserving a seat is not essential, but recommended especially at busy times such as Friday afternoons or around major holidays.
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Or you can buy Westbahn tickets at www.westbahn.at and ÖBB tickets at www.oebb.at.
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On Westbahn, if you're happy paying the full-flex Standardpreis you can simply board any train and pay the conductor when he comes round. No reservation is necessary, sit where you like. There's a euro or two fee for paying on board.
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If you have an Interrail or Eurail pass
Interrail & Eurail passes cover both ÖBB railjets and Westbahn, reservation optional, see the passholder reservations page for details.
Westbahn double-deck trains
WESTbahn trains are smart modern electric double-deckers, with 2nd class, comfort class and 1st class. There are both upper & lower deck seats in all three classes. There's free WiFi & all seats have power sockets. For more information on these trains and amenities, see www.westbahn.at.
ÖBB railjets: See the railjet page
Railjets have economy, first and business class with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Travel tips
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Boarding your train
There's no check-in and no ticket check in Salzburg or Vienna, just free open access from street to platform to train to seat. Just be on board the train a minute before departure when the doors close.
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Luggage
Like any European train, you take your luggage in with you and stick it on any suitable rack near your seat. Nobody weighs or measures it, so however large a suitcase you have, no worries.
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Food & drink
WESTbahn trains have four catering areas in each trainset with vending machines for tea & coffee, these take contactless bank cards. On-board staff can serve you snacks. In WESTbahn first class, food & drink orders are taken and served at your seat.
ÖBB Railjets have a restaurant car. In 1st & business class a steward takes food and drink orders from the restaurant car menu and delivers them to your seat. I recommend the schnitzel and potatoes, and ÖBB's Austrian red wine is lovely.
You are free to bring your own food and drink along, even beer or wine if you like.
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WiFi & power sockets
ÖBB Railjets and Westbahn trains both have free WiFi & power sockets at seats in all classes.
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Bicycles
You can take a bike on WESTbahn for €5 booked in advance or (if space is available) for €10 paid on the train, see www.westbahn.at. ÖBB's railjets now also take bikes, 6 spaces per railjet, you can add a bike reservation to your booking at www.oebb.at for €9.30.
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Recommended hotels in Vienna and in Salzburg.
Route map
Highlighted = Vienna-Salzburg, either main line via Linz or the scenic route via Graz. Green = scenic. Red = high-speed line.
Reproduced from the excellent European Rail Map with kind permission of the European Rail Timetable people. I recommend buying the European Rail Map for your travels and a copy of the European Rail Timetable, www.europeanrailtimetable.eu with shipping worldwide.
Alternative scenic route via Graz
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The scenery on the fast direct route between Vienna & Salzburg is pleasant, but not spectacular. Hills and fields rather than mountains. If you're not in a hurry you can also travel between Vienna & Salzburg on a much longer route through the mountains of southern Austria.
This takes you from Vienna to Graz over the famous UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway), then over the brand-new Koralm Railway to Villach, opened in December 2025 (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koralm_Railway). And finally on to Schwarzach St Veit, Bischofshofen & Salzburg over the historic Tauern railway (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tauern_Railway).
You can see this alternative southern route on the route map above.
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There are direct trains from Vienna to Salzburg via this scenic southern route at 11:24, 13:24 & 15:24.
If you're prepared to change trains at Villach, there are hourly departures from early morning until late afternoon.
Journey time is 6h29 versus 2h22 via the direct route, so stick to the direct route if you've limited time. But if you'd like a tour of southern Austria sitting comfortably after too much time on your feet exploring Vienna, why not?
The direct railjets have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st & business class, a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat.
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Fares start at €24.90 in 2nd class, €34.90 in 1st class, business class from €54.90.
That's as little as €5 more than the direct route!
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.
To get this route, find the via button and add Graz as a via station.
You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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If you take this route, was it worth the extra time? Let me know what you think!
Above: Crossing Austria on the Tauern railway between Villach & Salzburg, clinging to mountainsides high in the Austrian Alps.