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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 €59.60 in 2nd class or €116.30 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 €15 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 Superpreis fares start at €19.99 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 Standardpreis is €59.90, 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 + €7.90.
To travel in first class you pay any standard class price + €24.90.
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 sells 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. There's a small booking fee.
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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 at busy times such as Friday afternoons or around major holidays.
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Alternatively, 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.
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
Also with free WiFi and power sockets at all seats, railjets have economy, first and business class seats and a restaurant.
Route map
Highlighted = Vienna-Salzburg main line. Green = scenic routes. Red = new 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.
Travel tips
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Boarding your train
There's no check-in and no ticket check, just free open access from street to platform to train in both Salzburg and Vienna. 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. 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 and also offer at-seat service in 1st & business class where food and drink orders from the restaurant car menu are taken and delivered to your seat.
You are of course free to bring your own food and drink along, even a beer or bottle of 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, it costs €8.50 to add a reserve bike space to your booking at www.oebb.at.
The scenic route via Leoben
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The scenery on the fast direct route between Vienna & Salzburg is pleasant, but not spectacular. If you're not in a hurry there's another option between Vienna & Salzburg using the longer southerly route over the famous Semmering Railway through the Austrian hills - see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway - then through Leoben, Selzthall & Bischofshofen, a lovely scenic line.
You can see this alternative route on the route map above, it's the one with all the green highlighting scenic sections.
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Going via Leoben takes 5h19 versus 2h22 via the direct route, and it involves a simple cross-platform change of train at Leoben. So stick to the direct route if you have limited time. But the route via Leoben is scenic, leisurely, and can be booked in advance from €19 at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at. The trick is simply to spot the via button and add Leoben as a via station. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: If you want a longer connection in Leoben, click Filters above the search results and select Comfortable connection time.
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If you take this route, was it worth the extra time? Let me know what you think!