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Austria Itinerary: 11 Days by Train

Updated March 19th, 2019

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Are you looking for an Austria itinerary? Do you hope to include the must-see cities of Salzburg and Vienna as well as some smaller towns in-between? This Austria itinerary by train includes the country’s most well-known cities and some lesser known gems. It’s perfect for anyone who is hoping to start and end their time in Vienna.

Even though we would have loved more time at each location and of course wanted to visit more places, my mom and I were both very happy with this Austria itinerary for the 11 days, including flying days, that we had in in the country.

General Train Information

For all our transportation between cities we used trains, the express railjets and the regional trains. To buy train tickets ahead of time use oebb Austrian rail site . All the different types of transportation, including buses, are used on this site and can be bought together. It conveniently shows all of your options.

You can buy your tickets from machines at the train station, but it is typically cheaper to buy ahead of time and get the ‘sparschiene’ discounted rate.

There is a small extra charge for reserved seating on railjet trains. We never did this and there was only one time we wished we did, from Innsbruck to Vienna. If you do not have a reserved seat you need to make sure you do not sit in a reserved seat. Above the seats and just below the overhead luggage racks you can see an electronic strip with the seat number. The cities written next to it tell when the seat is reserved. If nothing is there is means the seat is not reserved.

Rail platforms are easy to find within every station. Almost everyone we met spoke English well and was more than willing to help with directions whether at a train station or on a city bus.

Remember that Bahnhof means train station and Hauptbahnhof means the main train station in the city. Also note that Wien is Vienna.

There is one or two larger luggage racks in each car as well as the overhead luggage space. As long as you can drag it onboard, you can bring it.

On both regional and railjet trains there are toilets. Railjet trains have a dining car with a fairly good selection of decent meals and snacks.

Within the train electronic screens show the upcoming stops. On the railjets they give precise information with the times in English and German.

Day 1: Flying Day into Vienna & Train to Gmunden

Vienna International Airport is probably the easiest to fly into and out of . Right at the airport is the train station, which provides easy connections to anywhere else you want to go in Austria. You could spend time in Vienna at the end or beginning of your trip. We decided to stay in Vienna at the end because it worked better for obtaining ballet tickets.

Day 2 : Exploring Gmunden & Train to Salzburg

The first stop on our Austrian itinerary was Gmunden, a small town between Vienna and Salzburg within the Salzkammergut region on Lake Traunsee.

From Vienna International Airport to Gmunden Bahnhof it is about a 3 hour trip on two trains. We took a railjet train to Attnang-Puchheim Bahnhof and then a regional train to Gmunden Bahnhof, but there are other options available as well. There are buses within the city, but there would be nothing available at our evening arrival so we pre-booked a taxi with our hotel. They booked us with Taxi Prehm, which was very reliable. If you plan on taking a taxi back to the train station make sure to pre-book. We left it until the last minute and there wasn’t enough time to get a taxi. The kind owners of the hotel gave us a ride instead….but I wouldn’t count on that!

The lake and the main part of town is walking distance (~10 – 20min) from Hotel Magerl.

Hotel Magerl : Ackerweg 18, 4810 Gmunden, Austria

I loved the feel of this hotel with old world charm alongside modern convenience.

Activities

Kayaking and Walking around Lake Truansee

Take a Steamboat on Lake Traunsee

Exploring the Town

Grunberg Cable Car to Grunberg Mountain for hiking, biking, paragliding and more

Gmunder Keramik for a tour of the ceramic factory

Within the main part of town along the lake there are several options. We were not disappointed with our Italian meal at Vienna Cafe DP Gastro GmbH : Sparkassegasse 1, 4810 Gmunden, Austria.

Days 3 – 6: Salzburg

From Gmunden we took a regional train back to Attnang-Puchheim Bahnhof and switched to a railjet to Salzburg. We arrived in Salzburg at the main train station ( Hauptbahnhof). The city buses stop directly outside of the train station. From our pre-booked tickets I knew which platform to stand and wait.

We bought the Salzburg card which included free transportation. Other than the initial bus ride, the rest of our time in Salzburg that we needed transportation was within the two day pass time frame. With the pass you do not need to do anything, simply board the bus.

Alstadt Hotel Hofwirt : Schallmooser Hauptstraße 1, Schallmoos, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Convenient location to the New Town and about a 15 minute walk to the old town. A modern and clean hotel with friendly staff and large selection of breakfast items.

I recommend buying the Salzburg City Card that gives you free transportation and entrance to all of the activities below except the Sound of Music Tours.

Sound of Music Tour – I suggest Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tour s if you want an active tour. If not there The Original Sound of Music Tour is another great option for a bus tour.

Museums : Christmas Museum , Mozart’s Birthplace , Mozart’s Residence , Panorama Museum , Salzburg Open Air Museum

Hohensalzburg Fortress – one of the largest medieval castles in Europe

Salzburg City Cruises

Guided Tours of the Festival Halls

Dom Quartier Salzburg

Untersberg Mountain – enjoy a beautiful hike in the snow after taking the cable car

Hellbrunn Palace, Trick Fountains, Folk Art Museum & Salzburg Zoo

Gasthof Alter Fuchs : Linzer G. 47-49, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. Located on the other side of the river from the old town, this cozy place with classic dishes on the menu had a traditional Austrian feel.

Pretzel Stand in Kapitelplatz : The square with a man standing on top of a big gold sphere. During our Sound of Music tour our guide recommended this pretzel place to everyone and announced that it had the best pretzels in Salzburg. Sometimes I am skeptical of tour guide recommendations mid-tour, thinking that they are only trying to promote a specific business. Our guide was right about this one! With almost ten different varieties of pretzels as big as your head, you are sure to find a flavor you will enjoy.

Die Wiesse: Rupertgasse 10, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. We didn’t know if our hunger could hold on long enough to reach this locally recommended biergarten and were about to give up when we heard music. By following the sound of a tuba we made it to this biergarten that was full of Austrians in their traditional dirndls and lederhosen. As it was a national holiday we were treated to a festive and authentic display of music, dancing, and eating. Even if you don’t luck out with the festive atmosphere we experienced, the outdoor garden and food are still worth a visit. Another great recommendation from our tour guide that is a little off the beaten path.

Hochalm am Untersberg: Located on top of Untersberg Mountain, this traditional looking restaurant offers classic fare at reasonable prices and close up views of the surrounding alps.

Café Latini : Judengasse 17, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. This café is good if you want something a little quicker within the old town close to all the sights. I particularly recommend the ice cream and a nice outdoor table for prime people watching.

Days 7 – 8: Seefeld & Mittenwald

To get to Seefeld from Salzburg we took a railjet train to Innsbruck , which I would recommend spending some time in if your schedule allows. There is so much to see and do in Innsbruck . Then we took a regional train to Seefeld. Within Seefeld we walked everywhere. Either google maps seemed a little strange or I wasn’t following the map correctly, because it was a tad difficult finding our hotel initially, but easy every time after that.

To get to Mittenwald from Seefeld I recommend taking a train. It is about a 22 minute journey. Tickets can be bought ahead of time or at the machine in Seefeld. The cost is so low, about 5 euros, that unless you are positive of your departure times you might as well buy them at the station. Like any train journey, make sure to plan ahead with times. On the way back from Mittenwald there were no machines selling our particular journey back to Seefeld so we bought tickets on the train.

Landhaus Klausnerhof Hotel : Alte Leutascher Straße 57, 6100 Seefeld in Tirol, Austria

A well kept alpine hotel with a friendly and helpful manager. The hotel is close to restaurants in town, the train station and Lake Wildsee.

Seefeld: Visiting Lake Wildsee

Seefeld: Hiking – Many trails in the area.

Mittenwald: Leutaschklamm Gorge Hike

Mittenwald: Take a stroll around the town to see the beautifully painted buildings and maybe visit the violin museum.

Restaurant Seefelder Stube: Innsbrucker Str. 23, 6100 Seefeld in Tirol, Austria. Our pizza and pasta dishes here arrived exactly as we ordered them and full of rich flavors.

Mittenwald : Several restaurants, cafés and bakeries along the main street around the square.

Day 8 – 11: Vienna

From Seefeld we took a regional train back to Innsbruck and then the high-speed railjet to Vienna , the last stop on our Austria Itinerary. The whole journey takes about 5.5 hours. It is the longest train journey of this itinerary and the one I would recommend booking reserved seats for. Perhaps it was our particular time we traveled, but the train was incredibly booked and it was initially hard to find single seats open, much less two seats together.

We had tickets for a tram that stopped a couple of minutes away from our hotel. Within Vienna we mostly walked. To take the metro you need to buy a ticket from a machine before boarding. Make sure you validate the ticket, by sticking it inside a little box, before going down the escalators to the metro train.

Suite Hotel 900 m zur Oper : Wiedner Hauptstraße 44, 04. Wieden, 1040 Vienna, Austria

The hotel is an pleasant 10 minutes or so walk from the Opera house and other central attractions. The tram stops only a couple of minutes from the front door.

Sisi Museum : Learn about the intriguing life of Empress Sisi.

Albertina Museum : An art museum known for its print rooms.

Vienna Museum : Overview of the history of Vienna with some special exhibitions.

Schönbrunn Palace : More on the life of the Imperial family and fun gardens to explore.

Free Walking Tou r : Good to do your first morning in the city as it gives an overview of Vienna.

Austrian National Library : Where you can visit the impressive great hall.

Spanish Riding School : Along with seeing a show you can buy tickets for the morning practice or for a guided tour.

Vienna Opera House : For a night on the town this is a classic and elegant choice. Guided tours are also available some days.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral : Visit the gorgeous interior or pay to walk up the tower for a view of the city.

Bierhof: Haarhof 3, 1010 Wien, Austria

We weren’t quite ready for lunch when we stumbled upon this restaurant, but it was too good to pass up. It was almost hidden within a little courtyard. I had a chicken salad here. It sounds really basic, but the spices in it made me scarf down my salad at the rate of which I would usually eat a piece of chocolate cake.

Restaurant in the center with green boards: Intersection of Ballgasse & Blumenstockgasse

Another slightly more secluded area with several cafés. Although we typically ate outdoors only for lunch when it was warm enough, we wanted to experience the area outdoors for dinner as well. We were given blankets as we enjoyed our top notch salmon and schnitzel dishes.

Ristorante San Carlo: Mahlerstraße 3, 1010 Wien, Austria

This ristorante near the Opera House has a slightly more elegant feel so when we came in drenched from the rain we wondered if they would even let us get a table. When the waiter led us to a table and then turned around we were left standing awkwardly in the middle of the room starting to get concerned that we wouldn’t get a table for real. It was our last meal in Austria so we were starting to get the hang of the Austrian restaurant world so we kept calm and waited until we finally got a drafty table near the door to the rainy weather outside. Soon enough we were served our food and my luscious pasta dish made me quickly forget about the temperature.

Salud Restaurant and Bar: Johannesgasse 23, 1010 Wien, Austria

Don’t go here if you want attentive service, but do go here for some good tex-mex food.

Viennese café culture: Most importantly don’t leave Vienna without having cake. So many cafés to choose from!

I hope this suggested Austria Itinerary by train will help you prepare your travels throughout the country!

Not quite what you are looking for? Don’t worry, I can help! Through my Personal Travel Planning service I can plan the perfect Austria itinerary to meet your travel needs…or any other place you dream of visiting!

Our Ventures in Vienna

Where & What SWEET Treats to Eat in Austria

The Sights of Salzburg

11 comments.

What a great itinerary. I live in Austria – but whenever someone asks me what can I visit , I suddenly am at a lost. So you provided me with a solution, that I will just send this link to someone who asks. Nice tips on the restaurants as well , that I will be using it for myself 🙂

Thank you, that is so nice to hear from someone who lives in Austria! I would love it if you share this Austria itinerary with anyone planning to visit and I hope it is helpful to you too! Where do you live in Austria?

I live in Villach – great location at the border of both Slovenia and Italy – do holler If you are ever in the region and we can have a cuppa coffee

Will do, I have never heard of Villach, but the google images look beautiful!

Follow My Anchor

Very informative post with useful details. I love touring journeys by trains and see different places on the same trip. I have been to a few places in Austria like Salzburg, Innsbruck and Kitzbuhel but I definitely need to go back and visit Vienna. I’ll make sure I’ll visit Gmunden too as it looks a very cute town on your picture!

I always enjoy exploring different places on the same trip too and getting to know a country by visiting both the larger and smaller cities.

Wow! You’ve really covered everything here. I love Austria and have been there many times. Your in-depth comments are really valuable for everyone.

Thank you! I would love to go back and visit again.

This is a great itinerary and fabulous tips! I’ve wanted to go back to Austria to explore it more but didnt know how to get around and definitely didn’t want to drive. Great information.

I don’t like to drive abroad, so I was happy that Austria is really easy to get around on your own without a car!

This looks like a great itinerary. I’ve only visited Salzburg and Vienna as part of a larger trip to Europe but would love to go back to Austria and see some smaller towns.

Getting Around with ÖBB

Getting around this way is easy, convenient, and surprisingly luxurious: The ÖBB Railjet trains are fast, efficient, and well-designed. While even Second-Class cars are more stylish and friendly than your average train carriages, the First-Class experience is on a whole different level. You can comfortably tour the entire country by train in less than two weeks, and this itinerary shows you how.

Austria’s public transportation infrastructure is set up as an alternative to car travel in the city as well as the countryside, and it works remarkably well. A punctuality rate of 95% makes planning itineraries a breeze. No need to factor in delays; you just hop on the train, lean back, relax, and get off refreshed at your next destination. All train stations are close to the respective city centres and well connected by public transportation.

Your 12-Day Itinerary

Day 1: vienna.

Start your journey in Austria’s largest city, the seat of the former Empire and a multicultural metropolis. According to The Economist, Vienna is one of the most charming cities in Europe and the number 1 most liveable city in the world.

On the morning of Day 1, explore Schönbrunn Palace , a beautiful Baroque palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played for Empress Maria Theresia here when he was just five years old. The extraordinary Imperial park houses the world’s oldest zoo and delivers spectacular views from the Gloriette monument, where you can also enjoy their famous hot chocolate.

Enjoy an afternoon stroll through downtown Vienna . Here you will find the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral , the Hofburg Palace, countless narrow streets, hidden squares and grand boulevards.

If you have time, stop at the Albertina or the MuseumsQuartier for spectacular art experiences. Take a break and enjoy a cup of coffee with some apple strudel at one of the many coffeehouses as part of a genuinely authentic Viennese experience.

In the evening, enjoy local fare and traditional music at a wine tavern in the neighbourhood of Grinzing (take tram 38) or a classical music night at the esteemed State Opera or the renowned Musikverein .

Day 2 & 3: Graz

Head to Vienna’s Central Station (Hauptbahnhof), easily accessible by metro (U1 line). The newly rebuilt station is now as much a first-rate transit hub as a shopping centre and architectural attraction. From here, take the train to Graz (approx. 2h 30m).

The old town of Austria’s second-largest city is a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site, and exploring it is an excellent start to your first day here. Enjoy the fantastic views over the medieval roofscape from the top of the Schlossberg (city mountain), and marvel at the Armoury , with the world’s most extensive collection of medieval arms. Sample local delicacies at the farmer’s markets and end the day with dinner at the restaurant Der Steirer , which serves Styrian tapas.

Day 3: Time to explore Graz’s contemporary side. As a UNESCO City of Design, Graz features many architectural highlights such as the Kunsthaus : Blue and bubble-shaped, the construction looks like a spaceship landed in Graz’s stuccoed old town, located right along the trendy Mariahilferstrasse, with cute design & coffee shops.

The Mur-Insel , a shell-like construction in the adjacent river, is another significant contemporary accent. Graz’s innovative architecture follows you all the way back to the train station, located conveniently close to the city centre. The main terminal’s interior is decorated with abstract graphics, and the platform shelter is one undulating metal wave.

Day 4 & 5: Salzburg

The train ride to Salzburg takes about 4 hours. We recommend buying the 48h Salzburg Card as ÖBB Plus Ticket together with your train ticket in the ÖBB ticket shop . The Salzburg Card offers free public transport and entry to attractions.

Magical mountains surround Salzburg, and its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is most famous as the birthplace of Mozart and the film location of The Sound of Music . Its true attraction is its magnificent Baroque architecture, the Hohensalzburg Fortress castle perched majestically on the Mönchsberg mountain and its many internationally renowned cultural events. For splendid city views and a great contemporary art experience, take a walk to the Museum of Modern Art .

Try local dishes, such as Kaspressknödel (bread dumplings filled with cheese) or Salzburger Nockerl , at one of Salzburg’s most attractive markets on Universitätsplatz square. Through a narrow passage, walk to Getreidegasse , the iconic main street with many interesting shops, charming courtyards, and Mozart’s birthplace .

Day 5: Take Bus 25 to Hellbrunn Palace to experience the unique trick fountains. Then dive into Salzburg’s famous beer culture and relax in one of the many beer gardens. Learn about local brewing history at the Stiegl-Brauwelt . Salzburg is renowned for its music, and seeing an opera or a concert at the famous Salzburger Festspiele in the summer month is an unforgettable experience.

Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) Cityjet at Salzburg ÖBB Personenverkehr AG / Georg Pölzleitner media_content.tooltip.skipped

Day 6 & 7: Excursions from Salzburg

Take the train from Salzburg to Hallstatt (2h 30m). Beautifully nestled between mountains and a lake, Hallstatt is a real feast for the eyes. Visit the world's oldest salt mines and the viewing platform above the village.

After lunch, take the train from Hallstatt to Bad Ischl (25 min), a small historic town with hot thermal springs. Visit Café Zauner and try their signature pastry, the "Zauner Stollen." Continue on bus 546 (25 min) to St. Wolfgang , a charming village, and take a boat ride on Wolfgangsee lake (45 min) to St. Gilgen , where Mozart's sister lived. Then take bus 150 (45 min) back to Salzburg.

Day 7: Take the train to Werfen (40 min). Tour the medieval Hohenwerfen Fortress perched on a hill with impressive views of the mountains. Don't miss the falconry demonstration in the expansive courtyard gardens. Have lunch at Obauer , one of Werfen's gourmet restaurants, before hiking the nearby Sound of Music trail .

Day 8: Kufstein

In the morning, take the Railjet from Salzburg to Kufstein (1h 10m). In the centre of the beautiful town in Tyrol’s north, you will find an impressive medieval fortress . Explore the stronghold and enjoy the spectacular views over the region. Kufstein’s fortress has a local history museum and the world’s largest free-standing organ. Next, stroll through the town centre and down Römerhofgasse , a charming street lined with wine taverns. Kufstein’s parish church is a late Gothic building dating back to around 1400.

About a 15-minute walk south of the church, you will find a traditional Tyrolean glassmaker : Riedel’s glasses are known worldwide for their delicate design. At the factory, you can watch the glassblowers do their work, then shop Riedel’s collection of stemware and artful decanters.

Depending on the time of year, you might be able to watch a performance at the Tirol Festival Erl . The classical music festival’s repertoire spans popular operas and is known for its Passion Plays.

Day 9 & 10: Innsbruck

Take an early train from Kufstein to Innsbruck (40min). We recommend buying the Innsbruck Card , which includes free public transportation in the city and surrounding villages and access to many attractions and cable cars. You can save money when purchasing the Innsbruck Card (ÖBB Plus Ticket) along with your train ticket in the ÖBB ticket shop .

This beautiful alpine city with its medieval old town is nestled in the Nordkette mountains. Hungerburgbahn Station is one of Tyrol's most magnificent examples of modern design by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid. A rack railway and a cable car take you up to an Alpine landscape at over 2,000 meters (6,562 ft), from where you can enjoy stunning city views. Save money by purchasing the ÖBB Plus Ticket 'Top of Innsbruck' alongside your train ticket in the ÖBB ticket shop .

If the mountain air has made you hungry, try local specialities such as Schlutzkrapfen (dumplings stuffed with cheese or spinach), Käsespätzle (pasta tossed with onions and cheese) and Tiroler Gröstl (a pan of potatoes, meat and vegetables) in one of the traditional restaurants. Dedicate the rest of the day to sightseeing and shopping in the city centre.

Day 10: Spend the day visiting three emblematic places around Innsbruck. Take tram 1 to the Bergisel Ski Jump , then continue to the small mountain village of Igls (only 15 min on the J bus). In the afternoon, take tram 3 to Ambras Castle , with beautiful gardens and a unique art collection.

Day 11: Excursions from Innsbruck

Explore the Swarovski Crystal Worlds (incl. in the Innsbruck Card) in Wattens. Either take a shuttle bus (4 times/day, around 30 min) directly to the entrance or a commuter train to Fritzens-Wattens (16 min) and continue 15 min. by foot.

If you prefer an active morning, take the STB train from Südtiroler Platz station (30 min) to the village of Mutters . Walk towards the parish church on the main street, and you will find a beautifully traditional Tyrolean farmhouse with wooden balconies and painted facades. Continue to the Mutteralm cable car (incl. in the Innsbruck Card), and take it up the mountain to enjoy a great hike followed by lunch in a traditional mountain hut.

Afterwards, take a regional train (8 min) to Hall in Tirol . This beautiful Medieval town with picturesque streets and squares is well worth a visit with its Hasegg Burg castle (home of the Mint Museum, also called the birthplace of the Taler coin and the modern-day Dollar), the Magdalena chapel with its frescoes and altar, and the churches of St. Nikolaus and the Jesuits.

Houses in St. Anton TVB St. Anton am Arlberg / Christoph Schöch media_content.tooltip.skipped

Day 12: Arlberg Region

Take a 1-hour morning train directly from Innsbruck to St. Anton am Arlberg and find yourself amid an alpine paradise. The Arlberg is one of Austria’s westernmost mountain resorts and is famous for stunning hikes, upscale entertainment, and an elegant atmosphere. Explore the town of St. Anton , where the Galzig and Valluga cable cars whisk you up to 2,811 m (9,222 ft) of the region’s tallest mountain. Incidentally, one of St. Anton’s best gourmet restaurants, the Verwallstube , is located at the top of the Galzigbahn. Visit the St. Anton MUSEUM , housed in a lovely historic building that focuses on the village’s history and the closely linked history of skiing.

As an alternative, or if you like to add another day in this lovely region, take Bus 91 from St. Anton to Lech , another one of Arlberg’s idyllic villages. In Lech, grab a gourmet lunch at Hotel Post Lech before embarking on a walk down the lively main street. Enjoy shopping at stores like Sagmeister and Strolz, which offer a combination of traditional alpine designs and international designer names.

If you’re feeling sporty, embark on one of the region’s many hiking trails . Take your time marvelling at the picture-perfect Alpine scenery before descending back into the village. Art enthusiasts will love Skyspace Lech , the fascinating light installation by James Turrell.

Good to Know about Traveling by Train

Austria's extensive train system is easily one of the most convenient ways to travel between its major cities and small forgotten hamlets. Here is what you need to know before hopping on board!

Book First Class For Ultimate Comfort

Travel austria on the night train, from vienna to salzburg by train, train journey with unesco views.

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1. Salzburg Sightseeing Day Trip from Munich by Rail

2. Skip-The-Line Salt-Mines and Bavarian Mountains Tour from Salzburg

3. Wachau Valley Wine Tasting Bike Tour from Vienna

4. Salzburg Semi-Private Guided Day Tour from Munich with Dinner

5. Private city tour in Vienna

6. Panoramabahn Schoenbrunn

7. Private Salzburg History & Food Tour with Munich train add-on

8. Full Day Round Private Tour to Hallstatt from Vienna

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Train Adventures

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Rail Tours in Austria

Train travel from/to your departure station is included

Reserved seats on trains where reservations are possible (window!)

Overnight stays in small-scale hotels within walking distance of the station, run by enthusiastic hotel owners

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Austria on rail tours that reveal the alpine splendor, rich cultural heritage, and charming towns of this Central European gem. From the grandeur of Vienna to the idyllic landscapes of the Austrian Alps, Austria offers a wealth of experiences waiting to be explored. Join us as we guide you through a rail adventure that will immerse you in Austria's unparalleled beauty and culture.

Why Choose Rail Tours Across Austria?

Spectacular Alpine Landscapes : Austria is renowned for its breathtaking alpine landscapes, with towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and charming villages. Rail tours provide panoramic views of these natural wonders, with comfortable train cars and large windows to soak in the scenery.

Effortless Travel : Navigating Austria by rail is efficient and convenient. Relax and enjoy the journey while experienced rail operators handle the logistics. Austrian rail infrastructure is known for its reliability and punctuality.

Cultural Enrichment : Austria boasts a rich cultural heritage, from the classical music of Vienna to the historic architecture of Salzburg. Rail tours offer access to world-class museums, historic landmarks, and charming towns that showcase Austrian traditions.

Culinary Delights : Savor Austrian cuisine, known for its delicious pastries, schnitzels, and strudels. Rail tours often include opportunities to indulge in authentic Austrian culinary experiences, making it a culinary journey as well.

Top Austrian Rail Tours to Consider

Vienna to Salzburg : Travel from the elegant capital of Vienna to the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg. Explore Vienna's imperial palaces, then venture to Salzburg to visit the iconic Mirabell Palace and the historic Old Town.

Innsbruck and the Austrian Alps : Discover the alpine wonders of Innsbruck and the Austrian Alps. Visit the famous Swarovski Crystal Worlds, explore Innsbruck's historic center, and enjoy breathtaking mountain views.

Danube River Cruise : Combine rail and river travel on a Danube River cruise through Austria. Explore cities like Linz and Melk, visit the stunning Melk Abbey, and cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley.

Salzkammergut Lake District : Journey through the Salzkammergut Lake District, home to crystal-clear lakes and charming villages. Explore Hallstatt, often called the "Pearl of Austria," and admire the beauty of Wolfgangsee and Mondsee.

Book Your Austrian Rail Adventure Today!

Austria's alpine majesty, rich culture, and culinary delights await you on rail tours that promise unforgettable memories. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or a food lover, Austria has something to offer every traveler. Start planning your Austrian rail tour today and embark on a journey that will take you deep into the heart of this enchanting European country.

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The 3 Most Beautiful Scenic Train Routes in Austria

Walter Geiersperger / Getty Images

Austria is an interesting mountainous country wedged between the Western European countries of Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. It also borders on the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia.

Mountainous territories offer lots of technical challenge to railroad designers, as well as a high degree of danger to those who work on rail routes. Of course, it is this difficult landscape which produces the most awe-inspiring views from the window of a train car.

The three scenic rail routes described in here were first built in the mid-1800s, a pioneering phase of railroad construction, and represent some of the greatest feats of civil engineering of their time.

Two of the scenic routes, the Semmering and the narrow gauge Mariazellerbahn are in eastern Austria near Vienna , the third, Arlberg , is found in western Austria near Innsbruck . The routes offer fine opportunities for hiking in the summer and skiing in the Winter.

How to Buy Tickets

Most Austrian trains are run by the state-operated Österreichische Bundesbahnen (Austrian Federal Railroad or ÖBB). There are nineteen small privately owned railroads operating primarily narrow-gauge lines.

You can buy point-to-point rail tickets and see schedules on Rail Europe. You will also find seasonal specials on rail travel there.

A number of Austria rail passes are available. For the traveler interested in scenic rail journeys, the combined Eurail Austria-Switzerland Pass is probably the most interesting, because Switzerland contains some great scenic railways, including the Bernina Express , the Centovalli Railway, the Glacier Express, and the Wilhelm Tell Express.

Austria is also included in the European East Pass, which includes the Czech Republic and Hungary, as well as the Eurail Germany/Austria Pass.

The Semmering Railroad

The Semmering Railroad, running between Gloggnitz and the winter resort town of Semmering, passes through some extraordinary Austrian mountain scenery. Built between 1848 and 1854, the Semmering is considered to be one of the greatest feats of civil engineering from this pioneering phase of railway building and was acknowledged by UNESCO World Heritage Center in 1998.

The Semmering railway line is part of the Südbahn railway that runs between Vienna and Graz, continuing on to Maribor, Ljubljana and eventually to Trieste.

Built by the Carl Ritter von Ghega between 1848 and 1854, the scenic Semmering route was quite daring for the time; it had a maximum gradient five times that of previous railways.

What You'll See Along the Semmering Scenic Route

16 viaducts supported by several arches
The main tunnel, 1,430 meters long, at the time, considered the most famous construction of its kind.

The Semmering railway was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO in 1998.

Rail World Photography offers a fine Photo Tour of the Semmering Scenic Route.

Semmering has long been a mountain health resort, known for its clean air. Winter sports and Summer hiking are the top draws for the town.

The Semmering Railway site: Die Semmeringbahn .

Arlberg Scenic Train Ride

After the Semmering route was finished, engineers considered a route through the Arlberg range as part of an England to Egypt route. Construction was started in 1880 and the route finished in 1884--if you had the money, you could now take the Arlberg Orient Express from London to all the way to Bucharest.

The scenic train ride seen on the map above takes you between Innsbruck and the Lake Constance area of Switzerland.

What to Do Along the Arlberg Scenic Train Route

Arlberg is the birthplace of modern Alpine Skiing, so winter sports will top the list. But scenic routes mean the train ride is your primary entertainment.

Snowboarding
Skiing at St. Anton (St. Anton offers Austria's largest ski school and perhaps the best skiing for intermediates in the region.
Hiking and Trekking

See Mike's Railway History: Progressive Development in a Mountainous Country

The Mariazell Railway:Narrow Guage Scenic Route in Eastern Austria

The Mariazell Railway is a narrow gauge track rail route running between the towns of St. Poelten and Mariazell. See this spectacular virtual tour with a detailed route description of the Mariazellerbahn Scenic Route.

Switzerland Travel Guide

Glacier National Park: The Complete Guide

Austria Travel Planning Guide

The Top 9 Scenic and Novelty Train Rides in Switzerland

20 Amazing Train Journeys Through Mountain Scenery Around The World

Riding the Bernina Express From Italy to Switzerland

16 Best Things to Do in Colorado in Summer

The Best 17 Places to Visit in Switzerland

India's Steam Express (Fairy Queen) Train: Essential Travel Guide

Where to Go in 2022: The Most Exciting Destinations to Explore This Year

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Vienna's Naschmarkt Market: The Complete Guide

Where to Go in 2023: The Most Exciting Destinations to Explore This Year

20 Top Things to Do in Vienna, Austria

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The 10 Best Places to Taste Wine in Vienna, Austria

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Traveling by rail is the best way to discover Austria. Incredible natural beauty, elegant cities like Vienna and Salzburg, and centuries of history are just waiting to be discovered. Travel through the Alps with your Eurail Pass, and find out all of the treasures awaiting you in this exciting country.

Train types in Austria

There are a number of train types in Austria ready to transport you both day and night. Most of the Austrian network is operated by ÖBB (Österreichische Bundesbahnen). Use the Eurail train timetable to check times for trains in Austria.

Domestic trains
International trains
Night trains
Private companies

Regional and intercity trains in Austria

Commuter trains which connect Vienna with cities around it.

Train schedules are available on the ÖBB route planner .

A suburban metro train network that runs within major cities in Austria.

With an Interrail Pass, journeys are FREE on the S-Bahn in Vienna, Salzburg (except for lines S1 and S11), and Innsbruck.

InterCity (IC)

Trains which connect larger cities in Austria, including Vienna, Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Graz.

Reservations are optional but recommended during peak season (May to September) and for public holidays.

InterCity bus (ICB)

This bus runs between Graz and Klagenfurt.

Reservations are required.

EuroCity (EC)

Connects Innsbruck, Salzburg, Graz, and Kufstein.

Domestic high-speed trains

Railjet (RJ)

Links Vienna to larger Austrian cities like Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Graz.

Runs frequent trains on the route Vienna – Linz – Salzburg – Munich/Innsbruck/Bregenz
2nd class Passholders can buy a reservation for Standard Class
1st class Passholders can buy a reservation for Standard Class or an upgrade for Comfort and First class

International high-speed trains in Austria

All long-distance trains to/from Germany are subject to mandatory reservations from June 1st till September 1st.

Vienna – Linz – Munich – Stuttgart – Frankfurt
Vienna – Gyor – Budapest
Graz – Vienna – Brno – Prague
Bratislava – Vienna – Salzburg – Innsbruck – Zurich
Vienna – Graz – Villach – Venice
Seat reservations are optional all year round only for domestic Austrian trips
1st class: €15 (including supplement)
2nd class: €10 (including supplement)
Business Class upgrade: €30 (including supplement)
A supplement can be bought on board for an additional fee, costing €5

The yellow RegioJet trains connect Vienna with Brno and Prague (Czech Republic). You need an Interrail Global Pass to travel on this train. Reservations available via RegioJet .

Links Austria to several cities in Germany on the routes:
Vienna – Nürnberg – Frankfurt – Cologne – Dortmund
Vienna – Nürnberg – Erfurt – Berlin - Hamburg
Innsbruck – Munich – Stuttgart – Berlin
Innsbruck – Bregenz – Stuttgart - Berlin
Vienna – Ljubljana – Trieste
Graz – Vienna – Ostrava – Wroclaw/Krakow – Rzeszów – Przemysl
Klagenfurt – Salzburg – Munich – Cologne – Dortmund
Zagreb – Ljubljana – Salzburg – Munich – Frankfurt
Mandatory supplement if you are travelling to/from/within Italy.
1st class: €15
2nd class: €10
A supplement can be bought on the train for an additional fee, costing another €5
Runs frequent trains on the route Vienna – Linz – Salzburg – Munich

Night trains in Austria

Night trains run from Austria to France, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Poland, Germany, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Czechia and Switzerland:

ÖBB Nightjet (NJ) :

Vienna – Florence – Rome
Vienna – Verona – Milan – Genoa – La Spezia
Vienna – Linz – Udine – Venice
Vienna – Linz – Zürich
Vienna – Linz – Munich – Stuttgart – Paris
Vienna – Linz – Munich – Cologne – Brussels
Vienna – Nürnberg – Hannover – Hamburg
Vienna – Nürnberg – Cologne – Düsseldorf – Amsterdam
Innsbruck – Munich – Cologne – Düsseldorf – Amsterdam
Innsbruck – Munich – Hannover – Hamburg
Graz – Vienna – Wroclaw – Berlin
Graz – Innsbruck – Zurich

EuroNight (EN)

Munich – Liz – Graz – Vienna – Katowice – Krakow – Warsaw (EN Chopin)
Bratislava – Vienna – Graz – Maribor – Split
Stuttgart – Salzburg – Villach – Ljubljana – Zagreb/Rijeka (EN Lisinski)
Stuttgart – Munich – Linz – Vienna – Budapest (EN Kalman Imre)
Zurich – Feldkirch – Innsbruck – Vienna – Budapest (EN Kalman Imre)
Zurich – Feldkirch – Innsbruck – Ljubljana – Zagreb (EN Alpine Pearls)
Zurich – Feldkirch – Innsbruck – Ceske Budejovice – Prague

Private railway companies in Austria

The following private railway companies accept Eurail Passes on their trains:

Micotra trains operate on the route Villach – Tarvisio (Italy)

Raaberbahn , ONLY from Ebenfurt to Sopron and from Neusiedl/See to Pamhagen (Gr)
RegioJet , yellow trains that travel to the Czech Republic. You need a Eurail Global Pass to travel on this train.

The following private railway companies do not accept Eurail Passes on their trains:

Pinzgauer Lokalbahn, travelling between Krimml and Zell am See.

NÖVOG ( including Mariazellerbahn, Wachaubahn, Waldviertelbahn, Reblaus Express, Citybahn Waidhofen, and Schneebergbahn)

ÖBB Postbus
Stubaitalbahn

Wiener Lokalbahnen

Pinzgauer Lokalbahn

Graz-Köflacher Eisenbahn

Montafonerbahn

Salzburger Lokalbahn (only trains S1 and S11 do not accept Interrail)

Steiermärkische Landesbahnen

Stern & Hafferl

Zillertalbahn
Salzkammergutbahn
Achenseebahn

Travel to Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein.

Liechtenstein is a tiny country situated between Switzerland and Austria. When your Eurail pass is valid in Austria, you can also travel to Liechtenstein. There is a ÖBB rail connection through Liechtenstein from Feldkirch in Austria to Buchs in Switzerland. Liechtenstein only has four small train stations: Forst Hilti, Schaan-Vaduz, Nendeln and Schaanwald. From Schaan-Vaduz it is a short bus ride to Liechtenstein's capital Vaduz (bus not included in your Eurail pass).

Popular connections

Domestic connections
International connections

View approximate train travel times between Austria’s most popular cities using high-speed trains that don’t require a reservation.

We suggest the following routes to travel between Austria and other European countries:

Reservations

How to make reservations for trains in austria:.

Eurail reservation self-service system

Administration costs when booking through Eurail self-service

€ 2,- p.p.per train
Additional € 9,- per order (for paper tickets)

With railway carriers

ÖBB (Austrian railways) : Domestic and international trains
Westbahn (Private Railway) : Only Westbahn trains, domestic and international
ČD (Czech railways) : Domestic and international trains
DB (German railways) : International trains to/from Germany
ÖBB Nightjet : Only Nightjet and some Euro Night trains

By calling the ÖBB booking center

+43 5 1717 (open 24/7)

When calling, you'll hear a menu in German. Select extension "1" for train information and bookings. The booking center can deliver your reservations to any country you prefer, without charging you booking costs. The delivery cost is €5. You can also pick up your reservations at large Austrian train stations. Just take your order number to a ticket office in the station. This call center can make reservations for the majority of European high-speed and night trains.

Locally at the train station in Austria

Book reservations for Austrian domestic trains and international (night) trains that arrive/depart in Austria at the website of ÖBB :

Choose your route and click on 'One-way tickets and day tickets' in the results.
Before you pick your train, go to the top right corner and click on 'Who is going?'. Here you click on 'Add discount' and scroll down or search for 'Interrail/Eurail – Globalpass', then select it and click confirm.
Now you can select the train you want to take and you'll immediately see the Pass Holder reservation fee you have to pay.
Go through the booking process and finalise your reservation. Please note that reservations for some routes can only be printed at an ÖBB self-service machine or helpdesk in Austria.

Many seat reservations can also be made without selecting the ‘Globalpass’ tariff:

Simply select ‘Seat reservation only (no ticket)’ under ‘Find Services’ and proceed with the usual steps.

Book reservations for Westbahn trains on the Westbahn Website.

Click on ‘Reservation / Upgrade / Bike / PRM’
Choose the preferred route.
Choose ‘Reservation / Upgrade’
Select the quantity, travel date and exact train departure
Choose the travel class
Seat number and coach are shown

ÖBB Railjet, ICE, Intercity and Eurocity trains

2nd and 1st class: € 3.50 (excl. € 3 online reservation fee)

Westbahn trains

For Westbahn trains, Passholders can buy a reservation for Standard Class and upgrade for Comfort and First Class online via westbahn.at or directly on the train for an additional fee.

Fees (depending on the travel distance)

First Class: €9.90 – €44.90
Comfort Class: €7,90 – 11.90
Standard Class (optional): €1.90 – €4.90

Get your Pass for Austria

Austria pass.

Use your whole vacation to discover Austria by rail.

Standard prices from $ 158

Global Pass

Have the freedom to visit Austria and up to 32 other Eurail countries.

Standard prices from $ 233

Tips and tricks

Quick facts.

Capital: Vienna (local spelling: Wien )

Population: 8.4 million

Language: German

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Dialing code: +43

Austrian hub stations

Austria’s main hub stations are Wien Hbf (Vienna), Innsbruck Hbf and Salzburg Hbf . At these train stations, it's possible to connect to trains to Austria’s main cities and many international destinations.

Station facilities

Stations in Austria usually have excellent facilities, often including:

Luggage lockers

Foreign exchange desks

Restaurants and cafés

Tourist information offices

ATM cash machines

Elevators and escalators

Access for disabled passengers

Bus travel in Austria

With a Eurail pass valid in Austria, you get free travel (pay only the reservation) on the following bus routes as an extra benefit:

Klagenfurt – Graz

Boat trips in Austria

Eurail pass holders also get discounted boat travel on several Austrian lakes and rivers.

See all benefits for Austria

Get inspired

Change of currency

You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Remove the Pass, and then change the currency on the website header.

Book ticket

Latest informations

Nightjet of the new generation

Now bookable!

Select here your start and end station in the drop-down boxes, as well as the time and date of your trip.

Unfortunately, from 8 June to 8 September, Nightjets cannot travel to and from Rome due to construction work and a route closure in Italy. We ask for your understanding!

Construction work

Current and planned construction work affecting train traffic. Find out more

ÖBB Vorteilscard

For immediate saver and frequent customers., news around the öbb.

The best Vorteilscard in 100 years!

Get your Jubelpackerl now and join the celebrations!

Planned construction work

Extensive renewal and maintenance work

Information for passengers from Ukraine

Do you want to receive more information and tailored offers and news from us? Then simply sign up to our Newsletter through your ÖBB Account.

Our offers at a glance

App, app and away

Low-cost travel with Sparschiene.

Switch off and tune in to nature

School group on the platform in front of the Nightjet

ÖBB Nightjet

Travel to many destinations in Europe.

Business travels by rail

Taking a deep breath ahead of meetings.

Vehicle key with a key fob in the shape of a car

Shared Mobility

Go further with our smart mobility services.

Railtours ÖBB Plus subject in a cloudy sky

ÖBB ticket + touristic offer.

Getting around Austria Local offers and information

Jazzfestival Saalfelden

Diagonale ’24 in Graz

Freizeit-Ticket Kärnten

Wandern in Kärnten

Lake Neusiedl

Bad Ischl Sujet, Frau stehend in einem Boot

A region devoted to culture

Straßenbahn auf der Ringstraße beim Burgtheater

Ticket offers for a visit to Vienna

Culture and events in Carinthia

Cityjet fährt über Brücke in Schneelandschaft

Commute to work stress-free

A family enjoys spending time together on a river bank

Ybbstaler Alpen

Good to know about the trains:

ÖBB is the national operator and it provides the majority of Austrian trains, except for: (1) some independent scenic mountain railways (2) the Westbahn trains, which provide alternative services to the ÖBB trains on the Wien/Vienna – Linz – Salzburg - Innsbruck route.

ÖBB daytime train services are broadly categorised as: (1) Railjet Express (RJX): the fastest trains on the Wien/Vienna - Salzburg - Innsbruck - St Anton - Bregenz route (2) Railjet (RJ): the other express trains between major cities (3) IC: the less frequent express trains to tourist resorts (4) REX: the regional trains and the local trains outside the major cities (5) S-Bahn: the local trains in Austrian cities (not including the Vienna Metro)

ÖBB also operates the Nightjet network , which comprises most, but not all, overnight train services from and to Austria.

The Railjet (RJX and RJ) services from and to Wien/Vienna tend to operate to fixed schedules, departing hourly or every other hour. Many Railjet routes also extend over the border, so these trains also link Austria to Budapest, Munchen/Munich, Praha/Prague, Venezia/Venice and Zurich.

The pride of ÖBB are the Railjets which depending on your point of view are either hideously ugly or wonderfully futuristic. However, what they definitely are is comparatively comfortable, with a wide range of catering options available, including a restaurant service.

Railjets were initially only used on the top tier express routes in Austria, but now the overwhelming majority of express train journeys are by Railjet.

On the main Wien - Linz - Salzburg - (Innsbruck) route some Railjets are faster than others, because they skip more stations; and OBB has now branded these services as 'Railjet - Express'. On the OBB ticket booking site and on some departure screens at stations, RJX is used to designate these faster trains.

Railjets are also used on international journeys to/from:

Budapest via Gyor
Prague/Praha via Breclav (some Railjets on this route are provided by CD, the Czech national rail operator).
Zurich via Buchs
Munchen/Munich
Venedig/Venice

Seats don’t HAVE to be reserved on Railjets on journeys solely within Austria and in SMTJ's experience finding a spare seat is unlikely to be a problem; unless you’re travelling at peak business hours (particularly on Fridays) OR on summer weekends. Though OBB's ticketing service, now indicates which departures will be exceptionally busy.

Reservations are also available, but optional, on the Railjet routes to Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Switzerland, but are mandatory and therefore included when booking tickets for journeys to and from Italy.

These ICE trains are used on routes between Austria and Germany

German ICE-T trains can also be used to travel between Wien/Vienna and Wels via Linz; a route they share with Railjet and Westbahn trains.

They are deployed on these routes between Austria and Germany: (1) Wien – Linz – Nurnberg – Wurzburg – Frankfurt – Koln (2) Wien – Linz – Nurnberg – Wurzburg – Kassel - Hannover - Hamburg (1 x train per day) (3) Wien - Linz - Nurnberg - Erfurt - Halle - Berlin (1 x train per day)

Reservations are optional, but highly recommended when travelling on these ICE trains.

these IC trains are also used on most of the EC international services from Austria

IC trains are more typical of standard, but comfortable, European express trains, and prior to the arrival of the Railjets, they were the top tier trains on ÖBB. Though these IC train services are becoming quite rare, because on many routes and services, they have been replaced by Railjets in recent years. They are now mainly used on less frequent services; some tourist destinations have only one or two direct trains per day from Wien/Vienna and IC trains are used on these services.

Austrian IC coaches are also used for the international EC (EuroCity) trains on these routes:

(1) Munchen - Innsbruck – Bolzano – Verona – Bologna/Venezia (2) Munchen – Salzburg – Villach – Ljubljana – Zagreb (3) Wien – Graz – Maribor - Ljubljana and Zagreb

Reservations are compulsory when travelling to Croatia, Italy, Poland and Slovenia.

Non express trains operated by ÖBB have differing categories depending if they operate in big cities or not. Longer distance regional trains and the local trains are branded 'REX'. Local trains to and from the larger cities are the S-Bahn services.

1st class is not usually available on REX trains or local trains, including the S-Bahn trains.

Trains operated by Westbahn compete with OBB's Railjet trains, in both drections on the Wien - Linz - Salzburg - Innsbruck route.

Nightjet trains now link Austria to six other countries

Nightjet trains are operated by Austria’s national rail company, OBB, and it sets a specific and consistent standard of service for these trains on its domestic and international routes . All international Nightjet trains convey compartment seats, couchettes, standard sleeping cabins (no showers) and deluxe sleeping cabins (with showers). Nightjets also have a dedicated section on the OBB website .

Notes on the ticketing:

When looking up journeys on the OBB website the only price you will initially see is the cheapest 2nd class price per departure. You need to click on this 2nd class price in order to access a range of upgrades, which include;

1st class tickets
Seat reservations
Adding 'highest flexibility' to your booking; do that and your ticket won't be tied to a specific departure and will be able to claim a refund if you subsequently alter your travel plans.

Tickets are typically made available up to 6 months ahead of the travel date, but this booking period can be shorter when looking up journeys which involve travelling after the second Sunday in each December. The nationwide and international train timetables / schedules have a major annual update, which takes effect from the second Sunday in December. However, tickets can't be placed on sale until the new timetable is confirmed and this confirmation tends to occur around mid-October, there isn't a set date for this. So if you will be be looking up a journey for travel after the second Sunday in December and can't find any tickets on the route you want to take, it will be because the tickets haven't yet been made available.

How far you will be travelling matters when booking second class tickets in advance online, on the OBB ticket booking service ; OBB is the national rail company in Austria.

Different types of second class ticket are available for journeys which involve crossing länder / state boundaries compared to journeys wholly within a länder / state

Austria has nine länders / states one of which is the greater Vienna/Wien area, but when taking journeys by train wholly within each of the boundaries of the other eight länders, how second class tickets can be booked and used differs in comparison to taking a longer-distance journey, which involves crossing at least one boundary that separates the länders.

That's because each länder manages its public transport through its own transport authorities, VVV, VVT, SVV etc, and that includes the sale of tickets for journeys by train when travelling in second class. The tickets are sold on the OBB, national rail, website, but as explained in greater detail on the guide to booking tickets for Austrian rail journeys the terms for how these tickets are sold and how they can be used, differ from the discounted Sparschiene tickets that OBB makes available for the longer-distance journeys. The two universal differences are:

the tickets aren't discounted, so you won't save by booking online in advance
the tickets can be cancelled and therefore refunded up to before the travel date.

What's also worth knowing is that the transport company, SVV, in the länder of Salzburg, which includes Bad Gastein, Radstadt and Zell-am-See; and the transport company, VVV, in the länder of Vorarlberg, which includes, Bregenz, Bludenz, Dornbirn and Feldkirch, both don't release second class tickets for sale more than around a month in advance. However, because OBB takes responsibility for selling first class tickets, it's possible to look up journeys more than a month ahead when travelling between stations that are wholly within Salzburg or Vorarlberg. If you do so:

for departures and connections by the express train services, EC, IC, RJ, or RJX, you will only find first class tickets
for departures and connections by the local (S-Bahn) and regional (REX) train services, you will see 'tickets are not available', because these trains don't include first class. It doesn't mean that second class tickets for the express trains and all of the tickets to travel by the REX trains have sold out, instead it's because the tickets haven't yet been released for sale. So if you want to book second class tickets in advance for journeys wholly within Salzburg or Vorarlberg, you will need to look up the journeys no more than a month ahead.

The discounted tickets for journeys by RJX, RJ and IC train services, which involve cross state boundaries within Austria, and on international trains from Austria are branded as ‘ Sparschiene’ tickets These tickets can be booked online or on the OBB app . They're usually available from 6 months ahead of the travel date, but note that they can't be booked at all at stations.

Though the discounted ‘Sparschiene’ tickets may not be available so far in advance, or made available on every departure on the route you will be taking. Also the specific departure you will be taking and the date/day of the week you will be travelling, can matter more to the ticket prices, than how far in advance you will be booking.

The price of ‘Sparschiene’ tickets can increase depending on how popular a departure is, the limited numbers at the very cheapest prices will inevitably sell quickly. So it can be a good idea to search through departures to find the cheapest fares - particularly when travelling between Wien/Vienna and both Salzburg and Innsbruck.

Note the restrictions when booking Sparschiene’ tickets; both 1st and 2nd class. These tickets will be specific to the departure you selected when making a booking and can't be refunded at all if you subsequently change your travel plans. They also can't be exchanged to alternative, later departures.

Seat reservations are available, but optional on journeys within Austria by express RJX, RJ, IC, ICE and EC train services, but are not available on REX trains.

Reservations are compulsory when travelling to Croatia, Italy, Poland and Slovenia, but not on the RJX, ICE and EC services to Czechia, Germany and Switzerland.

Note that seats don't have to be reserved on the Railjets on all routes within Austria. Unless you’re travelling at peak business hours (particularly on Fridays) or on summer and winter weekends a, finding a spare seat is unlikely to be a problem. Though for peace of mind, you can opt to pay a reservation fee on Railjets and ICs when booking online; the OBB booking service now indicates if a specific departure will be exceptionally busy.

Because seat reservations aren't mandatory, you have to be proactive and add them when booking Also reservations are available if the express train services are an option when making journeys within lander/state boundaries

On the OBB trains children aged 5 and under travel for free Children aged 6 – 14 travel at half-fare, except when travelling with adults who have booked Sparschiene tickets - when up to four children can travel at no charge.

You can’t just hop on a train with your bike in Austria. To travel by regional REX trains you will need to purchase a special bicycle ticket, which costs 10% of the full price 2nd class ticket; a minimum fee of €2 applies. For journeys by Railjet trains; IC trains and on international EC trains within Austria, you will need to reserve a space for your bike prior to boarding; the reservation fee for bikes on these trains is €3.50.

Though be aware that bike space reservations on the Railjet trains in particular can sell out days in advance. On the Innsbruck to Feldkirch via St Anton route the Railjet and EC trains are the only services available west of Landeck-Zams, so if the bike space reservations are sold out, no alternative trains will be available.

More info about how to book these bicycle tickets is available here .

Discounts for Seniors aren't automatically applied to Austrian rail tickets .

A Vorteilscard Senior card for those aged 65 and over costs €29 and can be purchased at station ticket counters. It then gives a 50% discount on most Austrian rail tickets.

The super smart and useful ÖBB website also has its quirks

How To Book Tickets on the OBB Website - Step By Step

Salzburg <> Villach via Bad Gastein
Innsbruck <> Brennero
Wiener Neustadt <> Villach via Klagenfurt
Feldkirch <> Innsbruck
Innsbruck - Jenbach - Zell am See - Stainach-Irdning - Leoben - Graz
Wiener Neustadt <> Graz
Attnang-Puccheim - Hallsat - Bad Ischl - Stainach-Irdning
Innsbruck <> Mittenwald

The journey guides include access to booking links and information about the trains, tickets and destination stations. Plus for the scenic routes there are insights on how to make the most of the rides on the trains.

The first class seating saloon on a CD Railjet

Search for a journey:

Wien / Vienna
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Tips for using the stations:

Five Things that are good to know when using the main stations in Austria:

1 . Austria’s major stations (the hauptbahnhofs) including those in Graz , Innsbruck , Linz , Salzburg and Wien/Vienna are comparatively simple to use. They all follow a similar pattern of having underground passages that are located beneath the tracks that give access to the trains above.

There are always lifts and escalators, which connect the bahnsteigs (platforms/tracks) that the trains arrive at/depart from, with these passage ways. You never have to use the stairs at a hauptbahnhof (major station) to access the trains.

2 . The signage at OBB’s stations is bi-lingual, it is in English and German, but the announcements will be in German only.

3 . Announcements are generally made to alert travellers to something out of the ordinary, such as delays If you think the announcement may be referring to your train watch the departure screens closely.

Particularly pay attention to any scrolling text to the right of the ‘nach’ column, which shows the train’s final destination. The English translation should follow the German text, so you may need patience to find out what you need to know.

4 . The major stations don’t have paper departure sheets, so you have to depend on the electronic departure screens. Though at busy times the smaller screens will only show trains departing in around the next 25 mins.

5 . If you will be changing trains at a hauptbahnhof (major station) there will be blue electronic departure summary screens on the bahnsteig (platform/track). Though if you will be changing trains and can’t see your next train on this departure screen, the best option is usually to make your way to the main departure hall and wait there for the details of your next train to be confirmed.

You may then need to re-trace your steps, but you can often avoid this if you will be travelling on a Railljet, IC train, or on some EC trains. While you're on the train, check the paper guide to the departure you’re travelling by, which you should find by your seat. It will list the details of connections from your train, including the number of the bahnsteig (platform/track) which your next train should be departing from.

These screens show in which zone on the bahnsteig each coach on the train will occupy

It's worth being aware of these six steps:

1 . When looking at the main departure screens ‘Abfarht’ = departures and ‘Ankunft’ = arrivals

2 . The bahnsteigs (platforms/tracks) at the hauptbahnhofs (major stations) are divided into zones - A to E. Most trains only occupy some of these zones, they tend to be shorter than the bahnsteigs (platforms/tracks).

3 . On the blue departure screens, small and large, the NUMBER of the bahnsteig (platform/track) will be listed to the right, of the list of stations that the train will be calling at. To the right of this ‘bahnsteig’ number will be some letters and these letters are the zones on the bahnsteig (platform/track) where the train will depart from.

4 . When you arrive on the bahnsteig you will see other blue screens; from a distance they look similar to the smaller version of the departure screens, but they show different information.

Those screens show the ‘Wagenreihung’, which are the formations of the next three trains to depart from the bahnsteig (platform/track). They indicate which zone each specific coach of a train will occupy when it arrives. So they’re very useful for working out in which zone you should wait for 1st class, or for a specific coach/wagen where a reserved seat will be located.

5 . The departure indicators on the bahnsteigs (platforms/tracks) can show the details of arriving trains. So don't be surprised if you don't initially see the details of the train you will be taking.

6 . If you have a reservation or a Sparschiene ticket it will have a Zug (train) number on it; a four digit number beneath the departure date and time. This number will also be shown in the ‘Zug’ column on the blue departure screens.

If you will be taking an international train and aren’t sure of its final destination, you may need to rely on this ‘Zug’ number to work out which bahnsteig (platform/track) your train will be leaving from. The stations that international trains call at can be omitted from the departure screens, but you can use the ‘Zug’ number to find your train.

Click the buttons below to discover how to travel to and from the stations by public transport, plus links to additional info including the station and city websites.

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Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria

About this tour.

Journey through spectacular mountain scenery and picturesque cities as you experience three Alpine countries. Spend four nights each in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bern and the charming Alpine city of Innsbruck. Ride the legendary GoldenPass Panoramic Train from Montreux to the Alpine ski resort of Gstaad. Explore Lucerne, the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Visit Mozart's birthplace and the Mirabell Gardens, featured in The Sound of Music, during your time in Salzburg. The hills are alive on this enchanting journey across Switzerland, Austria and Bavaria.

Your Tour Includes

2 Handpicked Accommodations
2 Choice on Tour Options

Included Highlights

Cheese Making Demonstration
GoldenPass Panoramic Train

Your Tour at a Glance

8 Breakfasts

Travel Style

Best time for travel, customize your tour.

Optional Excursions

Starting at $90.00

Activity Level

Level This Tour

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Extension Style

Best time for travel discover switzerland, austria & bavaria.

While just about any month is great to visit Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria, there are a few prime times of the year for the Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria tour. Here are some recommendations from our destination experts.

Winter: This tour makes for a perfect winter adventure. You’ll encounter far fewer crowds, the crisp mountain air, and snow-covered peaks. Cozy up outside with a blanket and enjoy fondue as it was meant to be eaten!

Spring: Fairly mild weather and fewer crowds make spring a great time to visit these countries.

Summer: Summer is a beautiful time of year to experience the region’s natural beauty and outdoor activities, even as popular sites and attractions draw crowds. It can get quite hot in the summer, so keep in mind there are very few hotels with air conditioning in the region. If the heat bothers you, you may prefer visiting in the spring or fall.

Fall: Another wonderful time to visit is in fall. You may wish to choose a tour that aligns with Oktoberfest!

Travel Styles

Highlights and inclusions.

Must-See Inclusions:

Spend a day exploring Salzburg's historic past and charming old town.
Enjoy a walking tour of Lucerne's Altstadt (Old Town).

Cultural Experiences:

Ride the GoldenPass Panoramic Train from Montreux to Gstaad.

Witness the musical tradition of Austria during a Tyrolean folklore show.

Culinary Inclusions:

Delight in lunch at the 1,200-year-old St. Peter's Restaurant, Austria's oldest.
Glimpse into the cheese production of Gruyères and sample these dairy delights.
Austrian Alps
Choice on Tour
Mirabell Gardens
St. Peter’s Restaurant
Linderhof Palace
Tyrolean Folklore Show

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Tour Extensions

Today in Innsbruck, you have the choice between two activities. First you may choose to embark on a cultural tour to discover the city’s history and popular attractions, including Maria Theresien Strasse, the Hofburg, and the Golden Roof. Your other option is to embark on an architectural tour focusing on Innsbruck’s unique architectural structures, including its famous ski jump.

Enjoy 3 nights in Vienna, Austria’s capital city. Walk in the footsteps of the greatest composers and allow the soft melodies of classical music to lull you into a time gone by. See the city with a local guide, visiting popular sights by means of public transportation. You’ll also have a full day to yourself – giving you ample opportunities to explore the Hapsburg-era museums and grab a slice of famous Sachertorte.

Innsbruck - Vienna
Transfer to Vienna, the largest city in Austria. As the country’s capital, Vienna is home to age-old traditions and well-known heritage. It was the former center of the Habsburg Empire, as well as the home for historical figures such as Freud, Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss.
Start your morning on a city tour with a local guide. You’ll make your way through the city like the locals do – on public transportation – and stop to visit Vienna’s most popular sights. Visit the 12th-century St. Stephen's Cathedral, standing at nearly 450-feet tall and featuring an eye-catching mosaic roof. Enjoy time in the afternoon to explore on your own. Gather in the evening for a dinner and classical music concert, highlighting the works of Austrian-born Mozart and Strauss.
The day is yours. With your free time, consider visiting the legendary Schönbrunn Palace, former residence of the Habsburgs and containing more than 1,000 rooms. Or maybe you’ll spend the day exploring the museum at Belvedere Palace, home to Gustav Klimt’s famous painting The Kiss. Or you could even grab a slice of Sachertorte in a Viennese café. No matter how you spend your day, soak in the Austrian culture and experience the best of this capital city.
Vienna - Tour Ends
Your tour comes to a close today.

How better to spend a free day than visiting the romantic Alpine village of Seefeld. Beautifully situated at 3,600 feet above sea level, this charming Tyrolean town commands breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. Known as one of the world's greatest ski resorts, Seefeld offers a relaxed atmosphere in an Alpine setting with miles of trails for walking, lakes, fine shopping, dining possibilities and fresh, Alpine air. After arriving by train, enjoy a glass of schnapps and a traditional horse and buggy ride. While at the small country home, learn how to make your own apple strudel and indulge in the chance to sample one of Austria’s famous sweets!

Enjoy the splendor of pure nature while gliding over a clear landscape in panoramic gondolas and spectacular cable cars. Ascend Pilatus via a unique excursion on the steepest railway of the world with a gradient of 48%. Upon arrival at the top, soak in the magnificent Alpine view from 7,000 feet above sea level. During leisure time at the summit, stroll the walkway for views from a different vantage point, or enjoy Swiss culinary delights on your own in one of the various restaurants (lunch is not included). Return back down the mountain by panoramic gondola for yet another bird’s eye view.

Spend a day exploring Salzburg's historic past and charming old town.

Enjoy a walking tour of Lucerne's Altstadt (Old Town).

Delight in lunch at the 1,200-year-old St. Peter's Restaurant, Austria's oldest.

Glimpse into the cheese production of Gruyères and sample these dairy delights.

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Spotlight on Paris

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Alpine Lakes & Scenic Trains featuring a cruise on Lake Maggiore and scenic trains in Switzerland & Italy

Exploring the Alpine Countries Austria - Germany - Switzerland

Magical Christmas Markets of Austria and Germany

Holland & Belgium Springtime River Cruise

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Pre arranged tours for individual travellers

9-Day Germany & Austria Christmas Rail Tour (9R01)

Germany and Austria during Christmas time: expect to have a very special vacation in Southern Germany and Austria. Enjoy the visits of the Historic Christmas Markets – a unique experience in a festive atmosphere!

Christkindles Market in Nuremberg @Uwe Niklas

This well-designed 9-Day Germany & Austria Rail Circle tour from/to Frankfurt Airport takes you to some of the most charming cities in Central Europe: Salzburg and Vienna in Austria, Munich, Nuremberg, Heidelberg, and Regensburg in Germany.

The rail tour includes restricted 2nd-class Rail tickets (see the tableau; this is already included in the price of your tour ). It is possible to upgrade all of the Rail Tickets to 1st-class Rail for an extra of US $ 229.00 per person (which also includes the reservation fee for specific seats)! Here you also find everything else that is included: transfers, rail tickets, tours, and admissions.

Price per Person

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Day 1 Nuremberg

By High-Speed Rail (ICE) it takes less than 2,5 hours from Frankfurt/Frankfurt Airport to Nuremberg. Your hotel is located in walking distance from Nuremberg Central Station, (which is located just outside the Old City Wall surrounding Nuremberg Old Town and the Imperial Castle). The “ Christkindles Markt ” (Christ Child’s Market) in Nuremberg is among the most famous Christmas Markets in Germany. Held on Hauptmarkt Square , one can enjoy the delicious Nuremberg Bratwurst while marveling at the beautifully decorated stalls offering local and traditional handicrafts and specialties in a medieval atmosphere.

Nuremberg’s history reaches back to the year 1050; its name “nourenberc” translates into “rocky hill”. Nuremberg’s famous landmark, the “Kaiserburg” ( Imperial Castle ), towers above the Old Town, which is protected by the five-kilometer-long city wall and many towers and gates that can still be visited. The medieval castle is one of the most important imperial palaces, dating from the middle ages of the 11th century (admission included). In the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party had chosen Nuremberg for their Nazi Rallies , and if you are interested in that part of history, you may want to visit the Documenation Center Nazi Rally Grounds which are located just south of the Old Town.

When exploring the beauty of Nuremberg’s medieval Old Town, you may want to start right at the Koenigstor (“Kingsgate”) which is the gate right across from Nuremberg Central Station. From where the timber-framed buildings, the Gothic Church of St. Lawrence and the Church of St. Sebaldus can be easily reached by foot. Right next to the Koenigstor is the Handwerkerhof (craft center). Here, you will feel like you are back in medieval times; there are craft workshops like they used to have a long time ago, as well as a gingerbread bakery. Make sure to enjoy a Nuremberg Bratwurst along with a beer or a glass of “Frankenwein” (franconian wine).

Day 2 Regensburg

In a little less than an hour, the High-Speed train (ICE) will take you from Nuremberg to Regensburg on Day 2 of your Germany & Austria Vacation Package. Your hotel is located within walking distance from Regensburg Central Station. You will be welcomed with legendary Bavarian hospitality into the best-preserved medieval city in Germany, where two thousand years of history remain alive today. During Christmas time, the taste of punch , cookies , cinnamon stars , and roasted chestnuts is all around the Old Town of Regensburg. Enjoy a glass of punch with a roll with roasted sausages—it’s a must!

Regensburg has a long history of imperial significance. The buildings, towers, and churches offer an unspoiled peek into the past. You need not be a student of history to get a strong sense of what life was like in the days of old in Regensburg. Visit the dungeons , inquisition chamber , and the exhibition of books and prints illustrating the history of the Imperial Diet. Castles, churches, monasteries, and St. Peter’s Cathedral bear testimony to the grandeur of the prosperous medieval era, which is also brought to life in the many museums with their valuable and fascinating collections. The Stone Bridge and the Old Town Hall , set in the heart of the medieval city, are among the most important historic buildings in Germany.

Day 3 Vienna

After breakfast, your High-Speed train (ICE) will take you from Regensburg to Vienna, Austria’s capital city. Travel time is about three hours. The price of your Germany & Austria Christmas Tour Package already includes the 48 hour Vienna Card . With this card, you enjoy more than 200 discounts in Vienna , at museums and sights, theaters and concerts, in shops, cafes, restaurants, and also the “Heurige” wine taverns. But, most importantly, with this card you also enjoy unlimited free public transportation within Vienna. Even though your hotel is located in the City Center, it is great to have the option to take the subway, a streetcar, or a public bus. On your first day in Vienna, you may want to visit, for example, the Imperial Palace , “Hofburg Vienna”, the center of the former Habsburg Empire . The Palace was Sisi’s Imperial home and household, and the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Silver Collection can be visited here. At the Vienna Hofburg, you also find the Spanish Riding School, where you may want to watch a performance or join a practice session, and also the close by Old Town Hall . In immediate walking distance of the Hofburg, you will find the State Opera House , one of the world’s most famous opera houses, where the Vienna Opera Ball takes place every year. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna and it is a “must see” as well as smaller churches like the “Universitatskirche” ( Jesuits Church ) and the “Peterskirche” ( St. Peter’s Church ).

The “ Christkindlmarkt ” on the square in front of the City Hall is Vienna’s classic Christmas Market. Strolling among the elaborately decorated trees in the park, Viennese and visitors from all over the world can enjoy the wonderful Christmas atmosphere. The tree with seals, the “ Kasperl tree “, the “ Herzerlbaum ” (Hearts tree), as well as the “ Post Office in the Clouds ” offer a perfect setting for a souvenir photo.

Day 4 Vienna

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Vienna with your 48 hour Vienna Card . Maybe you want to visit the “ Ringstrasse “, a circular road around the inner city districts of Vienna. In the 19th century, the road was replacing the Old City Wall, which had been built in the 13th century. Many of the buildings you find along this road, the Austrian Parliament Building or the University of Vienna , for example, were built around the 1850’s. You may want to visit Schonbrunn Palace and its beautiful Garden. Your Vienna Card covers the fare to get there; the subway station “Schonbrunn” (subway line U4) is very close to the entrance of Schonbrunn Palace, once the summer residence of the Habsburg family and home of Maria Theresa. The Rococo Palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historical monuments in Austria, and nowadays is one of the most visited sights in Vienna. It all started with the building of a mansion on hunting grounds in 1548, just outside of Vienna. The impressive palace in its present form (it has 1,441 rooms !) was built and remodeled around the 1750s by Maria Theresa. Make sure to plan in some time for a visit of Schonbrunn Garden . There, you also find the Neptune Fountain and Gloriette , which were designed to symbolize the glory of the Habsburg power. In the evening, you will have time to visit the Christkindlmarkt again, of course!

Day 5 Salzburg

In about 2 hours and 40 minutes, the High-Speed “ Rail Jet ” (RJ) will take you throughout Austria, from Vienna, located in the east of Austria, close to the borders to Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, to Salzburg, all the way in the west of Austria, right at the German border. Salzburg, a beautiful town close to the Alp Mountains , and Birthplace of Mozart , is also the site of the popular movie “The Sound of Music”. Your hotel is located within walking distance of Salzburg Central Station and in the early afternoon—after you have checked in—you will join the English-speaking, most unique, 4-hour Sound of Music Tour yourself! This tour is an ideal opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Maria von Trapp while taking in local historical sights, both from the city of Salzburg and also the picturesque lakes and mountains surrounding the city. After the tour, you may want to walk across the Salzach River to take a look at Mozart’s Birthplace and the small shopping streets in the area. Here, you also find a wide choice of restaurants for dinner. Or, you visit the wonderful Christmas market in Salzburg, where you find various kinds of delicatessen . The historic market was first mentioned in the 15th century, located at the foot of the Hohensalzburg fortress and around the Cathedral . This Christmas market offers many different crafts, local specialties, and other Christmas-y items.

Day 6 Munich

On board of the High-Speed “Rail Jet” (RJ) you will continue your travels along the Germany and Austria Rail Tour back into Germany. It takes about 1:40 hours from Salzburg to Munich Central Station. Your hotel is located in short walking distance from the station. The price of your tour already includes admission to many sights in Munich ( Munich Residence and Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre , Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain), and with your tour package, you will also receive walking suggestions for a self-guided walking tour through Munich City Center. Along this walking tour, you will visit the Marienplatz with the New Town Hall (with the “ Glockenspiel “), the Konigsplatz (King’s Square), cultural center in the 19th century, and later, during the “Third Reich”, site of Nazi Party mass rallies and location of the Nazi Party headquarters in Germany, the English Garden , as well as the the State Opera House . You will be able to visit famous churches like Munich’s Frauenkirche , “Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady), with a height of 325 ft. a Munich landmark, St. Peters Church , built in the 14th century, and the Asam Church , which was built as a private chapel and integrated into an apartment building. The tour will pass by the most famous Munich shopping streets (Kaufinger Street and Neuhauser Street), as well as by the “ Viktualienmarkt ”, a traditional farmers market (open every day except on Sundays). The tour will take you by the famous “ Alois Dallmayr ” luxury delicatessen and coffee store, as well as to the Hofbrauhaus of course, likely the world’s most popular beer hall. This may be a great place to enjoy a hearty dinner and a fresh mass of beer (one mug holds 33.8 US fl oz)! This is not far from the Marienplatz (Marien square) where the Christmas Market has been located since the 14th century .

Neuschwanstein Castle ©By Gliwi CC-BY-3.0 via Wikimedia Commons; Christmas Market in Heidelberg ©Philipp Rothe Heidelberg Marketing

Day 7 Escorted coach tour to the Royal Castles

Another highlight of your Europe Rail Tour will be a visit to the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle . You will be on an all-day escorted coach tour that will first take you to Oberammergau for a photo stop (you may want to take a look at the Festival Hall, where the Passion Play takes place every ten years). The coach will then take you to Linderhof Palace , the Royal Villa of King Ludwig II. The Palace and Park were inspired by Versailles, and the rooms are beautifully decorated and furnished. After a short drive through Austria and back into Germany, you will get to Neuschwanstein Castle. The picture of Neuschwanstein is probably present in everybody’s mind, and Neuschwanstein really seems to be taken out of a fairy tale. You will join an English-speaking guided tour through the castle. The tour of the interior, the Throne Hall , the Hall of the Singers , the Grotto and all of the private rooms which were built for King Ludwig II, will complete the picture! After the tour of the inside, make sure to take some time to explore the castle grounds. The view of Neuschwanstein from the bridge behind the castle is like no other! Your luxury coach will take you back to Munich, where you will arrive in time for dinner and/or another visit to the Munich Christmas Market!

Day 8 Heidelberg

In an about three-hour train ride by Speed Rail from Munich to Heidelberg Central Station, you will continue your Germany and Austria Rail tour. Since the station is a little bit outside of the Old Town, where your hotel is located, your tour already includes a taxi transfer from Heidelberg Central Station to your hotel. Heidelberg is a beautiful historic town located along the banks of the Neckar River and the most significant sight is certainly the ruin of Heidelberg Castle , which is towering above the city. Since your hotel is located right inside of the Old Town of Heidelberg, it is easy to explore historic Heidelberg by foot. Your tour package will include walking tour suggestions for the Old Town. Along the walking tour you will see the Old Bridge from where you have a nice view of the Old Town and the Castle ruin above. You will also pass by the “ Marktplatz ” (market place), which is the main square of Heidelberg, the “ Peterskirche ” (St. Peter’s Church) and the historic University of Heidelberg. Heidelberg’s University was founded in 1386 and it is the oldest University in Germany; and with more than 30.000 students, it is still one of the most important universities in Germany today. If you want to enjoy a view over Heidelberg and the Neckar River you may want to walk up to the grounds of the castle ruins or, for a small fee, take the historic funicular up and down Heidelberg Castle. The historic Christmas Market is held on seven squares around the Old Town, featuring those typical stalls displaying Christmas handicrafts and local specialties. At night, enjoy the splendid view of the illuminated castle .

Day 9 Frankfurt Int. Airport

Today your Germany and Austria Christmas Vacation Package ends. Depending on the departure time of your flight from Frankfurt International Airport we will arrange a transfer from your hotel to the airport by Rail . Alternatively, the Private Airport Shuttle will pick you up right at your hotel . Travel time from your hotel in Heidelberg to Frankfurt International Airport is about an hour.

Would you like to download an overview of the 9-Day Germany and Austria Christmas Rail Tour (9R01) as a .pdf to print it out or to forward it to a friend? Please download it right here: Download Itinerary

This is already included in the price of your tour

The tour package we provide includes a day by day itinerary as well as all tickets, vouchers and information necessary to enjoy a great independent tour. It also contains general information about the cities you visit which you can downloaded from our website once your tour is confirmed. Book Tour

This is not included in the price of your tour

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GERMANY & AUSTRIA CHRISTMAS RAIL TOUR Our 9-Day Germany & Austria Christmas Rail Tour is over…..however, it was AWESOME, PERFECT, MAGICAL and filled us with memories for a life time! Your team did a superb job in arranging each detail – there was never any glitch ! The rail options, the instructions, the hotels were ‘spot on’ as were the tours. We did take advantage of our time in Munich to visit the Dachau concentration camp. We cannot thank you enough for enabling us to thoroughly enjoy our Christmas in Germany and Austria! We have shared our positive impression of your tour company with many of our friends and will continue to so do. – Gary, Judy, Laura, and Matthew L., Germantown, MD, USA View more

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I cannot fault this company at all. Perfect attention to detail. Everything went like clockwork. Any questions I had were promptly answered, documents resent without question and advice provided. The choice of accommodation was varied and the inclusion of the two tours provided an interesting insight into the von Trapp family singers and the German Alps.

We took the nine day Christmas rail tour. We loved every minute of it. Our accommodations were quaint with excellent treatment by hotel staff. Everyone was so helpful. We booked first class tickets on the trains which I highly recommend. We always had a seat and the trains were quiet. Thank you to the To-Europe staff for arranging a magical trip. You’ve got this down to a science so that your customers have the times of their lives.

My Sister & I took the 10 day tour & loved it. Next time - smaller suitcase as it was a sometimes difficult dragging them onto the trains. Sometimes the directions to the hotels were hard to understand, but we got there. We added so many extras to our trip & Thomas & his team were very helpful,,thank you all. It was a very special trip for us & something we will never forget.

My wife and took this ten day Christkindlmarkt tour with our son, his wife, and children ages 12,10 and 3.. The arrangements made by Thomas and his team for accommodations transportation, and special events were precise, faultless and easy to follow. and additional information provided for each stop was invaluable. The Christkindlmarkts in each location were magical and unique.. It was a tour that was totally enjoyed by all ages, from 3 to 70 years old. The only change we would make should we do something like this again is increasing the number of days spent in each location. Thank you Thomas and team for helping us create some wonderful memories. Rolf Schneider

We're just back from our Germany and Austria Christmas market tour. Exhausted, but full of great memories. To-Europe's choice of cities and hotels for this tour was excellent. When planning the tour we requested a few tweaks (adding a two nights) and To-Europe was very flexible and worked with us on these changes. During planning and while on the trip, To-Europe was always very responsive to any email questions that I sent.

First, the good stuff: Thomas and his team were incredible getting us from city to city. All of the arrangements were accurate and well managed. A 24 hour train strike happened on the day we landed in Frankfurt, and Thomas rented a car service to get us to our destination the next day. Amazing. Now the not so good stuff: Because to the proximity to. the train stations (very convenient) several of the hotels were in pretty rough neighborhoods. Nothing happened to us, but we felt unsafe walking back to hotel at 9 or 10 pm (we are 63 and 64 year old sisters). We found some the markets to be overly crowded (not Thomas' fault). This was my third time visiting the markets, and I don't remember it being this crowded. I would suggest trying to go to smaller, more out of the way cities. Nuremberg and Munich were especially crowded. I do admit that 10 days of dragging bags on and off of trains was a bit much, and would suggest trying to spend two days per city, instead of moving every day like we did. I also found that the markets don't have the variety of goods that I remembered. They were not as unique as they used to be. Also would recommend upgrading to first class train. Much more roomy and comfortable.

My wife, myself, our younger son and his girlfriend took the 9 day Germany/Austria Christmas Markets rail tour. We extended the first stop in Nuremberg to 2 days to allow for a little jet lag recovery. We opted for the first class rail tickets and marveled at the smooth, quiet ride and the service.. The only issue we had was missing the Mannheim-to-Heidelberg transfer due to the Salzburg-to-Mannheim train being late but no problem to catch the next train a half our later. The hotels were all 5 to 10 minute walks from the train station (except Heidelberg which needed a taxi but voucher was included). Hotel rooms were fine, breakfasts were fantastic! Christmas markets were lots of fun, many other people thought so too because some (especially Salzburg) were packed! Our family had done a Christmas Markets tour by car several years ago and there was a lot of stress involved driving in a foreign country in the winter to new cities with byzantine street patterns - The To-Europe tour package made the whole experience a total pleasure!

Kristen & I just returned from a 9-day Germany/Austria Christmas Markets tour by rail. We’re ready to go again! I can’t write enough great things about our tour group, To-Europe. The To-Europe team is the best we’ve experienced in all of our International travels. It felt like we had our own private concierge before and during the trip. They were communicative, responsive & proactive (Thomas navigated us around a one day German rail strike). All hotels were lovely-at least 4⭐️. Instructions and directions for all rail, hotels and excursions were clearly communicated and easy to follow. And traveling between cities via rail was such a luxurious and scenic experience for us Americans. Of note-onboard wireless access via the ICE app on DB was excellent. Also, be sure to bring great Walking Shoes! Kristen and I averaged 10.5k steps per day!! Lastly, I highly recommend the City Mapper app. Best LOCAL Transportation Guide Ever. Routes and step by step guidance for all modes of travel: walk, taxi, bus, subway, light rail. CM Has it all!! Back to the To Europe crew: Thank you, thank you for arranging and executing such a wonderful experience! We’ll be back to travel with you again! With Warm Regards, Rick & Kristen

We had a brilliant 28 day customized Christmas rail tour through Europe. We were a bit nervous at first booking through an overseas tour company. To-Europe and Thomas were amazing. All train tickets and hotel accommodation were provided before we left. The directions from stations to our accommodation were very easy to navigate, Train travel is the way to go and "To-Europe" is who you should book with. We will book through Thomas and "To-Europe" for our next adventure....we highly....highly recommend them.

Three of us, a couple and friend, recently returned from the 9-Day Germany & Austria Christmas Rail Tour and can't thank Thomas and the To-Europe Team enough for their work in making our holiday easy and memorable. From the outset they were very helpful in seeking to understand what we wanted and made bookings for rail journeys, hotels and visits/events that were smooth, comfortable and stress-free. We have wonderful memories to carry with us now, in large part thanks to your excellent planning.

We did the 9-day Germany/Austria Christmas circle tour. It was amazing/breathtaking/magical. Thomas was so helpful; everything was planned perfectly. We didn't need to contact him at all during our trip which shows that he properly organized the tour flawlessly! We flew in a day early to spend more time in Frankfurt, and we are glad we did. The Christmas markets were wonderful. Vienna was our favorite. The highlight of our trip was visiting Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace. The hotels were very nice and close to the train station (if we were to do this tour again, we would prefer our hotel to be in the middle of each town in the heart of city). We had one train delay and one cancelled train, but it was easy to find another train to board to get to our destination. It was so nice to spend 2 days in Vienna & Munich, we would have loved to spend 2 days in each town we visited. One day did not seem enough time to really immerse yourself in the city. Overall, we loved the tour!! THANK YOU to Europe.com & Thomas.

We enjoyed every minute of our Christmas trip to Germany and Austria. Along with everything extremely well organized, with every detailed considered, we felt truly supported as we travelled, knowing that any questions would be quickly answered. The hotels and their location from the train stations allowed for ease of travel, the quality of hotel was impressive and the planning allowed for us to enjoy the trip, not having to think of next steps. Would recommend highly and hope to book with them again very soon.

I did the Germany/Austria tour with my teenage daughter this last Christmas and absolutely loved it! What made it exceptional is the wonderful communication To-Europe's Thomas provided us and the incredible attention to detail in every single step. If it wasn't for Thomas and his hand holding daily, I don't know that I could have done it. The hotels we stayed at were wonderful! So comfortable and so pleasant and everything was extremely smooth and well thought out. I cannot say enough about Thomas and To-Europe, they're really the best. Just a side note if it helps, remember to pack light and carry a backpack if possible. Our suitcases really made hopping on the trains daily quite a daunting task.

We had a 23 day stay in Europe whereby TO Europe arranged for 14 days of it. We primarily want to extend our gratitude to Thomas, Marie and Woldemar on the excellent service they provided. We customized our tour to start at Vienna and to end at Vienna (Christmas day), adding an additional day to the standard tour. We even went beyond and extended the tour to Prague. We requested train schedules to be changed, upgraded to first class and had a stop at the Mercedes Benz Museum, Stuttgart, on our way to Heidelberg. As always, we received fantastic responses to our requests, going the extra mile and provided improved suggestions. Thank you team you did a GREAT job!! The information provided, hotels booked, and tours included was great and knowing the exact timeslots we could easily privately add additional sight-seeing and opera concert packages. The hotels were from good to excellent to superb. We would just opt for another hotel in Vienna. The accommodation in Prague was superb! We can confirm that we have already spoken highly of your services to friends and family and do expect to receive some queries from fellow South Africans! THANK YOU for the wonderful experience,

We extended our stay in several of the cities for a total of 13 days. Thomas and his staff were so accommodating of our plans. Everything was planned perfectly. The train travel was easy to navigate. The hotels were very clean and comfortable. Walking directions from the train station to the hotels were very clear. Any questions we had were answered quickly by Thomas and his staff. We would highly recommend this tour company and will definitely consult them for our future European travels. You want a dependable tour company.? This is it.

We've just arrived home from the Germany / Austria Christmas Market rail tour. We traveled with our adult children and enjoyed every minute of our trip. The to-Europe team had everything planned and the trip was just what we hoped. We would absolutely recommend traveling with this company and are already wondering about future adventures! A couple of notes on the tour. We chose 1st class train tickets are are very glad we did. It was nice to know we had an assigned seat when trains were sometimes crowded. The extra space made the trip feel a little more comfortable. We chose to arrive the day before the tour began. Although this added the cost of an extra hotel stay, we thought it was worth getting a decent night's rest before starting the tour.

From the moment I inquired about the trip to Germany/Austria for the Christmas Rail Tour, I was impressed. Thomas, who was my main contact was on it! Every question answered in record time and I immediately felt like I was going to be cared for on this trip. The trip itself was spectacular and when I had question related to the train travel while in Germany, I emailed Thomas and heard back from him within n0 time. The tours were spectacular, the hotels were wonderful and the entire experience was fabulous.. I would highly recommend Thomas and To-Europe to family and friends and will undoubtedly travel with them again. Thank you for a wonderful experience and fabulous memories!

Thank you Thomas for the most memorable vacation. We had a wonderful time in Germany and Austria. The Christmas markets were amazing, I’m so glad I got to experience this. This vacation I got to cross off a few things on my bucket list. The Sound of Music tour in Salzburg was so much fun and the castles In Munch were incredible. It had snowed and it was like a winter wonderland. We even got to fit in a chamber music concert in Salzburg. Amazing. The hotels were amazing and so close to the train stations. It was wonderful how everything was perfectly arranged. We will definitely use this company again and I will tell my friends about them too. Thanks again Thomas and your company for making this vacation the best yet. Regards Judy and Stefan

I cannot say enough about Thomas and Michaela. They were outstanding. What started out as a Germany/Austria Christmas Markets Rail Adventure changed daily starting with shortly after we booked our trip, we were given constant updates and offered alternative solutions to the changes. Despite frequent attempts to have us reschedule we decided to forge ahead. My nephew, stationed in the Air Force in Germany was going to meet us in Frankfurt. Despite the itinerary changing to be nothing like the original, we decided to go ahead. I can honestly say as Christmas Market after Market closed; we were disappointed. You must remember this was OUR Choice. We were able to meet my nephew and did have a good time traveling the rails from city to city. Perhaps at some point in the future we may be able to take the original Germany/Austria trip. Thank You again!!

To-Europe did an exceptional job planning our trip and working with us to iron out even the smallest details. Throughout the planning phase, and even during the trip, they were in constant, and expedient communications with us. When we had questions during the trip they would reply to emails with full answers very quickly. The trip was well tailored and thought out to get us to the best sites to see along the way. I would definitely travel with them again and recommend them to friends!

A big thank you to the team at "to-europe" especially Thomas. The trip was absolutely AMAZING, well organised, trains worked perfectly and the Hotels were well located to train stations and Christmas Markets easy walking distance. The Hotel staff were amazing and most helpful. Would definitely stay at any of the hotels in the future (with the exception of Hotel Schani) Our family especially enjoyed the included coach tour to Neuschwanstein Castle a must see. The only comment the hotel in Vienna Hotel Schani Wien would not recommend for over 30's. Overall great vacation made easy by the well organised the team at to-europe who were very helpful no issues at all and would definitely use them again and have recommended to-europe to many friends. WELL DONE

The trip to the Christmas markets was on my bucket list and it did not disappoint! I’m so glad we booked through your company. Everything from the excellent help to your planning with vouchers, hotels, maps and the trains were superior! We had an absolutely fabulous time and everyone we met were very kind and helpful along the way. I was a little nervous being on our before we left but everything was fine and we enjoyed setting our own time schedule for most of it. I can’t thank you enough for all you did! You are Amazing !!

It was a leap of faith to book this trip, as I usually do all the planning myself, spending hours on the computer doing hotel comparisons and planning an itinerary. We had a great time, and it was very freeing to have someone else make the arrangements.

The team at 'To Europe' made this entire trip seamless. It was amazingly convenient to have the lodging and transportation already booked, so that we could just focus on having a good time. The main trains in Germany can be a little tricky until you get it down, so don't hesitate to ask a lot of questions! Again, this company was incredible and I would not hesitate to use them again. I have already told many people about them! Thank you for making our holiday season so memorable!

The team at To Europe were outstanding arranging my 50th birthday trip to Germany and Austria. The trip exceeded my expectations completely. Every question I had prior to trip was answered immediately and during the trip. It was arranged so well and was planned so that we could easily navigate ourselves through Germany and Austria. without a glitch. The accommodations and tours were spectacular. I loved visiting each unique city and experiencing their Christmas markets and sites. The castles and churches were unbelievable. We also really enjoyed the Sound of Music tour. I would definitely recommend the expertise of Michaela, Petra, and Thomas and will, without a doubt, use their services again.

This was a bucket list vacation for my wife and I and it finally ligned up with a wedding we attended on the east coast. The team at To Europe were completely professional and were eager to assist as needed. If an email was sent they responded very quickly and always in a positive manner. The 9 day trip was truly special and each city we stopped in between Germany and Austria were amazing and full of life at this time of year. People from all over the world were teaming in the Christmas markets and the towns were buzzing with people throughout. Train travel and ground transportation in Europe is top notch and we always felt safe everywhere. Each of the selected hotels perfectly met our needs, were clean, comfortable, and fed you extremely well each morning. 2 things I will note: Germany celebrates Christmas on the 24th so many restaurants and shops close thay day so pptions will be limited and if you only have pne day scheduled for Salzburg and are doing the Sound of Musoc tour maybe add more time or focus more on the town than thw tour. While the tour was good and thisnwas the only way we learned about the Perchten parade that was happening that day, I would have loved more time in Salzburg to explore the quaint city and its fortress. By the time we got to our hotel, dropped bags, and took the tour it was dark and headed straight to market to watch the Perchten parade through the area. We were so lucky to catch both the Perchten in Salzburg and Krampus in Munich. If you are on the fence about this trip just jump over and donit, the convenience of paying over time makes it more than affordable.

Everything was planned perfectly. All the hotel staff were very friendly and more than happy to help, the train tickets and instructions sent were easy to understand and the suggested walking tours and potential sights to be seen all in a list for each location was a great idea. Although I didn't have any issues whatsoever, it is reassuring to know that there is a help-line available 24/7 at any time of the trip! I highly reccomend this tour for anyone considering seeing the Christmas markets as they are all within walking distance, most of them just around the corner from the Hotel!

This was a wonderful trip! The hotels you booked were outstanding. Great rooms, great breakfasts and close to the markets and trains. We enjoyed planning days that fit what we wanted to do and see. The staff at hotels and on tours were very knowledgeable and friendly. Thank you for a great experience.

We did a 10 day rail tour through Germany and Austria in December 2019, and had an absolutely amazing trip. Everything was perfectly planned by TO-EUROPE! The hotels booked were great, and the train travel was exceptionally easy. We loved the location overviews and suggested itineraries that were prepared for us, and looked forward to each day's adventure, We appreciated the freedom that self guided tour gave us, with having all the logistics of the trip planned so perfectly for us in advance, Great way to travel. It was a magical trip and we are certainly considering the next location to travel via TO-EUROPE.

We returned on the 17th. After a 13 day customized train tour through Germany and into Austria. We had asked for some extra days in a couple areas and Michaela and team did so easily and just as we had wanted. Flew into Frankfurt then railed to Nuremberg, Regensburg, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich and Heidelberg - Each destination accessed through first class DB Bahnhof train accommodations. No issues at all. Christmas markets were amazing, Sound of Music tour beautiful and the bus tour was one of our favorites. All of the hotels we stayed at provided first class breakfasts and wonderful rooms. This was a trip we will never forget and look forward to planning again in a few years with to-europe.

2 couples, had a fantastic time. To-europe does an amazing job choosing hotels. We did a few extra days because there were a few more things we wanted to see and Michaela customized the trip for us. We will be be using To-europe again for our next European vacation.

Just arrived back from this tour. Absolutely loved it! We had the perfect amount of time in each town (although i fell in love with Salzburg and could have spent forever there).To-Europe was very helpful when we had any questions, they answered the phone and directed us in whatever we needed. Quite organized! The tours that were included were great (although there were some extra costs on top of the tickets we thought were covered. The company was a little confusing with the multiple emails they sent with separate info. It would be helpful to receive one pdf so things are organized. Overall the experience was amazing and I can't wait to book another tour. Such a magical vacation. Great reliable company. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend !

I just completed a Christmas Market tour with my two sisters. It was a wonderful time. The staff were very helpful in helping us modify our trip to include a stop in Rothenburg - which we highly recommend. We did have a glitch with a hotel that was not suitable for 3 older women. We eventually resolved the problem with the hotel manager. They gave us a second room for free that made all much more suitable. All other hotels were wonderful and were close to old town/markets/train stations. The information we were given were clear and easy to follow. I would recommend To Europe to anyone that would like to have all arrangements for in country transportation and lodging taken care of for them. Thanks for a fun sister trip!

We enjoyed our 11-day Christmas Market trip to Austria and Germany! What a pleasure it was to have our transportation and lodging completely organized for us, and organized very well. We had no hiccups during our trip, and rhe chosen lodging exceeded our expectations. Using To-Europe took the stress out of planning our European vacation. Thanks so much!

2 kids 2 mother in laws 1 awesome seamless trip in Germany and Austria . Trains were a great way to see the countries and experience the cities. Hotels were all easy walk with the kids loved them all. Would do it again in a heartbeat !!

We thoroughly enjoyed our nine days travelling through Austria and Germany and visiting all the Xmas Markets in the evenings and exploring the towns during the day. We started and finished in Vienna and found Vienna's Marketto be the best. As we live in Sydney Australia and booked the tour through an American company and visited Austria and Germany, there was plenty of opportunity for things to go wrong.. Luckily nothing did - it all worked like a well oiled machine. The hotels were really good, breakfast included and catching the trains was easy. I recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see a lot without a great deal of effort organising their own trip.

We had an amazing time in Austria and Germany visiting the Christmas markets. The organization of the trip was fantastic and everything went off without any issues. Thank you so much for making this a holiday to remember. Christine, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA

Fantastic magical trip. Everything went smoothly and the hotels and breakfasts were fantastic!

This was our second to-europe rail tour. The Christmas market tour we just did was fantastic. As always, the hotels were great and everything went smooth. I would highly recommend to-europe to anyone thinking about a rail tour. Keep up the good work!

Four of us had to-europe plan a self guided rail tour of Christmas Markets in Austria & Germany. We had a wonderful time partially because to-europe did an exceptional job of arranging all our lodging, train tickets, & extra excursions. Their staff was very professional & timely in responding to all of our pre-trip questions. Contacting a company via internet that I knew nothing about & then entrusting them with money, was somewhat scary for me, but after the success of our trip, I wouldn't hesitate to contact to-europe again to plan another adventure. Our hotels that they selected were great...clean, with friendly staff, & easily walk able to the train station in almost all the cities where we stayed. We paid a little extra to ride first class on the trains, which was worth it. There were no "glitches" with hotel vouchers, train tickets, shuttles to & from the airports, or extra excursion tickets. To-europe's staff did a fantastic job of communicating & organizing. Thanks to them for a very memorable trip.

Our trip was everything I hopped it would be "magical" the beautiful towns the fun markets, each one slightly different then the last, I feared we would be marketed out by the end but we weren't and could have gone longer. We did other things on our holiday beside the Christmas Market tour including France, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and Scotland but when people ask me what I liked best I would say the Christmas Market tour. I would highly recommend the To Europe team, everything was covered off and the hotels were all great. Thanks Vanessa and Matt Kelly

Our trip was absolutely magical-even traveling with 11 people (5 of whom were children ages 10-4)! Thank you to Michaela and Thomas for flawless planning! We decided to upgrade our rail tickets to 1st for the second half of the trip (secondary to logistics with baggage and small children) and we were able to work through the details with Thomas and get those printed-huge thank you! The castles, markets and Sound of Music tour in Salzburg were the biggest highlights for the children! It was amazing.

We have just returned from our wonderful holiday to the Christmas Markets that Michaela very professionally, very understanding and very knowledgeable, arranged for us. Everything from the train travel, to the hotels, to the sightseeing tours and the information in each information and tips in each town was just so well arranged. All went as planned giving us a most remarkable with no worries, enjoyable and unforgettable time in Germany and Austria. We included Switzerland in our tour and we had the same experience there with Michaela's suggestions and arrangements, perfect! It truely was a Wonderful White Christmas for us, something that we would never experience here in Perth, Australia and one we will never forget. A BIG THANKYOU to the crew of to-europe, Thomas, Michaela and Petra for helping make this a holiday to remember.

The trip was wonderfully organized and both my daughter and I had a fantastic time. Excellent value for the money.

For 5 ladies travelling from Australia the adventure was exciting, fun, and magical with the weather turning on the snow everywhere we went. The arrangements and instructions for the tour were perfect, the hotels being ideally situated near rail stations and markets. Knowing that contact with To-Europe was just a phone call away was comforting. We all would highly recommend your company and the 9 Day tour, which was a perfect time frame.-Helen, Ange, Mal, Kerryn, Jill. Melbourne Australia.

Awesome arrangements. Not one glitch, all of the hotels were great, breakfasts, staff, beds, location! We added an extra two days, one at the beginning in Frankfurt and another in Vienna so we could see the Lippazaners, was glad to have a slower start to the trip as we loved Nuremberg and were a little less tired. Three days in Vienna was awesome as we were finally in sync with the time and the extra days were great. It was cold, but the weather never kept us out of the Markets or inside. This was our first rail tour and we will definitely do it again. Loved seeing the countryside on the rides. The train system is very efficient and easy to navigate as are the other transportation modalities in the cities. Can’t say enough positive about the to Europe team, they are great!

Our trip to the Christmas Markets in Germany was absolutely amazing and we owe it all to to-Europe.com. Everything was so easy to follow and things were so smooth. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

We took the tour as is, beginning in Frankfurt before Nuremberg. Everything was more beautiful and magical than we anticipated! The to-Europe team did a brilliant job of organising everything, and the maps, guides and information was so incredibly helpful. The team were so quick to respond to our emails which was greatly appreciated. We encountered one issue with printing train tickets from the machine, although instructions were very clear. We just happened to be unlucky, and we suspect a couple of tickets were stuck in the machine. We later learned that you can ask the staff to print the tickets for you at the desk instead, so that would be our recommendation to anyone booking this trip. We would highly recommend this tour! Thanks, to-Europe.

This was our first trip to Europe and first time we have used a tour guide service. to-europe did a great job. everything they said they were going to do was done. We would highly recommend to -europe and will use them again. Riding the rail was fun. The hotels were convenient, clean, and very nice. Tours were great as well. Had a great 9 days

Narell and I with the help of the to-europe team customised the tour package to start in Munich, end in Saltzburg (near where our son lives) and adding an additional night in Frankfurt. For this the tour directions were straightforward and easy to follow. All hotels were high standard and conveniently located with english speaking helpful staff. The tour package appeared to be excellent value particularly as it removes the guesswork from self selecting accommodation. The to-europe market circuit and its included excursions is a fascinating and entertaining holiday experience which provides plenty of photo opportunities and fond memories. I think I need to revisit the Regansburg market for another of its steak sandwhices ("...Steak in Brot..."), Hiedelburg for a closer look at its castle and Vienna needs more time to explore. I am confident in recommending this tour.

We just returned from a modified 9 day Germany & Austria Christmas Rail Tour and want to really thank Michaela, Thomas and the rest of the To-Europe team for organizing an amazing journey. Like the other reviewers have said, the hotels, tours, and information were all excellent. At first we were a little hesitant about travelling around Germany by train, on our own, but the information and directions we were provided made everything easy. We did run into one small problem, but a quick email to To-Europe had the problem fixed in less than an hour (on a Sunday!). The fact that we did have a problem, and that it was fixed so quickly and efficiently truly demonstrates what a great organization they have and how much they care about their clients. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend To-Europe for anyone wanting to explore Europe.

Thanks so much to the team at To-Europe for an awesome Christmas trip to Germany and Austria. Everything was organized perfectly and it was an easy and affordable way to see some great cities for the Christmas season. The team accommodated our requested changes making it possible to spend 2 days in Vienna which was phenomenal and a day in Innsbruck, which may have been one of the most picturesque settings I have ever seen. All train tickets were perfect, hotel reservations were in great 4 star hotels and in great locations to enjoy the old towns easily from the train stations. I am already exploring other trips to let To-Europe help me plan. Highly recommended and I will be passing their info on to many American tourists looking to explore new countries. Thanks very Much and Happy Holidays!!!

My husband and II agree that this was one of the most enjoyable vacations we've experienced and it's definitely deemed a 5 Star Rating! Thomas, Michaela and Diana did a fabulous job organizing the hotels, 1st class rail tickets and providing ideas of things to do in each town. Thank you so much for the instructions on how to print out the first rail ticket in Frankfurt and for the directions to each hotel. The morning breakfasts provided at the hotels were a great way to start our day as there were several warm dishes as well as the standard European breakfast of cheeses, meats, breads, pastries, cereal, etc. The Christmas Markets were so much fun and our favorites were in Nuremberg, Salzburg, Vienna and Regensberg. We went to the Christmas Market at the Thurn and Taxis Palace in Regensburg and it was truly magical and romantic as there were christmas lights, candles and fire pits all around. Drinking the Gluhwein was another highlight for us, especially to keep us warm in the cold weather. This is the 2nd tour we've done with to-europe, and it definitely won't be the last. Thank you for EVERYTHING Tracy and Jeff