How to take the optimum rail journey from Paris to Wien/Vienna

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Paris to Wien / Vienna by train

After a gap of fifteen years Paris and Wien/Vienna are once again being connected (usually) by a direct rail service, thanks to a new service of overnight Nightjet trains between the French and Austrian capitals.

Of the numerous daytime options you will likely see when looking up the train journey from Paris to Vienna/Wien on the ticket booking services, the option via Frankfurt (Main) has been singled out because:

  • the usual connection is easily timed, so there will be contingency in the event of the train from Paris being delayed.
  • Frankfurt (Main) hbf is an easy station in which to change trains
  • there is no need to make more than one connection when making a Paris to Wien/Vienna rail journey.

On Mon/Weds/Fri/Sun when the direct overnight train from Paris isn't available, the routing via Zurich has been suggested for similar reasons; an easily timed connection in a station that's simple to navigate.

Routes you can take to go from Paris to Wien / Vienna

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Route Information

Option 1: taking a direct night train
Travel Time (approx)

14hr 14min

Frequency

Not Every Day

Travel Info

Departs on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday


Is the journey from Paris to Wien / Vienna direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this journey option.


What other tourist locations are along the route from Paris to Wien / Vienna?
Salzburg and Linz


When is the USUAL approximate earliest arrival at Wien / Vienna from Paris - Est on this journey option?
Before 10:15
Source = European Rail Timetable


How easy is it to travel on from the station in Wien / Vienna?
Wien Hbf is linked to the city centre by both the metro and multiple tram lines - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighbourhood.


When is the USUAL l approximate latest departure from Paris Est to Wien / Vienna on this journey option
Before 19:15
Source = European Rail Timetable


How easy is it to get to the station in Paris?
The Gare de l'Est is served by three Metro lines including line 4 which provides a direct link from Gare Montparnasse and line 5 which is direct from Gare Austerlitz.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in the neighbourhood.


Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for the Paris to Wien / Vienna trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access a guide to how rail tickets are managed in France, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.


How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for the Paris to Wien / Vienna trains?
Typically up to 6 months ahead; see the Ticket Information


What are the child ticket terms for this Paris to Wien / Vienna trains?
Up to one child aged 5 and under travels free of charge, but they must travel in the booked seat, couchette or bed of the accompanying adult.
Separate sleeping areas and seats for children aged 4 can be booked as the "Child" ticket, which are low priced tickets available for children aged 6 to 14.
Source; Nightjet


Does the ticket for the Paris to Wien / Vienna train include assigned seats / sleeping places?
Yes - See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for the details of the types of accommodation.


Do rail pass users need to book reservations for the Paris to Wien / Vienna train?
Yes; see the rail pass reservation guide for the options on how to book.
The rail pass reservation fees per person for the sleeping cabins are exceptionally expensive.


Is catering available on the Paris to Wien / Vienna train on this journey option?
Yes, but the level of on-board service varies according to the type of accommodation booked - Find out more on the Train Guides which can be found within the Journey Information.
These trains do not convey bar/bistros or restaurant cars.


What else is good to know about French rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in France.


What else is good to know about Austrian rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Austria.

Route Information

Via stations: Frankfurt (Main) Hbf

Option 2: travel during the day via Frankfurt
Travel Time (approx)

11hr 50min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

2 x optimum connections per day


Is this journey from Paris to Wien / Vienna direct?
No, a connection is required in Frankfurt (Main) Hbf


What other tourist locations are along the route from Paris to Wien / Vienna?
Strasbourg and Nuremberg and Regensburg and Linz


How easy is it to travel on from the station in Wien / Vienna?
Wien Hbf is linked to the city centre by both the metro and multiple tram lines - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighbourhood.


How easy is it to get to the station in Paris?
The Gare de l'Est is served by three Metro lines including line 4 which provides a direct link from Gare Montparnasse and line 5 which is direct from Gare Austerlitz.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in the neighbourhood.


Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for the this ?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' buttons to access additional info including guides to ticketing policies on routes which involve connections between trains.


How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for the Paris to Wien / Vienna trains?
Typically up to 6 months ahead; see the Ticket Information


What are the child ticket terms for this Paris to Wien / Vienna trains?

  • The child ticket policy for the part of the journey in France = the adult rate is charged for all travellers aged 12 and over; children aged 4-11 pay half fares
  • The child ticket policy for the part of the journey in Germany and Austria = An adult a person aged 15 and over) can take up to four children aged 6 - 14 with them at no additional charge.

Does the ticket for the Paris to Wien / Vienna journey include assigned seats?

  • Yes on the train from Paris to Frankfurt
  • On the train from Frankfurt to Vienna reservations are included when booking the more expensive types of ticket, but have to be added at an additional cost when booking the cheaper types of ticket.

Do rail pass users need to book reservations for this Paris to Wien / Vienna journey?

  • Yes on the train from Paris to Frankfurt
  • On the train from Frankfurt to Vienna reservations are required for travel in June to September, but are optional at other times of year
    See the rail pass reservation guide for the options on how to book.

Is catering available on the Paris to Wien / Vienna train on this journey option?
Restaurant cars are available on some of the trains from Paris to Frankfurt (the ICE trains) and a restaurant service should be available on the train from Frankfurt to Wien / Vienna.
A bar / bistro service will be available on all trains.
Find out more on the Train Guides which can be found within the Journey Information.


What else is good to know about French rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in France.


What else is good to know about Austrian rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Austria.

Route Information

Via stations: Zürich HB / Zurich main station

Option 3: travel during the day via Zurich
Travel Time (approx)

from 13hr 10min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

2 x optimum connections per day


Is this journey from Paris to Wien / Vienna direct?
No, a connection is required in Zurich


What other tourist locations are along the route from Paris to Wien / Vienna?
Basel and Zurich and St Anton and Innsbruck and Salzburg and Linz


How easy is it to travel on from the station in Wien / Vienna?
Wien Hbf is linked to the city centre by both the metro and multiple tram lines - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighbourhood.


How easy is it to get to the station in Paris?
The Gare De Lyon is served by two Metro lines - line 14 is now directly linked to Orly Airport. The station also has rail links from the Gare Du Nord and the La Défense business district.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay by the Gare De Lyon.


Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for the this ?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' buttons to access additional info including guides to ticketing policies on routes which involve connections between trains.


How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for the Paris to Wien / Vienna journey?
Typically up to 6 months ahead; see the Ticket Information


What are the child ticket terms for this Paris to Wien / Vienna trains?

  • The child ticket policy for the part of the journey in France = the adult rate is charged for all travellers aged 12 and over; children aged 4-11 are entitled to a 30% discount.
  • The child ticket policy for the part of the journey in Austria = An adult a person aged 15 and over) can take up to four children aged 6 - 14 with them at no additional charge.

Does the ticket for the Paris to Wien / Vienna journey include assigned seats?

  • Yes on the train from Paris to Zurich
  • On the train from Zurich reservations are available and need to be added at an additional cost.

Do rail pass users need to book reservations for this Paris to Wien / Vienna journey?

  • Yes on the train from Paris to Zurich (the rail reservation fees are exceptionally expensive on these trains)
  • Not on the train from Zurich to Vienna - but thy are available for an additional fee.
    See the rail pass reservation guide for the options on how to book.

Is catering available on the Paris to Wien / Vienna train on this journey option?

  • On the Paris to Zurich train = there is a bar/bistro car and in the equivalent of Business 1st Class, there is a complimentary, at seat, full-meal service. Source = TGV Lyria
    A bar / bistro service will be available on all trains.
    On the train from Zurich to Vienna there is a restaurant car, a bar/bistro service and an at seat meal service in First and Business Class.
    Find out more on the Train Guides which can be found within the Journey Information.

What else is good to know about French rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in France.


What else is good to know about Austrian rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Austria.

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