How to take the stunning rail journey from Salzburg to the Croatian capital

What had been the direct daytime train between Salzburg and Zagreb has been suspended until further notice.
An EC train still leaves Salzburg in the afternoon, but it no longer has coaches which travel on to Zagreb, a change of train is required in Villach.

However, the Railjet train to Villach, which typically departs Salzburg shortly before 10:15 in the morning, still has a 10 minute connection in Villach with a train on to Zagreb.
So ShowMeTheJourney is assuming that this connection will be guaranteed, as it will be fairly pointless for the train on to Zagreb to depart on time, if this train from Salzburg is running late.
The connection in Villach should be arranged, so that it's a simple as can be cross platform transfer between trains.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date

Note that despite this currently being a two train journey with a connection in Villach, the Austrian booking service OBB, manages the ticket booking as though it is still a direct service, so its terms apply to both trains.

Discounted tickets

The discounted tickets are the 'Sparscheine' tickets and they can be booked online up until the day of departure, but they CAN'T be booked at stations, so booking last minute at the station is always more expensive.

Though you'll usually need to book the 'Sparscheine' tickets at least a couple of days ahead to obtain them at the cheapest possible price.

If you wait and book on the day of travel at Wien Hbf, then you will have to pay the full price.

It can pay off to take a look at the guide to Austrian train tickets - it should help you save time and money and confusion.

Refunds / Exchanges

• Sparscheine tickets = cannot be refunded or exchanged at all.
• Sparscheine Komfort tickets = can be cancelled free of charge up to 15 days ahead of the journey, but if you cancel it with 15 days left to go, you'll receive up to* 50% of what you paid for it
• Standard-Ticket = can be cancelled and obtain a full refund at any time pre-travel date.
  Instead of an Exchange policy the idea is that once a Standard ticket has been refunded, an alternative ticket can then be purchased.

Seat reservations / Using rail passes

Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets, but rail pass users will need to be pay a reservation fee prior to boarding.
And there won't be time to arrange this in Villach.

Child tickets

When booking 'Sparschiene' tickets each adult (aged 15 and over) can take up to four children aged 14 and under for free!
These children will still require tickets, but there will be no charge for them.

When not booking 'Sparschiene' tickets;

• Children aged 5 and under travel for free
• Children aged 6 – 14 travel at half-fare