It's some distance from Wien/Vienna to Hannover, but despite that SMTJ's recommendation is to take the daily ICE train.
There is an overnight train between these two cities, but it is typically scheduled to arrive in Hannover before 07:00.
Final Destination: Hamburg-Altona
This train also calls at: Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe
Departing from Wien/Vienna
If your journey in Vienna is commencing in the south-west corner of the city, or the area on the ring road around the Opera House - then it's likely that you'll have a faster and more convenient journey if you join the train at Wien-Meidling station.
Wien Meidling is connected to line U6 of the Vienna Metro, which serves the western side of the city centre.
Though we particularly recommend opting to make reservations on these trains if you want to join this train at Wien-Meidling.
1 x train per day
This direct train is suspended from April 1st to December 9th.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 6 months ahead of the travel date - usually
This train is usally scheduled to depart from Wien Hbf at 13:15 so hone in on that time when looking up this journey.
It can be worth comparing prices on the different ticket agents, the cheapest 'Europa Spezial' tickets can still be available on DB, the German railways website, when the most heavily discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets are sold out on OBB, the Austrian railways website.
And the reverse can be true, cheaper Sparschiene tickets can still be available on OBB, meaning that DB can be more expensive.
Seat reservations:
Book 1st class ticket journey tickets on DB and your seat reservation is included - but they're optional when booking 2nd class tickets, or if you will be travelling with a 1st or 2nd class rail pass.
If you will be travelling 2nd class we highly recommend opting to add a reservation when booking, the ICE trains to Germany from Austria are always comparatively busy.
If you don't reserve, being able to remain in the same seat all the way from Vienna to Hannover, is something you definitely can't take for granted.
Note that if you opt to book 1st class tickets on OBB, your seat reservation WON'T be automatically be included, so you will need to be proactive and add it to your booking.
Alternative Connections:
There are also usually up to 4 x alternative options available per day that involve a change of train; making a connection at Wurzburg Hbf from the Wien-Frankfurt/Koln trains into ICE trains on to Hannover from Wurzburg.
And these options with a connection, tend to be cheaper than this direct train.
However, the trains on to Hannover (that will be sold by DB and the other ticket agents) depart Wurzburg only 5 mins after the arrival of these trains from Wien.
So ideal IF the train from Wien is on time, but if it's too late to make the connection, you'll have to visit the Reisezentrum desk in Wurzburg Hbf station to re-book any train specific tickets/reservations for the train on to Hamburg.
There is generally 1 x train per hour from Wurzburg to Hannover
You won't have to re-purchase, tickets/reservations can be swapped free of charge, but it's a hassle to be avoided if possible
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
DB Bahn | from €39.90 | |
OBB | from €39 | |
Trainline | from €39 | |
Save A Train | from €39.90 | |
Happy rail | from €39.90 |
This is train is suspended from April 1st to Dec 9th due to maintenance work on the the high-speed line in Germany between Fulda and Kassel.
During this time connections will be available at Wurzburg from the ICE trains which head to Frankfurt (Main).
From Wien/Vienna until Wels the train will travel at up to 230 km/h (close to the high speed threshold) on the main Western Railway which crosses Austria.
On departure from Wells the train will head towards the border with Germany and to the south of Passau, the railway takes a charming route on the east bank of The River Inn, which can be seen on left.
Then between Passau and Regensburg the River Danube is on the right.
Between Regensburg and Nurnberg the train rushes across a delightful rolling landscape and then until Wurzburg the train remains on the conventional railway.
On departure from Wurzburg comes a part of the journey with a wow factor, because between the stations until Hannover, the train will be travelling at more than 270 km/h for around 2hr 30mins.
The first high speed line in Germany was blasted through dozens of tunnels, but between many of them, the train will whizz across viaducts, so keep your eyes peeled to see the views.
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This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.