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Zürich / Zurich to Wien / Vienna by train
How to take the rail journey from Zurich to Vienna/Wien
It's possible to take a direct train when travelling during the day from Zurich to the Austrian capital.
There's no hiding the fact that it's a long ride, but the spectacular scenery on the first half of the journey will make the time fly by.
Though due to the distance you can also opt to travel through the night; and what's unusual is that there is a choice of overnight options on this route.
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Routes
Option 1: travel during the day
Journey Summary
7hr 50 min
Daily
Travel Information
These trains will depart from the platforms/tracks by the street level concourse in Zurich HB station (gleis 3 - 18).
Final Destination: Wien or Budapest or Bratislava
All trains also call at: Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz, St Polten and Wien-Meidling*
*Check the location of your final destination in Wien/Vienna.
If you're heading to 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 leave 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.
5 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 180 days* ahead of the travel date
*There's no need to book 6 months ahead to obtain the cheapest tickets.
If you look for tickets around 3 - 4 months ahead then the cheapest 'Sparschiene' tickets can be available on more trains.
The prices of the tickets are usually cheaper on OBB, particularly as its cheapest 'Sparschiene' tickets can now be booked up until the day of travel (if they haven't sold out) - previously Sparscheine tickets had to be booked at least 3 days ahead.
However, it's worth comparing prices with SBB, but remember that the price on SBB will be in Swiss Francs and not euros.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| OBB | from €39 | |
| SBB | * | |
| Trainline | from €39 | |
| Omio | from €39 | |
| Happy rail | from €39 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Journey description:
Step on board one of Europe's most epic rail journeys, with amazing views of two Swiss lakes AND a passage through the stunning Arlberg Pass.
Sit on the left (when facing the direction) of travel) on departure from Zurich for the best views.
Within 10 minutes of departing from Zurich there are a series of stunning views of not one, but two lakes, the Zurichsee...
...and then the Wallensee.
...can both be seen from the left of the train.
The best of the views as the train travels through the Arlberg pass will be over on the right, but the train will reverse direction on departure from Buchs.
Between Buchs and Feldkirch the train will travel through Liechtenstein, then after departure from Bludenz, the train threads through the stunning Arlberg Pass - though in summer the trees can get in the way.
In the pass, the best and most spectacular views of the entire journey are over on the right; even on a grey day.
But after St.Anton the best of the views are over on the left...
... with a particular highlight of the journey being the descent to Landeck station.
These trains used to take a more scenic route after departure from Innsbruck, but now between there and Worgl, they take a faster route which is mainly in tunnels.
Though by Kufstein they travel right by the River Inn.
The final third of the journey on from Salzburg is pleasant, but not particularly scenic, though east of Linz is the fastest part of the route.
Option 2: travelling through the night
Journey Summary
8hr 55min - 10hr 15min
Nightly
Travel Information
Final Destination:
Wien Hbf - the OBB Nightjet
Budapest - the EuroNight train
These trains also call at: St.Pölten, Wien-Meidling
In Zurich, the two trains are joined together, so they both depart at 21:40.
They're separated during the journey across Austria and the EuroNight train arrives in Vienna/Wien first at 06:35.
The OBB Nightjet train is the slower of the two services and it is scheduled to arrive in Wien Hbf at 07:55.
Both the OBB Nightjet train and the Nightjet train convey;
- Compartment Seats (Sitzwagen)
- Couchettes (Liegewagen); 4 berths AND 6 berths
- Standard sleeping cars (Schlafwagen) with 3 bed, 2 bed and 1 cabins
But the OBB Nightjet train also conveys Deluxe sleeping cars with showers in the cabin.
2 x train services per night
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
The first price you will see on the OBB ticketing site will be for the compartment seats.
Click the train details for more info including the rail pass reservation fees:
Rail pass users must reserve before boarding this train.
However, these rail pass reservations can be purchased for the Nightjet without paying booking fees on the OBB website (OBB operates this train).
Though the process for doing so isn't particularly obvious, hence the step-by-step guide.
If possible avoid making rail pass reservations at a Swiss station, because a booking fee of 11CHF per person will also be payable.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| OBB | * | |
| SBB | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
The first of the daytime trains doesn't arrive in Wien/Vienna until 14:30.
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