World City Guide

Getting There By Rail

Österreichischen Bundesbahnen or ÖBB (tel: (01) 58000; website: www.oebb.at) operates the 5800km (3600 miles) of rail network in Austria. In addition to the usual onboard services (restaurant and bar cars, snack trolleys and telephones), ÖBB offers mini-office compartments (with power points for laptop computers) and women-only compartments for those seeking hassle-free travel. The ÖBB also can arrange a pick-up service to greet passengers on the platform and conduct them to their hotels. In Vienna, this service is available at Wien Westbahnhof in association with the Arcotel Hotel Wimberger.

Vienna’s major rail stations and their U-Bahn connections are Westbahnhof, Europaplatz, on the U3 and U6 (tel: (01) 5800 31060; fax: (01) 5800 25811), Südbahnhof, Südtirolerplatz, on the U1 (tel: (01) 5800 31050; fax: (01) 5800 25830), Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof, Franz-Josefs Platz, on the U4 (tel: (01) 5800 31020; fax: (01) 5800 25831), and Wien Mitte, Landstrasser Hauptstrasse 1, on the U3 and U4 (tel: (01) 5800 31070; fax: (01) 5800 25815). Facilities at most main stations include bicycle hire, gift shops and a door-to-door luggage service. Timetable information is available 24 hours a day (tel: 1717).

Rail services: Intercity trains within Austria follow the main eastbound route from Bregenz to Vienna (journey time – 8–9 hours) via Innsbruck, Salzburg and Linz, or travel north from Graz (journey time – 2 hours 30 minutes) or Klagenfurt (journey time – 4 hours 30 minutes), via Bruck an der Mur. There are departures to the major cities at least once every two hours. Domestic rail services pass through breathtaking Alpine scenery but unfortunately this is bypassed by the majority of international services. Travellers should watch out for the stunning view of the Melk Abbey on the main line approaching Vienna from the west.

There are international services from most Central and Eastern European capitals. Night trains are available from most Western European countries, including Paris (journey time – 14 hours) and Berlin (journey time – 11 hours) and from as far east as Moscow (although this journey takes one and a half days).

Transport to the city: All of Vienna’s railway stations are connected to the U-Bahn network (see above), either directly or by a very short walk.