How to Book a Trip on Austrian Railways

You can travel through the climes and meadows of beautiful Austria in a number of ways, but a trip on its national railways may be the best. Book a ticket on Austrian Railways and enjoy the scenery as it rushes past your window. Follow these steps.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Valid passport

Book a Trip on Austrian Railways

1. Call Rail Europe at [phone] to book train travel on Austria Railways, or visit the Rail Europe Web site (see Resources below).

2. Select from several Eurail authorized agents within the United States to book your rail pass for travel before you leave. You can also book a trip online at the Eurail Web site.

3. Pick a vacation package through the Austrian Railways Web site to save money on train travel as well as admission costs for many of Austria's most popular destinations.

4. Book a first-class ticket on Austrian Railways to enjoy accommodations that meet international standards. You will find dining cars on many trains as well as cabin-to-cabin dining service on select lines.

5. Access the rail service upon your arrival at Vienna's Schwechat Airport. You can take the train directly to the city's center and meet connecting trains to other cities within the country.

6. Find twice-daily trains to major cities in neighboring countries. Travel between Austria and Germany is particularly well-serviced.

7. Travel by train in Austria with one of Eurail's rail pass options. Choices include the Eurailpass, which is valid in 18 countries, the Eurail Selectpass (select Austria and two, three or four other countries) or the Eurail Regional Pass (four combinations that include Austria).

Know Your Destination

8. Pack a German dictionary and brush up on the official language of Austria. You will find English-speaking agents in most major train stations throughout Austria, but German is most common here.

9. Bring along warm clothes if you plan to travel by train in the winter. Some of the smaller train halts or terminals are open air, so you'll appreciate a warm coat if you have a layover.

10. Find hourly train service between historic Vienna and other major Austrian cities. You can book a trip to destinations such as Linz, Salzburg and Graz on the hour.

11. Pack light for rail travel. You are responsible for your baggage when you take the train in Austria.

Tips & Warnings

• Get a visa if you plan to stay in Austria for more than 3 months.
• Mind your manners, as Austrians are particularly mindful of good etiquette. Be polite, especially on board the train.