Austrian Train Purchase from US

Old Sep 22nd, 2017, 09:58 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Austrian Train Purchase from US

Anyone know if I can purchase a ticket from Vienna to Salzburg in advance from the US? I just tried on the OBB website and it rejected my card. Not sure if it's because of my card or if I have to wait to buy tickets until I'm over in Europe.

Thanks!
GillsinEurope is offline  
Old Sep 22nd, 2017, 10:00 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,609
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Go here and scroll down to "How to Buy Tickets":

https://www.seat61.com/Austria.htm
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Sep 22nd, 2017, 10:16 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, but that didn't work either.
GillsinEurope is offline  
Old Sep 22nd, 2017, 10:41 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I bought a ticket just the other day with my MasterCard. What card did you use?
elberko is offline  
Old Sep 22nd, 2017, 10:45 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,609
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
And have you tried telling your card issuer that you are making a foreign purchase?
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Sep 22nd, 2017, 10:51 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Visa. I'll call my bank. That's gotta be it.
GillsinEurope is offline  
Old Sep 22nd, 2017, 02:42 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In any case lots have done it here and in other posts- yes see www.seat61.com for esocteric tips on booking your own online tickets on all European web site. For general info I like www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com (if all else fails I recommend this RE agency -I have used them for years for railpasses - personal attention) -but try and try as you will usually save significant (sometimes a lot of) money by booking your own thru OBB website and also their competitor (and subsidiary!) www/westbahn.com - trains over same rails -consistently dirt-cheap fares.

Folks here like those above are always ready to assist IMO.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2017, 12:14 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 8,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A Vienna - Salzburg ticket cost around 30 EUR. Not worth the time for any research about discounts by booking ahead.
https://westbahn.at/en/ticket-shop/single-ticket/
neckervd is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2017, 01:59 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,728
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1. www.oebb.at, the OBB website, should accept all cards, but can struggle with the odd one. Try different cards.

2. But consider rival operator Westbahn. They run hourly trains from Vienna Westbahnhof which need no prior booking. In fact, you can just get on and pay a cheap €27 fare on board (though you can save €1 by buying from a Westbahn machine at the station). So easy and cheap, I'd go with Westbahn. And their double decker 'KISS' trains are excellent.
Man_in_seat_61 is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2017, 04:53 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So no need to ever pre-book with Westbahn - always always get on? Way to go IMO.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2017, 06:17 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
But book seats or maybe face SRO?
PalenQ is offline  
Old Sep 24th, 2017, 09:55 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
And their double decker 'KISS' trains are excellent.>

Riding up top would be sweet with better views from that elevated level - but the sunken level would be worse IMO on such double-deckers so if booking a seat book up top IMO.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Sep 24th, 2017, 10:12 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,700
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just traveled from Vienna to Salzburg 4 days ago by train. I had bought the ticket in advance using Rail Europe before leaving the states. I don't know if this is the right way to do it, but I do know it works. I did it because I wanted to be on an early morning train.

Salzburg is wonderful by the way, my favorite on a multi city trip.
barbrn is offline  
Old Sep 25th, 2017, 09:22 AM
  #14  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I called my bank and got it sorted out. Tickets are purchased. €19 each. I like the idea of the double decker bus though. May have to research that for next time!
GillsinEurope is offline  
Old Sep 25th, 2017, 10:11 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I like the idea of the double decker bus though>

That's a double-decker train! And maybe OBB runs them too?
PalenQ is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rs899
Europe
20
Jun 4th, 2017 10:29 AM
3Doxens
Europe
7
Apr 26th, 2012 02:46 PM
woodstockguy
Europe
14
May 15th, 2008 12:54 PM
yim
Europe
8
Jun 7th, 2007 12:04 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -