Aside from ÖBB, The national railways, you can also check their competitor www.westbahn.at
A bit slower than the railjets of ÖBB, but Westbahn has a rock bottom walk-up fare of €25 without advance purchase or commitment on a certain train

Thank you, I'll look into that as well.

Can anyone answer my question about seating with oebb? Thank you.

molkker? The Austrian resident rail expert will know - keep topping your thread so he/she can see it.

Coming back to your initial question:

Yes, it is cheaper to book in advance. Or at least never more expensive as the worst that can happen is that the discount tickets are sold out and you can only buy a fully flexible ticket.

A saloon carriage designates a car (or part thereof) where passengers sit like in an airplane in one open space. The opposite would be a compartment.

You probably know whether you want a window or an aisle seat.
"With table" means that you will have a table (who would have guessed that) in a vis-a-vis seating arrangement of two seats next to each other on both sides. One row is in direction of travel, the other facing the opposite direction.
Other seats not "with table" do indeed also have a table, just the fold down version you will know from an airplane.

RJ663 is the train number, with RJ as an abbreviation for Railjet, a certain type of highspeed train.
While some trains may be busy and others not, I have usually found the Railjets to be at least decently occupied. I recommend seat reservations.

Two train services compete on the Vienna - Salzburg corridor.


OBB is the state affiliated carrier.

Westbahn is a newer private firm, while first beginning services on the Vienna route,is now expanding service quickly due to its popularity.
Both use the same tracks, same train stations and take almost the same time to make this journey.
OBB slightly faster by just a few minutes. OBB used every legal tactic and stall to attempt stoppage of Westbahn service. They failed fortunately.
Westbahn trains are new , double decked , free wifi and much friendlier staff.
No need to buy in advance with Westbahn- you can buy your ticket ( 25 euro ) on the train.

With frequent service and double decked cars no need to reserve excepting the most busy days of the year- just prior to holiday for example. You can pick seating- upper deck perhaps a slightly better view , but the terrain is not extra scenic.

Perhaps sitting on right side leaving Salzburg is just a little better- You can see a little of the mountains( perhaps a little snow remains on te peaks ) and also Mondsee just after leaving Salzburg.

www.westbahn.at

OBB - staff less friendly, especially ticket windows where the typical governmental mentality prevails.
The last time while asking for a printed schedule, I was told none were available. This while I could see them on the wall area of the counter space behind the glass.
After mentioning ths fact to the employee , I was treated with contempt.

Rail jet trains are comfortable , relatively new - but with standard non discounted fare at 50 euro - not worth it.
Discounted advance fares just a little less than Westbahn normal fare. ( 5-6 euro ) but this is a restricted to the train and time booked. Thus Westbahn much more flexible.
Having flexibility with Westbahn anbd a more comfortable journey worth it to me.
OBB website

www.oebb.at

ticket info , schedules, prices ans I believe still a video about the railjet to see seating etc.

Yay! You guys are the BEST - all the info and more. Had to laugh at cowboy, "with table"...natch, got that, but the explanation and comparison with a fold-down airplane table was helpful! Thank you all for your help.