Rail Europe is a reseller and may not show all the trains. Try looking at the German rail site which is comprehensive and easy to use:

http://www.bahn.de/i/view/USA/en/index.shtml

Thank you ellenem! I did find the direct train on the bahn.de site only it reads:
Not bookable via the internet. Fares not available
Tariff abroad
For connections outside of Germany, a special ticket is required. These offers are not bookable via the internet.

Tickets may be purchased in any DB ReiseZentrum, authorised travel agencies or over the telephone using DB ReiseService by dialing +44 8718 80 80 66 (chargeable).

I may need to call and order the tickets? I will also contact RaiEurope on Monday when they open to see what they say. I can't imagine there isn't a site to purchase tickets online.

I haven't booked a train in Europe since 2006 so my memory is giving out on me, but is it 90 days out from the day of travel that you can book tickets?

Thank you!

Since you're leaving from Vienna use the Austrian rail site. The German site is to view comprehensive European schedules or to purchase tickets for trains that originate in Germany.

You'll play a lot more money if you book through RailEurope.

http://www.oebb.at/en/

Thank you Adrienne! I found the direct train on the Austrian rail site. I plugged in a date in February, clicked on Tickets and Prices and got the below message (no prices were given - just the below headings). In this message that popped up when I hit Tickets and Prices, there is a 'tickets by email' option. Do I need to order tickets this way?


Departure station Destination station Date Preis
Wien Meidling Zagreb Glavni Kolod. 24-02-2012 Prices for 1 adult for single journey

Train Dep Arr Seats available Comfort class Datum Price with BUSINESScard/VC Price with BUSINESScard

* Prices do not include bus, tram, subway and boat fares as well as any additional charges for trains subject to surcharge. We are committed to finding the
Information on other booking options and prices

Book through our Call-Center - 05-1717 at local tariff or order your tickets by email

Here you will find a listing of all online tickets.

Here you can book online tickets for the City-Airport-Train (CAT)

Not sure of the answer. It sounds like the "email" option is for an eticket which is the only ticket I've used (although not from the Austrian train site).

You have plenty of time for other responses since your trip is not until July. I've asked the editors to add a tag to this thread for Austria in the event people look at country specific threads.

I'm sure Man in Seat 61 will respond and be more helpful. You can go to his web site and read more about European trains. There's tons of info on the site. If you look in the left column there's a section for Austria that you can read.

http://seat61.com/

Thank you so much Adrienne - I don't remember booking tickets being this difficult. I will check out seat61. I've also sent an email to the austrian rail site - hoping they will respond.
Thanks again for your help!

I attempted to try the Austrian Rail site again - only this time using "Online Tickets' and then using the "Flexibility to Europe" option. The direct train appeared but then I saw the below message. I received the same message about BUSINESStickets in the previous error message noted above. I've skimmed the Austrian Rail site and i'll be honest, this isn't making much sense.


The following error has occurred.


Only BUSINESStickets can be issued for this service

I found four choices. The first choice did not give a price even when clicking on "prices". The fourth one did when one clicks on prices, and the range is from 39€ to 56€ or thereabouts, although I do not know the meaning of Business Card prices.

Hi Michael,
Thanks for checking - I also found 4 but we are really hoping to get the direct train which is the one that keeps reading Business tickets. I have emailed the Austrian Rail and hope to call them tomorrow in order to find out what this means. I guess our other option is to fly to Zagreb but we were really hoping to enjoy the train and views.

For this connection there must be a temporary computer problem or something similar. Usually you should get a price for any connections when you hit "tickets & prices" after an itinerary inquiry on oebb.at
And not that empty result page as liesel cited above.
You should wait for an email response fröm ÖBB or just try again during the following days. As you can't book for July now anyway, there is no hurry for you now, I would not get that hectic to call international just because of this computer bug.

Thanks Cowboy - this makes me feel better. I do have time so a good idea to not jump the gun. I'll try again in a few days to test it.

There is a bus running daily between Vienna and Zagreb. One-way tickets from € 29.

http://www.eurolines.at/en/home/offers/croatia/

Re austrian rail booking-

I believe that you may only book tickets up to 90 days in advance on their system - this probably why you see failures.

Wait - then book

Thank you grrr!
Molker, I was using February dates to test the system and was getting the error message saying Business tickets. Very odd. As it turns out we aren't going to Vienna, so I won't be needing to get tickets but nonetheless, I'd be interested in knowing what the issue is.

For info for Vienna to Zagreb @ http://www.raileurope-world.com/rail-products/train-tickets/article/austria-intl-night-trains
Arnaud

Usually they do not post up summer trains till 3 months B4
seat61.com/croatia balkanology.com JetStar best
usually it is the main trunk line to Budapest so
trains hourly daytime unless a strike. Wait to book and pick a fast one always best for me.

Ooops RAILJET sorry for typo above.

A guide to travelling on Austria's new RailJet trains, linking Munich, Salzburg, Vienna & Budapest, with information on classes & on board facilities

www.seat61.com/railjet.htm