zinfanatic

It seems to be easy to find approximate train fares and specific times on bahn.com for our tickets from Berlin to Dresden and Dresden to Prague. However once we cross the border I do not know how to buy tickets from Prague to Vienna and Vienna back to Berlin. The bahn site directs me to an agency that I can only book these routes in person or over the phone. Questions:
Can I buy these last two tickets- destinations online?
Is there a train station at the Berlin airport?
Train or plane from Vienna to Berlin? I am "wasting" an entire day at the end of our trip because I was unable to buy an open jaw ticket. I am not sure which is cheaper train or plane. Midmorning plane is $134 oneway Vienna to Berlin and I cannot get a price on the train yet. We are both seniors traveling in September- October.

tn

Hi Zin,

Someone else will have to answer your question about purchasing the tickets online...I have always purchased tickets when I arrived at my destinations. I have never had any issues getting seats, but I likely pay a little more for this flexibility.

But on your other questions, there is not a train station at the Berlin airport. To get to and from the airport, you will have to use a bus or taxi. i just double checked their website to confirm, and I do not see any train options listed.

I think the decision on the Vienna-Berlin travel is a no-brainer. You are in for a 10 hour train ride vs a flight of about an hour and a half. And the plane ticket cost is likely to be very competitive with or cheaper than a train, if you purchase now.

PalenQ

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

check the Austrian Railways official site for trains involving Austria - other sites that tell a lot about eastern European trains are - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. Prague to Vienna may not cost much at full fare but try the official site of the Czech Republic railways- http://www.cd.cz/en/

adrienne

Here's the Czech train site but tn is correct, Czech trains are very cheap and you can buy your ticket when you arrive in Prague.

If you want to get an idea of pricing on the Vienna to Berlin train then plug in a different day - about 90 days from today will show advanced purchase discount rates. I see prices for June at E69. These discounted tickets are limited and when they sell out there will probably be no more so book early.

Try for a train with no transfers as the transfer time is very short (6 minutes and 9 minutes) and unless you're athletic you might miss the connection. I see tickets from Vienna Meidling station (note different from Westbanhoff) for E49.

If you decide on the train (I would pay the extra and fly) then pack a lunch and plenty of beverages to avoid the buffet car pricing and limited menu. You can bring beer and wine too and then doze off in your seat. I always travel with a neck pillow for train and plane rides so I can sleep.

Reminder: Water from the tap on trains is not potable.

Have a great trip!

adrienne

Forgot to post the Czech train site:

https://www.cd.cz/eshop/default.aspx

Christina

Why are you unable to buy an open-jaw ticket? They sell them, there isn't any reason you shouldn't be able to buy one.

hkto

Back in January I bought o/w VIE-TXL (Berlin Tegel) for mid May date for $64 from http://www.flyniki.com. Now it's $134 for the same flight however I still see some September - October for $63. Train is just too long (9.5 hrs)

zinfanatic

Long story about open jaw- United airlines screwed up my miles and they made it next to impossible. I am definitely leaning toward the air for Vienna to Berlin as we have to stay hear the airport overnight as our international flight leaves do early the following morning. Thanks for all the links all!

PalenQ

Yes no need fooling around with the Czech site to get discounts as like adrienne says trains there are so cheap.

kismetchimera

Flying is always the best and most comfortable bargain..at least for me..