scrb

Price I had came to about 92-94 euros total for the round trip.

Then another euro each way to reserve seats.

So I rounded up.

So it is indeed close to 100 Euros.

thursdaysd

Try checking for prices at www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp (Austrian rail) instead of bahn.de (German rail).

Images2

Here's how we traveled from Salzburg to Vienna for an inexpensive price:

We bought a Einfach-Raus-Ticket from the machine. This was good for the 2 of us and cost just €28. We had to use regional trains though. The tickets prices for the fast train were very high, and we had the time, so decided to use this option. Here’s the schedule we followed, which would discourage many:

Depart Salzburg 9:38 on REX or R 3015
Arrive Linz 12:00 Depart Linz 12:21 for St. Valentin on REX 3615
Arrive St.Valentin 12:41 Depart at 13:21 for Amstetten (A) on R6073
Arrive Amstetten (A) at 13:56 and depart at 14:09 for Wein on REX 1633
Arrive Vienna at 15:55

The trip took 6 hours 17 minutes and used 4 trains. It was easy and we had time for lunch in St. Valentin at the station. Once we arrived in Vienna we had a few options for the local transportation: (The Vienna Card didn’t seem worthwhile at all)


Buy a Die 8 Tage Karte 24€ = The 8 day card is valid for any 8 days, doesn’t need to be consecutive days. It’s a rover ticket, which means you can travel all around Vienna. You can use the ticket for several people traveling together – punch one strip for each person. 1 day = 2 punches, 1 for each of us. This = 3€ a day for each of us. www.wienplan.com

24-hour season ticket 5.70 Euro Good for 24 hrs. from when you punch it.
72-hour season ticket 13.60 Euro Single ride tickets 1.70 Euro

lincasanova

re: AF miles transfer to Skymiles, just check when you book. I am still stunned we got nothing for our VLC-DUBAI_VLC trip last year.

when i called they said "oh.. but you were booked in "XX" class, and you get no points transferred for that class!"

seems to be a common thing.. surprised it hasn't happened to you.

scrb

The Austrian Rail site returns about the same prices. Must be Sunday afternoon/evening prices are that high or something.

Looks like it's less than half with some special card or rail pass though.

Airberlin to INN is about 84 euros for a Sunday evening flight.

The slower train does sound like an idea if there are sites worth stopping for. But if I try to go to Salzburg as soon as I land in Vienna, as it is, I wouldn't get into Salzburg until almost 7 PM. So adding a couple of hours to save some money doesn't seem worthwhile.

I guess I was kind of surprised, because a couple of years ago in Switzerland, I got like a 4 or 5 day rail pass for maybe $200. Of course exchange rates are worse now but still, it seems high.

I could maybe go to Salzburg after a day or two in Vienna, then take the slower trains. Are there some stops worth checking out?

scrb

Here are Delta's rules for getting miles on partner airlines.

It lists which fare classes are not applicable.

http://skymilesoffers.delta.com/airline_partners.php


I fly AF on most trips to Europe because of nonstop flights. Never had problems getting miles credited.

thursdaysd

"The Austrian Rail site returns about the same prices. Must be Sunday afternoon/evening prices are that high or something."

Maybe it's WHICH Sunday? I put in a random Sunday in February, leaving around 15:00, and 18:00, and got the same prices molker did... Anyway, if you're flying into Vienna on a Sunday afternoon, I wouldn't want to book a train trip that day - what if your flight is late?

Images2

Melk would be a wonderful stop on the slow train!

molker

The austrian rail regular ticket prices are based on kilometers traveled - not day of the week or time.
The discounted fare Einfach Raus limits travel to regional trains only .
With just one week to spend in Austria - spending the best portion of one day transferring Vienna - salzburg is not the best use of time in my opinion.
Other discounts VoeteilSCard requires an appication in german , photos and a payment - does not seem logical in this case.

I would suggest after a long flight to not try to then transfer to salzburg at once.
Spend several days in Vienna for sightseeing and recovery of jet lag . Then onward to Salzburg.
Trying to add in Innsbruck seems to much travel in too little time in my opinion.

Melk is a wonderful site - but is not on the main Vienna- Salzburg line . Requires change of train.
In winter it has only group tours - twice daily at 11:00 and 14:00.
Perhaps time better used elsewhere.

scrb

Just to be clear, I did get 44.20 euros as Melker did, compared to 46 euros and change on bahn.de.

I was looking at round-trip fares ending up approaching 100 euros. I did round up.

Yeah I may do that, go later. My plan lands at 14:35.

I was looking at a place near St. Stephans. So I would presume the trams and metros (which I haven't studied yet) would take me to Westbahnof easily?

Cathinjoetown

There's a ubahn stop under St. Stephan's Place--U3 line goes directly to Westbanhof.

scrb

Thanks again.

How about things to do? Not much of a coffee drinker but will have to have some. Any non-smoking cafes?

Or anyone do cruises (if they're offered in January)?

Here's one I found that combines cruise and coffee:

http://www.donauschiff.at/english/html/e_lwien_fp3.asp

How about the concerts at the Orangery in the Schonbrunn? Anyone know if cameras are allowed?


In Salzburg, looks like the Eagle's Nest excursion isn't offered when I'm going. Any other ideas?

Cathinjoetown

There is much to see and do in Vienna, it depends on your interests. If you could be more specific, it would help.

I never was conscious of heavy smoke in the coffee houses, many have non-smoking areas--Cafe Central for example. Demel also serves all the lovely coffees but has light meals and the most incredible pastries and cakes.

You won't see much of the Danube on the cruise you mentioned but the same company does a cruise to Durnstein which would be a nice day out if sunny.

I know of few venues which allow photography during a concert--certainly not flash--but there are exceptions, I suppose. You could probably take photos of the Orangerie before the concert and during the final bows. Best to email beforehand if this affects your decision.

How long will you be in Salzburg? Walking the old town, touring the Mozart House, the Baroque churches, going up to the castle, seeing some of the places where the Sound of Music was filmed (Mirabelle Gardens and the cemetery are in the city) takes the better part of a day.

Hope this helps.

scrb

I'll hit the museums and the palaces. Probably look at a Vienna Card.

I saw a Rick Steve's show on Austrian lakes (at least that I recall) so I will look for that in Salzburg.

Sound of Music is on ABC this Sunday, in high def. Never really watched it before so I'll record it and see if I get ideas.

There is also an Eagle's Nest tour -- to see Hitler's Salzburg hideaway -- but it's not offered when I'm going.

I'm planning for 3 nights and 2 full days in Salzburg. Then probably take the train early morning to Vienna.

I'll check out those cafes. Thanks.

molker

The eagles Nest tour does not usually begin until May .
The steep road to access this area is covered in heavy snow all winter.

Several "Sound of Music " tours are available in salzburg including visits outside of the city toward the Lake country -
Panorama tours and Bobs Tours I think.
Many seem to like them.

I would not recommend the Danube city tour by boat withor without coffee -you see little of interest - not very interesting.
For cafes -
Cafe Griensteidl on Michaelerplatz across the street from the Hofburg Palace is non smoking. Good food and pastry- owned by same company that has Demels Cafe .
www.cafegriensteidl.at
Cafe Landtmann on the Ringstrasse also has non smoking area is well located on good.

For Museums a must is the Kunsthistorisches Museum
www.khm.at

The Danube cruise by Durnstein mentioned above does not run in the winter just Apri to Octiober.

Look to visit Schoenbrunn Palace also.
www.schoenbrunn.at
Regarding photo taking this concert at the Schoebrumm Orangerie is aimed directly to tourisrs . Iw ould think most all will take photos.

scrb

I checked with the Orangery and Vienna Imperial orchestra.

Photos and videos allowed only during intermission and before/after the concert due to copyright reasons.

I was actually looking at buying a portable digital audio recorder for it but that's not going to fly.

So are the Vienna and Salzburg cards good values?