Can someone please tell me the quickest way by train (which one and route)to get from Vienna or Graz (we're actualy staying near Oberwart) to Florence??? a night train would be fine, too. Can't tell you how much I appreciate your help. Thanks...
Sandra

You can take a direct train (no changes) from Vienna to Florence, 10hrs, leaving Vienna 7:30pm.

There appear to be no direct trains from Graz.

I like the German rail web site www.bahn.de to check schedules all over Europe. The Austrian rail also has a website, but bahn.de is easier for me to remember.

The Austrian rail website is www.oebb.at

You can also go from Vienna during the daytime (dep 6:30am), changing in Venice. It's actually 1hr shorter total travel or from Graz with 2 changes in <9hrs. (7:30am depart)

Oh, thank you so much - what train is it - does it have a name or number? Do I buy the tickets prior to going and do I need to make a reservation for a sleeper? Thank you thank you...Sandra

Is the website you gave me where you are able to find out all this information?? Thanks...
Sandra

Here's the info

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Train = EN 235 (EuroNight)

Subject to compulsory reservation; Sleeper and couchette train; Partially 2nd class only;

Non-smoker train; Part of journey with sleeping-car; Part of journey with couchette coach

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I haven't taken a sleeper in years, so I don't know the best procedure. If you will be in Austria for at least a few days before the trip, you could go to any train station and book your seats then. Other more experienced might have more info about sleeper trains filling up or not, and if you need to book farther in advance.

For daytime trains, I usually just buy my ticket / reserve a seat a day or 2 before the departure from the nearest rail station.

and yes, the info is from the website.

I'm looking up schedules for another trip I'm taking next Fri, so it's no effort to check your itinerary. I learned something myself.

You have helped soooo much. Actually, I'll be arriving Vienna on the 13th and want to take the night train to Florence on the 14th. I went to both websites and they're a bit overwhelming. I just want to buy the tickets. Which website would be the best to purchase the EN 235? I understand there might be a discount offered for travel after Nov. 1st. Is one as good as the other? Thanks... Sandra

Hi sand,

You can purchase your tickets, 1cl (private sleeper) or 2cl (couchette)at www.trenitalia.com.

Click "English" at the upper right corner.

You will have to register before you can purchase.

Note that sleepers are neither first nor second class. The fare depends on the type of compartment and the number of people in the compartment. Sleeping cars are never labelled first or second class.
Couchettes can be first or second class because they are seating compartments which convert into bunks at night. Generally first-class couchettes are four-berth compartments and second-class are six-berth.

Thank you again for your help. What I have found out is that if you want to reserve a couchette on a night train, that cannot be down outside of Europe. They fill up quickly I've heard and yet I even called a couple of rail companies and they said you can't buy this particular point to point ticket outside of Europe - only rail passes. We don't need a rail pass. ugh...Thanks