I am having little success getting information on a train from Vienna to Madrid. Prefer a fast train, if possible. I would prefer a train over a plane. Can anyone provide any guidance?

well, you know you are not going to get one train company to do that entire route, trains tend to operate within one country. Sometimes they cross near borders a bit.

But for train routes in general, I find www.bahn.de (the German railsite) the most user friendly for planning. They show most European rail schedules, They seem to show that trip woudl take 4-8 changes and take maybe 30 hours.

That is a really bad idea to take the train that far, just fly. Unless this is some road trip thing all over Europe and you plan to stop a lot along the way (the Eurail pass kind of idea).

Yes to al Christina says - look into flying if going straight thru - for lots on European trains check www.seat61.com; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com. There are no convenient night trains to take either.

Fly.
It's 3 hours nonstop by air versus 28+ hours with 3 or more changes with trains.

Thanks everyone. Looks like we will follow advice and fly.

But if you had loads of time, this is how to do it:

https://www.seat61.com/international...enna-Barcelona

For cheap flights check Cheap Flights with low cost, charter and other airlines: find cheap air tickets and www.skyscaner.com.

I think that would be www.skyscanner.net

skyscanner.com brings up same site as skyscanner.net.

But you missed out an n in skyscanner.

OK - thanks.

You tagged Bosnia & Herzegovina.

The 2.5 hour train journey between Mostar and Sarajevo is as good as they get. The early morning one in either direction is the best, just as dawn is breaking. Book on the spot a day in advance.