sikeman

Has anyone taken the night train from Vienna to Venice? We are planning a trip next summer with out two teenage boys and thought this could be a fun and practical way to travel from Austria to Italy.

PalenQ

Yes three times and get a four-person compartment bring any food or drink aboard and relax. I liked it and could always sleep but there is a modium of noise from inside and outside the train -but book early for deep discounted tickets:

http://www.oebb.at/en/angebote-ermae...n/wien-venedig

For lots of good info on night trains and booking check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

You will get varying opinions on night trains I love them but many do not.

hurrygirl

I took the same trip with my teenaged daughters and thought they were great.

historytraveler

I've been on some that we're wonderful, The Blue Train in South Africa and the train that transits Australia Sydney to Perth and takes about 3 days. The one we did from Paris to Vienna was awful. Crowded, no food except for awful stuff from snack bar, restrooms were not nice it was not what we expected. Our fault ( at least Mr. History's since I was studying in England at the time, and he made travel arrangements ). I also took a night train from Chartres to Zurich via Paris. I didn't like that much either, but it's been years ago. It simply wasn't what I expected. If you're aware of the realities, it might be fine. I chose to never ride a night train again.

PalenQ

Today's night trains are nicer than years ago - many are hotel trains and to compete with discountd airlines have raised comfort levels. These Austrian night trains are really nice but again opinions will vary greatly.

Man_in_seat_61

The Austrian-run Nightjet trains are great, and save a hotel bill, and our kids love bunk beds on a train. Photos & info at https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/nightjet.htm

The only downside is that the Vienna-Venice route takes you through fab scenery along the wonderful UNESCO-listed Semmering route, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway - so it's a better idea to take a daytime train if you can.

There will be TWO daytime trains on this route not just one as from the timetable change on 10 December. And they get upgraded from EuroCity to swish new Railjets with wifi, power sockets, a bistro-restaurant with draught beer on tap, and super-duper business class as well as 1st & 2nd.

Fares from €29 www.oebb.at

PalenQ

The only downside is that the Vienna-Venice route takes you through fab scenery along the wonderful UNESCO-listed Semmering route,>

How is this done if the train goes via Linz and Salzburg then to Villach? Are you sure about that?

PalenQ

OK - yes day trains take the more scenic more direct route- so Man have a valid point - and yes that route is fairly if not dramatically scenic - the UNESCO part is largely because of feat of having first standard-gauge railway thru mountainous terrain and daring bridges more than scenery which though is rather nice.

PalenQ

Even with the new direct day trains you're facing a 7 hour train ride - little long for some so night train could appeal to folks who don't want to sit on a day train that long and who don't want to fly.