next month we'll be taking the overnight train from Vienna to Venice. There is a stopover in Salzburg for about 90 minutes, starting around midnight. Two questions - 1) are we allowed to get off the train and come back on in these 90 minutes?, and 2) is there anything to see in Salzburg at midnight that is within walking distance of the train station. We will have a sleeper compartment, but I'll assume that if we are allowed to get off the train, we should take all of our belongings?

oh, we have the sleeper compartment all to ourselves, don't know if that makes a difference or not.

answers to these questions may be found at great IMO sites like www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

I believe there is also a direct Vienna to Venice train not requiring a change of trains late at night in Salzburg - was a few weeks back when I researched a similar query.

double compartments you have to yourself.

Do you expect/hope to sleep? The option with the change in Salzburg makes about 15 other stops. The direct/no change option makes about 18 stops.

And no interest in the scenery?

the train that I am taking is a direct Vienna to Venice train. It stops in Salzburg for 90 minutes.

So no, I am not changing trains, there's 3 of us so we have a sleeper compartment all to ourselves, and I won't mind missing 90 minutes of sleep.

So, if I may direct back to the questions again: 1) are we allowed to get off the train and come back on in these 90 minutes?, and 2) assuming we are allowed to get off, is there anything to see in Salzburg at midnight that is within walking distance of the train station.

Each sleeper car has an attendant. I am not aware of any restrictions about getting off the train. Check with your attendant but I am guessing it is OK. I have taken about a dozen night trains but have never tried it.

Coincidentally, our last time in Salzburg was to catch a night train to Budapest which departed around midnight. Most of the city was pretty dead by 11:00pm.

The area of Salzburg immediately outside the train station is not scenic. You could take a walk to the Mirabell Gardens which is about 10 minutes from the station. Coming out of the station make a left and walk down Rainerstrasse which passes by the Gardens. I believe it closes at dusk but there are great views of the Hohensalzburg Castle from there.

My recommendation would be to hire a taxi and ask the driver to take you on a scenic drive to the Old Town (Altstadt), the Mirabell Gardens and a few other locations. That way you would be certain to get back to the station on time.

Make sure you have your passports and tickets with you. For reasons of personal security they are very strict as to who gets on a night train car.

<i>jim21 on Oct 26, 12 at 4:35am
Make sure you have your passports and tickets with you. For reasons of personal security they are very strict as to who gets on a night train car.</i>

Excellent advice. When you board the sleeper car the conductor will collect your ticket or rail pass and your sleeper supplement receipt, and maybe your passport. Ask the conductor to return it to you and don't get off the train without this paperwork or you probably won't be allowed back on.
Most compartment doors can only be locked from the inside. Make sure that yours can be locked from the outside and that you lock it before leaving the train. For an illustrated introduction to night trains see http://tinyurl.com/y57vft.

wow, thanks for the link on the night trains. My first time on any cross-country Europe train....and thanks for the advice on things to see in Salzburg. I was hoping to be able to see a castle and see something Mozart-ish.