train - vienna - zurich
Jul 8th, 2011, 08:37 PM
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train - vienna - zurich
We are an elderly couple traveling from Prague - Vienna; Vienna-Zurich and Zurich-Barcelona in November. We have an idea of the price for a ticket from Prague-Vienna, and the price via hotel train from Zurich-Barcelona. In making an assessment of whether to do the train or fly, Prague - Barcelona, I would like to get an idea of what a one way ticket from Vienna-Zurich should be in approximate US Dollars. Rail Europe quotes $250 plus $10 charge per person. Is this par for the course?
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated and I understand that availability, class etc will be a determining factor. Could someone please give us an idea of what to expect?
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated and I understand that availability, class etc will be a determining factor. Could someone please give us an idea of what to expect?
Jul 8th, 2011, 08:49 PM
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Hi pattiab,
This is a great example of how Raileurope can rip you off!
According to the Swiss rail site (www.rail.ch), the standard fare is 130 chf, or $154 at today's exchange rate.
But you can buy a discounted ticket for this journey for 58 chf, or $68.
Big savings over Raileurope.
s
This is a great example of how Raileurope can rip you off!
According to the Swiss rail site (www.rail.ch), the standard fare is 130 chf, or $154 at today's exchange rate.
But you can buy a discounted ticket for this journey for 58 chf, or $68.
Big savings over Raileurope.
s
Jul 8th, 2011, 11:07 PM
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Yes, buy direct from the European train operators.
As this modern railjet train starts in Austria, id use the Austrian railways site www.Oebb.at to book it, looking for a cheap fare from just 39 euros.
As they may well offer self print tickets (collection at a Swiss station wouldn't be much good would it?!) the Swiss railways site www.sbb.ch could also be used.
See the virtual tour of one of these new Railjet trains at www.railjet.at
The Vienna to Zurich route gives you a great view of Salzburg castle as you cross the river Salzach departing from Salzburg station (stop off if you can, I prefer Salzburg to Vienna!) and passes though the superb scenery of the Arlberg Pass into Switzerland with the railway hugging the valley wall, lovely lovely 'sound of music' Alpine scenery. Enjoy it!
As this modern railjet train starts in Austria, id use the Austrian railways site www.Oebb.at to book it, looking for a cheap fare from just 39 euros.
As they may well offer self print tickets (collection at a Swiss station wouldn't be much good would it?!) the Swiss railways site www.sbb.ch could also be used.
See the virtual tour of one of these new Railjet trains at www.railjet.at
The Vienna to Zurich route gives you a great view of Salzburg castle as you cross the river Salzach departing from Salzburg station (stop off if you can, I prefer Salzburg to Vienna!) and passes though the superb scenery of the Arlberg Pass into Switzerland with the railway hugging the valley wall, lovely lovely 'sound of music' Alpine scenery. Enjoy it!
Jul 9th, 2011, 03:12 AM
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As said before, you get (discounted) tickets from Austrian Railways at oebb.at
When checking the connections/fares, you will be given options for direct trains (the "Railjet") or connections with one transfer at Salzburg.
Unless you wish to visit Salzburg, go for the direct connections, as Salzburg main station is still undergoing major renovation works which makes changing trains inconvenient.
Ticket prices will not only be shown for the train/connection you chose, but also a long list of possible alternatives will be shown. It's worth to scroll down that list to see if there are cheaper options for other connections same day.
The Railjet is slightly different than usual trains as it has 3 classes, not only 2.
2nd class is called "Economy", 1st class is "First", and then there is also a super 1st class named "Premium".
You can see on Railjet website the different comfort levels.
To travel in Premium, you have to get a 1st class ticket and then pay a surcharge.
Prices for discount tickets in 1st often are not much more expensive than in 2nd class - if you book far enough in advance.
Saver/discount tickets will be good only for those trains you booked them for. You cannot stop in Salzburg and take a later train. If you want that, you need to get a full-fare flexible ticket for Vienna-Zurich, or two discount tickets for each leg (Vienna-Salzburg, Salzburg-Zurich). The latter will be more expensive than one single discount ticket for an uninterrupted full trip.
When checking the connections/fares, you will be given options for direct trains (the "Railjet") or connections with one transfer at Salzburg.
Unless you wish to visit Salzburg, go for the direct connections, as Salzburg main station is still undergoing major renovation works which makes changing trains inconvenient.
Ticket prices will not only be shown for the train/connection you chose, but also a long list of possible alternatives will be shown. It's worth to scroll down that list to see if there are cheaper options for other connections same day.
The Railjet is slightly different than usual trains as it has 3 classes, not only 2.
2nd class is called "Economy", 1st class is "First", and then there is also a super 1st class named "Premium".
You can see on Railjet website the different comfort levels.
To travel in Premium, you have to get a 1st class ticket and then pay a surcharge.
Prices for discount tickets in 1st often are not much more expensive than in 2nd class - if you book far enough in advance.
Saver/discount tickets will be good only for those trains you booked them for. You cannot stop in Salzburg and take a later train. If you want that, you need to get a full-fare flexible ticket for Vienna-Zurich, or two discount tickets for each leg (Vienna-Salzburg, Salzburg-Zurich). The latter will be more expensive than one single discount ticket for an uninterrupted full trip.
