We are staying in Vienna for a few days at the end of March and want to visit the Swarovski Crystal factory in Watten, near Innsbruck, does any one know which is the best way to get there and back? Cost? We are hoping to come back to Vienna on the same day.

We visited the Swarovski's "Crystal World" last year. It was not at all what we expected and we were very disappointed.

That said, here is a link to their website that provides info on a shuttle from Innsbruck.

http://www.swarovski.com/kristallwelten/

Thanks for the input bettyk. Were you staying in Insbruck already? What we want to know is if there is a direct train form Vienna, the cost for the trip and if it is a trip that can be done in one day. I want to buy crystal beads, do you know if they are sold at the factory?

Innsbruck is too far for a day trip -- over 5 hrs each way. As far as I know, you cannot visit the actual factory in Wattens but there is a large retail shop at Crystal World. From what I could tell, their prices were not discounted so I'd just try to find what you want in Vienna.

Swarovski has a large retail shop on Kartnerstrasse in Vienna. I believe you can buy the same things that you would find in Wattens, at the same price.
I agree with Bettyk that the visit to " Crystal World " is not that interesting and certainly not worth the long train ride.
In Wattens, you do not actually visit the factory , but the exhibit then finally a shop, usually over run with bus tours.

Wattens is on the main rail line but many major trains Salzburg- Innsbruck do not stop there.
This requires a transfer to a local or regional train and then to Wattens.