Many thanks for all the replies to my message of 12/03. I have already made changes to our itinerary based on the great feedback! One more question: As time is limited (total of 9 days in Both Vienna and Prague, is it advisable to fly between the two cities, or should we consider the train? (I am thinking sometimes the time it takes to get to and from the airport is not worth the trip, especially if trains afford scenery and comfort (I can't help think of the Orient Express!!) Thanks for any replies.

I recently returned from Vienna and Prague. The train takes about 5 hours. A direct train leaves Prague at about 9:40 AM, gets to Vienna around 2:30 PM. Vienna to Prague leaves around 3:30 PM, arrives around 8:30PM. <BR> <BR>The one-way fare was about $20. The train was very comfortable and nice. <BR> <BR>The stations were Sudbahnhof in Vienna, and Hlavni nadrazi in Prague (I'm sure these are not spelled correctly.) <BR>

I have flown into and out of both cities; though not from one to the other. Also have traveled by train between the two. I would take the train without a second thought. It probably will be quicker if your ultimate destinations are city center and definitely will be a lot cheaper. With no consideration of money the train is preferable for this trip.

Dear Mr Khamsi, <BR> <BR>As everybody says, the trains are better. They leave Vienna South at 0725, 0925 (on this you change at Breclav, across the platform), 1125 and 1525 and arrive at Prague Holesovoice at 1211, 1411, 1611, and Prague Hlavni at 2015. Southbound they leave Prague Hlavni at 0940 and Prague Holesovice at 1143 (change at Breclav), 1343, and 1743 and reach Vienna South at 1433, 1633, 1833 and 2233. The January issue of the Thomas Cook European Timable gives the fare as 35 US dollars single, and there's a three dollar EuroCity supplement. For the Orient Express feel you might book first class at around 54 dollars single, and should certainly choose the 0925, 1125, 0940 or 1143 departures that let you lunch on the train. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to Europe. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>Fodors <BR> <BR> <BR>

I have a related question. We will be flying in Vienna and then want to take a train to Prague-does anyone have an idea of distance to the train station and the best way to get there?

Steve: <BR>My memory is that the airport is somewhat out of the city. The train stations are inside or near the ring roads and/or city center. If you are going directly from the airport to the train, I suspect that a taxi is the most reliable way. Obviously, it may depend on which station you will depart from.

Most trains to Prague from Vienna require a change at Breclav. The two I found on the deutschebahn site that don't leave Vienna's Sudbahnhof (Ost) at 11:25am and 3:30pm. <BR> <BR>There is a good train from Vienna's airport, but I'm not sure how close it comes to Sudbahnhof. Recently I ahve been using the Mazur mini-bus service. You do have to wait a bit and the trip is certainly longer than a train or taxi. Whatver you do do DON'T take the services near the exit from the airport. They are murderously expensive. <BR>If you arrive at say 8:30am... you would have plenty of time to make the first train I mentioned via Mazur.

The reference library of a city near you may have the Thomas Cook European Timetable. Table 5 shows that a bus leaves the airport every 20 to 30 minutes and runs the 17 kilometers to Vienna South station. <BR> <BR>Mr Fowler: Now that's odd. The Thomas Cook table shows three trains that run straight from Vienna South to Prague, not two. I give times above. Nor does the change at Breclav really matter: it's a ten minute affair, crossing the platform. <BR> <BR>As you suspect, the train from the airport reaches Mitte and Nord stations, not Sud. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR>Fodors <BR>

Our flight doesn't arrive until 920am-hopefully we can make the 1125am train but perhaps we'd best take a taxi. Thanks for the info!

The train from the Vienna Airport takes <BR>about 36 minutes. I looked at the schedule on http://bahn.hafas.de <BR>As near as I can tell the train goes to the Vienna north train station (Bahnhof). <BR>The train to Prague leaves from Vienna South. <BR>The taxi would be the most convenient. <BR>But, at the time Steve is scheduled to arrive, does anybody know what traffic on the streets would be like? <BR>That is, would the train be quicker to downtown? Then take a cab between train stations? <BR> <BR>By the way that German Bundesbahn website is comprehensive for Europe. <BR>But it does not give bus schedules!! <BR>As does T. Cook.