Vienna to Bratislava??
 

Apologies - I originally posted this in the wrong forum! I am faily new and have difficulties navigating here - *sorry*
Okay - I am in the final planning of our trip and need advice on something...
We are planning to try and squeeze in a quick trip from Vienna to Bratislava - to give you the time frame - we are only in Vienna about 2 days- and we have some free time from 11 am on... on one of the days but have to be back in Vienna late that evening.
So - here's where I need the help -
*quickest, most reliable and affordable way there AND how to do that (I will be on a walking tour of Old Vienna that ends at 11 am)

*currency exchange and will i have to worry about that with such limited time? Is is fairly easy? Can I get around with a Credit card or will I need Slovak money?

*While in Bratislava for such a short time what should I see that is in close proximity??? Main sights - and "must sees"?

Thanks so much!

I recently did a day trip by train but if in summer you may consider going by Hydrofoil on the Danube as well - longer but neat

Trains go hourly or so and take about one hour and are inexpensive so just buy ticket at station (Vienna Sudbahnhof)


Bratislava is rather compact in its historic center but still arrive as early as possible - i left later and did not have time to climb the cliff and see the castle area.

But a very pleasant i'd say Baroque old town center - mainly pedestrian

lots of places to change euros or dollars into Slovakian crowns - $20 or so with little commission. Euros not widely accepted rather excepted here.

Thank you - do you know if the Austria Trend Europa Hotel is near that train station you mention in Vienna??? - that is where I will be.

Do we need coinage for any automated machines for travel or just the paper money?

And does the train let off in Bratislava near the Old Town Center???

We will hopefully do this and arrive in Bratislava around 2:30.
Is that too late to do the castle area???

Lastly are there trains back at night?

you can view all train schedules between Vienna and Bratislava at the www.oebb.at web site.

The oe is really an ö, but the e is commonly substituted.

There are English subtitles. Look in the dropdown box in the upper part of the screen and select Englisch.

The fastest connections are just under an hour with quite a few less than 75 minutes. The fastest train leave from the Südbahnhof (South station)

The train you take will determine the station at which you arrive.

The last train back to Vienna leaves at 21:00 and takes less than an hour. Another train leaves from a different station at 20:40. Both arrive at the Südbahnhof.

I do not know Bratislava well enough to suggest one station over the other. Hopefully some who knows the city better than I can fill us in.

Though trains are quicker from the Sudbanhof in Vienna to a remote secondary station on the Viena side of the Danube it's much more convenient to take the fewer trains direct to the old main station and still main station for the town center that is a short walk from everything

The suburban station is a few miles from the town center, in a modern area of highrises.

You only need euro notes or dollar bills to quickly change once in Bratislava into Slovakian money - coins usually are not accepted in exchange places or are greatly discounted.

The hydrofoil drops you right at the foot of the town center - most convenient but would take longer for day tripping

I used the hydrofoil and, to be frank, I was a bit disappointed. Most of the trip is not very scenic (Devin Castle being the exception). This is the view from somebody who loves boats and water. It is also a good deal more expensive than the train.

Most trains, hourly, go to the remote Bratislava-Petrzaka new suburban station

Better to take the odd train that goes to Bratislava-Hlavani, near the old town (for ex lv Vienna around 10 am but not again for several hours on this route so check schedules at

www.bahn.de - German rail site that is the best for schedules in all of Europe IME

If I were in Vienna only for 2 days, I would not take most of a day for Bratislava. I was there for 5 days, 3 or 4 years ago. It was OK -- just OK.

I am somewhat, not overly, fond of Vienna -- but I would definitely stay in Vienna.

I agree, Bratislava pales in comparison to Vienna. With only two days there's no way I would day trip to Bratislava, unless you're just trying to check off destinations.

The train station in Bratislava is out of the center, but you can take a tram (buy a ticket from a kiosk). I've also heard that the boat is disappointing.

The main train station is about 10-15 minutes walk from the walls that enclose the old part of the city. Not a very edifying walk but quite easy for day-trippers with no luggage.

there are however just a few trains a day from Vienna to the older main station near the old town

I have to agree with the others: only 2 days in Vienna, stick to Vienna (beautiful city), but if you've been to Vienna before then hop the train at Sudbanhof and go on over to Bratislava... the old town can definitely be done in a day (that's how I first visited Bratislava- was living in Vienna and several of my friends and I hopped on the train around 10 or 11a one morning and spent the day in Bratislava beore coming back to Vienna that evening). I don't remember having any problem exchanging dollars or Euro's, but only exchanged $20 worth- for small things to buy, otherwise, we ate at and had several refreshments a cafe that took visa. As mentioned before, Bratislava had charm to it and you can add another stamp to the passport, but if your time in Vienna is limited, I would stay in Vienna- check out a Huerigeur (wine tavern). The wine "country" north (I believe- I am directionally challenged at times so don't hold it against me) of the city is beautiful, charming and a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of Vienna. You can take one of the trolly's up to the Huerigeur's- very easy, inexpensive and gives you a nice view of the city...

Thank you everyone - we may in fact stay in Vienna for the 2 days. I will see how things go - but in the even my gang gets restless at least I will know what to take to get us over to Bratislava and can pass that along for others who may go.
Much appreciated!