If you want to get the best excursion and experience of Austrian attractions, you should try rail travel. Train travel is a very popular model of transportation in Austria: Austrian National Railways (OEBB) operates daily trips across the country on its advanced trains.
Our favorite part of the trip is seeing the beautiful nature of the alpine scenery, lush green valleys, clear lakes, and historic towns, along the way.
And because we live in the age of social media, the Railjet offers free Wi-Fi, entertainment, and a restaurant as well as quiet and family areas that provide travelers with the ultimate travel convenience.
You can also choose one of three classes available on the train: Economy Class, First Class, and Business Class.
First Class and Business Class
First Class and Business Class tickets offer more amenities than second/economy class such as more legroom, more side seat pitch, individually adjustable seats, electrical outlets in each seat, additional in-flight service offerings such as free newspapers and magazines, free Wi-Fi, and even Food and drinks from the onboard restaurant are served directly to your seat.
As passengers traveling with a First or Business Class ticket, you can also access the OEBB lounges before and after your flight, allowing you to receive a wide range of free ancillary services such as drinks and snacks. You can also relax in a relaxed atmosphere while waiting for your train.
The easiest (and very affordable) way to explore Austria is on one of the many daily train trips available from Vienna. Take a look at our five favorite destinations worth visiting.
Salzburg
In Salzburg, you will find many things to enjoy starting with the historic city center, romantic alleys connecting wide open spaces, and beautiful mountain panorama.
Information that many may not know, is that the world-class musician Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born here. Sights worth visiting include Hohensalzburg Castle, the historic Baroque Old Town filled with designer shops in Getreidegasse, the Cathedral Quarter (DomQuartier), Mirabell Gardens, and the Mozart Museums.
It is a city to visit when you are in Austria and only 2.5 hours from Vienna by train with 32 trips per day.
Graz
This city is considered one of Austria’s hidden secrets. Located in the southern region of Styria, Graz is ideal for food lovers, history buffs, and nature lovers.
The city is a mixture of history, design, and modern architecture. You must visit the Styrian Armory (Landeszeughaus), the largest historical armory in the world. It will take you back to medieval days when knights fought for honor with shining armor.
The trip to Graz is a once-in-a-lifetime experience traveling by Semmeringbahn (Mountain Train), which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While you enjoy the delicacies of Austrian cuisine or just lie back and admire the mountain peaks, castles, and forest landscapes passing by, the train comfortably takes you away to your destination in just two and a half hours from Vienna, 17 times a day.
Wachau
This city is the perfect place for couples. The city has medieval castle ruins, wild and romantic vineyards, and a 36 km stretch along the Danube has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the city’s highlights is the Benedictine Melk Abbey, one of the most beautiful integrated Baroque troupes in Europe. It’s less than an hour from Vienna! Take a train to Krems or Melk to enjoy the diverse scenery that the Wachau region has to offer.
Salzkammergut
Famous for its mysterious lake, Lake Hallstatt, the Salzkammergut is easily reached by rail.
Head to the charming pottery town of Gmunden am Traunsee, or the Imperial Villa (Kaiservilla) in Bad Ischl to spice up your trip.
In Gmunden, you can easily reach the city center and the shore of Lake Traunsee by tram.
In Bad Ischl, the train station is located directly in the city center. You can also walk just a few minutes to the thermal bath, the park, and the imperial villa.
Depending on your chosen destination, you may travel in as little as 3 hours each way with daily connections in May.
Linz
Known as the “Smart City of Tourism”, due to what it has to offer including its spacious main square – right next to the Danube River, and one of the largest in Central Europe – and its attractive Old Town, which has a relaxed and authentic atmosphere.
It also attracts younger generations as home to one of Europe’s largest graffiti galleries and the cutting-edge Ars Electronica Center art cutting technology museum.
Once primarily an industrial center, Linz has become a leader when it comes to culture, art, and technology.
The ideal destination for a day trip is only 75 minutes from Vienna.
