Vienna to Switzerland; where to go?
A couple is traveling from Austria to Switzerland in the first week of July for 6 days with their 11-year-old child. They are looking for advice on which train to take from Vienna to Switzerland and what their first destination should be, while trying to save money on the trip.
- Take the Railjet train from Vienna to Zürich for a direct 7-hour 50-minute trip, with reservations recommended during weekends.
- Start your Swiss itinerary in Lucerne, which is a beautiful city with plenty to explore for first-time visitors.
- Consider purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel on public transport in Switzerland, helping you save on local transportation.
AI-generated summary-
Hi, We are travelling first week of July from Austria to Switzerland. We (2 adults and an eleven y.o.) are planning to stay in Switzerland for 6 days. We wanted to buy a Swiss train ticket – 4 consecutive days, and see some of the most of the popular sites (an understatement for sure). Which train should we get to travel from Vienna to Switzerland and what city should be our first destination? Any suggestions for the Switzerland itinerary? BTW, we are trying to save as much as possible. 🙂
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Hi id-
When we travelled Switzerland to/from Vienna few years ago, the best rail option was Austrian Railways "Railjet" train service to/from Vienna/Zürich.
About an 8 hour trip.
Slowpoke
Hello,
There are hundreds of options for a 4-day itinerary. Many first timers start with Lucerne as it’s a nice city on the lake with lots to see and do close by. You may want to explore that option: myswissalps.com/ lucerne.
Further information to get started:
>> Which train should we get to travel from Vienna to Switzerland and what city should be our first destination?
Hi id,
In July there are direct Railjet services from Vienna to Zürich daily at 7:30, 9:30, 13:30 and 15:30, with a travel time of 7 hours 50 minutes.
According to the ÖBB (Austrian Railways) timetable, all 4 services are very heavily booked on Fridays. On Saturdays, the two morning services are heavily booked, and on Sundays the two afternoon services are heavily booked, so reservations are strongly recommended on these services.
The Railjet services have a children’s cinema area on board in second class. More information about this, and about the Railjet in general can be found here:
http://www.oebb.at/en/leistun gen-und-services/im-zug/sonderabteile
http://www.oebb.at/en/leistun gen-und-services/railjet
The ÖBB timetable is here:
fahrplan.oebb.at/bin/q uery.exe/en?
Between Innsbruck and the Swiss border, the trip is particularly scenic – mountains, valleys and villages. Here are some other features of the trip:
– Not too long after leaving Landeck-Zams station, there’s a castle close by on the right-hand side, which is worth keeping an eye out for (Wiesberg Castle).
– Just after St Anton am Arlberg (where the train will stop), the train goes through a 10km tunnel under the Arlberg mountain range. When you emerge on the other side, if you look back in the direction you have come from there is a good view of the Arlberg massif.
-Shortly after Feldkirch, the train leaves Austria and travels through Liechtenstein for about 10 minutes before crossing the River Rhine (quite narrow at this point) and entering Switzerland at Buchs. At Buchs the train reverses direction, so you get the impression that you are heading back to Vienna! I’ve seen a few nervous passengers at this point!
-Between Sargans and Zürich, the train travels alongside the Walensee (Lake Walen, a narrow, very deep lake with the Churfirsten mountains rising steeply from the other side of the lake) and the Zürichsee (Lake Zürich).
Hope this is useful.
Alpenrose
Luzern is about 45 minutes by train from Zürich main station. It is probably the best city for first time travelers to Switzerland. Two direct trains each hour from Zürich at xx04 and xx35, and some others with change of trains, often at Zug.
See attached screen grab
Slowpoke
Thank you!
Thank you!
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