In this article, we will cover the best ways to get from Vienna to Salzburg, whether by car or public transportation.
The first part of the article will discuss the Romantic Road of Austria.
The second part of the article focuses on the highways from Vienna to the Salzburg region and attractions along the way, for those who prefer not to drive on the rural roads of the Austrian Romantic Road.
The third part of the article will cover getting from Vienna to Salzburg by public transport.
If you are planning to make the trip by car, read about cheap car rental in Vienna and driving rules in Austria.
1. The Romantic Road of Austria
The Romantic Road of Austria is 380 kilometers long, and just like a pearl necklace, it connects the best of Austria’s landscapes, history, culture, and splendor.
Along the Romantic Road route, there are many popular attractions and interesting places that aren’t overrun with tourists. Driving this route takes you through wonderful areas like the Wachau Valley and the Salzkammergut Lake District. This route is a fantastic experience for families, couples, and of course, solo travelers. Don’t miss visiting at least some of the places listed below.
Check out the beautiful places along the Romantic Road:
Planning to rent a car for your trip? Please note:
We recommend booking a car for your trip as early as possible! Especially if you need a large family car. You can save time and compare prices between a variety of rental companies in Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Memmingen, etc., using the comprehensive and discounted search engine of Discover cars. We’ve also prepared an article with explanations and tips for driving in Austria and an article with recommendations for car rental in Vienna.
Popular attractions along the Romantic Road:
- Klosterneuburg Village
- Tulln – The City of Flowers and Gardens
- Wachau Valley – a region of wine and culture
- Schallaburg Castle
- Steyr
- Kremsmünster Benedictine Monastery
- Admont Abbey
- Grünau im Almtal: Cumberland Wildpark
- Mariazell
- Scharnstein: The Austrian Crime Museum
- Gmunden, the lake and the impressive castle
- Lake Traun – Traunkirchen
- Lake Gosau
- Hallstatt
- Bad Ischl
- Lake Mondsee (Moon Lake)
- Lake Wolfgang
- Salzburg City
The following map includes all of the top attractions along the Romantic Road:
Additional essential information for planning a trip along the Romantic Road:
Selected accommodations along the Romantic Road:
- Recommended Romantic Hotels in Vienna
- Recommended Hotels in Vienna
- Recommended Accommodations in the Lake District
- Recommended Hotels in the Wachau Valley
- Recommended Accommodations in the Salzburg Region
- Database of Romantic Hotels in Austria
2. Attractions along the highways from Vienna to Salzburg
Besides the Romantic Road, you can, of course, drive on the highways towards Land Salzburg . There are two recommended highways:
One is the Westautobahn (A1), which passes through the northern part of Austria, near the Wachau Valley, the city of Linz, and the Austrian Lake District.
The second highway is the Südautobahn (A2), which merges with Highway S6 towards the west.
Attractions near the Westautobahn (A1):
- Wachau Valley
- Linz City
- Free Zoo in Wels
- Fantasiiana Park
- Aquapulco – Pirate World
- Gmunden
- Lake Attersee
- Lake Mondsee
- Salzburg City
- Hallein Salt Mine
- Werfen Castle
Attractions near the Südautobahn (A2) and Highway S6:
- Baden Spa Town
- Semmering – The Viennese Alps
- The Wild Mountain in Mautern
- Gesäuse National Park – The Largest in the World
- Admont Abbey – The Monks’ Library
- Salza Wasserfall – Salza Waterfall
- Gröbming
- Schladming
3. From Vienna to Salzburg (City) – By Public Transportation
The public transportation network between Vienna, the capital of Austria, and the city of Salzburg, the capital of the Salzburg region, is exceptional.
Trains connecting the cities operate frequently throughout the week, and several companies run train lines between the cities. Train travel is comfortable and fast, with space for luggage, free internet for the duration of the journey, and sometimes even a kiosk for purchasing drinks or snacks on the train.
Train travel is the ideal option for those who want to take a light city trip and see the city of Salzburg . However, if you want to leave the city and visit attractions and lakes throughout Salzburgerland, renting a car would be ideal, as public transport in rural areas is not suitable for those who want to experience a lot in a short trip.
How long does the train journey from Vienna to Salzburg take?
A direct train journey between the cities takes between 2:15 and 2:30 hours. There are several stops along the way, but express trains do not stop at most of the villages. It’s advisable to make sure you board an express train and not a suburban train, which will stop at every small station along the way (a journey that could take many more hours).
Which trains operate between Vienna and Salzburg?
There are two companies that operate frequent lines between Vienna and Salzburg:
- ÖBB – Austria’s national railway company.
- Westbahn – A private company that operates lines to Western Austria.
Important information for train travel (including a link for online ticket booking):
- ÖBB trains depart from Vienna Central Station (Wien HBF) and arrive at Salzburg Central Station. There are two types of lines:
- RJX is the fastest, with a journey time of 2:25 hours.
- RJ is slightly slower, with a journey time of 2:54 minutes.Prices are usually similar for both lines, so just pay attention to the time you choose to ensure you board the faster line. The regular cost of a ticket is around €59 one-way, but there are also promotional prices for online purchases ranging from €22 to €45. The price may vary depending on the chosen travel time. You can find the relevant train lines and current prices for your planned journey on the ÖBB online ticket shop.
- Westbahn trains depart from the Westbahnhof Station in Vienna and arrive in the city of Salzburg. This train journey takes approximately 2:30 minutes. There is only one fast line of this company connecting between the cities, so you can’t get confused when choosing a Westbahn train.The full ticket price, called Weststandardpreis, is about €54. There are discounted tickets available for online purchase called Westsuperpreis. The discounted price ranges from €22 to €45. It’s important to note that the discounted price is only valid for travel at the specific time the ticket was booked. If you travel on a different train at another time on the same day, you may need to pay an additional fee if the new journey price is not the same as what was already paid in advance.
There are ticket inspectors who check tickets, and they will inform you if an additional payment is required. You can check train times and purchase tickets online on the official Westbahn ticket shop.
Please note:
On all train lines, ticket inspectors frequently check tickets. If you travel without a ticket, you will have to pay on the train and you’ll be fined as well. It’s best to avoid such inconveniences, of course. Additionally, if you plan to travel on the weekend (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays), the trains might be crowded. It’s worth booking tickets in advance and checking if there’s an option for seat reservation as well (for an additional fee). A reserved seat can be ideal if you’re traveling with suitcases and bags.
The Salzburg region is packed with breathtaking attractions and landscapes. Read a comprehensive overview of the important attractions of the Salzburg region so you can prepare properly for your trip without missing out on the best. Also, you can read more recommendations on the Lake District of Austria.
