Traveling From Austria To Athens By Train: Is It Possible?

There are several ways to travel from Austria to Athens, including by plane, train, bus, or car. Flying is the fastest option, taking around 5 hours, but it can be expensive. Taking a bus is the cheapest option, with tickets costing around $100-$120, but the journey takes almost 30 hours.

Travelling by train from Austria to Athens is possible, but it is a long and complex journey involving multiple changes and tickets. One route goes via Hungary and Serbia: Vienna to Budapest, Budapest to Belgrade, Belgrade to Thessaloniki, and then Thessaloniki to Athens. Another route goes via Romania and Bulgaria: Vienna to Bucharest, Bucharest to Sofia, Sofia to Thessaloniki, and then Thessaloniki to Athens. A third option involves taking a train to Venice, a ferry to Patras, and then a train to Athens. These journeys can take over 20 hours and require careful planning.

Athens and Austria are over 1000 miles apart, and Greece has traditionally not been a train country, with limited rail services outside the main line between Thessaloniki and Athens. This makes a direct train journey between Austria and Athens challenging and time-consuming.

Vienna to Athens via Thessaloniki

Travelling from Vienna to Athens via Thessaloniki is possible by train, but it is not for the faint-hearted. The journey is long and can be complicated, so it is not recommended for those who are short on time or patience.

Route Options

There are three main route options for this journey:

• Vienna - Budapest (Hungary) - Belgrade (Serbia) - Thessaloniki - Athens)
• Vienna - Bucharest (Romania) - Sofia (Bulgaria) - Thessaloniki - Athens)
• Vienna - Venice (Italy) - Patras (Greece) - Thessaloniki - Athens)

Vienna to Thessaloniki

The first part of the journey from Vienna to Thessaloniki differs depending on the route chosen.

Route 1

The first leg of this route is from Vienna to Budapest. This journey takes around 2.5 hours by Railjet train, with tickets starting at €14 for second class and €24 for first class. There are at least eight connections per day.

From Budapest, you can take a direct train to Belgrade. There are saver fare tickets available from €15. The direct route from Budapest to Novi Sad and then on to Belgrade is currently under construction, so the best option is to travel via Zagreb.

Route 2

The first leg of this route is from Vienna to Bucharest, which is an overnight journey of around 20 hours. Ticket prices start at €49 for standard seats, with sleeper options available.

From Bucharest, you can take a direct train to Sofia. This journey takes around 9 hours, with tickets costing around €33.

Route 3

The first leg of this route is from Vienna to Venice. This journey takes around 7.5 hours, with ticket prices starting at €29. There is also an overnight option.

From Venice, you will need to take a ferry to Patras. This journey takes around 32 hours, with ticket prices starting at €90.

Thessaloniki to Athens

From Thessaloniki, there are direct InterCity (IC) train connections to Athens. There are usually five connections per day, with a journey time of around four hours. Ticket prices start at €35 for a one-way trip in second class. There is also an overnight train option, which takes about seven hours, with tickets starting at €20.

Total Journey Time and Cost

The total journey time for each route varies, but you can expect it to take at least 24 hours, with some routes taking significantly longer. The cost will depend on the specific route and ticket options chosen, but you can expect to pay at least €100 for the entire journey.

Alternative Options

If the idea of spending a full day or more on a train doesn't appeal to you, there are alternative options for getting from Vienna to Athens.

Flying is a much quicker option, with flight times of around 2.5 hours. During the travel season, flights can be found for under €100 on airlines such as Ryanair and Aegean.

You could also consider a combination of train, bus, and ferry travel, which will still take a significant amount of time but may be a more comfortable option.

Final Thoughts

Travelling from Vienna to Athens via Thessaloniki by train is certainly possible, but it is a long and potentially complicated journey. It is best suited for those who enjoy train travel and have the time to spare. For those who prefer a quicker and more direct option, flying is likely a better choice.

Vienna to Athens via Budapest, Belgrade, Thessaloniki

Vienna to Budapest

Operated by ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways), the Railjet is a high-speed train that covers the 216 kilometres between Vienna and Budapest in just 2 hours and 21 minutes at their fastest. The Railjet offers both business and standard class experiences, with spacious seating, ample legroom, onboard Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a restaurant car. The Railjet operates approximately 10-12 services daily.

Budapest to Belgrade

The 350-kilometre railway from Budapest to Belgrade is currently undergoing major reconstruction, with direct express trains cancelled since 2019. However, it is still possible to travel between these cities by train with a change at Szeged and Subotica. This typically involves taking a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged and then a local train from Szeged to Subotica, before travelling from Subotica to Novi Sad and finally from Novi Sad to Belgrade. The entire journey can take around 11 hours.

Belgrade to Thessaloniki

There is a direct train connection between Belgrade and Thessaloniki, with a journey time of approximately 10 hours.

Thessaloniki to Athens

The final leg of the journey involves travelling from Thessaloniki to Athens, which can be done by plane, train, bus, or ferry. The distance between these two cities is around 500 kilometres, and the travel time can vary depending on the chosen mode of transportation.

Vienna to Athens via Bucharest, Sofia, Thessaloniki

It is possible to travel by train from Vienna to Athens via Bucharest, Sofia, and Thessaloniki. This route offers a unique and beautiful journey through Europe, but it is important to note that it can be quite long and daunting, especially for those who are not fond of trains or lack patience. Here is a detailed breakdown of the journey:

Vienna to Bucharest

The fastest trains from Vienna to Bucharest take around 19 hours and cover a distance of approximately 860 kilometres. There are about 2 trains per day, with the only direct train usually departing Vienna around 19:39 on both weekdays and weekends. Ticket prices start at US$148.66 for a single journey.

Bucharest to Sofia

The fastest trains from Bucharest to Sofia take around 9 hours and 30 minutes to cover a distance of 296 kilometres. On weekdays, the only direct train usually departs Bucharest at 12:40, and this schedule is typically the same on weekends. There are about 2 trains per day, and ticket prices vary depending on the operator.

Sofia to Thessaloniki

Trains from Sofia to Thessaloniki cover a distance of 143 miles (230 kilometres). The journey time makes this route ideal for a day trip, with a travel time of around 3 hours each way. Ticket prices start at $8 (€7) for this trip.

Thessaloniki to Athens

You can travel from Thessaloniki to Athens by plane, train, bus, or ferry, depending on your budget and preferences. The specific details of this leg of the journey are not provided, but there are multiple options to suit different travel plans.

Overall, this journey will take a significant amount of time, but it offers a unique and scenic experience through Central and Eastern Europe. It is important to book tickets in advance, especially during the tourist season, as this route can be quite busy.

Vienna to Athens via Venice, Patras

Yes, it is possible to travel from Vienna, Austria to Athens, Greece by train. However, it is important to note that there are no direct trains from Vienna to Athens, and the journey can be quite long and involve multiple transfers. Here is a suggested route and some important information to consider:

To travel from Vienna to Athens via Venice and Patras, you can follow these steps:

• Vienna to Venice by Train: There are direct trains from Vienna to Venice, such as the ÖBB | Railjet, ÖBB Nightjet, or ÖBB | Euro City (EC). The journey takes approximately 7 to 14 hours, depending on the train you choose. The cheapest tickets start at $41 (€35), but the average price is around $125 (€108). It is recommended to book your tickets in advance to get the best prices.
• Venice to Patras by Train and Ferry: There is no direct route from Venice to Patras. One option is to take a train from Venice to Bari, and then a ferry from Bari to Patras. This journey can take around 26 hours or more and is the cheapest option, with prices starting at $130. Alternatively, you can fly from Venice to Athens and then take a train to Kiato and a bus to Patras. This option is faster, taking around 10 to 12 hours, but it is more expensive, with prices ranging from $95 to $340.
• Patras to Athens by Bus or Train: There are direct buses from Patras to Athens, which take approximately 3 to 4 hours. The bus tickets cost around $20 to $25. Alternatively, you can take a train from Patras to Piraeus, which is a longer journey of about 3 hours and 49 minutes, and costs $13 to $21.

Overall, the entire journey from Vienna to Athens via Venice and Patras can take two days or more, depending on the specific routes and transfers you choose. It is important to plan and book your tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

Vienna to Athens by plane

Flying is the most convenient way to travel from Vienna to Athens. The two capitals are well-connected, with direct flights taking around 2 hours and 20 minutes. The route is served by several airlines, including Austrian Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Ryanair, Sky Express, Air Serbia, Pegasus Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, and Eurowings.

Flight Options

The Vienna-Athens route is served by a variety of airlines, with options to suit different budgets and preferences. Here are some of the airlines offering flights on this route:

• Austrian Airlines: Austrian Airlines is Austria's leading airline, offering flights with Economy Class and Business Class options. They provide direct flights between Vienna and Athens, with prices starting at $67 one-way.
• Aegean Airlines: As Greece's leading airline, Aegean Airlines offers flights with Economy and Business class tickets. They also operate direct flights between Vienna and Athens, with prices starting at $109 one-way.
• Ryanair: Ryanair is a popular budget airline in Europe, known for its low-cost flights. They offer direct flights on this route, with prices starting at $37 one-way.
• Other Options: Other airlines flying this route include Air Serbia, Pegasus Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, and Eurowings.

Booking Tips

When booking your flight, consider the following:

• Day of the Week: For the cheapest fares, consider flying on Thursdays and avoiding Saturdays, as it's usually the priciest day.
• Booking in Advance: For the best deals, it's recommended to book your flight about 3 weeks in advance. The absolute cheapest prices tend to be available 179 days before departure.
• Seasonality: The cheapest month to fly is typically January, while December and May are the most expensive.
• Flexibility: Consider being flexible with your travel dates, as prices can vary significantly from day to day.
• Layovers: While direct flights are available, you may find cheaper options with layovers. However, these will increase your total travel time.

Airport Information

Vienna International Airport (VIE)

• Airlines: Austrian Airlines, Aegean Airlines, and Ryanair are among the airlines offering direct flights from Vienna to Athens.
• Departure Times: The most popular departure times for flights from Vienna to Athens are between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM, with Austrian Airlines offering a 10:05 PM departure.
• Getting to the Airport: Vienna International Airport is well-connected to the city center. You can use the City Airport Train (CAT), which takes 16 minutes to reach the airport from Wien Mitte station. Alternatively, you can take bus lines 1183 and 1182, or use a taxi or a ride-sharing service.

Athens International Airport (ATH)

• Airlines: Aegean Airlines, Austrian Airlines, and Ryanair are among the airlines offering direct flights to Athens from Vienna.
• Arrival Times: Direct flights from Vienna to Athens typically arrive between 1:00 AM and 1:30 PM local time.
• Getting to the City: The Athens Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) connects the airport to downtown Athens in about 40 minutes. Taxis are also available and can bring you to the city center in around 30 minutes.

Alternative Travel Options

While flying is the fastest and most direct option, you can also consider other means of transportation between Vienna and Athens:

• Train: It is possible to travel by train between Vienna and Athens, but it is a lengthy journey involving multiple connections and can take over 19 hours.
• Bus: There are no direct bus connections between Vienna and Athens, but you can create your own route with multiple bus and train connections via Thessaloniki, Bucharest, and Budapest. This option can be time-consuming, but it can be a scenic and affordable alternative to flying.
• Driving: If you prefer a road trip, you can rent a car in Athens or Vienna and drive between the two cities. The shortest route is via Thessaloniki, Belgrade, and Budapest, covering a distance of about 1728 km.

Frequently asked questions