Travel From Austria To England By Train: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can travel by train from England to Austria. The journey takes between 13 and 17 hours, depending on the route and whether you opt for a high-speed train or a slower, more scenic route.

The fastest route is via the Eurostar from London to Paris or Brussels, and then onto Vienna. This route takes just over 13 hours.

There are also slower routes that take you through Zurich, Munich, or Cologne. These routes are more scenic and include night trains.

London to Austria by train in a day

Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Austria by train in a day. The journey takes between 13 and 17 hours, depending on the route and the time of departure.

London to Austria by High-Speed Train

The fastest route is to take the Eurostar from London to Brussels, and then travel on to Austria via Frankfurt. This route takes between 13 and 14 hours.

London to Austria by Sleeper Train

Alternatively, you can take the Eurostar to Brussels and then board the Nightjet sleeper train to Salzburg or Vienna. This route takes between 16 and 17 hours.

London to Austria via Switzerland

For a more scenic route, you can take the Eurostar to Paris, travel on to Zurich, and stay overnight. The next day, take a train through the Arlberg Pass to Vienna. This route takes between 16 and 17 hours.

London to Austria by Ferry and Sleeper Train

You can also travel from London to Amsterdam by taking the overnight ferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland. From there, you can take the Nightjet sleeper train to Austria. This route takes between 16 and 17 hours.

London to Austria by Ferry and High-Speed Train

Another option is to take the ferry from Newcastle or Hull to Holland, spend the day in Amsterdam, and then take the Nightjet sleeper train to Austria.

Travel by Eurostar from London to Brussels or Paris

The Eurostar train service offers a high-speed, low-stress way to travel from London to Brussels or Paris. The journey from London St. Pancras International to Brussels-Midi/Zuid takes approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes. The train from London to Paris is slightly longer, taking 2 hours and 16 minutes.

Eurostar trains have two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats, and free Wi-Fi. Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There is a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.

Eurostar trains run from London St. Pancras International, which is located in King's Cross and is well connected by London Underground lines and buses. When planning your journey, it is recommended to check the recommended arrival times. You will need to bring a valid passport and complete your Advance Passenger Information (API) in advance. Before boarding, you can enjoy boutique shopping or fine dining at the station.

Upon arrival at Brussels-Midi/Zuid, you will be in the heart of the city, with easy access to the Brussels Métro, tram lines, and bus routes. The Paris trains arrive at Paris Gare du Nord, where you can easily access the metro, taxi, or bus to get to your destination.

Classes and Onboard Experience

Eurostar offers three classes of service: Standard, Plus (1st class for leisure), and Premier (1st class for business).

The Standard class is comfortable, with carpeted floors and air-conditioning. There are seats arranged unidirectionally and around tables for four. All seats have an individual reading light and fixed or drop-down tables, and there are power sockets and free Wi-Fi. There are two cafe-bars onboard, and you are allowed to bring your own food and drinks.

The Plus class offers more comfortable seating for leisure and budget-conscious business travellers. It includes a complimentary cold light meal and a round of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks served at your seat. There are power sockets, USB ports, and free Wi-Fi at all seats, and all seats have a fixed or drop-down table and individual reading light. The seats are wider with more leg and elbow room, and you can choose between solo seats or face-to-face tables for two.

The Premier class is ideal for business travellers and offers the most luxurious experience. It includes access to exclusive lounges in London, Paris, and Brussels, priority ticket gates, and an onboard fine-dining experience. The seats are similar to Plus, but the Premier class has designated coaches and fully flexible and refundable tickets. The fare includes a complimentary hot meal, champagne, wine, beer, or soft drinks served at your seat. There is free Wi-Fi, and power sockets and USB ports at all seats.

Travel by sleeper train from Brussels or Paris to Salzburg and Vienna

You can travel by sleeper train from Brussels or Paris to Salzburg and Vienna. The sleeper train from Brussels to Salzburg and Vienna runs three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The sleeper train from Paris to Salzburg and Vienna also runs three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The sleeper train from Brussels to Salzburg and Vienna is operated by Austrian Federal Railways, and the sleeper train from Paris to Salzburg and Vienna is operated by Nightjet.

The sleeper train from Brussels to Salzburg and Vienna departs from Brussels-Midi at 19:06 and arrives in Salzburg at 07:26 and in Vienna at 10:13. The sleeper train from Paris to Salzburg and Vienna departs from Paris-Est at 19:12 and arrives in Salzburg at 07:26 and in Vienna at 10:13.

The sleeper train from Brussels to Salzburg and Vienna offers two types of sleeping accommodations: couchette and sleeping-car. The couchette accommodations include 4-berth and 6-berth compartments, while the sleeping-car accommodations include 1-berth, 2-berth, and 3-berth compartments, as well as deluxe compartments with en-suite shower and toilet. The sleeper train from Paris to Salzburg and Vienna offers similar sleeping accommodations.

The sleeper train from Brussels to Salzburg and Vienna also offers seats. The fares for the sleeper train from Brussels to Salzburg and Vienna start at €49.90 for a 6-berth couchette, €59.90 for a 4-berth couchette, €89.90 for a 3-berth sleeper, €109.90 for a 2-berth sleeper, and €159.90 for a single-berth sleeper. The fares for the sleeper train from Paris to Salzburg and Vienna are the same.

The sleeper train from Brussels to Salzburg and Vienna takes approximately 12 hours, and the sleeper train from Paris to Salzburg and Vienna takes approximately 14 hours.

Travel by daytime trains from Brussels or Paris to Salzburg and Vienna

You can also travel by daytime trains from Brussels or Paris to Salzburg and Vienna. There are several options for traveling from Brussels or Paris to Salzburg and Vienna by daytime trains, with different routes and fares. Here are some examples:

• Brussels to Salzburg: You can travel from Brussels to Salzburg by taking the Eurostar train from London to Brussels and then the Nightjet sleeper train from Brussels to Salzburg. The Eurostar train departs from London St. Pancras at 13:01 and arrives in Brussels at 16:06. The Nightjet sleeper train departs from Brussels-Midi at 19:06 and arrives in Salzburg at 07:26. The total travel time is approximately 16 hours.
• Paris to Salzburg: You can travel from Paris to Salzburg by taking the Eurostar train from London to Paris and then the Nightjet sleeper train from Paris to Salzburg. The Eurostar train departs from London St. Pancras at 14:31 and arrives in Paris at 17:48. The Nightjet sleeper train departs from Paris-Est at 19:12 and arrives in Salzburg at 07:26. The total travel time is approximately 16 hours.
• Brussels to Vienna: You can travel from Brussels to Vienna by taking the Eurostar train from London to Brussels and then the Nightjet sleeper train from Brussels to Vienna. The Eurostar train departs from London St. Pancras at 13:01 and arrives in Brussels at 16:06. The Nightjet sleeper train departs from Brussels-Midi at 19:06 and arrives in Vienna at 10:13. The total travel time is approximately 17 hours.
• Paris to Vienna: You can travel from Paris to Vienna by taking the Eurostar train from London to Paris and then the Nightjet sleeper train from Paris to Vienna. The Eurostar train departs from London St. Pancras at 14:31 and arrives in Paris at 17:48. The Nightjet sleeper train departs from Paris-Est at 19:12 and arrives in Vienna at 10:13. The total travel time is approximately 17 hours.

Traveling by sleeper train or daytime trains from Brussels or Paris to Salzburg and Vienna offers different experiences and options. The sleeper trains provide a more comfortable and time-effective option, while the daytime trains offer more flexibility and the opportunity to explore different cities along the way.

The scenic route through Switzerland

Yes, it is possible to take a train from Austria to England. Here is a suggested scenic route through Switzerland:

Day 1: London to Zurich

Take a lunchtime Eurostar train from London St Pancras International Station to Paris Nord. Then, take the evening TGV-Lyria train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Zurich. Stay overnight in Zurich.

Day 2: Zurich to Vienna

In the morning, take the Railjet train from Zurich to Vienna through the scenic Arlberg Pass.

The Railjet train from Zurich to Vienna is a comfortable and scenic journey. The train first runs alongside two large Swiss lakes, the Zürichsee and Walensee, then passes through the mini-state of Liechtenstein, and enters Switzerland in Sargans. The train then continues to Vienna along the banks of the Walensee and the Zürichsee.

Where to Stay

Zurich and Vienna have a variety of accommodation options, including hotels and hostels.

Tips

• It is recommended to book train tickets in advance to get the best prices.
• Consider purchasing a rail pass if you plan to take multiple train journeys.
• Make sure to reserve your seat on the train, especially for long journeys.
• Check out the ÖBB App for booking tickets, reservations, and real-time travel updates.

Travel by ferry from London to Amsterdam

The ferry is a unique way to travel from the United Kingdom to Amsterdam or other harbours in the Netherlands. While it is not the quickest way to get to your destination, it is an experience in itself. The fastest boat connection runs twice a day between Harwich and Hoek van Holland and takes about seven hours. On the comfortable boats, you’ll find all the facilities you need. You can enjoy entertainment or have a nap in your cabin, while you sail to your destination.

From London to Harwich

The direct Greater Anglia trains from London Liverpool Street to Harwich International provide direct connections to the ferries at Harwich. The train takes about one and a half hours to get to Harwich. If you are looking for a bit more comfort, you could take an Intercity train from London’s Liverpool Street to Norwich and then change to another train going to Harwich International at Manningtree. Overall travel time is the same as when taking a direct train.

From Harwich to Hoek van Holland

From the port of Harwich, Stena Line ferries sail daily across the North Sea to the Hoek van Holland in the Netherlands. Stena Line sails with two different ships to the Hoek van Holland: the Stena Britannica and the Stena Hollandica. In terms of facilities and passenger capacity, both ships are the same.

The ferry during the day takes about six and a half hours, if you opt for the night cruise, the crossing from Harwich to Hoek van Holland takes around nine hours. Regardless of which option you choose, aboard the luxury ferries from Stena Line, you never have to be bored. The Stena Line boats have various shops and restaurants, and entertainment is also available in the form of a bar, casino and cinema.

From Hoek van Holland to Amsterdam

From Hoek van Holland, travellers can easily find their way to Amsterdam via public transportation. There is a Hoek van Holland Bus Stop where Bus Line 711 frequently runs between the ferry terminal and the Schiedam Train station. From the Schiedam Train station, travellers can take the NS Sprinter and it is a one-hour 30-minute journey to Amsterdam Central Station. Depending on the NS travel plans for that day, there could be a stop at Rotterdam Central Station where travellers will have to take another train to Amsterdam.

There is also the possibility of driving from the Hoek van Holland to Amsterdam. Travellers have to take the A15 via Delft and the Hague to Alphen man den Rijn where they switch to the A4 to Amsterdam via Lisse and Haarlem. The drive is approximately one hour and ten minutes.

Frequently asked questions