Traveling From London To Vienna By Train: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can travel from London to Vienna by train. The fastest route takes around 12 hours and 29 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 1,234 kilometres. The first train from London to Vienna departs at around 06:01 and the last departure is usually at around 20:01. On average, there are about 29 trains per day travelling between the two cities.

You can travel with Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, and ÖBB. The cheapest tickets start from $157.66 when booked in advance.

Travel times and costs

The fastest trains from London to Vienna take around 12 hours and 29 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 1,234 kilometres. The average price for a single ticket between the two cities starts from $96.50.

London to Vienna by train

The journey between London and Vienna usually involves two changes of train. The first train leaving London is scheduled to depart at around 06:01 on weekdays, and the last departure is usually at around 20:01. On Saturdays and Sundays, trains leave London at around 06:18, with the last train leaving at around 20:31. There are frequent services on this particular rail route, with around 29 trains per day travelling between the two cities. They leave approximately every 24 minutes.

London to Vienna by bus

National Express operates a direct bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Vienna on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The journey takes 22 hours and 15 minutes with stops at Lille in France, Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp in Belgium, and Linz in Austria. The bus leaves London at 8:00 a.m. and arrives at Eurolines Coach Station, Erdberg Station, Vienna the following morning.

London to Vienna by plane

The fastest way to travel from London to Vienna is by plane, with the journey taking around 4 hours and 49 minutes. The distance between the two cities is 823 miles.

London to Vienna by car

The distance between London and Vienna is 823 miles.

Travel by train

You can travel from London to Vienna by train in a day, or with an overnight stop. The fastest route takes around 12 hours and 30 minutes, but there are also slower, more scenic options.

Direct trains

The fastest route involves taking an early morning Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, and then an ICE train to Frankfurt, followed by another ICE train to Vienna's new Hauptbahnhof. This journey is possible from Monday to Saturday.

Overnight trains

For a more leisurely journey, you can take the ICE train from Brussels to Cologne, and then the Austrian EuroNight sleeper train from there. This sleeper train runs three times a week.

Another option is to take the high-speed TGV-Lyria train from Paris to Zurich, and then continue to Vienna on an Austrian Railjet train the next morning.

Tickets and costs

Tickets for the London to Vienna train start at $96.50. The cheapest tickets are usually available when booking around 30 days in advance, and prices tend to increase closer to the date of travel.

Journey times and schedule

On weekdays, the first train from London to Vienna departs at around 6:01 am, and the last departure is usually at around 8:01 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, trains leave London at around 6:18 am, with the last train leaving at around 8:31 pm. There are typically 29 trains running between London and Vienna each day.

The journey from London to Vienna by train takes about 12 hours and 30 minutes, but this can vary depending on the route and the number of changes.

Train companies

Several train companies operate on the route from London to Vienna, including:

• Intercity-Express (ICE)
• Eurostar
• Deutsche Bahn
• SNCF
• ÖBB

Onboard services

The onboard services and facilities available on the London to Vienna train will vary depending on the train company and route. However, you can generally expect the following:

• Free WiFi
• Power sockets
• Onboard café or restaurant
• Luggage storage

Luggage restrictions

Each train company will have its own specific luggage restrictions, but there are some general rules to keep in mind:

• There is usually no weight limit for luggage, but you must be able to carry your bags safely by yourself.
• Each bag must be clearly labelled.
• For trains to and from the United Kingdom, each bag must be no longer than 85 cm, or no larger than 75 x 53 x 30 cm for trains in Europe.

Travel by plane

The fastest way to travel from London to Vienna is by plane. The flight time is around 2 hours and 10 minutes, and flights depart from London Heathrow, London Stansted, London City, and London Gatwick.

London Heathrow to Vienna

Austrian Airlines, British Airways, and two other airlines fly from London Heathrow to Vienna every 2 hours.

London Stansted to Vienna

Flights from London Stansted to Vienna depart on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays.

London City to Vienna

Flights from London City to Vienna depart on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

London Gatwick to Vienna

Flights from London Gatwick to Vienna depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Airlines

Airlines that fly from London to Vienna include:

• Austrian Airlines
• British Airways
• EasyJet
• Ryanair
• Wizz Air
• Lufthansa
• Air France
• Brussels Airlines
• Vueling Airlines
• Eurowings
• KLM
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Malta Air
• Smartwings
• SWISS
• Air Berlin

Airports

London Heathrow (LHR) to Vienna International Airport (VIE)

London Stansted (STN) to Vienna International Airport (VIE)

London City (LCY) to Vienna International Airport (VIE)

London Gatwick (LGW) to Vienna International Airport (VIE)

Tickets

Tickets for flights from London to Vienna start at $44 (€38).

Travel by bus

Travelling by bus from London to Vienna is a great option for those who want to save money. The journey takes around 22 hours and 15 minutes, with stops at Lille in France, Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp in Belgium, and Linz in Austria. The bus leaves London Victoria Coach Station at 8:00 a.m. and arrives at Vienna's Eurolines Coach Station the following morning.

National Express is the main provider of coach services from London to Vienna, with four journeys a day. Tickets start at €70 and tend not to increase to over €125.

Travel by car

The road trip from London to Vienna is a long one, covering a distance of about 913 miles. The journey will take about 15 hours, but you can break it up with stops along the way. Here is a sample itinerary:

• Start in London and drive for about 4.5 hours to Brussels, Belgium.
• Spend about 4 hours in Brussels, visiting attractions such as Manneken Pis, Grand Place, Atomium, and Pierre Marcolini. Have a meal at Delirium Cafe before leaving the city.
• Drive for about 1.5 hours to Maastricht, Netherlands. Spend about an hour here, visiting the Netherlands American Cemetery and having a meal at Café Sjiek.
• Drive for about 3 hours to Frankfurt, Germany. Stay overnight at a hotel or accommodation of your choice.
• On the second day, leave Frankfurt and drive for about 2.5 hours to Nuremberg, Germany. Spend about an hour in the city, exploring attractions such as the Germanisches Nationalmuseum or the Kaiserburg castle.
• Drive for about 1.5 hours to Europe, a theme park in Rust, Germany. Spend about 4 hours here, enjoying the rides and attractions.
• Drive for about 3 hours to Durnstein, Austria. Spend about an hour in this small town, exploring the historic sites and enjoying the local cuisine.
• Arrive in Vienna and check into your accommodation, such as the famous Hotel Sacher.

Alternative Route

Alternatively, you can take a different route on the second day:

• Leave Frankfurt and drive for about 2.5 hours to Cologne, Germany.
• Spend some time exploring the city, visiting attractions such as the Cologne Cathedral or the Roman-Gothic Church of St. Gereon. Have a meal at one of the traditional breweries or restaurants in the old town.
• Drive for about 3 hours to Bonn, Germany. Visit the Beethoven House, take a stroll through the historic city centre, or enjoy the view from the top of the Post Tower.
• Drive for about 2.5 hours to Koblenz, Germany. Explore the historic city, walk along the Rhine River, or take a cable car ride up to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
• Drive for about 1.5 hours to Mainz, Germany. Visit the Gutenberg Museum, take a stroll along the Rhine River, or explore the old town.
• Drive for about 2 hours to Frankfurt and stay overnight.
• On the third day, leave Frankfurt and drive for about 4 hours to Vienna, making a stop in Passau, Germany, if desired.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Make sure you have all the necessary documentation, including a valid driver's license, insurance, and vehicle registration.
• Be aware of the driving laws and regulations in each country you pass through (the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria).
• Consider joining a motoring association like the AA or RAC, which can provide breakdown cover and offer advice on driving abroad.
• Plan your route in advance and be prepared for any road tolls or congestion charges.
• Keep yourself alert and take regular breaks during the long drive.
• Ensure your vehicle is in good condition and carry an emergency kit in case of any problems.

Frequently asked questions