Exploring Italy-Austria Train Fares: A Cost Analysis

Travelling by train from Italy to Austria is a great way to see the country, with some of the most beautiful train rides in Europe. The cost of a train ticket from Italy to Austria varies depending on the type of train and class. Tickets can range from $124 to $260, with children aged 4 to 14 years old offered discounted fares between 30% and 50% off the adult fare. Reservations are highly recommended and can be purchased for a small fee.

The cost of a train from Italy to Austria ranges from $120 to $260

There are several options for trains from Italy to Austria, including the high-speed Frecciarossa, Frecciabianca, Frecciargento, InterCity, InterCityNotte, EuroCity, and Thello trains. Each of these trains offers different amenities and levels of comfort, which can impact the price of the ticket. Additionally, booking in advance and choosing specific dates can also affect the price, with tickets typically being cheaper when purchased in advance.

It's important to note that there is no direct train from Italy to Austria. The journey typically involves transfers and can take around 12 hours or more. The trains operated by Railjet, for example, depart from Wien Meidling station in Austria and arrive at Venezia Mestre station in Italy, with additional stops along the way.

When travelling by train between Italy and Austria, it is recommended to purchase both a ticket and a seat reservation. Seat reservations can be made online or at authorized points of sale, and they usually come with an additional cost. For example, on high-speed Frecce trains, seat reservations cost €13 in both first and second class when using Eurail or InterRail passes. On some trains, you can choose to pay a supplement for a reservation, which may be purchased separately from the ticket. This supplement can be bought online, at specific train stations, or directly from the train conductor, with prices varying depending on where it is purchased.

Travelling by train from Italy to Austria offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the scenery, including the Alps, mountain lakes, and picturesque towns. With prices ranging from $120 to $260, the cost of the train journey is influenced by various factors, and it is important to consider the different options available to find the best deal.

There are no direct trains from Italy to Austria

When travelling from Italy to Austria by train, it is highly recommended to purchase a ticket and a seat reservation in advance. Tickets can be purchased up to three months before the date of departure. Most high-speed and long-distance trains require seat reservations, and these can be purchased at railpass.com.

If you have a Eurail or InterRail pass, you can use this to travel between Italy and Austria, but you will still need to reserve a seat. You can do this by searching schedules and fares and selecting the train and type of accommodation (either a seat, couchette, or sleeper cabin).

Children aged 4 to 14 years can travel for a discounted fare of between 30% and 50% off the adult fare on high-speed trains, and children under 4 travel for free.

Travelling by train from Italy to Austria is a great way to see the stunning scenery of the Alps, without the hassle of renting a car or the expense of a flight.

The journey takes 12 hours and 30 minutes

The journey from Italy to Austria by train takes around 12 hours and 30 minutes. There are no direct trains from Italy to Austria, so travellers will have to make transfers. The fastest way to get to Austria from Italy is to fly, which takes 3 hours and 51 minutes and costs $40 to $250. However, if you want to enjoy the scenery as you pass through the Alps, taking the train is a great option.

When travelling from Italy to Austria by train, it is highly recommended to purchase a ticket and a seat reservation in advance. Tickets can usually be purchased up to three months before the date of departure. Most high-speed and long-distance trains require seat reservations. If you are travelling with a Eurail or InterRail pass, you will need to make seat reservations separately. You can do this at the Reisezentrum desk at Innsbruck Hbf, at any hauptbahnhof in Austria, or online. If you are happy to make connections, it is possible to avoid travelling on these trains. You can also buy a supplement on the train for a small extra fee of €5, on top of the standard fee.

If you are travelling with children, many trains in Italy and beyond offer a discounted fare of between 30% and 50% off the adult fare for children aged 4 to 14. Children under 3 travel for free and share a seat with an adult companion.

When travelling from Italy to Austria, you will pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe. Trains offer panoramic views of the soaring Alps, glimmering mountain lakes, rolling vineyards and green valleys. The southern route from Salzburg to Innsbruck via Bischofshofen is particularly scenic, passing by ancient covered bridges, emerald rivers, hilltop monasteries, restored castles and picturesque towns.

Eurail passes can be used for this journey

Eurail passes can be used for travel between Italy and Austria. The Eurail Italy One Country Pass allows for unlimited rail travel in Italy for 3, 4, 5, or 8 days within a one-month period. The pass includes discounted fares for passengers under 26 years of age, travelling in second class. Young children can travel for free if their parent has purchased a Eurail Italy Pass. The pass also includes special passholder fares for reservations on high-speed trains and free or reduced transportation on some private railroads, national or international ferry crossings, and buses. Additionally, passholders can receive discounts on hotels, automobile rentals, museums, and other attractions. It is important to note that the Eurail Italy Pass is only valid on the Trenitalia network, covering 10,000 miles, including 600 miles of high-speed train tracks that connect cities and towns in Italy and throughout Europe.

When travelling from Italy to Austria, it is recommended to purchase a ticket and a seat reservation, as most high-speed and long-distance trains require seat reservations. The ticket can be bought up to three months before the date of departure and is only valid for the day and train booked. While the Eurail pass covers all travel on trains run by the Italian State Railway (Ferrovie dello Stato Italiano), it does not include most of Italy's privately run trains, such as Italo and Campania Express. However, it does cover the Le Frecce trains, which are equally fast and more frequent.

For international night trains to and from Austria, passholders can follow these steps: enter your departure and arrival stations, desired journey time, and the number of passengers; click on the 'Passengers' info box' and another page will open; add as many travellers as needed, and for each passholder, click on 'add discount'; scroll down or search for 'Interrail / Eurail - Globalpass', select it, and click confirm; once all travellers have been added, click 'OK' and proceed to select your desired train and accommodation type; finalise your reservation by clicking on 'Continue with €' and completing the payment.

In addition to rail travel, Eurail pass holders can also benefit from free or discounted travel on other modes of transportation. Within Austria, passholders can enjoy free travel on certain bus routes and discounted boat travel on several Austrian lakes and rivers. This can be especially useful for exploring Austria's high mountains, lush valleys, and other natural attractions.

Seat reservations are recommended and cost extra

When travelling by train from Italy to Austria, it is highly recommended to purchase a ticket with a seat reservation. While reservations are not always required, they are essential on most high-speed and long-distance trains, including those that cross borders.

Seat reservations can be made online or at authorised points of sale, and they typically cost extra. The price of a seat reservation varies depending on the train operator, route, and class. For example, a passholder reservation fee of €13 is charged for the daily EuroCity (EC) train from Frankfurt to Milan. Additionally, there is a passholder surcharge for travel on the extension into Italy, with prices ranging from €2.60 in second class to €4.60 in first class.

For those with a Eurail-brand pass, seat reservations can be made using the Rail Planner app or through the Eurail website. It is worth noting that reservations made through the app or website may incur an extra fee. Reservations can also be purchased at any staffed train station in Europe, which is a good option if you want to avoid potential extra costs.

While it is generally recommended to reserve a seat, this is not always necessary. Most trains have ample seating, and even if the train is crowded, you may only need to stand for a short while until a seat becomes available. However, it is important to consider peak travel times and the potential need for multiple seats when deciding whether to reserve.

Frequently asked questions