How to visit Austria using public transportation: all you need to know

Traveling through Austria by train is a delightful and efficient way to experience the country’s stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. With an extensive and well-connected rail network, Austria offers travelers the convenience of reaching both its bustling cities and serene countryside with ease.

Why choose public transportation in Austria?

Whether you’re an adult, senior, or youth, there are numerous ticket options to suit every traveler’s needs. From Vienna, one of Europe’s most connected capitals, to the picturesque towns of Salzburg and Innsbruck, the ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) provides affordable and flexible options for every type of journey. With the added benefits of rail passes and special discounts, exploring Austria has never been more accessible. You can search and book your tickets here.

Additionally, public transport in Austria is known for its punctuality and safety. The transport system is integrated, so transfers between different types of transport (e.g., from a bus to a train) are seamless and well-coordinated.

You can even take a scenic ride through the Austrian Alps on the famed Semmering Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can witness breathtaking views without breaking the bank. From Vienna to Graz, Linz, or Klagenfurt, each route promises an unforgettable experience.

Austria is also well connected by train with other European countries, for example, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and beyond.

With high customer satisfaction and easy ticket booking through various platforms, Austrian train travel promises a journey that is not only economical but also enriching. Join me as I explore the best of Austria by rail, uncovering the charm and beauty of this remarkable country.

Taking a bicycle on the train

Austrian is a great destination to explore by bicycle but I guess you’d like to see the most beautiful parts by bike and use a train to take you there. Trains in Austria are very comfortable and if you would like to travel with a bicycle, there are special wagons for them (prebooking is necessary). I saw a lot of people using train to take a bicycle with. If you book a place for your bike, there are also seat designated to bike owners.

Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
Travel Payouts is my favourite platform for monetizing the blog.
Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
World Nomads and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
Klook for all sorts of bookings- offers discounts.
Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money. You can even save 50%.
Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

What to see in Austria in 10 days using public transportation: easy route

Austria is an incredibly rich country to visit and it might be difficult to choose the stops. This time, I visited Austria solely by public transportation and decided to stick to the highlights of what Austria has to offer. As I previously visited Liechtenstein, the most obvious choice was to start my trip around Austria in Innsbruck, to which I arrived from Liechtenstein by train (well, I took a bus from Liechtenstein to Feldkirch in Austria, then a train to Innsbruck).

As the connection is excellent, it was an easy and pleasant trip. I bought my train ticket at the station, but in high season I don’t recommend it, because all seating tickets were sold out and I had to stand in a crowded train. Prebooking the train is the best option for summer months.

One of the inconveniences of traveling by public transportation though is luggage. What do you do with your belongings when you have no car to keep your suitcase while having a stroll but can’t leave it in the hotel? I recently discovered Radical Storage with so many locations to leave your stuff at at a cheap price.

The highlights of Austria in 10 by trains and buses

As I mentioned, on this trip I decided to visit places that are the highlights of Austria and are easy to visit by public transportation. The combination of trains and buses is vast and conveniently scheduled making it super easy to use.

Innsbruck

I knew very little about Innsbruck apart from the fact that it is a good skiing destination. As I mentioned above, I arrived in Innsbruck from Liechtenstein; the whole trip took around 3 hours. Upon reaching Innsbruck, you’ll arrive at Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (the main train station), which is centrally located and well connected within the city.

You can use this website to search and book your train ticket.

I loved Innsbruck for being so compact and picturesque. I stayed in a small hotel outside of the city centre, but near Schloss Ambras– a really beautiful castle worth visiting (especially for their collection of knight armor). If you are interested to check out the hotel, this is the one. I am not sure if this is a yearly offer, but the hotel staff said that foreigners can get public transport (and other benefits like concert entrances) for free with Innsbruck card if they stay for at least two night (I think it’s only summer months). They registered me and I was able to use public transport for free for two days I was there and I even managed to get a free ticket to an open air concert.

How to get to Innsbruck from Liechtenstein:

I first took a bus number 11 from Vaduz to Feldkirch Bahnhof, then a train to Innsbruck. All the seats were sold out and I had to stand the whole trip, that’s why I’d recommend prebooking your ticket in advance, otherwise you might not be lucky in high season.

How to get to Innsbruck from Vienna:

There is a direct train from Vienna to Innsbruck and it takes around 4 hours.

Salzburg

Salzburg is not only famous for its rich history and Mozart, but also as the backdrop for The Sound of Music. Fans of the iconic film can take The Sound of Music Tour, which visits key locations like Mirabell Gardens, where Maria and the children sang “Do-Re-Mi,” and Leopoldskron Palace, used as the exterior of the von Trapp family home. Another highlight is Nonnberg Abbey, the real-life convent where Maria was a novice. You can also visit Hellbrunn Palace, where the famous gazebo from “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” is located. Walking in the footsteps of the von Trapp family is a must for any Sound of Music enthusiast!

Hallstatt

Hallstatt is a fairytale village nestled by the serene Hallstätter See lake and surrounded by towering mountains. Hallstatt is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a history that dates back over 7,000 years. One of the most popular attractions is visiting Hallstatt Salt Mine, one of the world’s oldest. You can also explore the eerie but intriguing Bone House (Beinhaus) in St. Michael’s Chapel, where skulls are artistically displayed. The Skywalk offers panoramic views over the lake and village. If you love boat ride with romantic mountain views, Hallstatt is a great place to do that. For such a small place, the attractions are abundant (I even stayed for two nights there, which most of the tourists don’t do).

Hallstatt was the most complicated to get to in this 10-day itinerary as it involved taking three buses to the very centre of town. Don’t feel put off though, the journey was easy enough and pleasant. Many people visit Hallstatt on a day trip, but I am glad I decided to stay in there for a couple of days as it gave me an opportunity to explore it once all the crowds disappeared. I stayed in this guesthouse, and I really cannot recommend it enough. I had a very pleasant and comfortable time there.

How to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg by public transportation

First, I took bus number 150 from Salzburg main station to Bad Ischl Banhof (but the driver can sell you a ticket to Hallstatt, your final destination and you can pay by credit card). Then after a bit of waiting I took a bus number 541 to Hallstatt Gosaumühle, which is still a bit far from the centre, so you need to wait at a small bus stop for bus 543 that goes to Hallstatt Lahn (direction Obertraun). I waited for about 20 minutes, so did many other people.

Vienna

Can you imagine that I lived in the south of Poland for 20 years (not a far distance from Vienna) and never visited this city? Vienna is truly a gem.

That being said, Vienna deserves a full, separate post, but let mention a few ideas for the visit here.

First of all, the biggest highlight of my visit was Schönbrunn Castle after hours tour and concert. You’re given an audio guide to visit the castle at your own pace without the daytime crowds. My group had only 8 people, so it almost felt like I was alone in this incredibly beautiful place. After the visit, we headed to the orangery with stunning gardens for a drink and a concert. Truly a memorable experience.

Another unique experience is visiting the Spanish Riding School, which is a riding school for Lipizzan horses. However, make sure that you book your visit for the show or training well in advance as they have limited spaces and they sell out incredibly fast.

Taking tours and day trip when visiting Austria by public transportation

Salzburg and The Sound of Music Tour – Take a train to Salzburg and join a tour exploring The Sound of Music filming locations, like Mirabell Gardens and Leopoldskron Palace. While there, consider taking a traditional Austrian strudel-making class to learn how to prepare this iconic dessert.
Wachau Valley Wine Tour – From Vienna, hop on a train to Krems or Dürnstein to enjoy a day of wine tasting and river cruises in the scenic Wachau Valley. You can also book a local cooking class to learn how to make Wachau’s specialties, such as apricot dumplings.
Hallstatt Day Trip – Travel by train from Salzburg to the charming village of Hallstatt. After exploring the salt mines and lake, join a traditional Austrian cooking class where you’ll learn to make dishes like Wiener schnitzel in this picturesque setting.

Schönbrunn Palace Tour (Vienna) – Easily reached by public transport, Schönbrunn Palace offers guided tours of its majestic rooms and gardens. Afterward, try a Viennese pastry class nearby, where you can master classic recipes like Sachertorte or apple strudel.

Melk Abbey Tour – Take a scenic train ride along the Danube from Vienna to Melk. Explore the stunning Melk Abbey, and afterward, join a regional cooking class to learn about Austrian delicacies, such as knödel (dumplings) and goulash.
Semmering Railway Scenic Journey – Hop on a train from Vienna and take the Semmering Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage route through the Alps. This day trip is perfect for scenic views, followed by a farm-to-table cooking class in a nearby village to explore local flavors.
Innsbruck and Nordkette Cable Car – Take a train from Salzburg or Vienna to Innsbruck, then ride the Nordkette Cable Car to the top of the mountains for breathtaking views. Don’t miss a chance to join a Tyrolean cooking class and learn how to prepare hearty alpine dishes like gröstl (fried potatoes with meat) or käsespätzle (cheese noodles).
Zell am See and Kaprun – Take a scenic train ride from Salzburg to Zell am See, where you can hike the mountains and explore the lake. Complement your adventure with a local cooking experience, making traditional alpine dishes while taking in stunning mountain views.
Salzkammergut Lakes Region – Travel by train from Salzburg to the idyllic lakes of the Salzkammergut region, including St. Wolfgang and St. Gilgen. While there, join a lakeside cooking class and discover how to make fish dishes with fresh, local ingredients from the region.
Graz Day Trip – From Vienna, take a train to Graz, known for its vibrant culinary scene. Explore the city’s historic sites, then dive into a Styrian cooking class, where you’ll learn to make pumpkin seed oil-based dishes, a regional favorite.

See also:

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