Page 356 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

354  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Travelling by Train

Situated in the heart of Europe, Austria is a rail transport
hub. Comfortable, clean and safe, a train departs every 12
seconds, one of 570 running at any given moment on almost
5,000 km (3,100 miles) of track. The largest railway line is
the Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB), Austrian Federal
Railway Lines, and there are also 12 small mountain and
regional rail companies. Protecting the environment
is a prime concern and an impressive 92 per cent of
locomotive energy comes from renewable resources and
hydroelectricty. The service receives continuous investment,
ensuring high levels of comfort, shorter travelling times and
reductions in emissions.
Hauptbahnhof, the main railway station
Trains Intercity (IC) trains run respect­ in Vienna
Österreichische Bundesbahnen ively to international and first­class tickets. Reservations
(ÖBB) runs several types of major Austrian destinations. can be made at railway
service. The high­speed Since 2015, Cityjet trains are ticket offices, at ÖBB Reisebüros
Railjet trains, which operate gradually being introduced (ÖBB travel agencies), or
at speeds of up to 230 kph/ on over 100 major routes online at www.oebb.at.
143 mph, run the breadth of across the country. The luxury If special facilities are required,
the country, from Salzburg to Nightjet service runs to such as space for wheelchairs,
Vienna. The service offers destinations within and it is highly advisable to make
business­, first­ and second­ beyond Austria, including an advance booking. Alert
class seating; business Italy, Switzerland and Germany. the ÖBB Mobility Centre on
class costs €15 more than Choose from a variety of cabins 05­1717­5 or via the form on
a first­class including a the ÖBB website. Requests
ticket. 6­bed bunk are usually handled in as little
Business­ and a deluxe as 3 hours.
and first­class single with
carriages bathroom.
feature Bundesbahn logo Railway Stations
reclining leather The German word for a
chairs, an extensive choice Seat Reservations railway station is Bahnhof,
of magazines and newspapers, Unlike in some other European and the main railway station
and meals served at your countries, it is not necessary to is Hauptbahnhof. The latter
seat. Free Wi­Fi is available reserve a seat, except for are found in cities, like Vienna,
throughout each train, and overnight sleeper trains. If you and usually have more than
there are electrical sockets at do want to, seats on any train one rail terminal. Many stations
every seat. A second high­ can be reserved up to three are also information hubs,
speed train, called the Intercity­ months in advance, at a with shops, bureaux de
Express (ICE), runs between minimum charge of €3; there is change, luggage deposits
main cities. Eurocity (EC) and no extra charge for business­ or and help desks, with English­
speaking staff. If there is no
ticket office, you can buy a
ticket from machines, which
accept credit cards.

Arriving from Britain
Rail travel from Britain to
Austria has achieved new
levels of speed and comfort
with the introduction of the
ÖBB’s high­speed Railjet and
luxury Cityjet trains. It is
possible to leave London
St Pancras at around 7am and
step off the train in Vienna
High-speed Railjet trains no later than 9pm on the

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