Train to Vienna - connections, tickets and itinerary

On the Warsaw Vienna route, the train runs 4 times a day. - Documents: all you need is a valid identity card, as Austria is part of the Schengen area.

• Currency: in Austria you pay in euros; cash is handy for small purchases.

• Best time to go: April-May and September-October, when the daytime temperature is 15-22°C.

• Local transport: metro, trams and buses; a single ticket is a few zlotys and a daily ticket a dozen.

• Main attractions: The Hofburg, the Belvedere, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Vienna State Opera and the Prater with its historic Riesenrad observation wheel. As shown by the current timetable, the connections are operated by:

• EC 105 Polonia

• EC 109 Sobieski

• EN 407 Chopin

• EN 60407 Chopin

For all these trains, the starting station is Warszawa Wschodnia, and the final station is Wien Hbf, Wien Westbahnhof or München Hbf (Munich, Germany). The journey time on this route, meanwhile, is from approximately 7h 50min (for EC 105 Polonia). The first train of the day is EC 105 Polonia, which departs from Warszawa Wschodnia before 6 in the morning. EC 109 Sobieski then starts its journey at 13:44. The last two connections are EuroNight (EN) trains departing at 19:39.

The night trains take slightly longer, but arrive in Vienna before 5:50 in the morning. This is therefore an ideal choice if you do not want to lose a day travelling and want to explore the city from the early morning. Are you looking for ideas for exploring Vienna? A guide to the most interesting places is available on our blog: Vienna attractions and historical monuments. What to see and how to get there?**

Warsaw Vienna route

The route based on the EC 109 Sobieski connection from Warszawa Wschodnia to Wien Westbahnhof:

• Journey time: 8h 5min

• Departure from Warszawa Wschodnia: 13:44

• Arrival in Vienna: 21:49

Selected intermediate stations on the route and departure times (dep.)

• Opoczno Południe – dep. 15:07

• Włoszczowa Północ – dep. 15:35

• Zawiercie – dep. 16:09

• Katowice – dep. 16:58

• Ostrava hl.n. (Czech Republic) – dep. 18:51

• Břeclav (Czech Republic) – dep. 20:55

Spring or early autumn is the best choice, as the daytime temperature is 15-22°C and the crowds are smaller than in summer.

Spring (March–May)

• The gardens of Schönbrunn and the Belvedere are in full bloom, making it a great time for walks in the parks.

• The Wiener Festwochen starts at the end of May and runs until June.

• Temperatures are 8-11°C in March and 18-22°C in May, so a light jacket is sufficient.

Summer (June–August)

• June sees the Donauinselfest, one of the largest outdoor music festivals in Europe, with free admission.

• The days are long and there are live concerts in the city parks.

• Daytime temperatures reach 22-28°C, and accommodation prices are higher, so it is best to book your hotel in advance.

Autumn (September–October)

• The music and opera season resumes in September, with the Vienna State Opera and Musikverein launching new programmes.

• Crowds are smaller than in summer and accommodation prices are lower than in July and August.

• Daytime temperatures are 12-22°C, making it a good time for long walks along the Ringstrasse.

Winter (November–February)

• The Christmas markets at the Town Hall and Schönbrunn run from mid-November to the end of December.

• There are shorter queues at the museums, so you can visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Albertina at a more leisurely pace.

• Daytime temperatures are 2-9°C, so warm clothing is essential.

The Katowice Vienna train runs 3 times a day. On the Kraków Vienna route, the train runs 4 times a day. As shown by the current timetable, the section is served by:

• EC 103 Danubius from Kraków Główny to Wien Hbf,

• EC 107 Porta Moravica from Przemyśl Główny to Graz Hbf,

• EN 407 Chopin from Warszawa Wschodnia to München Hbf,

• EN 60407 Chopin from Warszawa Wschodnia to München Hbf.

For EC 103 Danubius, the journey time on this route is approximately 5h 15min. Direct connections from Poland allow you to reach Vienna without changing trains. Meanwhile, EC 107 Porta Moravica takes 40 minutes longer, and the EuroNight trains 82 minutes longer. These differences result from the route and the length of stops at intermediate stations. Instead of several hours behind the wheel, you take one train and get off close to the centre. For example:

• EC 103 Danubius travels via Oświęcim – Czechowice – Zebrzydowice – Bohumin – Ostrava – Přerov – Hodonín – Břeclav,

• EC 107 Porta Moravica follows a similar route, but additionally stops on the Żory – Rybnik – Wodzisław Śląski – Chałupki section.

EC 103 Danubius is the first connection of the day, departing from Kraków at 6:30 and allowing you to reach Austria before midday. On each of these routes, seat reservation is compulsory on the international leg.

Katowice – Vienna

• From Katowice station to Vienna takes roughly 5 hours.

• This is the shortest of the routes from Poland described here.

Kraków – Vienna

• From Kraków Główny station to Vienna takes roughly 5.5 hours.

• There is also a night train on this route, so you leave in the evening and arrive in the morning.

Wrocław – Vienna

• From Wrocław Główny station to Vienna takes roughly 5.5 hours.

• Along the way, the train passes through the Czech Republic, including Olomouc and Brno.

Warsaw – Vienna

• From Warsaw Wschodnia station to Vienna takes roughly 8 hours.

• An overnight train is also available, meaning you arrive in the morning and have the whole day to explore.

You can buy your ticket on PolishTrains without creating an account — it is sent to your email and by SMS. 30 minutes before departure you receive an SMS reminder with a link to your ticket, so you do not need to search for it in your inbox at the station. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the wider the choice of seats. With an overnight train it is worth booking early, as the number of sleeper berths is limited. Next, EC 107 Porta Moravica starts its journey after 13:50, meaning that it does not reach Vienna until before 20:00. When you purchase your ticket, your seat is automatically reserved, so you do not need to do it separately. On PKP Intercity, ticket refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure — see the refund and exchange policy for details. The EuroNight trains from Kraków to Vienna, on the other hand, are the same trains that start their journey in Warsaw.

Kraków Vienna route

The route based on the EC 107 Porta Moravica connection from Przemyśl Główny to Graz Hbf:

• Journey time: 5h 59min

• Departure from Kraków Główny: 13:50

• Arrival in Vienna: 19:49

Selected intermediate stations on the route and departure times (dep.)

• Oświęcim – dep. 14:40

• Czechowice-Dziedzice – dep. 14:59

• Ostrava hl.n. (Czech Republic) – dep. 16:51

• Přerov (Czech Republic) – dep. 17:49

• Hodonín (Czech Republic) – dep. 18:38

• Břeclav (Czech Republic) – dep. 18:55

The train starts its journey at Przemyśl Główny at 11:14, and before reaching Kraków Główny, stops at, among others, the following stations:

• Przemyśl Zasanie – dep. 11:18

• Jarosław – dep. 11:40

• Rzeszów Główny – dep. 12:18

• Tarnów – dep. 12:58

• Bochnia – dep. 13:17

• Kraków Płaszów – dep. 13:34

The final station is the Austrian Graz Hbf, where the train arrives at 22:33. The following trains operate on this route:

• EC 101 Moravia from Katowice to Wien Hbf,

• EC 105 Polonia from Warszawa Wschodnia to Wien Hbf,

• EC 109 Sobieski from Warszawa Wschodnia to Wien Westbahnhof,

The journey time is approximately 4h 51min for the fastest connection (EC 109 Sobieski).

The first train of the day is EC 101 Moravia, which departs from Katowice before 5 in the morning. EC 105 Polonia then starts its journey from the capital of Silesia before 9:00. The EC 109 Sobieski train starts this route before 17:00. Would you like to explore Vienna during the Christmas Market? Be sure to read our article with information about this event beforehand: How and when to visit the Christmas Market in Vienna?

Katowice Vienna route

The route based on the EC 101 Moravia connection from Katowice to Wien Hbf:

• Journey time: 4h 58min

• Departure from Katowice: 4:51

• Arrival in Vienna: 9:49

Selected intermediate stations on the route and departure times (dep.)

• Zabrze – dep. 05:06

• Gliwice – dep. 05:15

• Racibórz – dep. 06:10

• Chałupki – dep. 06:24

• Bohumin (Czech Republic) – dep. 06:42

• Ostrava hl.n. (Czech Republic) – dep. 06:51

• Břeclav (Czech Republic) – dep. 08:55

On the Wrocław Vienna route, the PKP Intercity train runs once a day. From Wien Hauptbahnhof station you can take the metro to Stephansplatz in a few minutes. For several journeys a day, a day ticket or a 48-hour ticket will be better, as one ticket works for the metro, trams and buses.

You will get around the centre of Vienna, or Innere Stadt, on foot. The main attractions lie within a 2 km radius of Stephansplatz, and the Ringstrasse forms a convenient walking route between the Opera House, City Hall, Parliament and the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

There are city bicycles operating in the centre, which are useful for a ride along the Ring or to the Prater. Taxis are waiting at the train station and throughout the city, so you can easily get to your hotel or to neighbourhoods further from the centre with your luggage.

There is a luggage room at Wien Hauptbahnhof station. You will leave your suitcase there as soon as you arrive and can set off for a walk before checking into your hotel.

You get around Vienna on foot and by public transport.

Where to stay overnight:

• Innere Stadt - the very centre, close to all the main attractions; the most expensive accommodation but the most convenient location.

• Neubau (7th district) - local cafes, independent designer boutiques and restaurants outside the most touristy centre; a good choice for those looking for a quieter area. The direct connection on this section is operated by EC 203 Danubius. For this train, the starting station is Wrocław Główny, and the final station is Wien Hbf / Wiedeń Główny. The journey time, meanwhile, is approximately 5h 20min.

Wrocław Vienna route for EC 203 Danubius:

• Journey time: 5h 22min

• Departure from Wrocław Główny: 6:29

• Arrival in Vienna: 11:49

Selected intermediate stations on the route and departure times (dep.)

• Opole Główne – dep. 07:14

• Kędzierzyn-Koźle – dep. 07:36

• Racibórz – dep. 08:02

• Chałupki – dep. 08:16 (last station in Poland)

• Bohumín – dep. 08:42 (first station in the Czech Republic)

• Ostrava hl.n. – dep. 08:51

• Břeclav – dep. 10:55

Is travelling from Wrocław to Vienna a good option for a weekend trip? Services run daily, including at weekends, so if you board the EC 203 Danubius train on Saturday morning, you will reach Vienna before 12:00. You can make the return journey on Sunday instead. EC 102 Danubius departs from Vienna at 16:10 and completes its journey in Wrocław at 21:24. Are you taking the Wrocław Vienna train for the first time? Be sure to read our article: Which platform does the train depart from? to navigate railway stations quickly and without stress.

Vienna's highlights combine Habsburg history, great museums and the classic architecture of the city centre. For a weekend, it is best to focus on the Innere Stadt and the Belvedere, and for a longer stay add Schönbrunn and the larger museums.

St Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom)

A Gothic cathedral in the heart of the city. Entrance to the nave is free, while the towers and crypts are chargeable. The tour takes 45-60 minutes. The south tower offers a panoramic view of the entire city.

Hofburg

Former Habsburg residence, now a large museum complex. The Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Silver Collection require separate tickets. The tour takes 2-3 hours. There are fewer organised groups in the morning.

Belvedere (Schloss Belvedere)

Baroque palace with an art gallery where Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss" hangs. There is a fee to enter the gallery, while the park around the palace remains free of charge. The gallery tour takes 1.5-2 hours. In the evening, return to the park, which is spectacularly illuminated.

Kunsthistorisches Museum

One of the largest art collections in Europe, with works by Bruegel, Vermeer and Caravaggio. There is an entrance fee. The tour takes 2-3 hours. The building itself is also impressive, especially the monumental staircase with frescoes.

Prater and Riesenrad

The historic observation wheel from 1897, which has a fee to enter, and the park accessible free of charge. It is well worth setting aside an afternoon for this part of the city. After a ride on the wheel, you can stroll along the Hauptallee, a four-kilometre-long chestnut avenue.

Schönbrunn

The Habsburg summer residence with extensive gardens. The gardens are free and the palace interiors are chargeable. The tour takes 2-3 hours. There are fewer people here in the morning than in the middle of the day.

Plan for 1 day

• Start in the morning at St Stephen's Cathedral, enter the nave and climb the tower.

• Before noon, walk to the Hofburg and visit the Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum.

• In the afternoon, take a walk along the Ringstrasse to see the Opera House, City Hall and Parliament.

• In the evening, go to the Belvedere for a gallery and park walk.

Plan for the weekend

Day 1: See St Stephen's Cathedral, the Hofburg, the Ringstrasse and the Belvedere in the evening.

Day 2: Start at Schönbrunn, visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum in the afternoon, and drive to the Naschmarkt area or the Neubau district in the evening for dinner and coffee.

There are no direct trains from Poznań to Vienna. On the Rzeszów Vienna section, the train runs once a day. The route is served by EC 107 Porta Moravica. The journey takes approximately 7h 31min. In Vienna, start with the classic cuisine and cafés — food is an important part of the city's culture.

Wiener Schnitzel — a breaded veal or pork cutlet fried in butter. The exact route for EC 107 Porta Moravica is described above in the section on the Kraków Vienna connection. The train travels via Rzeszów Główny (departure at 12:18) – Tarnów – Kraków – Oświęcim – Czechowice-Dziedzice – Zebrzydowice – Bohumín – Ostrava – Přerov – Hodonín – Břeclav – Wien Hbf (arrival at 19:49). It is a Viennese classic found in traditional Gasthäuser and Beisln. Most often served with potato salad.

Tafelspitz — boiled beef with horseradish and apple sauce, served with broth. This is one of the dishes worth ordering in a traditional restaurant.

Gulasch — the Viennese version of goulash, thicker and more heavily spiced than the Hungarian original. You will find it on the menu of many Beisln.

Viennese coffee is a category of its own. Melange resembles a cappuccino, while Einspänner is black coffee topped with whipped cream and served in a glass. Cafés — or Kaffeehäuser — are part of the city's culture, so take a seat in a historic establishment such as Café Central on Herrengasse or Café Landtmann on the Ring.

Sachertorte — chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam. You can buy the original at Hotel Sacher opposite the Opera House or at Café Demel on the Kohlmarkt. Both establishments pack cakes to take away. Apfelstrudel, or apple strudel, is the other dessert that is hard to resist here.

Where to eat:

• Naschmarkt — Vienna's largest market in the city centre, open from morning to early afternoon on weekdays and Saturdays. You can buy fresh produce, snacks, local cheeses and cold cuts, as well as Middle Eastern and Asian dishes.

• Mariahilfer Strasse — the main shopping street with popular shops and local boutiques. If you are looking for souvenirs, you will also find Augarten porcelain and Swarovski crystal shops in the centre.

• Neubau (7th district) — local cafés, independent designer boutiques and restaurants away from the most touristy part of the centre. In the evening it is easy to find a quieter spot for dinner.

Souvenirs

• Augarten porcelain — Viennese porcelain available in shops in the city centre.

• Swarovski crystals — crystal products available in boutiques in the centre.

• Sachertorte to take away — an original cake in a decorative box from Hotel Sacher or Café Demel. An alternative on this section is a journey with a change, for example in Czechowice-Dziedzice.

Poznań Vienna route

The Poznań - Vienna route by train with a change:

• Journey time: 12h 47min

• Departure from Poznań Główny station: 17:38

• Arrival in Vienna: 5:25

Two trains must be used on this route:

• First: IC 54100 Heweliusz from Gdynia Główna to Bielsko-Biała Główna

• Changeover point – Czechowice-Dziedzice station (arrival at approximately 22:05)

• Second: EN 407 Chopin from Warszawa Wschodnia to München Hbf (departure from Czechowice Dziedz. at 00:07)

• Waiting time for the change: approximately 2h 2min.

On the Bohumin Vienna route, the train runs as many as 7 times a day:

• EN 407 Chopin from Warszawa Wschodnia to München Hbf,

• EN 60407 Chopin from Warszawa Wschodnia to München Hbf,

• EC 101 Moravia from Katowice to Wien Hbf,

• EC 103 Danubius from Kraków Główny to Wien Hbf,

• EC 105 Polonia from Warszawa Wschodnia to Wien Hbf,

• EC 107 Porta Moravica from Przemyśl Główny to Graz Hbf,

• EC 109 Sobieski from Warszawa Wschodnia to Wien Westbahnhof,

The journey time is approximately 3h 7min for daytime connections. There is currently no direct train on the Gdynia Vienna route. When travelling to Vienna, it is best to take a connection with a change, for example in Warszawa Zachodnia or Wrocław.

Gdynia Vienna route

The Gdynia Vienna route by train with a change:

• Journey time: 13h 59min

• Departure from Gdynia Główna: 16:26

• Arrival in Vienna: 5:25

Two trains must be used on this route:

• First: EIP 5104 from Gdynia Główna to Warszawa Zachodnia

• Changeover point – Warszawa Zachodnia station (arrival at approximately 19:48)

• Second: EN 407 Chopin from Warszawa Wschodnia to München Hbf (departure from Warszawa Zachodnia at 20:06)

• Waiting time for the change at Warszawa Zachodnia: approximately 18 minutes

Are you wondering whether you will be able to eat something on the train during such a long journey? For 2 days and 1 night in Vienna, your budget will depend on the standard of accommodation, the number of museums you visit and how you get around the city.

The budget option assumes a hostel or cheaper hotel outside the city centre, eating in bars and at the Naschmarkt, a day ticket for public transport and free attractions such as the Schönbrunn gardens, the Belvedere park and a walk along the Ring. Read our article: [How can you check whether there is a WARS restaurant car on the train? The mid-range option includes a three-star hotel close to the centre, meals in restaurants and 1-2 paid museums per day. The comfort option means a four-star hotel in Innere Stadt, dinner in a restaurant with a wine list, taxis and a fuller museum programme.

It is best to book your hotel in advance, especially in summer and during the Christmas market season. A practical guide for travellers](https://www.europodroze.pl/aktualnosci/jak-sprawdzic-czy-w-pociagu-jest-wars-praktyczny-przewodnik-dla-podroznych). For EuroNight (EN) trains, this time is extended to approximately 3h 40min.

The first train of the day is EN 407 Chopin, which departs from Bohumin before 2 in the morning. The last train of the day is EC 109 Sobieski, which starts this route before 19:00.

Bohumin Vienna route

The route based on the EC 105 Polonia connection from Warszawa Wschodnia to Wien Hbf:

• Journey time: 3h 7min

• Departure from Bohumin: 10:42

• Arrival in Vienna: 13:49

Selected intermediate stations on the route and departure times (dep.)

• Ostrava hl.n. – dep. 10:51

• Hranice na Moravě – dep. 11:26

• Přerov – dep. 11:49

• Otrokovice – dep. 12:08

• Hodonín – dep. 12:38

• Břeclav – dep. 12:55