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City Guide - Vienna - Rail | ||
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Rail Österreichischen Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) (tel: (01) 58000; website: www.oebb.at) operates the 5800km (3600 miles) of rail network in Austria. Timetable information is available 24-hours a day (tel: 1717). In addition to the usual onboard services (restaurant and bar cars, snack trolleys, telephones), the ÖBB offers mini-office compartments (with power points for laptop computers) and women-only compartments for those seeking hassle-free travel. The ÖBB can also arrange a pick-up service to greet passengers on the platform and conduct them to their hotel. In Vienna, this service is available at Wien Westbahnhof in association with the Arcotel Hotel Wimberger. Vienna's major rail stations (and their U-Bahn connections) are Westbahnhof (U3 and U6; tel: (01) 5800 31060; fax: (01) 5800 25811), Südbahnhof (U1; tel: (01) 5800 31050; fax: (01) 5800 25830), Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof (U4; tel: (01) 5800 31020; fax: (01) 5800 25831) and Wien Mitte (U3 and U4; tel: (01) 5800 31070; fax: (01) 5800 25815). Rail services: Intercity trains within Austria follow the main eastbound route from Bregenz to Vienna (via Innsbruck, Salzburg and Linz) or travel north from Graz or Klagenfurt (via Bruck an der Mur). There are departures to the major cities at least once every two hours. Domestic rail services pass through breath-taking Alpine scenery, but unfortunately this is bypassed by the majority of international services. It is worth watching out for the stunning view of the Melk Abbey on the main line approaching Vienna from the west. There are international services from most Central and Eastern European capitals. Night trains are available from most Western European countries (including cities such as Paris and Berlin) and from as far east as Moscow (although this journey takes one and a half days). Transport to the city: All of Vienna's rails stations are connected to the underground network, either directly or by a very short walk. |