Vienna to Berlin

Vienna to Berlin

Vienna is Austria’s elegant capital, known for its imperial history, classical music heritage, and grand architecture. Once the heart of the Habsburg Empire, the city features opulent palaces like Schönbrunn and Hofburg, as well as world-famous concert halls and museums. It blends old-world charm with modern culture and a vibrant café scene.

Berlin is Germany’s capital and a dynamic hub of history, art, and innovation. Famous for its turbulent 20th-century past, including the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate, the city today is a symbol of unity and creativity. With its lively neighborhoods, cutting-edge galleries, and diverse food culture, Berlin offers a bold mix of past and present.

The Vindobona train offers a scenic and seamless journey from Vienna (Wien), Austria’s elegant capital, to Berlin, the cultural heart of Germany. Named after the ancient Roman name for Vienna, the Vindobona is a EuroCity (EC) service operated jointly by Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and Deutsche Bahn (DB).

Journey Details

  • Route:Vienna Hauptbahnhof → Berlin Hauptbahnhof
  • Distance:~680 km (422 miles)
  • Travel Time:Approx. 8 hours
  • Frequency:Once daily
  • Departure:Typically in the morning from Vienna Hbf
  • Arrival:Early evening at Berlin Hbf

Route Highlights

The Vindobona travels through a beautiful stretch of Central Europe, crossing Austria, the Czech Republic, and into Germany. Key cities and stops along the way may include:

  1. Vienna Hbf (Austria)– Departure from Austria's modern and bustling capital.
  2. Brno (Czech Republic)– A historical Moravian city with impressive architecture.
  3. Prague (Praha hl.n.)– A major stop, allowing a brief glimpse of the Czech Republic’s fairy-tale capital.
  4. Dresden (Germany)– A city known for its baroque charm and riverside beauty.
  5. Berlin Hbf (Germany)– Arrival at Berlin’s central and well-connected railway hub.

Train Features and Comfort

The Vindobona offers a EuroCity-level experience, known for comfort and convenience:

  • Seating Classes:
    • 2nd Class– Comfortable with ample legroom and large windows.
    • 1st Class– Quieter, more spacious, with at-seat service on select trains.
  • Onboard Services:
    • Dining Car (Bistro or Restaurant Coach)– Hot meals, snacks, drinks.
    • Power Sockets– Available at most seats.
    • Wi-Fi– May be available on some coaches (especially German-operated ones).
    • Restrooms– Clean and accessible on all coaches.
  • Scenery:Expect views of vineyards, river valleys, rolling hills, and historical towns as the train winds through the Czech countryside and into Saxony, Germany.

Travel Tips

  • Reservations:Recommended, especially during holidays and weekends.
  • Luggage:No strict weight limits; space available above seats and at coach ends.
  • Tickets:Can be booked via ÖBB or Deutsche Bahn websites. Early bookings offer cheaper fares.

 

 

The Vindobona is a direct, comfortable EuroCity (EC) train service operated by ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) and DB (Deutsche Bahn), connecting the elegant Austrian capital of Vienna with the vibrant German capital of Berlin. Named after the ancient Roman name for Vienna, this historic train route has been revived with modern comfort and scenic appeal.

Travel Time & Frequency

  • Total Duration:Approximately 8 hours
  • Departure Station:Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Central Station)
  • Arrival Station:Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Central Station)
  • Frequency:1–2 trains per day (typically one direct EC Vindobona service, others may require a transfer)

Route Highlights

The Vindobona train travels northward from Austria into the heart of Germany, passing through a variety of culturally rich and picturesque regions. Key stops along the route include:

  1. Vienna (Wien Hbf)– Depart from Austria’s modern central station, surrounded by classical architecture and vibrant city life.
  2. Breclav (Czech Republic)– The train briefly passes through southern Moravia.
  3. Brno– A key city in the Czech Republic known for its baroque architecture and universities.
  4. Prague (Praha hl.n.)– A major stop where passengers can enjoy views of the Czech capital’s spires and bridges.
  5. Dresden– Cross into Germany and pass through this beautiful Saxon city known for its reconstructed old town.
  6. Berlin Hbf– Arrive in Germany’s dynamic capital, a city of history, art, politics, and modern innovation.

Train Features & Comfort

  • Train Type:EuroCity (EC), often branded under Railjet or ICE rolling stock depending on availability.
  • Seating Classes:
    • 2nd Class:Comfortable standard seating with ample legroom and large windows.
    • 1st Class:Larger seats, more privacy, quieter atmosphere, complimentary newspapers and sometimes refreshments.
  • Dining:Most Vindobona trains include a restaurant or bistro car offering hot meals, snacks, and drinks. Seat service may be available in 1st class.
  • Wi-Fi & Power Outlets:Wi-Fi may be available depending on the trainset used. Power outlets are standard in both classes.
  • Luggage:Generous luggage space above and between seats, with no strict baggage limits.
  • Accessibility:Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets are available.

 

Scenic Experience

The route between Vienna and Berlin is a visual treat, especially the leg from Brno to Prague, which passes through lush countryside and rolling hills. The stretch between Prague and Dresden follows the Elbe River, offering breathtaking views of cliffs, forests, and riverbanks—one of the most scenic train rides in Europe.

 

Additional Tips

  • Tickets & Reservations:Advance booking is recommended for better pricing and seat selection. Tickets can be purchased via ÖBB, DB Bahn, or rail booking platforms like Trainline or Omio.
  • Travel Passes:This route is covered by Eurail and Interrail passes, though seat reservations may be required.
  • Onboard Announcements:Typically made in German, Czech, and English.

Ideal For:

  • Leisure travelerswanting a scenic, cross-country experience.
  • Students and backpackerswith rail passes.
  • Business travelersseeking a relaxing, no-fuss alternative to flying.

 

By Admin

20 Apr 2025

Similar Train Routes

Zagreb's Gornji Grad

Zagreb's Gornji Grad

One of the districts of Zagreb, Croatia, is called Gornji Grad–Medveščak. The name Gornji Grad means "Upper Town" because of its historical position on the city's hillside, above Donji Grad ("Lower Town"). Situated in the city's center, the district is home to 30,962 people, who are dispersed throughout 10.19 km2 (3.93 sq mi), according to the 2011 census.There are many historical landmarks and tourist attractions in the Gornji Grad–Medveščak area. This region includes Gradec and Kaptol, the two separate medieval Zagreb centers that make up today's Upper Town. Gornji Grad is home to the Croatian Parliament, the city's cathedral, and the well-known pedestrian café strip Tkalčićeva. Other notable items may be found outside of the oldest historical towns, like the city's imposing cemetery, Mirogoj, which is farther north and was constructed since 1876.Four additional districts border it: Črnomerec to the west, Maksimir to the east, Podsljeme to the north, and Donji Grad to the south.Gornji Grad's most significant arterial route, Medveščak, runs between its southern and northern borders. It begins as a little Ribnjak street next to the Ribnjak park, widens and changes its name to Medveščak street until Gupčeva zvijezda, and then changes its name once again to Ksaver in the north.

Marjan Park

Marjan Park

On the peninsula of Split, Croatia's second-biggest city, is the hill known as Marjan. It is a unique site, entirely encircled by the city and the sea and covered in a dense Mediterranean pine forest. Originally utilized as a park by the locals as early as the third century, it is now a popular weekend getaway spot and a metropolitan recreational hub. Surrounded by a picturesque forest, it is also the location of a number of beaches, jogging routes, tennis courts, and the city zoo. The Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (Institut za oceanografiju i ribarstvo, IZOR) is located at the tip of the peninsula. With a height of 178 meters, Marjan provides a view of the entire city, the neighboring islands, and the mountains of Kozjak and Mosor.Bene, Kašjuni, and Obojena beaches are situated at the base of Marjan Hill. At a height of 122 meters (400 feet), the maximum temperature recorded at the local weather station since records began in 1948 was 38.6 °C (101.5 °F) on July 5, 1950.On January 23, 1963, the lowest recorded temperature was -9.0 °C (15.8 °F). Marjan Park is well-known for both the sports it offers visitors and its natural beauty. Along with the various park excursions, the panoramic vista is one of the park's greatest features. In and around the park, there are also cafes, eateries, beaches, and places of worship.  

Hvar Town

Hvar Town

On the same-named island in Croatia's Split-Dalmatia County sits the town and port of Hvar. The town is the largest settlement on the island of Hvar, with 3,771 residents, while the municipality has 4,251 (2011) residents. It is located across from the neighboring towns of Stari Grad and Jelsa on a harbor on the island's south shore.The town of Hvar has a long and illustrious history as an Adriatic cultural and commercial hub. With a powerful stronghold above that surrounded the town walls and guarded the port, this commune, which was a part of the Venetian Empire from the 13th to the 18th century, was a significant naval base.[4] As wealth increased, so did cultural life, and one of Europe's oldest theaters still standing, which inaugurated in 1612, is located in Hvar.The walls, which date back seven hundred years, as well as numerous public structures and noble homes from the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries, are still standing.The Hygienic Society of Hvar (Higijeničko društvo u Hvaru), which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2018, changed the course of the town's and the island's economy once the port of Hvar was no longer used as a military post in the 19th century. It was established in 1868 with the goal of offering "good care for visitors" and was one of the first "tourist boards" in Europe. The Arsenal, Loggia, the Croatian Institute, and the Hvar Heritage Museum with its art and archeological collections are only a few of the town's many hotels, galleries, museums, and exhibitions today.Located in a charming natural bay and shielded to the south by the Pakleni Otoci island series, the port of Hvar provides a year-round safe refuge for boats. Particularly during the summer, the village is a popular port of call for yachts traveling the Adriatic. The port of Hvar has frequent catamaran ferry services to Split, Brač, Korčula, Lastovo, and Vis.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park

One of Croatia's biggest and oldest national parks is Plitvice Lakes National Park. Because of its exceptional and charming network of tufa lakes, caverns, and interconnected waterfalls, Plitvice Lakes National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979.Established in 1949, the national park is located near the Bosnia and Herzegovina border in the mountainous karst region of central Croatia. The Croatian interior and the Adriatic coastline region are connected by the significant north-south route that runs through the national park area. Over 296.85 square kilometers, or 73,350 acres, make up the protected region. Lika-Senj County owns about 90% of this region, with Karlovac County owning the remaining 10%.With over a million people annually, the national park is Croatia's most visited tourist destination.Depending on the season, admission fees range from 10 to 40 euros per adult per day in the summer (as of 2024). The lakes of the national park are known across the world for their waterfall formations. From the surface, sixteen lakes are visible. Numerous tiny rivers and underground karst rivers come together to form these lakes. Each lake follows the flow of water and is connected to the others. Travertine, which is naturally deposited by moss, algae, and bacteria, acts as a dam between them. The interaction of water, air, and plants results in the especially delicate travertine barriers. In the middle of the Dinaric Alps, between the Lička Plješivica peak in the east and the Mala Kapela mountain in the west, the Plitvice Lakes have developed in a depression. The national park is situated near Slunj and Korenica on the D1 Zagreb–Split national highway, which runs across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ogulin, Rakovica, Otočac, Gospić, and Bihać are some of the largest Bosnian municipalities in the vicinity.

Dubrovnik Old Town

Dubrovnik Old Town

Originally called Ragusa, Dubrovnik is a city by the Adriatic Sea in southern Dalmatia, Croatia. It is a seaport, the hub of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Mediterranean. There were 41,562 people living there as of 2021.The Old City of Dubrovnik was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979 in recognition of its exceptional medieval architecture and fortifications. When refugees from Epidaurum (Ragusa Vecchia) formed the town known as Ragusa in the 7th century, the city's history most likely began. Prior to being governed by the Republic of Venice, it was a protectorate of the Byzantine Empire. From the 14th century until the 19th century, Dubrovnik operated as a free state. Historically, the city's economy was derived from maritime trade; as the capital of the maritime Republic of Ragusa, it developed to a remarkable degree, especially in the 15th and 16th centuries, when its richness and diplomatic prowess made it noteworthy.At the same period, Croatian literature emerged from Dubrovnik. Poet Ivan Vidalić referred to it as the "crown of Croatian cities" in a letter to Nikola Nalješković (1564).In 1667, a severe earthquake nearly devastated the entire city. Following the French Empire's occupation of Dubrovnik during the Napoleonic Wars, the Republic of Ragusa was disbanded and merged into the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy, which subsequently became part of the French Illyrian Provinces.