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The train from Venice to Vienna is a direct cross-border route with both daytime and overnight options. ÖBB runs direct services every day: two Railjet day trains and one Nightjet overnight sleeper, covering roughly 434 km without a change of train. The fastest Railjet takes approximately seven hours. The Nightjet departs in the evening and arrives in Vienna the following morning after around ten hours and fifty minutes, so you sleep through the journey rather than sit it.
Both options connect Venice and Vienna by rail without airport transfers at either end.
Which train should you take?
ÖBB Railjet
The Railjet is the standard choice for a daytime crossing. It is a modern, air-conditioned express with a restaurant car, free Wi-Fi, and power outlets. The train runs twice daily, with a morning departure and an afternoon departure, and the journey takes approximately seven to seven and a half hours depending on the service.
Three travel classes are available:
- Economy (2nd class): Comfortable seats with folding tables, footrests, free Wi-Fi, and access to a snack trolley and restaurant car.
- 1st Class: Leather seats in a 2×1 configuration, extra legroom, at-seat food and drink service from the restaurant menu, free Wi-Fi, and power outlets.
- Business Class: Leather-covered adjustable seats, reading lights, free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and at-seat food and drink service.
The train reaches up to 230 km/h on parts of the route.
ÖBB Nightjet
The Nightjet is the right choice if you want to save a night’s accommodation, arrive in Vienna rested in the morning, or simply prefer travelling overnight. It departs Venice Santa Lucia in the evening at around 21:05 and arrives in Vienna the following morning, a journey of approximately ten hours and fifty minutes.
Three accommodation tiers are available:
- Seated carriage: The most affordable option, suitable for lighter sleepers or travellers on a tight budget. Seats recline but are not designed for comfortable overnight sleep across the full journey.
- Couchette (shared): A fold-out bunk in a shared compartment of four or six berths, with bedding provided. This is the most popular tier for most travellers.
- Private sleeper: A lockable compartment with a made-up bed, more privacy, and typically breakfast included. Priced higher but comparable to a budget hotel room when the saved accommodation cost is considered.
The Nightjet stops at Venezia Mestre, Udine, Tarvisio, Villach, Salzburg, and several further stops before reaching Wien Meidling and then Wien Hauptbahnhof.
The route: what you will see
The journey passes through some of the most varied scenery in Central Europe.
Leaving Venice, the train crosses the long railway causeway above the Venetian lagoon before reaching the Italian mainland at Venezia Mestre. The route then climbs through the Friuli plain and into the Alps. On the descent into Vienna, the landscape opens into the eastern Alpine foothills and the Vienna Basin before the train reaches the city.
Stations
Departing Venice
Trains on this route serve Venezia Santa Lucia and Venezia Mestre. Venezia Santa Lucia is the terminal station on the Grand Canal, accessible by vaporetto (water bus) from most parts of the city or on foot from Piazzale Roma, where buses and taxis arrive. Venezia Mestre is on the mainland, a few minutes further along the line. The Nightjet departs from Venezia Santa Lucia at around 21:05 and calls at Venezia Mestre at around 21:15 to 21:17. The afternoon Railjet (RJ130) departs Venezia Santa Lucia at 15:52 and calls at Venezia Mestre at 16:04.
Always check your specific ticket to confirm which Venice station your service departs from, as this varies between services.
Arriving Vienna
Trains on this route call at Wien Meidling and then continue to Wien Hauptbahnhof. Both stations have direct U-Bahn (metro) connections into central Vienna. Wien Hauptbahnhof is the larger of the two and is on the U1 line. Wien Meidling is served by the U6 line and by suburban rail (S-Bahn), and is one stop before Hauptbahnhof when arriving from the south.
Check your ticket to confirm your arrival station before travel.
Timetable and frequency
There are three direct trains per day from Venice to Vienna:
| Service | Approx. departure (Venice Santa Lucia) | Approx. arrival (Wien Hbf) | Journey time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Railjet (morning) | ~09:55 to 09:56 | Check current timetable | ~7 hrs |
| Railjet RJ130 (afternoon) | 15:52 | 23:35 | ~7 hrs 43 min |
| Nightjet NJ236 | 21:05 | 07:55 (+1 day) | ~10 hrs 50 min |
Always confirm your exact departure and arrival times at ÖBB.at before booking, as schedules change seasonally.
Aggregator sites such as Rail Europe, Trainline, and Omio also display additional options with one or more changes. These are indirect routings and are not the same as the direct services above.
Ticket prices and how to book
Fare structure
Railjet fares start from approximately €29 for advance Economy tickets and rise as the departure date approaches. As a general guide:
| Booking window | Approximate Railjet fare |
|---|---|
| Booked well in advance | From ~€29 |
| Around 30 days before | From ~€37 |
| Around 7 days before | From ~€64 |
Nightjet fares by accommodation tier start approximately as follows:
| Category | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Seat 2nd class | from €29.90 |
| Couchette 6-berth compartment | from €49.90 |
| Couchette 4-berth compartment | from €59.90 |
| Sleeping car 3-bed compartment | from €89.90 |
| Sleeping car 2-bed compartment | from €109.90 |
| Sleeping car 1-bed compartment | from €159.90 |
These are starting prices; the actual fare depends on your travel date and how far in advance you book. Check ÖBB.at or nightjet.com for current availability.
Where and how to book
ÖBB.at is the primary booking portal and typically has the widest availability, including all Nightjet accommodation tiers. You can also book via nightjet.com specifically for the overnight service.
International resellers including Rail Europe, Trainline, and Omio also sell tickets on this route and can be useful for comparing options or booking alongside other legs of a broader European itinerary.
Tickets typically go on sale three to six months before departure. For the cheapest fares, booking as early as possible is the most reliable strategy.
Seat reservations
Reservations are required on both the Railjet and the Nightjet on this international route. For Nightjet, your accommodation tier constitutes your reservation. Pass holders also need to pay a reservation fee when travelling on these services. Verify the current fee at ÖBB.at or Eurail.com when you book.
Rail passes: Eurail and Interrail
If you hold a Eurail Global Pass or Interrail Global Pass, both Italy and Austria are covered countries, meaning you do not need to buy a separate point-to-point ticket. However, you will need to pay a reservation fee to board the Railjet or the Nightjet.
Reservation fees for pass holders on the Nightjet start from €5 for a seat, €25 for a couchette in a 6-person compartment, €45 for a couchette in a 4-person compartment, €65 for a sleeping car 3-person compartment, €75 for a 2-person compartment, and €125 for a 1-person compartment. These fees are dynamic and depend on capacity, so check ÖBB.at for current pricing when you book.
Whether a pass saves you money on this specific route depends on your itinerary. For a single Venice to Vienna journey, a point-to-point advance ticket is almost always cheaper than the pass plus reservation fee combined. The pass becomes worthwhile if you are making several long-distance journeys across multiple countries on the same trip.
If you are building a wider Central European rail itinerary, check the pass maths carefully: add up the individual advance fares for each leg and compare them with the pass cost plus all reservation fees.
The Nightjet in detail
The ÖBB Nightjet running as NJ236 is the overnight train on this route. It departs Venezia Santa Lucia at 21:05 and calls at Venezia Mestre (21:15 to 21:17), Treviso Centrale, Conegliano, Pordenone, Udine, Tarvisio Boscoverde, Villach, Salzburg, and several further stops before arriving at Wien Meidling and then Wien Hauptbahnhof.
Accommodation tiers
Seated carriage is the least expensive option. Seats recline but are not designed for comfortable overnight sleep across the full journey. Best for very budget-conscious travellers or those who sleep easily in an upright position.
Couchette is the most popular choice for most travellers. You share a compartment of four or six fold-out bunks with other passengers. Bedding is provided. It is practical, reasonably comfortable for one night, and significantly cheaper than a private sleeper. Families and groups can book a private compartment: a full couchette compartment for up to six people starts from €199, and a seat compartment for up to three people starts from €99.
Private sleeper offers a lockable compartment with made-up beds, more privacy, and typically breakfast service. Compartments sleep one, two, or three people. Deluxe compartments include a private shower and toilet. At single occupancy prices, the cost is broadly comparable to a mid-range city hotel, but you arrive rested and save a morning of travel. Book all beds in a shared compartment if you want to travel privately; leaving a bed unbooked in a multi-person compartment may result in a stranger sharing it.
Children and family travel
Children up to the age of 5 travel free of charge if they share a berth with an adult. Children aged 6 to 14 receive discounted tickets. Families can book a private couchette or seat compartment to travel together without sharing with other passengers.
Pets
Dogs and other pets can travel on the Nightjet, but you must book the whole compartment. A dog supplement of €29 applies and can be added during the ÖBB booking process.
Bicycles
Bicycles can be added to your Nightjet booking on the ÖBB website. A bicycle in a dedicated space costs an additional €12. Bicycles carried folded or disassembled in a bag travel as normal luggage. Cars and motorbikes cannot be carried on this service.
Who the Nightjet suits
- Travellers who want to maximise time in both cities without spending a day on a train
- Anyone looking to avoid the cost of a hotel night in either city
- Groups or couples willing to take a shared sleeper together
- Travellers who find daytime train journeys too long or tiring
A note on luxury train options
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express no longer operates a Venice to Vienna routing. If you are researching the VSOE, verify the current timetable directly with Belmond, as the route has changed.
Train vs. flight
A direct flight from Venice Marco Polo Airport to Vienna takes around two hours in the air. Door-to-door, however, including getting to the airport, checking in, security, boarding, the flight itself, baggage reclaim, and then transferring from the airport into central Vienna, the total time is typically several hours under good conditions. The Railjet, which takes around seven hours but departs and arrives in the city centre, is slower on paper but requires no airport transfers at either end.
The Nightjet removes the comparison almost entirely: you travel while you sleep and arrive in Vienna in the morning with no time lost and no hotel bill.
On carbon, rail is significantly lower-impact than flying. The train route also passes through scenery that no flight replicates.
Flixbus coaches also operate on the Venice to Vienna corridor at lower fares than most train options, with a journey time of around nine to ten hours. This is a reasonable budget alternative if early-bird train fares are sold out.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Venice to Vienna?
Yes. ÖBB runs three direct trains every day: two Railjet daytime services and one Nightjet overnight sleeper. No change of train is required on any of these services.
How long does the train from Venice to Vienna take?
The Railjet takes approximately seven to seven and a half hours depending on the service. The Nightjet overnight takes approximately ten hours and fifty minutes, departing in the evening and arriving the following morning.
How much does the train from Venice to Vienna cost?
Railjet advance fares start from around €29. Nightjet fares start from €29.90 for a seat, €49.90 for a couchette in a six-berth compartment, and €89.90 for a sleeping car berth. Prices rise closer to the departure date. Check ÖBB.at for current availability.
Which station does the train depart from in Venice?
Most services depart from Venezia Santa Lucia, the terminal station on the Grand Canal. The Nightjet NJ236 departs Venezia Santa Lucia at 21:05 and also calls at Venezia Mestre on the mainland. Always check your specific ticket to confirm your departure station.
Which station does the train arrive at in Vienna?
Trains on this route call at Wien Meidling and then continue to Wien Hauptbahnhof. Both stations have direct U-Bahn connections into central Vienna. Check your ticket to confirm your arrival station before travel.
How do I book the Nightjet from Venice to Vienna?
Book directly at ÖBB.at or nightjet.com for the widest choice of accommodation tiers. International resellers including Rail Europe, Trainline, and Omio also sell tickets on this route. Tickets typically go on sale three to six months before departure.
What is the Nightjet train number from Venice to Vienna?
The overnight service operates as NJ236. Confirm the current train number at nightjet.com or ÖBB.at before travel, as numbering can vary between timetable years.
Can I use a Eurail or Interrail pass on this route?
Yes. Both Italy and Austria are covered by Eurail and Interrail Global Passes. However, a reservation fee is required on both the Railjet and the Nightjet. Nightjet reservation fees for pass holders start from €5 for a seat and €25 for a couchette in a six-person compartment. Check ÖBB.at or Eurail.com for current fees.
Do I need a seat reservation on the Venice to Vienna train?
Yes. Reservations are required on both the Railjet and the Nightjet on this international route. For the Nightjet, your chosen accommodation tier constitutes your reservation. Pass holders must also pay a reservation fee.
What is the difference between a couchette and a private sleeper on the Nightjet?
A couchette is a fold-out bunk in a shared compartment of four or six berths with bedding provided. A private sleeper is a lockable compartment with a made-up bed, more privacy, and typically breakfast included. Deluxe sleeping compartments also have a private shower and toilet.
What time does the Nightjet depart from Venice?
The Nightjet NJ236 departs Venezia Santa Lucia at 21:05 and calls at Venezia Mestre shortly afterwards. It arrives at Wien Hauptbahnhof the following morning. Confirm the exact arrival time at ÖBB.at before booking.
Is the Railjet or the Nightjet better for this journey?
The Railjet is the practical choice if you want to travel during the day and arrive in Vienna the same evening. The Nightjet suits travellers who want to save a hotel night, arrive rested, or avoid spending a full day on a train. Both connect the city centres directly with no airport transfers.
How far in advance should I book Venice to Vienna train tickets?
Booking as early as possible gives access to the cheapest fares. Tickets typically go on sale three to six months before departure. Railjet advance fares from around €29 are available well ahead of travel; fares rise significantly in the final weeks before departure.
What onboard facilities are available on the Railjet?
The Railjet has a restaurant car, free Wi-Fi, and power outlets throughout. Economy class has folding tables and footrests. First Class offers leather seats in a 2x1 configuration with at-seat food and drink service. Business Class adds adjustable leather seats and reading lights.
Does the train from Venice to Vienna go through the Alps?
Yes. After crossing the Venetian lagoon causeway and passing through the Friuli plain, the route climbs into the Alps before descending through the eastern Alpine foothills into the Vienna Basin.
