Train service
Eurostar
Eurostar is an international high-speed rail operator connecting the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.
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Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s national railway company, operating long-distance, regional, and international train services across Europe.
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OBB
ÖBB is Austria’s national rail operator, known for its Railjet trains and Europe’s largest night train network, Nightjet.
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Raileurope
Rail Europe is a leading travel tech company specializing in European train bookings for over 15,000 travel professionals worldwide.
Trainline
Trainline sells rail and coach tickets worldwide on behalf of major UK and European transport companies.
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Omio connects you with over 1,000 transport providers - trains, buses, flights, and more - to simplify your travel planning.
London to Linz by train is possible, but it is not a direct journey. The usual plan is to take Eurostar from London to mainland Europe, then continue through Germany and Austria to Linz Hbf.
London to Linz by train at a glance
London to Linz is a long international rail journey. Checked commercial planners show fastest examples of around 11 to 12 hours, before you add Eurostar check-in time at London St Pancras.
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Direct train | No direct London-Linz train |
| Fastest checked examples | Around 11h08 (Rail Europe) to 12h11 (Trainline) in current commercial planners |
| Average checked examples | About 15h01 on Trainline; 19h44 on Rail Europe |
| Typical changes | At least one or two changes, depending on the planner and date |
| Main departure station | London St Pancras International |
| Main arrival station | Linz Hbf |
| Key operators to compare | Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB |
| Useful overnight option | Brussels-Vienna Nightjet on selected nights — check whether Linz is served on your date |
The exact journey depends heavily on the date. Some planners show a quick daytime route. Others build in longer waits or an overnight section. Treat the fastest time as proof that the trip is possible, not as the itinerary you will always get.
Eurostar also changes the planning maths. At London St Pancras, Standard and Plus passengers should allow time for pre-departure checks before the train leaves.
The route to compare first
The easiest route to understand is London to Brussels by Eurostar, then Brussels through Germany and Austria to Linz.
| Leg | Likely operator | Main stations | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| London to Brussels | Eurostar | London St Pancras to Brussels Midi/Zuid | Direct Channel Tunnel train to a major onward hub |
| Brussels to Germany | Deutsche Bahn and connecting services | Often via Cologne, Frankfurt, or another German hub | Gets you onto the German long-distance network |
| Germany to Linz | Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB | Often via Munich, Salzburg, Wels, Vienna, or another Austrian connection | Brings you into Linz Hbf on the Austrian network |
This route is a good first search because it avoids a cross-Paris station transfer. You still need to check the exact connection on your date, because international planners can route you through different German hubs.
London to Brussels by Eurostar
Eurostar is the fixed first leg if you travel via Brussels.
Checked Eurostar timetable examples from London St Pancras to Brussels Midi/Zuid on a May 2026 date show direct trains taking roughly three hours. Example departures include 08:16 arriving 11:13, 09:01 arriving 12:05, and 13:01 arriving 16:06.
Build in station time before departure. Eurostar recommends Standard and Plus passengers at London St Pancras arrive 75 minutes before departure, and the gate closes 30 minutes before departure.
Brussels to Linz through Germany and Austria
After Brussels, expect a long-distance connection across Germany and into Austria.
The exact route may use Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich, Salzburg, Wels, Vienna, or another connection. The logic is straightforward: get from Brussels onto the German long-distance network, then connect into the Austrian network for Linz Hbf.
Use Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB timings as the core checks for this section. If a reseller shows a very tight transfer, compare the same journey with a longer buffer before you buy.
Paris and other route alternatives
The Paris route can work, especially if the fare or arrival time is better on your date.
This version usually starts with Eurostar from London to Paris Gare du Nord. From there, you continue toward Germany and onward to Austria. The trade-off is the Paris transfer: Eurostar arrives at Paris Gare du Nord, while many Germany-bound trains leave from Paris Est. That station change is not difficult, but it is a real transfer with luggage, city transport, and delay risk.
Compare Paris if the Brussels route is expensive, sold out, or poorly timed. For most first searches, Brussels is simpler.
Overnight option via Brussels and the Nightjet
The Brussels-Vienna Nightjet can be useful if you want to sleep through part of the journey.
SNCB International describes the direct ÖBB Nightjet sleeper to Vienna as running three times a week from Brussels and Liège, with Belgium-to-Austria departures on Monday, Wednesday and Friday night. The route runs through Austria toward Vienna; third-party timetable sources note Linz as a stop on this route, but confirm the exact stops in your booking before finalising plans.
This is not the right option for every trip. It can save a hotel night, but it depends on the operating day, sleeper availability, any engineering work in effect, and whether the arrival time in Linz suits you. Check the exact Nightjet booking result before you build the rest of the itinerary around it.
If the Nightjet works for your date, the route is straightforward: Eurostar to Brussels, then Nightjet toward Austria. If it does not work, use a daytime Brussels-Germany-Austria route instead.
Journey time and transfer planning
Plan London to Linz as a full travel day, and sometimes as an overnight journey.
Current journey planners do not all agree. Trainline shows London to Linz from 12h11, with an average around 15h01. Rail Europe shows the fastest examples around 11h08, but also an average around 19h44. Those differences come from route choice, date, transfer assumptions, and whether the search includes longer waits.
Do not chase the shortest result blindly. A route with a very tight change in Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich, Salzburg, or Wels can be stressful if the first train is late. A slightly slower itinerary with a safer transfer is often the better buy.
Remember that Eurostar check-in sits outside the headline rail time. If your train leaves London at 08:16, you should be at St Pancras well before that.
Tickets, prices, and booking strategy
London to Linz train fares vary by date, booking window, route, and class.
Checked public examples show a wide spread. Trainline shows advance tickets from GBP 266.23. Rail Europe shows a lowest found fare from US$109, with Rail Europe noting that fare examples are estimates from real searches and vary by availability, day of week and season. Use these as orientation figures, not guarantees.
A practical booking approach:
- Search London to Linz first to see the full route.
- Search London to Brussels separately if the whole-route result is awkward.
- Compare Brussels to Linz, or Brussels to a German hub plus onward to Linz.
- Check Paris as an alternative if Brussels is expensive or badly timed.
- Leave more time when you split tickets, because separate tickets can weaken your protection if a delay breaks the connection.
Book the capacity-controlled legs first. Eurostar, night trains, and some long-distance international trains can sell out or become much more expensive close to departure.
Interrail and Eurail
Interrail and Eurail can work for London to Linz, but reservations are the main issue.
You need a Global Pass for the whole route because the journey crosses several countries. A one-country pass is not enough.
Eurostar is the key constraint. Eurail states that seat reservations are mandatory for pass holders on all Eurostar trains, and passholder seats can sell out. Night trains also need reservations or sleeper supplements.
A pass is most likely to make sense if London to Linz is part of a wider European rail trip. If this is your only long international journey, compare point-to-point tickets before buying a pass.
Train, flight, or coach
The train is a strong choice if you want to avoid flying, travel city centre to city centre, or make the journey part of the trip.
It is not usually the fastest way to get from London to Linz door to door. Flying will often be quicker overall. Coaches may be cheaper on some dates, but they are much slower and less comfortable for most travellers.
Choose the train if you value lower airport stress, easier luggage, rail-pass flexibility, or an overnight rail experience. Choose a flight if your priority is the shortest total journey time.
Practical tips before booking
Use the exact station names when you search: London St Pancras International, Brussels Midi/Zuid, Paris Gare du Nord, Paris Est, and Linz Hbf.
Check disruption notices close to travel. SNCB International has flagged a period in 2026 when ICE and Nightjet journeys through Germany take longer because of engineering work. That is normal on long international routes, but it makes final timetable checks important.
Build your itinerary around the connection you would still be comfortable with if one train is late. For a trip this long, a calm transfer is worth more than saving 15 minutes in a journey planner.
If you use the Nightjet, decide before booking whether a seat is good enough. For many travellers, a couchette or sleeper is the difference between arriving in Linz tired and arriving ready to use the day.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from London to Linz?
No. Current route planners show no direct London-Linz train. You need to change trains at least once, and many practical itineraries involve two or more changes.
How long does London to Linz by train take?
Fast checked examples are around 11 to 12 hours, but many realistic itineraries take about 15 hours or longer. Add Eurostar check-in time at London St Pancras when planning your day.
What is the route from London to Linz by train?
Start by comparing London to Brussels by Eurostar, then Brussels through Germany and Austria to Linz Hbf. The Paris route can also work, but it usually adds a cross-Paris station transfer between Gare du Nord and Paris Est.
Is there a night train from London to Linz?
There is no night train from London itself. A useful option is Eurostar to Brussels, then the Brussels-Vienna ÖBB Nightjet on selected nights — Monday, Wednesday and Friday departures from Belgium. Check whether Linz is available as a stop on your specific date before booking.
Can I use Interrail or Eurail from London to Linz?
Yes, a Global Pass can cover the rail countries on this route. You still need paid reservations for Eurostar and for any sleeper or couchette on the Nightjet. Eurostar reservations for pass holders are compulsory and passholder seats can sell out.
How much are London to Linz train tickets?
Checked public examples range from a Rail Europe lowest found fare of US$109 to Trainline advance fares from GBP 266.23. Prices change by date, booking window, route, and class. Rail Europe notes that its fare examples are estimates from real searches and vary by availability, day of week and season.
Which station do trains arrive at in Linz?
Most long-distance rail itineraries to Linz use Linz Hbf, the city's main railway station.
