With its vibrant and luxurious atmosphere, Vienna provides an interesting contrast to the grand castles and gated old city of Nuremberg. Fortunately, with a little planning, booking a train ticket from Nuremberg to Vienna is relatively easy and affordable--and the journey is one to remember.
Be familiar with your route ahead of time. Find out how to get from your hotel room to the Nuremberg train station and how long it will take.
Ask if your hotel provides complimentary service to the Nuremberg train station.
Determine the exact time your train departs from Nuremberg. Local train timetables are available at the Deutsche Bahn (Die Bahn) Web site (see Resources).
Plan to get to the station with plenty time to board the train and stow your luggage. You should be on the platform ready to board the train at least 15 minutes before it arrives.
Choose between a Eurail pass, a Germany & Austria pass, and a point-to-point ticket. A Eurail pass allows you the option to travel through 3 to 4 neighboring European countries for a set number of days. The Germany & Austria pass offers you unlimited travel between the 2 countries for a specific time. A point-to-point ticket is sufficient if Vienna will be your only destination in Europe.
Go to the Euro Railway Web site (see Resources). Select the ticket purchase option from the menu bar. To book point-to-point tickets, enter "Nuremberg" and "Vienna" in the respective destination boxes. Input station and route choices as well as your departure day and time. Select your seating class option (first or second), and the type of seat you would prefer: passenger, couchette or sleeping car.
Select the type of pass you prefer (Eurail or Germany & Austria) if you're not purchasing a point-to-point ticket. Then choose the number of days you want your pass to cover and your seating class preference. Note that there are special options for seniors, youths and children.
Opt to reserve your seat to maximize comfort and ease on your journey. Also consider selecting the direct connection option, as a trip from Nuremberg to Vienna can vary in length from 5 1/2 to 8 hours.
Consider choosing a premier train for travel from Germany to Austria. The ICE premier train, which covers travel from Nuremberg and Vienna, is not only extremely fast but also high-tech and very comfortable. Premier trains are optional, incurring an additional fee for your total ticket package.
Enter the total number of tickets you are purchasing and choose your shipping option. Tickets usually arrive via FedEx in 3 to 4 days, but expedited shipping choices are available.
Enter your personal and credit card information.
Print out all confirmation numbers and ticket information and keep them in a safe place.
