Begin your train travel to Vienna at Interlaken Ost, one of the two main train stations in Interlaken, Switzerland. Interlaken West is primarily a domestic station.
Be ready for at least two stops on your route from Interlaken to Vienna (Zuerich HB and Salzburg Hbf). There is no direct service between the two cities.
Plan on spending most of the day in transit when you travel from Interlaken to Vienna. The total traveling time, including connections, averages about 12 hours.
Expect to be traveling at night, since most of the departures for train travel from Interlaken to Vienna begin at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
Choose first class train travel between Interlaken and Vienna for the most comfort. With a first class ticket, you'll get a more spacious seat and the chance to take advantage of a sleeper car (though you'll have to share).
Save about $150 by sticking with second class or coach. Your seats will likely not be as comfortable as they would be in first class, but they're still spacious enough to allow for a good night's rest.
Upgrade your meal options to get more choices than what's available in the bar-buffet cars. The route between Interlaken and Vienna offers in-seat service for those in first class.
Use your first class ticket to gain access to the lounge at Salzburg Hbf. The time between your arrival and departure for Vienna is roughly two and a half hours, and you'll want to stretch your legs in a bit more comfort.
To book tickets, contact Eurail at 1-866-638-7245 or visit their Web site (see Resources below). Select the 'Train Tickets and Schedules' link from your left, and input the requested information as prompted by the Web site.
Book your travel as far in advance as you can, as prices do increase closer to your travel date. This is particularly true during major holiday seasons.
Buy a Eurail Austria-Switzerland pass for a big discount (anywhere from $50 to $200) on your train fare. The pass is good for more than one trip between Interlaken and Vienna and it allows you to book tickets whenever you want without having to pay extra because of demand.
Book your ticket for train travel from Interlaken to Vienna using Visa or MasterCard. They are accepted by every major carrier in Europe.
