Austria by Scenic Rail

Austria is well known for its bucolic beauty. Outside of the highly cultivated capital is a nature swiftly cut, dashed with precipitous mountains, deep clear lakes, and gorgeous green valleys. For centuries Austrians have used railroads to master rural frontiers, building the world’s first funicular in 1515 and blasting away mountains or boring into hillsides ever since. Given such tumultuous terrain today’s modern, high-speed trains slice through ridges and sail over viaducts with remarkable composure. The scenery on even the most prosaic inter-city lines is incomparable and with flights from London to Vienna starting at £85 you can explore Austria’s stunning alpine vistas with an everyday ease. Here are four of our favourite scenic Austrian rail routes.

Vienna to Graz

Semmering rail pass

With six universities and an impeccable Gothic Old Town, Graz is a cultural capital of Europe and Austria’s second largest city. The 2.5 hour high-speed journey from Vienna to Graz traverses one of Europe’s earliest mountain railroads. Built in 1848 with 14 tunnels, 16 viaducts and over 100 stone bridges, the Semmering line is a UNESCO World Heritage rail route, and its formidable engineering and staggering views still inspire today.

Vienna to Linz

Linz

Located in the north, 30km from the Czech border, Austria’s third largest city Linz lies in the centre of Europe. The medieval Old Town straddles the River Danube and has a fine array of baroque, neoclassical and gothic facades – including Austria’s most impressive Cathedral. The ride from Vienna takes 1.5 hours and wends gently east over rolling foothills bursting with colour. The trip is rapid but the lush pastoral scenes will remain with you forever.

Linz to Salzburg

Salzburg

From Linz we turn to Salzburg, 1.5 hours south east by train. Now we climb higher, the forests thin and the steep ravines are dusted with snow. Built on the alpine banks of the Salzach river Salzburg’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Town is a staggered collection of rococo palaces and romanesque monasteries. Take Hohensalzburg Castle, Europe’s largest medieval fortress, or the gilded galleries ofSchloss Leopoldskron. As the birthplace of Mozart and a backdrop to The Sound of Music Salzburg has no shortage of sights.

Salzburg to Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the state capital of Northern Tyrol and is nestled in a broad valley between high mountains of the Karwendel Alps. Bordering Italy, Germany and Switzerland as Austria’s craggy western limb, Tyrol has a strong independent identity and a unique Austro-Bavarian dialect. Innsbruck is one of Austria’s most frequented tourist destinations and is famous for its crisp alpine air, powdered ski slopes and extensive sporting facilities. The train ride from Salzburg takes around 3 hours on a slower regional train but is amongst the most visually thrilling in Europe. The mountains are the steepest yet and are dotted with snow capped castles. Far below the shimmering tracks freezing rivers surge beneath towering steel arches, while small stone bridges criss cross the tributaries, linking one dark forrest to another.

Travelling by rail

Exploring Austria by scenic rail is very affordable and has excellent facilities. Whether it’s a high speed connection or a regional route the views are stunning and the destinations superb