There are regional and long-distance trains between Austria and Italy. Passengers can choose between night trains to Venice, Rome, and La Spezia, as well as several daytime trains. Due to the long travel time and relatively high ticket prices, trains cannot compete with low-cost airlines to Italian cities, although overnight trains are very popular among rich tourists who want to travel comfortable from Vienna to Italy.
Train routes between countries are scenic.
There are three railway border crossings between Austria and Italy:
Arnoldstein ÖBB – Tarvisio Boscoverde FS
Weitlanbrunn ÖBB – Versciaco-Elmo/Vierschach-Helm FS
Brennersee ÖBB – Brenner/Brennero FS
Trains between Austria and Italy – useful websites
Austrian Railways – online shop
Nightjet – official website and online shop
Train travel in Austria – a comprehensive guide
Train travel in Italy – a comprehensive guide
Trains from Vienna to Venice
There are two direct trains between Vienna and Venice:
Daytime Raijlet train is comprised of three classes – Economy class, First class and Business class and bistro car. Journey time is about ten hours. Trains depart from Wien Hbf, stop at many stations, most important are Klagenfurt, Villach, Udine and Tarvisio. The train terminate at Venezia Santa Lucia station in the centre of the Venice.
An overnight Nightjet train between Vienna and Venezia comprised of seating carriage with compartmens, couchette cars and sleeping car.
There are promotional Sparschiene Tickets for daytime and overnight trains. Promotional tickets are much cheaper than regular-price tickets and can be booked max. 6 months (180 days) before journey. Tickets are bound to a specific time and train. These tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable. No other discounts apply when booking a Sparschiene ticket. Sparschiene tickets to Vienna-Zurich train sell very quickly, so book your ticket several months in advance.
Ticket prices for Nightjet train start at:
seating carriage – 29.90 EUR
6-berth couchette – 49.90 EUR
4-berth couchette – 59.90 EUR
3-bed sleeping car – 89.90 EUR
2-bed sleeping car – 109.90 EUR
1-bed sleeping car – 159.90 EUR
3-bed sleeping car with shower – 99.90 EUR
2-bed sleeping car with shower – 139.90 EUR
1-bed sleeping car with shower – 189.90 EUR
In fact, available tickets are much expensive. Book well in advance for the cheapest prices.
Train from Vienna to Roma
An overnight train from Vienna to Roma runs daily. During the summer months, the train is usually rerouted in Italy, and the route is shortened to Ancona. Check the Nightjet website before your journey. The train is comprised of seating carriage with compartmens, couchette cars and sleeping car.
Train provides comfortable access to Bologna and Firenze.
Promotional ticket prices are the same as between Vienna and Venezia.
Train from Vienna to La Spezia
In December 2022 Austrian Railways inaugurated new overnight train from Vienna to La Spezia via Milano and Genoa. Train runs daily and offers the night train connection from Vienna, Salzburg and Munich directly to the Italian Riviera.
You can continue your travel from Milano towards Garda Lake or from Genoa to Ventimiglia and Nice. There is a seasonal Cinque Terre Express from La Spezia to most popular seaside towns and villages along the seaside.
The train is comprised of seating carriage with compartmens, couchette cars and sleeping car.
Promotional ticket prices are the same as between Vienna and Venezia.
Train from Vienna to Bolzano
There is a daytime Railjet train from Vienna to Bolzano. Journey time is about 7 hours and train s comprised of two classes – 2nd class and Business class and bistro car. The train stop among others at St.Pölten Hbf, Linz Hbf, Salzburg Hbf, Kufstein, Wörgl Hbf Innsbruck Hbf and Brennero stations.
SparSchiene tickets are available. The cheapest tickets from Vienna to Bolzano I found were 29.90 EUR.
Eurocity train Vienna – Trieste
There is also an Eurocity train from Vienna to Trieste via Ljubljana. Train pass Slovenian teritory. Train is comprised of Slovenian and Austrian carriages on the Vienna – Ljubljana section. On the Ljubljana – Trieste section the train consists only three Austrian carriages – 1st class open-plan carriage, 2nd class open-plan carriage and 2nd class carriage with compartments. All carriages are comfortable and equipped with air-conditioning and vacuum toilets. Slovenian restaurant car is available only from Vienna to Ljubljana.
Regional trains between Austria and Italy
There are three regional trains between Austria and Italy:
Regional trains from Lienz to Fortezza (it. Franzensfeste) run every hour. The onward connection from Lienz to Innsbruck operates at two-hour intervals. From Fortezza/Franzensfeste, you can reach Munich or Verona with only one change of trains. Furthermore, there are additional trains offering the possibility of transporting bicycles between Lienz and San Candido/ Innichen. Trains run as S-Bahn but tickets are relatively expensive. Journey time between the towns is about two hours and 20 minutes
Regional trains from Innsbruck to Brennero run multiple time each day. Trains run as a part of S-Bahn Tirol (Line S3). Brennero is a border station in Italy. You can continue your journey by regional Italian trains from Brennero to Bolzano. There are also long-distance Eurocity trains from Innsbruck to Bolzano which covered the distance between the stations in 2 hours.
There an interesting fast train between Austria and Italy. Micotra train from Villach to Udine is operated by Austrian Railway in cooperation with Ferrovie Udine Cividale.
The train is primarily intended for cyclists. Bicycle transport is only guaranteed with a reservation. Cross-border tickets are relatively cheap. The train is comprised of comfortable 2nd class Austrian open-plain seating carriages and luggage carriages with bicycle space.
Micotra train sometimes may be temporarily suspended due to engineering works.
Trains from Germany to Italy
Many trains from Germany to Italy pass through Austria. For example:
Eurocity train Munich – Bologne provide easy access to Italy from Innsbruck
Nightjet train Munich – Venezia
Nightjet train Munich – Roma
Nightjet train Munich – La Spezia
Nigthjet train Venezia – Stuttgart
Tickets for all trains between Austria and Italy are available on a shop.oebbtickets.at
