Vienna - Graz - Ljubljana - Best option?

[route101]

I will be travelling this route soon and will be stopping in Graz for 2 nights. From looking at OBB timetables its mostly a mixture of loco hauled stock and railjets. Anyone travelled this route recently? What would you choose?

 

[Jealgu]

The emona for the dining car

 

[70014IronDuke]

I can't comment on the train to catch, but from Lasko, the best views are from sitting on the starboard side. However, once you reach Zidani Most, you should be on the port side - this route through the Sava Valley is wonderful in afternoon/early evening sunlight (depending upon season) heading towards Ljubljana, vastly underrated.

 

[route101]

The emona for the dining car

Is that one of the Eurocitys?

I noticed two on the route.

 

[rvdborgt]

Emona composition here.

 

[43096]

Is that one of the Eurocitys?

I noticed two on the route.

Yes, Emona is EC71 0753 Wien Hbf-Ljubljana. The other is EC79 1553 Wien Hbf - Zagreb. EC70 and EC78 are the northbound workings.

 

[Andover]

Seconded re Emona.

For the Wien-Graz leg, an unusual choice I recently made use of might be IC 558 on the first class SBB observation cars. The return service has limited light even at the peak of summer, so the best option for this experience on the Semmering line - but only if you can face a very early start!

Looking at vagonweb, most but not all of the other LHCS services seem to have compartments, worth checking if that's of interest.

 

[route101]

Booked on the Emona from Vienna to Graz, reserved a seat but no seat map.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Go up the Schlossberg in Graz for a panoramic view of the very nice city.
Go on to Trieste on the full length of the old Südbahn if you have the time, via Villa Opicina and Tram 2.
Still left hand running all the way south of Gloggnitz I think.

 

[Austriantrain]

Still left hand running all the way south of Gloggnitz I think.

Not anymore, at least not in Austria. The last left-hand sector, Bruck - Graz, got switched over when the Koralmbahn opened.

 

[route101]

Seconded re Emona.

For the Wien-Graz leg, an unusual choice I recently made use of might be IC 558 on the first class SBB observation cars. The return service has limited light even at the peak of summer, so the best option for this experience on the Semmering line - but only if you can face a very early start!

Looking at vagonweb, most but not all of the other LHCS services seem to have compartments, worth checking if that's of interest.

Had a look at that service, bit early for a Sunday! Altough the Eurocity is only a few hours later.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jun 2026 ==

I have booked the Eurocity on both legs. I might sample the dining car on the second leg.

 

[ricohallo]

Had a look at that service, bit early for a Sunday! Altough the Eurocity is only a few hours later.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jun 2026 ==

I have booked the Eurocity on both legs. I might sample the dining car on the second leg.

I found the Slovenian dining car to be excellent! Make sure to bring cash though, I seem to recall it didn't take cards.