Austria advice

[DanNCL]

Hi everyone,

I've got a trip to Austria booked flying out in a few days time. Having never been to Austria (apart from a quick walk across the German border and back again on Zugspitze) I don't really know what to expect so have a few questions.

I know that FFP2 masks are still required on Wiener Linien and that this was still being somewhat enforced in August. What are people's experiences of this being enforced over the last few weeks?

Which trains are Wiener Linien 72 hour tickets valid on? I understand they're not valid on CAT or Westbahn, but are they valid on Railjet, ICE etc between Wien Hbf and Wien Meidling?

What is the general attitude towards photography on public transport in Austria? Is it likely to be an issue, or will it likely be fine?

Do Graz Linien have any mask rules, and if so are they actively enforced?

Finally, can anyone recommend any places to visit en-route between Graz and Vienna on a Wednesday? I don't have to be back at Vienna Airport until late afternoon so I'd wondered if any of the places en-route were worth visiting for a couple of hours.

Thanks!

 

[Segedunum]

No mask rules outside of Vienna so that won't be an issue.

I've never had an issue with photography in Austria, no matter the station.

 

[eastwestdivide]

places to visit en-route between Graz and Vienna

Semmering - if you've time to walk for some views, or just hang about for some freight trains
Mürzzuschlag - if the museum is open (https://www.suedbahnmuseum.at/at/), or again, just to watch the trains go past (there's a yard there where they may attach extra locos to the freights)

 

[30907]

No mask rules outside of Vienna so that won't be an issue.

That said, FFP2 mask wearing on longer distance trains was higher than in UK.

Graz has a 24h (etc) ticket which includes the funicular up to the fortifications, well worth it.

If you are travelling over a weekend the preserved Höllental electric line Payerbach-Hirschwang on the N ramp of the Semmering might be worth investigating

Nearer Graz there is an industrial electric line Mixnitz-St Erhard but AFAIK freight only. Otherwise in that same area Peggau-Ubelbach is operated by the local Steiermark Railways but with modern stock.

Wien tickets are definitely valid from the Airport on RJ, so I would appreciate that applies through to Meidling.

 

[DanNCL]

Thanks for the replies everyone. All of you have given me helpful advice!

I've decided to travel straight back to Vienna Airport from Graz on a direct railjet. I've also opted to spend a few hours in Maribor earlier in the trip, just so I can tick another country off my list!

Also in the plan is a day trip from Vienna to Bratislava. I assume the REX via Marchegg is the best option for that?

I’m off to Austria today, and returning to England next Wednesday, so I’ve got a whole week to enjoy!

I've never had an issue with photography in Austria, no matter the station.

Fab!

Semmering - if you've time to walk for some views, or just hang about for some freight trains
Mürzzuschlag - if the museum is open (https://www.suedbahnmuseum.at/at/), or again, just to watch the trains go past (there's a yard there where they may attach extra locos to the freights)

I'd considered Semmering for some walking but I didn't want to cart the suitcase around for that.
The museum at Mürzzuschlag looks great, shame it's shut on both of the days I'm travelling as if it had been open I'd definitely have opted to stop off there!

That said, FFP2 mask wearing on longer distance trains was higher than in UK.

Graz has a 24h (etc) ticket which includes the funicular up to the fortifications, well worth it.

If you are travelling over a weekend the preserved Höllental electric line Payerbach-Hirschwang on the N ramp of the Semmering might be worth investigating

Nearer Graz there is an industrial electric line Mixnitz-St Erhard but AFAIK freight only. Otherwise in that same area Peggau-Ubelbach is operated by the local Steiermark Railways but with modern stock.

Wien tickets are definitely valid from the Airport on RJ, so I would appreciate that applies through to Meidling.

I’m in Graz early next week so sadly not while the Höllental line is open. It sounds like something I’d have enjoyed!

Thanks for the clarification on the Wien tickets. I’ll assume, unless it says otherwise, that they’d also be valid on IC and ICE trains for the hop between Hbf and Meidling.

 

[eastwestdivide]

didn't want to cart the suitcase around for that

Rucksack? My preferred method of travelling light!

 

[DanNCL]

Rucksack? My preferred method of travelling light!

I’ve got one of them too, I don’t travel light!

 

[Segedunum]

Maribor I did find to not be up to much when I was there.

That said, if you're just looking to tick off Slovenia, it's pleasant enough. Just not very lively!

 

[DanNCL]

I’ve arrived in Austria. The aircraft made an emergency landing, that wasn’t part of my plan!

Maribor I did find to not be up to much when I was there.

That said, if you're just looking to tick off Slovenia, it's pleasant enough. Just not very lively!

I’d planned about three hours in Maribor. If I get bored I’ll try to take an earlier train back to Spielfeld Straß and spend some time watching the loco swaps there!

 

[30907]

Also in the plan is a day trip from Vienna to Bratislava. I assume the REX via Marchegg is the best option for that?

And the Slovak coaches next to the loco are nicer than the Austrian ones.

The route is flat and unexciting IMO, there's also a river hydrofoil

Alternatively, Wien- B Petrzalka on the wrong side of the Danube - not done it in daylight. There are SX local trains onwards, or bus (tram isn't adjacent). There is also an IC early afternoon with the bonus of a Slovak restaurant car, but it probably won't fit your timescale.

 

[Peterthegreat]

I’ve arrived in Austria. The aircraft made an emergency landing, that wasn’t part of my plan!


I’d planned about three hours in Maribor. If I get bored I’ll try to take an earlier train back to Spielfeld Straß and spend some time watching the loco swaps there!

Don't expect too many loci changes at Spielfeld Straß. A number of trains now have through loco workings including the two EC trains each way.

 

[43096]

Don't expect too many loci changes at Spielfeld Straß. A number of trains now have through loco workings including the two EC trains each way.

Indeed - there's very little space at Spielfeld-Straß for doing loco changes in any quantity. The through EC workings are now booked for haulage by SZ's two Vectrons that are leased from ELL; a SZ 541 deputises in the event of a Vectron being stopped for maintenance.