Best side to sit between Munich and Vienna

[AdamWW]

Do any of the well travelled folks on here have an opinion on which would be the best side to sit travelling from Munich to Vienna?

Westbahn is offering free seat selection so I might as well make the most of it.

Upstairs, of course!

 

[NCT]

Is Westbahn compulsory reservation?

I don't know how busy these trains get. Between Westbound and OBB offers there's a relatively frequent service, so I wouldn't imagine they would all be chocka.

If reservation isn't compulsory I'd just wing it and change seats during the journey as you see fit.

 

[AdamWW]

Is Westbahn compulsory reservation?

I don't believe so.

I don't know how busy these trains get. Between Westbound and OBB offers there's a relatively frequent service, so I wouldn't imagine they would all be chocka.

If reservation isn't compulsory I'd just wing it and change seats during the journey as you see fit.

Nor do I but they are offering free reservations with seat selection, and a chance to book seats round one of the very few tables in second class, so I can't see much point in not reserving.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

RHS for the mountains between Prien and Salzburg, otherwise not much in it.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It's right-hand running, so I would always sit on the left hand side for the widest views, and of passing trains.
You'd get glimpses of the Danube on that side too, east of Linz.
Nice views of the Bavarian pre-alps on the right though, as noted above.

 

[gordonthemoron]

The only thing I can think of on the left is Chiemsee, and that doesn’t last long

 

[nwales58]

Very little in it.

Right is the sunny side so more chance of no view with window blind down. Also most of the narrow gauge/private lines. St Florian abbey on a hilltop several miles away.

Left is not against the light so better colours, Vöest-Alpine, very briefly next to the Danube at Ybbs before vanishing into a tunnel, similar at Melk: Danube and glimpse of abbey before fast line goes into tunnel.

East of Linz you see more from regional services because they don't use the bypasses.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Apr 2025 ==

If you want tables, Westbahn has fairly cheap upgrade to Comfort on all (?) tickets which is all tables, on both floors at one end but downstairs only at the other with first above.

 

[AdamWW]

Very little in it.

Right is the sunny side so more chance of no view with window blind down. Also most of the narrow gauge/private lines. St Florian abbey on a hilltop several miles away.

Left is not against the light so better colours, Vöest-Alpine, very briefly next to the Danube at Ybbs before vanishing into a tunnel, similar at Melk: Danube and glimpse of abbey before fast line goes into tunnel.

East of Linz you see more from regional services because they don't use the bypasses.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Apr 2025 ==

If you want tables, Westbahn has fairly cheap upgrade to Comfort on all (?) tickets which is all tables, on both floors at one end but downstairs only at the other with first above.

Thanks for that.

Yes I saw the Comfort class but getting in early in regular second seemed like it would work. From the photos the windows seem lined up properly.
For the train I'm looking at, Comfort class is currently about 50% more on the cheap tickets, albeit on top of a fairly low price in the first place.

 

[rvdborgt]

Is Westbahn compulsory reservation?

Nope. If you have a 1st class Interrail though, it's only valid in 2nd class and you'll need an upgrade to sit in 1st.

 

[AdamWW]

Nope. If you have a 1st class Interrail though, it's only valid in 2nd class and you'll need an upgrade to sit in 1st.

That seems a bit mean.

Though it's great overall that Westbahn accept Interrail.

You'd think at least they'd offer Comfort Class though.

Which they appear to for Klimaticket holders.