The night train to Salzburg - better than flying?
Plane or train? It is a dilemma that may be on our minds more and more often. Airports seem increasingly crowded, baggage limits are strictly enforced, and many interesting places can only be reached from Poland with a change of planes. Travelling by night train from Warsaw to Salzburg is a fascinating alternative.
Why take the train instead of flying
In some situations, the night train can seem an almost ideal alternative to flying. You save time, because you travel while you sleep, and as a result you also save the cost of a night's accommodation. You can take almost unlimited luggage, in terms of both weight and the amount of liquids. There is no need to turn up early at the departure point, check in, drop off bags or go through security. Your journey starts and ends in the city centre, so you do not need expensive transfers from a usually distant airport. For some, another plus may be that rail is a zero-emission means of transport, in other words the environmental benefit. In the destination city, you have practically full days at your disposal, from morning to evening.
Salzburg beyond Mozart
Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Austria, full of historical and cultural attractions that draw tourists from all over the world. It is rightly associated with Mozart, but there are many more reasons to visit. The city hosts many events, such as the annual October “Jazz&TheCitysounds” festival, which for 3 days turns the city into a huge stage for music and theatre. A walk around the old part of Salzburg reveals the architectural face of a city that underwent a huge transformation in the 16th century. It was then that 55 townhouses were demolished and 5 Italian-style squares were created. Since then Salzburg has been called the “Rome of the North”, also because, like the Italian capital, it is surrounded by hills. The bishops who ruled the city made no secret of drawing their spiritual and material inspiration from southern Europe. Dazzled by the lavish splendour of Rome, the archbishops of Salzburg built their capital on its model, inviting the greatest Italian architects and artists.
The Chopin train: timetable and stops
The “Chopin” night train leaves Warsaw at 20.00 and arrives in Salzburg at 8.30. The return train departs at 20.30 and reaches the Polish capital at 9.00. Before reaching Salzburg, the train stops at 13 stations: 7 in Poland, 3 in the Czech Republic and 4 in Austria. Bear in mind that there is no restaurant car, but when you find your sleeping compartment, a snack pack will be waiting for you (chocolate wafers, orange juice and water). Breakfast is served in the morning, with a choice of two options: “sweet” and “savoury”. The savoury one consists of a bagel, processed cheese, kabanos sausages and a hot drink of your choice. Breakfast is brought to your compartment at a set time agreed with the staff. Bedding and a towel are included in the ticket price. The compartment has a washbasin whose top can double as a desk. Opposite the washbasin, under the window, there is a folding single seat. The lowest bed, when folded, can form a three-seater sofa.
Single, double or triple compartment
Whichever option you choose (a single, double or triple compartment), it will always be the same size and will contain 3 beds. The ticket you buy determines the maximum occupancy of the compartment. A “single” means that no one else will be put in with you, and the other two beds will be folded up against the wall. A “double” means you will probably be travelling with one other person, but it may happen that no one is assigned to share with you. The situation is similar with a “triple”: in the end you may travel alone, as two or as three passengers. Fellow passengers may board (and leave) at intermediate stations. The washbasin mentioned above is inside the compartment, while the shower cubicle is at the end of the carriage, although one of the deluxe compartments has its own spacious bathroom. In the couchette compartments there is no bedding and no separation by gender.
Salzburg's cafés: Tomaselli and Fürst
Salzburg is best explored on foot, but when you tire of strolling the streets of the old town, it is worth sitting down in one of its cafés. The natural choice is “Café Tomaselli”, which is regarded as the oldest in the whole country. Its sign proudly displays the date “1703” as the year it opened. Another good option is the “Fürst” café; after all, it was Paul Fürst who created the famous Salzburger Mozartkugel chocolate balls, which are still the city's signature sweet today. These original Mozartkugeln can be bought in Fürst's 4 shops in the city, run by the 4th generation of confectioners. A boat trip on the Salzach river lets you see the city from a different perspective. On this relaxing cruise, a glass-roofed boat takes you upstream before returning to the landing stage near the old town. From the deck you can admire the city's sights, including Hohensalzburg Fortress, the hills and the cathedral. On the outskirts of Salzburg lies Hellbrunn Palace, with its intriguing fountain garden. The water features were designed in the early 17th century for Archbishop Markus Sittikus, in the Mannerist style of the day, as a way of amusing and surprising his guests. You could say that the whole park is a series of hidden trick fountains designed to surprise visitors with jets of water in the most unexpected places and at the most unexpected moments. One of the most astonishing features is a stone table surrounded by seats from which jets of water can suddenly shoot out, soaking the guests sitting at the table. The jets are positioned so that only one seat, the one where the archbishop sat, stays dry. From Hellbrunn Palace you can easily get by public transport to the Untersberg cable car. The cabin takes passengers up to 1853 m above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the Alps, the city and the surrounding area. At the top there is a viewing terrace, and several hiking trails start from there, letting you explore the beauty of the mountain landscape.
When and where to buy tickets
Tickets for the night train from Poland to Salzburg usually only go on sale 3 months before the date of travel. This may seem a little surprising, especially bearing in mind that flight schedules are known a year in advance, when tickets for specific flights can already be bought. It is worth checking the website of the Austrian railways, ÖBB, a little earlier, as they may start selling these tickets before the other partners. ÖBB is the lead partner on the route, while the Polish, Czech and German railways (the train terminates in Munich) are supporting partners. The likelihood of being woken unexpectedly at a border crossing is negligible: if there are any checks, they are limited to examining the passenger list, which the conductor has to hand.
Salzburg is a city that combines a rich history, magnificent architecture and beautiful scenery, offering a wide range of attractions. Salzburg, known as the country's beer capital, also has a lot to offer in terms of food and the arts. Its location also makes it a very convenient base for trips into the nearby Alps. And today you can get there directly by train from 7 cities in Poland.
