Vienna is the historic capital of Austria and is located some 960km from Amsterdam. Vienna is known as Wien (in German) and Wenen (in Dutch).
Let’s look at the options for travel between Amsterdam and Vienna by train, air and bus.
1. Amsterdam-Vienna by Train
The Amsterdam to Vienna trip can be done by rail during the day using ICE International trains with a single change in Germany. Or take the direct NightJet service overnight. The trips can be easily booked via the NS International site (euros) or the Trainline site here (multi-currencies) with prices starting as low as €35 one-way.
The journey will take around 11-12 hours during the day and 14 hours by night.
Amsterdam-Vienna by Day Trains
ICE International is jointly operated by DB (German Railways) and NS (Dutch Railways) and runs 6x daily between Amsterdam and Frankfurt (Main) using modern ICE3 trains. DB runs an ICE train service up to 7x daily between Frankfurt and Vienna using similar ICE-T trains.
The following itineraries are examples of morning departures from Amsterdam and Vienna:
Amsterdam-Vienna: Take the morning 0808 ICE International train from Amsterdam Central to Frankfurt Flughafen (Airport), which arrives at 1150. Then connect onto the 1201 ICE service to Vienna which arrives at 1847. Do note the somewhat tight transfer time at Frankfurt airport in this case.
Vienna to Amsterdam: Take the 0913 ICE train from Vienna which arrives at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 1536. Then connect onto the late afternoon ICE International departing Frankfurt at 1628, arriving in Amsterdam at 2029.
One-way ICE fares start from €50 (2nd class) and €80 (1st class) although they can be a bit difficult to find. More often than not you will pay fares of around €80 (2nd class) and €116 (1st class).
2nd class fares do not include a reserved seat on the ICE. You can reserve a seat for €4.90 per person for each one-way trip. It is not obligatory to make a seat reservation, however it can be worthwhile if the train is busy. Seats in 2nd class are in a 2-2 configuration.
Luggage racks on the ICE trains can accommodate small and medium size bags. In the middle of standard 2nd class carriages you can also find a larger luggage rack.
1st class fares include seat reservation as standard, with seating in a 1-2 configuration. Any 1st class ticket can get you into the NS International Lounge at Amsterdam and the ÖBB Lounge in Vienna. Note, in Germany only those with a full-flex 1st class ticket can access the DB lounges.
In our opinion, both the 1st and 2nd class seats on the ICE trains are extremely comfortable.
The ICE trains have a Bordbistro restaurant-bar carriage serving hot meals at extra charge. 1st class passengers can order and get served at their seats.
Amsterdam-Vienna by Night Train
It is also possible to do the trip by comfortable sleeper train. Austrian Railways ÖBB operates a NightJet nightly train service both ways between Amsterdam and Vienna.
The Amsterdam-departing train runs via Utrecht, Arnhem, Düsseldorf, Cologne and Frankfurt. It continues to Nuremberg where the train splits into a Munich-bound section (via Augsburg) and a Vienna-bound section via Linz.
The train departs Amsterdam at 1900 and arrives in Vienna at 0917 the next day. From Vienna the nightly train departs at 2010 and arrives the following morning in Amsterdam at 0959. Total journey time is around 14 hours.
One-way tickets prices for NightJet range as follows: €35-€165 for a 2nd class seat; €50-€195 for a couchette bunk (4-6 people); €80-€320 for a sleeper cabin for 1, 2 or 3 people.
Those holding a sleeper ticket may access the ÖBB Lounge in Vienna.
How to book online: Amsterdam-Vienna tickets can be booked at the NS International site or at the Trainline site here
2. Amsterdam-Vienna by Air
Flights between Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and Vienna International Airport (VIE) take just under 2 hours. This is the quickest way to travel between the 2 cities although travel by train is certainly a more relaxed affair.
Dutch airline KLM (Skyteam) currently flies the Amsterdam-Vienna route up to 4x daily using Boeing 737 aircraft. Prices also start at around €210 return not including checked luggage.
Austrian Airlines (Star Alliance) has up to 5x daily non-stop flights between Amsterdam and Vienna using Airbus A320 aircraft. Return sale fares start from around €230 not including checked luggage.
Austria and the Netherlands are both members of the Schengen Zone so it is (normally) not necessary to go through passport control when travelling between Amsterdam and Vienna.
3. Amsterdam-Vienna by Coach
German coach company Flixbus runs up to 1-4x daily direct services between Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Vienna Erdberg. Journey times are around 17 hours – there are also longer trip options which require a connection. Direct singles start from €45.
Amsterdam Resources
Looking for a convenient hotel near Amsterdam Central station? Check out the stylish Kimpton-De Witt which is a short walk from the station. For those on a budget the Ibis Amsterdam Centre is literally on top of the western edge of the station platforms.
The Iamsterdam City Card (1-5 days) offers free entry and discounts to numerous Amsterdam museums and attractions. It also includes a free public transport pass, a canal cruise and bike rental as well. You can order your Iamsterdam City Card online here
Vienna Resources
In Vienna you can book your hotel with Booking.com here. For a selection of tours and attractions in Vienna book with GetYourGuide here
This article was originally published in 2011 and has been continuously updated since then. Last update 7 February 2024.
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