Left the apartment at 0815, Wednesday 25 March. No stress on the U-bahn journey with one change of lines after yesterday’s recce of routes! Got to Wien Hbf in time for a coffee and then found the right platform in good time. Bev misread the reservation tickets though and we boarded the wrong carriage! Jumped off and hurried along the platform to find our 1st class ‘Wagon’ just in time before 0928 departure. On this ÖSS Railjet we have 1st class comfy seats in a busy train. Once again, glad we made reservations at only €3 each. Coffee is served in china cups, served to order from the stewards. Our route via Salzburg and Innsbruck was the same as our journey from Florence and includes a short cut through Germany between Salzburg and Kufstein. We met an interesting Austrian guy who told us all about the local area as well as suggesting Puglia for our next campervan trip – sounds like a great idea.
The track runs along the River Inn and stops at Innsbruck. We then take a new route from the one taken to Vienna from Florence, due west through the Tirol passing Patscherkofel and the ski resorts of the Arlberg region with some spectacular scenery, in sunshine. After the six mile Arlberg Tunnel, the highest point on the line, we climb through the Arlberg Pass, the main railway line between Switzerland and Austria. Opened in 1884, it’s one of the highest altitude standard guage railways in Europe, reaching 1,300 metres (4,298 feet). After passing non-stop through Liechtenstein we cross into Switzerland when three plain clothes Revenue officers seem to be checking some passengers at random (not us). By 1630 the weather has closed in, with low clouds obscuring the view. Before reaching Zurich we pass Walensee and Zurichzee.
Arrived Zurich at 1720 and after a few enquiries, found out how to buy a bus ticket and where to catch the no. 31 trolley-bus. It’s quite crowded but people are helpful in letting us know where to get off. We walk up the hill about 200m to find Christof and Barbara’s house where we had a lovely welcome to stay until Friday.
Barbara joined us for a visit to the Kunsthaus Museum on Thursday, an impressive modern art gallery including a special exhibition by Kerry James Marshall which was pretty interesting. After a short wander in the chilly drizzle and sleety rain, we returned by trolley-bus to buy the raclette cheese for supper at a lovely local deli. Enjoyed this Swiss traditional meal with Barbara & Christof, leaving for Tirano in the morning as the weather looks good this weekend for a ride on the Bernina Line.
Journey time 8 hours Vienna to Zurich [direct]
Interrail Travel Day 5: Wednesday, 0928 Railjet Xpress via Salzburg, Innsbruck, Arlberg, Buchs, arrive Zurich 1720.