Amsterdam to Vienna travel is possible by train, plane or coach.
Vienna is the historic capital of Austria and is located some 960km from Dutch capital Amsterdam. Vienna is known as Wien (in German) and Wenen (in Dutch).
Amsterdam to Vienna travel overview |
[1] Amsterdam-Vienna by Train
There is a direct nightly Amsterdam to Vienna rail service – the NightJet operated by Austrian Railways ÖBB. This journey takes just 14-16 hours with seat prices from €35 one-way.
Alternatively the journey can be done in the daytime in 13 hours using the ICE trains with a single change in Germany.
The trips can be easily booked via the Trainline site here (multi-currencies) or the NS International site (euros).
1a. NightJet Amsterdam-Vienna
The NightJet is a comfortable sleeper train with a variety of seat and berth options. ÖBB operates a NightJet nightly train service both ways between Amsterdam and Vienna.
The Amsterdam-Vienna service features the latest generation of NightJet trains.
There is an Amsterdam-Vienna service which departs nightly from Amsterdam at 18:30 or 18:01 (times can vary during the year) and arrives in Vienna at 09:48 the next morning – giving a journey time of nearly 16 hours.
The train runs via Utrecht, Arnhem, Essen and Dortmund. It continues to Nuremberg where the train splits into a Munich bound section (via Augsburg) and a Vienna-bound section via Linz.
From mid-June to December 2026 the train runs Nuremberg-Munich-Salzburg-Linz-Vienna.
From Vienna the NightJet trains depart at 20:10 and arrives the following morning at Amsterdam Central at 09:59 – around 14 hours.
One-way tickets prices for NightJet range as follows: €35-€165 for a 2nd class seat; €50-€230 for a couchette bunk (4-6 people); €100-€1,030 for a sleeper cabin for 1, 2 or 3 people.
The new NightJet trains also feature private mini cabins, a cocoon-like space featuring a 1.89m bed with breakfast included. They are good for solo travellers and are priced from €100.
Those holding a sleeper ticket may access the ÖBB Lounge in Vienna.
How to book online: Amsterdam-Vienna train tickets can easily be booked at the Trainline site here or at the NS International site
1b. Amsterdam-Vienna by Day Trains (ICE/RailJet)
The Amsterdam-Vienna journey can be done during the day with a single change at Munich Hbf station or Frankfurt.
The Amsterdam-Frankfurt ICE service runs 6-7x daily with one train per day from Amsterdam continuing to Munich Hbf. It uses modern ICE3M BR 406 variant trains.
ICE trains also run from Frankfurt (Main) to Vienna and RailJet trains run from Munich to Vienna.
Example Amsterdam-Vienna day itineraries:
Take ICE 121 from Amsterdam Centraal at 06:38, arriving at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 10:45. From there take ICE 1225 at 12:19 which arrives in Vienna Hbf at 19:47. Journey time: 13 hours 9 mins.
Take ICE 225 from Amsterdam Central at 08:30, arriving at Munich Hbf at 15:40. From there take a RailJet train (RJX 261) at 17:29 (direction Budapest) which arrives in Vienna Hbf at 21:32. Journey time: 13 hours 1 min.
Example Vienna-Amsterdam day itineraries:
Take RJX 261 from Vienna Hbf at 08:28, arriving at Munich Hbf at 12:32. From there take ICE 224 at 14:20 which arrives in Amsterdam Central at 21:29. Journey time: 13 hours 1 min.
Take ICE 1224 from Vienna Hbf at 10:13, arriving at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 17:37. From there take a ICE 120 at 19:34 (direction Budapest) which arrives in Amsterdam Central at 23:29. Journey time: 13 hours 16 mins
2nd class on the ICE has a 2-2 seat configuration. A 2nd class seat reservation costs €5.20 extra for a journey and is highly recommended as the trains can get busy.
Overhead luggage racks on the ICE trains can accommodate small and medium size bags. There are also extra racks at the middle and end of the carriages.
1st class has seating in a 1-2 configuration. 1st class carriages can also have a smaller ‘quiet zone’ compartments. A 1st class reservation costs €6.50 though full-flex tickets include this.
In our opinion, both the 1st and 2nd class seats on the ICE trains are extremely comfortable.
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.
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 train ticket fares
Amsterdam-Vienna rail tickets are open for booking from 180 days before travel.
The Amsterdam-Vienna 2nd class and 1st class tickets have the following possible fare components:
- Supersparpreis Europa – only valid on a specific departure and non-changeable/non-refundable. CHEAPEST
- Sparpreis Europa – a mid-flex fare only valid on a specific departure but which is changeable and refundable for a fee.
- Flexpreis Europa – a fully-flexible fare with unrestricted choice of trains and includes a City ticket for Berlin public transport. EXPENSIVE
Each component has a range of fare buckets – generally the further in advance you book, the more likely you will find the cheapest fare bucket.
When we checked prices the cheapest Amsterdam-Vienna one-way through-fares with a single change were:
- €79.99 (2nd class) and €109.99 (1st class) for Supersparpreis Europa
- €86.99 (2nd class) and €119.99 (1st class) for Sparpreis Europa
- €273 (2nd class) and €502 (1st class) for Flexpreis Europa
You may be lucky and find some slightly cheaper fares – but we recommend sticking to the single connection. However you could always add an overnight stopover in Germany instead of doing the trip in a single day.
Children 0-4 always travel free. In addition children ages 4-14 can travel free with any standard adult passenger on a (Super) Sparpreis fare – though you must include the child on your ticket when booking.
How to book online: Amsterdam-Vienna train tickets can easily be booked at the Trainline site here or at the NS International site.
[2] Amsterdam-Vienna by Air
Flying is the quickest way to travel between the 2 cities. Flights from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to 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.
- KLM (Skyteam) operates up to 4x daily Amsterdam-Vienna flights with Boeing 737/Airbus A321neo aircraft
- One way fares start at €136 (Basic fare, small hand-baggage only) and from €189 (Standard fare, checked bag)
- Austrian Airlines (Star Alliance) operates up to 5x daily Amsterdam-Vienna flights with Airbus A320 aircraft and airBaltic operated Airbus A220s
- One way fares start at €150 (Economy Light fare, hand-baggage only) and from €190 (Economy Classic fare, checked bag)
[3] Amsterdam-Vienna by Coach
The coach is often the cheapest travel option between Amsterdam and Vienna but the travel time is long at 17-20 hours.
- Flixbus operates 1-3x Amsterdam-Vienna direct coach services daily
- The main coach stop in Amsterdam is at Amsterdam Sloterdijk station
- In Vienna the direct Flixbus services serve Vienna Erdberg. There are also connecting services to Vienna Central station.
- Fares start from €47 one-way
- Flixbus allows 1 checked bag which is stowed in the luggage compartment
- It also allows 1 item of small hand baggage
Amsterdam Resources
Looking for a convenient hotel near Amsterdam Central station? Check out the stylish Kimpton-De Witt (IHG) 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
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.
This article was originally published in 2011. Last checked and updated 9 February 2026.
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