rail-holidays
Travelling to Austria with Arena Rail Holidays will allow you to experience the mountainous beauty and quaint architecture of one of Europe's most graceful and tranquil countries. The nation is landlocked, making rail the most efficient mode of transport through the lush green countryside, all the way to the iconic capital of Vienna — famed for its breathtaking buildings, delicious food and pioneering musical history.
Approximately eight million Austrians speak German, making it the predominant language. This isn’t surprising given that Austria shares its eastern border with Germany and the two countries share much of each other’s culture and history. Everything from the grand palaces and castles, to the glorious mountain planes hidden throughout the country can be explored via one of our Austria rail holidays.
Things to know
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One of Austria’s most visited natural attractions is Krimml Falls. Situated in the Eastern Alps they are the largest and steepest waterfalls in Europe – standing at a height of 380m
- It’s quite common to see deserts been served as main dishes. Favourites include Mohnnudeln, Apfelstrudel and Kaiserschmarren
- The native language in Austria is German and although most Austrian’s do speak English it’s good to know some key phrases, such as; Thank You (Danke Shon), Please (Bitte) or Hello (Hallo)
Key Destinations
Austria by rail
For a country as varied as Austria, travelling by rail is the perfect way to experience both the beautifully constructed cities and the vast hills, rocky peaks and glistening rivers of Austria’s picturesque countryside. The true elegance of a country can often go unnoticed, but you can experience Austria's beauty in its entirety as you weave through it by train at a leisurely pace.
Fantastic cities
Vienna, Austria's capital city, plays host to a number of Europe's most iconic buildings, landmarks and public squares, with Hofburg Palace and the Stadtpark offered as two shining examples. The magnificent city centre is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list and bears over 150 grand palaces.
Food and drink
With the country landlocked between Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic , it was inevitable that Austria would embrace a range of culinary influences, and it is this mishmash of influences that are reflected in the nation's iconic sweet pastries and strong beer. Wiener schnitzel is one of Austria's most famed dishes; you can get it as a convenient street snack or from a high-class restaurant. As well as beer, Austria also produces high-quality wine, with a number of vineyards dotted around the capital city of Vienna.
Rich cultural history
Austria's famous cities bear a rich history of art, music and architecture. Vienna's Staatsoper [state opera] is one of the world's most esteemed opera houses, both for its design and its musical significance – with the works of Austrian composers Mozart and Johann Strauss II often performed at the 19th century landmark.