In keeping with our travel recommendation about train travel, as opposed to taking a plane, we took the Ă–OB Railjet train from Vienna in Austria to Prague in the Czech Republic. We just feel it is a quicker solution for short to medium destinations, when you take into account all the nonsense and preparation you must do to travel by air, which usually takes anywhere from two hours on each end. It just isn’t worth the effort to us for a one hour flight, when if you could use the time to enjoy the countryside or read a good book.
Vienna Hauptbahnhof
On To Prague
Our next destination was Prague, where we are to meet my daughter and son-in-law. We left our hotel and using a taxi reached the main station in Vienna in about fifteen minutes. The main train station in Vienna is a very modern facility and connected to the U1 metro and the D Line of the Tram network, so there are multiple ways to reach it.
The Bucolic Czech Countryside
Of course, the Austrian and Czech Republic countrysides in this area of Europe are very similar, being mostly agricultural, with some natural reserved areas and wooded areas.
Vienna Hauptbahnhof
Vienna Hauptbahnhof
Austrian Ă–OB Railjet Train – First Class
Austrian Countryside
Arriving in Breclav – Our First Stop
Czech Republic – Countryside
Czech Republic – Countryside
Czech Republic – Arriving in Brno
Czech Republic – Arriving in Brno
Czech Republic – Countryside
Czech Republic – Countryside
Czech Republic – Countryside
Czech Republic – Countryside
Czech Republic – Countryside
Czech Republic – Countryside
Czech Republic – Countryside
Here are also a few videos I shot while enjoying the ride.
Some Recommendations
Upon reaching Prague, we decided to walk with our luggage to the Imperial Hotel, which is about fifteen minutes from the station. Though it can be done, and we actually did it, I cannot say I advise doing it. The Czech streets, in this area and most walkways in the older part of the city, are paved using a special highly contoured version of Sanpietrini, which is actually very difficult to pull your luggage on. It probably also raises hell with wheels on your luggage. So, a word of caution, what you see on the walkway immediately leaving the train station will last until you reach your hotel. That would be the time to seriously contemplate going back and getting into a taxi. Happy travels!
Our flight from Milan to Vienna was rather quick and thankfully uneventful. Though I will admit, if Vienna was within a six (6) hour train ride, I would still rather take a train.
Austria – Flight from Milan – Mountain Snows
Austria – Flight from Milan – Vienna from the air
Additionally, I would say, Austrian Airlines would not be my favorite airline to take. It is better than Spirit and RyanAir, but worse than Delta and other larger carriers. It’s meant to be cheap and it feels it. We only took it out of convenience.
Grand Hotel Wien
When choosing a hotel we were looking for something with Wiener charm and found it the Grand Hotel. The rooms are grand, comfortable and the hotel staff and service are great.
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Grand Hotel Wien
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Grand Hotel Wien
The outside is rather unassuming, but the inside and its rooms have that old age charm. It contains a cafe and three restaurants and will meet most peoples needs for their short stay in this very cosmopolitan city.
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Grand Hotel Wien – Hotel Room
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Grand Hotel Wien – Hotel Room
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Grand Hotel Wien – Hotel Room
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Grand Hotel Wien – Hotel Room
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Grand Hotel Wien – Foyer
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Grand Hotel Wien – Breakfast Hall
A Quick Look At Vienna
Our first day or so was spent getting a quick look at the city. Our first impressions are it is a rather clean city for its size, but not as clean as Ljubljana, Slovenian. It has an extensive and very useful commuter infrastructure, including rail, tram, cycling and pedestrian ways all clearly marked and very easy to use. The WienMobile mobile application is also very useful and easy to set up.
Vienna – Innen Stadt – Mall
Vienna – Innen Stadt – Wiental Canal
Vienna – Innen Stadt East
Vienna – Innen Stadt – Stubenring
Vienna – Innen Stadt – Stubenring
Vienna – Innen Stadt – Stubenring
Vienna – Alt Stadt
Vienna – Alt Stadt
Vienna – Alt Stadt
Vienna – Alt Stadt
Vienna – Alt Stadt
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Kärtner Strasse
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Kärtner Strasse
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Kärtner Strasse
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Kärtner Strasse – Trinity Column
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Kärtner Strasse – Trinity Column
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Kohlmarkt Strasse
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Sisi Museum
Vienna – Alt Stadt
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Cafe Central
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Austrian Stock Market
Vienna – Alt Stadt
Vienna – Alt Stadt
Vienna – Alt Stadt
Vienna – Alt Stadt
Vienna – Typical City Street
Vienna – Typical Architecture
Restaurants
Wiener KĂĽche
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Wiener KĂĽche
A small Viennese restaurant on Bräunerstraße, Wiener Küche serves traditional Austrian and Wiener cuisine. Needing our first sample of local food, we stopped here for our early afternoon meal. We both chose the Beef Gulash with Parsley Potatoes.
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Wiener KĂĽche – Patti freezing
Vienna – Alt Stadt – Wiener KĂĽche – Beef Gulash with Parsley Potatoes and Merlot
From the Trieste Train Station it is possible to take a local or regional train for a day trip and visit the Castle of Miramare just north of the city. Tickets are available via the TrennItalia application, at the ticket counter or vending machines.
Miramare – Train Station
Miramare – Train Stop
On the walk to the train station we were able to stop and enjoy some of the monuments and fountains that we missed on our previous walks.
Before reaching the castle, there is a very beautiful park that surrounds it. Its shade was very welcome with temperatures reaching the mid 90s.
Miramare – Sign to Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle Park
Miramare – Road to Miramare Castle Park
Miramare – Gate to Miramare Castle Park
Miramare – Patti in Miramare Castle Park
Miramare – Miramare Castle Park Map
Miramare – Miramare Castle Park
Miramare – Castle viewed from Miramare Castle Park trail
Miramare – Miramare Castle Park
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle Park – Boy with Swan fountain
Miramare – Miramare Castle Park – Duck Pond
Miramare – Miramare Castle Park
Miramare – Miramare Castle Park – Entrance to Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle Park – Duck Pond
Miramare – Miramare Castle Park – Duck Pond
The park is actually very well maintained. Undergrowth is allowed to grow where it should and well pruned in other areas. There are benches everywhere, so feel free to sit down and enjoy the quiet while you can, birds and cicadas notwithstanding.
Miramare Castle
Miramare Castle – Tickets For Two
The Miramare Castle was built in the mid eighteen hundreds by Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximillian and his wife. The castle is rather small, but fits well into the coastline and has some interesting internal features, including a Chinese Room.
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Miramare – Miramare Castle – Gulf of Trieste
Miramare – Miramare Castle – Garden
Miramare – Miramare Castle – Garden
Miramare – Miramare Castle
Restaurants
A short walk north on the path down to Grignano will bring you to the marina where several restaurants are located. We chose Tavernetta al Molo for lunch and were not disappointed.
Tavernetta al Molo
Grignano – Travernetta al Molo
A small establishment by the marina that has a good menu, including daily seafood specials, drinks and desserts. We spent about two hours eating, relaxing and enjoying a rest during a very hot day.
Grignano – Travernetta al Molo
Grignano – Patti at Travernetta al Molo
Grignano – Travernetta al Molo – Grilled Tuna, Potato and Tomato
Grignano – Travernetta al Molo – Spaghetti in Lobster Sauce
Just a quick post on the train ride from Interlaken to Luzern. We took the regional railroad service from Interlaken Ost to Luzern, a daily service that runs at about thirty minute intervals during regular hours.
Interlaken Ost to Lucern – North is down
Leaving Interlaken
The trip is divided up into about two parts, one before the BrĂĽnigpass and one after. Here is a quick slideshow of photographs taken before the pass.
Here are a few videos climbing the mountain up to the pass. The regional train on this route is a bit bumpy and swerves alot, so if you are inclined to have motion sickness, it is best to take it before you leave Interlaken Ost.
Arriving In Luzern
Once over the mountain there is a slow descent and the train will stop several places before arriving at the main train station in Luzern.
And here is a final video of the train traveling along the Sarnersee before we entered Luzern.
That’s it! The overall trip takes about two hours, due to the stops and the windy tracks. The train had to repeatedly re-engage the rake, or cog wheel, system as it went up and over the mountain. It seem to disengage at each stop then re-engage when leaving, which tended to slow us down some.
I hope you enjoyed this short traveling version of our post. Next post will be about Luzern.
At two thousand or so meters above sea level and little Grindelwald, is the small train interchange of the mountain pass at Kleine Scheidegg. Three separate lines run from here and it becomes a busy little beehive in the morning hours, less so in the afternoon, at least during summer.
Kleine Scheidegg Train Station
We purchased our tickets in Grindelwald station not thinking much about passes, which is actually a mistake, but live and learn. In any case, to get there you take the rack train, or cog train, from Grindelwald.
Tickets For Two – Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg
Our Train Track is A
The way up takes about thirty minutes and there are about three stops along the way, including Grindelwald Grund, to pick up passengers who drive to take the train on a day trip. Since I forgot to take a video going up, here is a short one on the way down.
Note: Investigate getting a multi-day pass that includes the Jungfraujoch and traveling in the area. Especially if you are traveling with family or a group, this may save you serious money. The Jungfraujoch is an inclusive train/experience, so it will be a bit pricey, so any discount you can get may relieve the sticker shock.
Kleine Scheidegg
With the Hotel Bellevue, where Clint Eastwood stayed during the shooting of The Eiger Sanction, a movie based on the novel with the same name; Kleine Scheidegg is a collection of hotels, cafes and train lines to other parts, including Jungfraujoch and Lauterbrunnen.
The Hotel Bellevue
The Hotel Bellevue
Kleine Scheidegg Train Station
The Surrounding Mountains
The Eiger Glacier
Next to the imposing Eiger, the Eiger glacier drains its icy contents between itself and the Mönch, while Jungfrau sits idly by, to the right of both.
The Eiger Glacier – Eiger Is To The Left, Mönch Is Directly Behind It
The hike from the train station up to the glacier is about an hour and can be quite demanding at time. There is loose gravel and some tricky places where you ascend. But it’s all worth it in the end, the views are amazing. Here is a slideshow of the sights that we saw on our trek up.
Eiger Glacier – 50 Minute Hike
The Eiger
The Eiger Glacier – First Glimpse
Grindelwald
Grindelwald and Wetterhorn
Alpine Pastures
Stechelberg Gorge
Stechelberg Gorge and Tremmelfeld
Jungfrau
Jungfrau – Eiger Walk
Manmade Lake Before Glacier
Jungfrau And Other Peaks
Foot Soak Anyone?
Alpine Building
Patti And Wetterhorn and Grindelwald In Distance
Erick And Wetterhorn and Grindelwald In Distance
Trail Signage
The Way Up
Some Other Glaciers
Emergency Station – Fully Personed
Eiger Glacier
Kleine Scheinegg
Gorge and Surrounding Mountains
Jungfrau Massiv
Glacier Post
More Signs – Pick Your Route
North Face Of The Eiger
The View Down
The North Face Of The Eiger
Across The Valley
Looking East Toward Grosse Scheidegg
Other Glaciers Forming On The Jungfrau
Restaurants
I hope you enjoyed our trip to the glacier and the area around it. We actually did eat at a small place here, it’s not much to look at, and at the time they only had window service because they are still in reduced operations.
Restaurant Eigernordwand
This little restaurant has very limited room inside and outside, so first come, first served, as they say. The menu is rather simple, but the food is very good. Like other places around and due to its location, the prices are on the high side, especially for window-only service.
Restaurant Eigernordwand
If you are traveling during virus restrictions, keep in mind that you have to remain flexible. So prices notwithstanding, we still enjoyed it and felt that we had a decent lunch when we left.
Our day trip ends with a short video of us pulling out of the Kleine Scheidegg station. Patti and I both agreed we have to visit during winter, to get the full feeling for this beautiful place.