Salzburg - with the Hohensalzburg fortress in the background and the River Salzach in the front (photo © Minnystock / dreamstime.com).

17th edition: The Arlberg route (Route 39)

Zürich to Vienna by Train

Route introduction

The very mention of the word Arlberg evokes memories of a belle époque of continental rail travel. The Arlberg is the rugged mountain region which separates Austria’s westernmost province, Vorarlberg, from the Tyrol. The mountains achieve no spectacular heights – there are no summits in excess of 3,000 metres. But the difficult terrain was for centuries an obstacle to travel until the Arlberg Railway opened in 1884.

Countries covered
Switzerland Austria Liechtenstein

MAP Double click on the map (or double tap on mobile) to zoom in. You can connect onto other routes in places shown in red. Change to a layer showing a more familiar road map view by clicking on the menu at the top right of the map. Get back to the original view by clicking on the house icon shown in the top left menu on the map.

Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide

Whether you are making a long grand tour or just planning a couple of weekend breaks, Europe by Rail is the perfect guide. The book describes 50 key routes in detail. Together, they span mainland Europe and the British Isles. Find out more about the guidebook below.

The new, fully updated 17th edition of the definitive guide to exploring Europe by rail was published on 12 April 2022. With tips on ticketing, fares and accommodation, Europe by Rail has become the definitive guide to exploring Europe by train. Read here the book's word of welcome.
Europe by Rail contains all that's necessary to plan your rail journey through Europe: 50 route descriptions, a country gazetteer, rail connections, information on Eurail and Interrail passes and more.
The 17th edition of Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide was published on 12 April 2022. You can get hold of a copy in any good bookshop. Here, we list a few additional places where you can buy the book.