Consider the Westbahn line, which offers fares between Vienna and Salzburg for half the price of the OBB outfit. In December 2012, on OBB, the per person fare is approximately 50 Euro whereas it is 25 Euro per person on Westbahn (but note, for some reason our credit card did not work so we paid cash like everyone else). Plus, on the WB, you get a leather seat, an in-seat electrical outlet, and free wifi that was pretty speedy. The trains leave Salzburg every hour or two. The 2.5 hour trip will be up before you know it. Just get on board and buy your ticket from the attendant once you are underway. If headed from Salzburg to Vienna, pick up an assortment of inexpensive groceries from the SPAR market in the train station to have a picnic lunch on board.
NOTE: OBB will not tell you about this line of train service. There will be little to no signage about WB in the train station.... that is because WB is new competition for OBB... Check with your hotel or the WB's website for information. read more
