European Rail Travel - Railjet Zurich-Vienna Good window seats?

I'll be taking a trip from Zurich to Vienna, and I'm curious if first or premium class offers bigger or better window views than economy. I don't think I would mind splurging more for first or premium, but a good window view may decide that for me.

I've looked at pictures of the three comfort classes and I would like feedback from people who've actually taken the train.

Thanks!

I'm not sure this is the right way to think about it.

The windows are the same throughout the train, so if you get a seat aligned "correctly" with a window, you'll have a good view whatever the class.

More important for such a long journey - for me anyway - is the comfort of the seat and the personal space. In terms of the three classes, you get what you pay for, basically. But if you are thinking of travelling first class, I would cough up the extra €25 for Premium class - well worth it, especially for this eight-hour journey.

PS: Welcome to Flyertalk!

Thanks for the reply railways!

Ok, I wasn't sure if the first/premium classes had larger windows or not. 8+ hours is a long journey, and I might book a premium seat based on that alone. I went to the OBB website on 3 different occasions and was unable to get the graphical seat selector to work when booking a seat. Hopefully the premium seats all have the windows aligned the same.

Hopefully the premium seats all have the windows aligned the same.

Yes, they do. The premium seats are in mini-compartments, each with its own window.

http://www.seat61.com/railjet.htm

I think you'll find what you're looking for at the link above and, note, if you click on the "panorama" view...you get a virtual visit to the different classes.

Oh thank you for the link! I love the panoramic photos!

I did Bupapest to Linz (only 4.5hrs!) in premium class, and I would definitely recommend it - I had the compartment to myself for the whole journey, but I would guess it may be busier for you.

As the seats are offset, there is only one seat per compartment that is actually next to the window, and it may not be facing in the direction of travel.
If you have a reservation, but there is a better unreserved seat available, you can just take that instead. It's not obvious from the pictures, but the seats do recline quite a way - the footrest you can see goes up to horizontal.

The snacks are pretty good, the 'breakfast' was actually reasonably substantial (enough for me, anyway). The service could not have been friendlier or more helpful, there was a near-constant supply of drinks.
and you also get use of the first-class lounges.

I'm not sure this is the right way to think about it.

The windows are the same throughout the train, so if you get a seat aligned "correctly" with a window, you'll have a good view whatever the class.

More important for such a long journey - for me anyway - is the comfort of the seat and the personal space. In terms of the three classes, you get what you pay for, basically. But if you are thinking of travelling first class, I would cough up the extra €25 for Premium class - well worth it, especially for this eight-hour journey.

PS: Welcome to Flyertalk!

I'm at the DB website and the only classes available are 1st and 2nd class, no premium.
1. How can I upgrade to premium once I bought the 1st class seat and
2. does it matter whether I have the tickets printed out or have them mailed?

Thanks.

I'm at the DB website and the only classes available are 1st and 2nd class, no premium.
1. How can I upgrade to premium once I bought the 1st class seat and
2. does it matter whether I have the tickets printed out or have them mailed?

Thanks.

You can't buy the Premium upgrade on DB. If your journey on Railjet starts or finishes in Austria, you should be able to buy the Premium ticket (and select your seat) on the OeBB website.

Otherwise, you can buy the upgrade at a DB ticket machine and at stations (up to day before of departure) or on the train, if there is space available - in my experience, there usually is.

Hi everyone, need to tag on to this thread as we are currently in premium Zurich to Vienna. Do we tip the guy who is bringing us drinks and snacks or is just part of the service we paid for? Thanks, John

Hi everyone, need to tag on to this thread as we are currently in premium Zurich to Vienna. Do we tip the guy who is bringing us drinks and snacks

No.

or is just part of the service we paid for? Thanks, John

Yes, it is part of the service you paid for. (Railway catering staff of that kind tend to be reasonably well paid for that kind of work). If you tipped I wouldn't be surprised if it was refused.

Neil

Thank you Niel for your fast reply. Have a great weekend everyone! John

Thank you Niel for your fast reply. Have a great weekend everyone! John

Enjoy your journey!

Neil

Yes, it is part of the service you paid for. (Railway catering staff of that kind tend to be reasonably well paid for that kind of work). If you tipped I wouldn't be surprised if it was refused.

I don't tip - but I have seen others do it on occasion, and it has always been graciously accepted by the staff.

In .at specifically? Never seen it in first class in the UK.

In .at specifically? Never seen it in first class in the UK.

I was talking specifically about the Railjet. The UK is a different kettle of fish altogether.

I was talking specifically about the Railjet. The UK is a different kettle of fish altogether.

Fair enough. Would you consider I got it wrong and it is expected, or would you consider that it's optional to reward good service just as it is in much of Europe in a restaurant?

Neil

Fair enough. Would you consider I got it wrong and it is expected, or would you consider that it's optional to reward good service just as it is in much of Europe in a restaurant?

Good question, and one I'm not sure about - I don't think it's possible to generalise.

Many of the staff on Railjets are Hungarian. The Austrian catering company, E-express - which does all the Railjet catering - initially hired mainly Austrian staff, but soon found out that it was better for profit margins to hire Hungarians instead. Hungarians in the catering industry will expect a tip, although I would imagine they've been told they can accept it, but not to expect it, working on the train.

Are seat reservations on Railjet (originating in Austria and traveling to Zurich) free? Can't seem to locate that info on the OBB site or elsewhere.

Are seat reservations on Railjet (originating in Austria and traveling to Zurich) free? Can't seem to locate that info on the OBB site or elsewhere.

I bought Salzburg-Munich last year on bahn.de and the seat reservations (unnecessary as it turned out) weren't free for the cheap class. Charge of EUR 5 for 2.

Reservations seem unnecessary. Did Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck-Zürich in Feb. 2010 without reservation and the majority of the seats were unoccupied. If you are unsure, you can ask at the train station at your arrival.

Reservations seem unnecessary. Did Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck-Zürich in Feb. 2010 without reservation and the majority of the seats were unoccupied. If you are unsure, you can ask at the train station at your arrival.

Doing this journey in February and doing it in the summer are two different things. These are very popular trains in the summer and a reservation might well be advisable.