ddschur

I asked a similar question before but I now have more specific detail.

Will be flying from US to VIE (via LHR) on BA.

On a Wednesday arrival date, how long should it take to go through customs, gather luggage and get to the OBB train station at the airport to catch a train to Salzburg.

Reason I ask is that my plane is scheduled to arrive 13:30 (71% on time history) and the train leaves at 15:30 OR a later one at 16:30 and I am buying tix which are not flexible.

I would like to catch the 15:30...if possible.

Any opinions/thoughts/recommendations?

Thank you to anyone who responds.

MSPeconomist

All you need to do is retrieve your checked luggage (first) and then presumably walk through the green lane for customs. Especially if you have a USA passport in hand, this is likely to be very quick and easy unless you're bringing something exceptional. Then you need to find the right track from your OBB train from the airport's station. I cannot imagine how this can take even an hour assuming that the flight is on time and that your luggage is not delayed or lost.

BTW, are these times from the airport or from the Hbf (or other station) where you transfer to the big train? I'm asking because the OBB trains operate something like every fifteen minutes, not just once an hour. If possible, you wasn't to allow additional time at the Hbf or other transfer station, not wait at the airport for the OBB train that's timed to barely catch your big train. I want to guess that the OBB train trip from airport to Hbf takes about forty minutes, more if there's track work being done.

When I went from VIE to Salzburg, I simply purchased a ticket using the airport machine (in English if needed, or French, Turkish, etc.) for a RT using the regional train. The ticket included the suburban trains between the airport and downtown train stations--you save some time not going through the Hbf. I also got a schedule printout from the machines that listed all times and tracks. It was very easy. Also, my impression is that with the regional trains, you don't save much if anything by purchasing in advance unless you'll be traveling during rush hour.

LondonElite

Walking through customs will take about 12 seconds. Immigration (i.e. you are arriving in Schengen) will take longer, but this depends on how many other non-EU passport holders are in the queue ahead of you. I've seen it take over half an hour and I've seen it take about three minutes.

MSPeconomist

OOPS. I keep forgetting that the UK isn't in schengen.

LondonElite

Pretty soon the UK won't be part of anything! (oops bad OMNI)

Arctifox

If everything is on time or even slightly delayed, you are completley fine with the 15:30 train. As already mentioned previously you're usually quite fast in Vienna with everything.

So if you book the train RJ 740 which departs Vienna Airport at 15:33 you will be in Salzburg at 18:48 and do not have to change the train - the one from the airport will go directly to Salzburg (and as that is its final destination you will easily find it at the train station as the destination will say "Salzburg" as well).

deniah

shouldnt be a problem at all. 99.5% chance of being safe

EmailKid

Unless BA has another strike

ddschur

I want to thank everyone who responded for their inputs.

One of the GREAT things about flyertalk is the willingness of people to share their insights and knowledge to others who seek help!

Again, thank you to all!