A Surprisingly Easy Jaunt to the Alps

Zurich ranks among the most interesting destinations reachable by rail from Prague without the need to transfer. A direct overnight service numbered 50466/50467 is operated by České dráhy, though the train proper is coupled with another trainset in each stage of the journey – first, it runs as 1547/1540 from Prague to Linz, Austria; ten as part of the 462/463 overnight express from Linz to Salzburg, and finally coupled with 466/467 on to Zurich. To the passenger, though, this is completely transparent and seamless, and you won’t even notice.

Where to Visit?

Innsbruck is one the key cities in Austria. It offers stunning views of the surrounding 2,500+ meters tall mountain peaks that form the backdrop to its urban area. Innsbruck is also the center of the Alpine region and serves as a starting point for travel to Austria’s most renown ski resorts and hiking trails. Even though the night train from Prague arrives fairly early in the morning, connecting services in all directions depart conveniently within an hour. These include trains to Arlberg, but also services bound for the well-known Zell am See ski resort, as well as the Brennero Pass and northern Italy.

Feldkirch may not be a top destination in the guidebook, though the town at the foot of the Alps is an important crossroads of railway lines. One continues southward on to Liechtenstein, the other one branches off north to Lake Constance (Bodensee). If you’re out there to visit as many countries as possible, be sure to earn a point by visiting the picturesque Principality of Liechtenstein, nestled between Austria and Switzerland. Lake Constance, on the other hand, borders three countries at once – Austria, Switzerland and Germany.

The city of Bregenz offers lakeside relaxation, while the quaint town on Lindau is uniquely situated on an island, connected to the mainland by a rail line and is sure to captivate every fan of narrow winding streets and hidden street corners. Best of all, connecting trains to both Schaan-Vaduz and Lindou depart just minutes after the arrival of the Prague-Zurich night train.

Sargans is served by one of the most captivating Swiss railway lines: the route from Zurich to Chur. You can reach the very heart of the Swiss Alps several times an hour from here, and can travel comfortably to a number of world-class ski resorts, including St Moritz. If you’re headed to Basel instead, this is also your best transfer point. Switching trains here is much easier than doing so at the extensive and crowded Zurich Central Station.

Zurich is, of course, one of the great European cities and transportation hubs. Direct trains to Milan, Paris and Geneva depart from here, but it’s an amazing destination in its own right. Interestingly, even though you’re strolling through Switzerland’s largest city, the downtown area remains remarkably laid back. That’s because the entire city center is one large pedestrian area with no cars. Your only ride options are trams and bikes – a fact that locals seem to appreciate.

Let’s face it, this is an expensive destination. If you don’t mind the budget strain, be sure to indulge in the culinary offerings present throughout the city center. The narrow, crooked alleys conceal a great number of inns, restaurants and cafés – a welcome opportunity to finally try authentic Swiss fondue at Le Dézalay, supposedly one of the very best in all of Switzerland. Then, head over to Café Schober to sample their famous hot chocolate. Whether you want to splurge on shopping, or just wrap up the visit in a luxurious setting, visit Bahnhofstrasse, surely one of the world’s most expensive shopping avenues.

Culture buffs will have a bit of an issue rationing their time in Zurich. The wealth of must-sees starts with the Kunsthaus art collection, home to masterpieces painted by Marc Chagall, Max Ernst, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Vincent van Gogh, among others. If at this point you are yearning for some fresh air, take the 20-minute tram ride to the Uetliberg mountain and hike up to the viewpoint at 870 meters of altitude. The amazing view of the entire city and its surroundings are well worth the effort.

No visit to Zurich is really complete without seeing Lake Zurich, accessible simply by walking along the Limmat river. River cruises are available locally, but can go as far as Rapperswil, the town of roses that boasts a medieval castle and a promenade with an excellent view of the snow-capped Alps.

Making This Happen

You can ride from Prague to Zurich directly thanks to an overnight service offering standard seats or a sleeper option. The sleeping car represents the best that Czech Railways have to offer in this respect. The modern carriages were built to German Railways’ specifications and boast a remarkably engineered cabin interior with a number of neat features. Each air-conditioned compartment can be configured with one to three beds, stacked vertically. It contains a removable tabletop, a sink with water temperature controls and pleasant lighting. The whole experience is made even better by power ports and a shared shower facility. Passengers can also opt for the DeLuxe experience, available in three compartments. These are larger and include a private shower and toilet. There’s no wi-fi, unfortunately. Then again, passengers receive a complimentary breakfast prior to arrival.

Arrival	Departure	Station	Arrival	Departure
	18:02	Praha hl.n.	10:57
19:13	19:15	Tábor	9:42	9:44
20:00	20:04	České Budějovice	8:51	8:53
22:07	1:05	Linz Hbf	4:55	6:35
2:10	2:30	Salzburg Hbf	3:23	3:50
6:10	4:27	München Hbf	1:19	23:35
4:23	4:31	Innsbruck Hbf	1:20	1:28
6:02	5:23	Brennero/Brenner	23:41	23:03
6:20	6:23	Bludenz	23:37	23:40
6:37	6:40	Feldkirch	23:21	23:24
7:18	6:31	Bregenz	23:12	22:40
7:31	6:31	Lindau Hbf	23:12	22:17
6:56		Buchs SG		23:05
7:23		Sargans		22:37
7:48	7:27	Chur	22:32	22:14
9:27	7:28	Basel SBB	22:32	20:33
8:20		Zürich HB		21:40

Boarding Your Train

Once you board your sleeper car, you will get a complimentary water bottle and a personal hygiene kit from your steward. The basic amenity kit includes a toothbrush and slippers to make your stay on board more comfortable, while shampoo and body wash is also available in the DeLuxe compartments. Throughout your journey, you can purchase refreshments directly from the cabin crew, so even if you feel puckish during the night, drinks and snacks (sandwiches, frankfurters, soup, chips, filled pastries) are just a few steps away. A full breakfast service, consisting of hot drinks (coffee or tea), water, fruit juice, pastry with butter, jam or paté and a wafer, is served in the morning prior to your arrival.

 

SIDEBAR: About the Train

Class WLABmz sleeper cars were delivered in 2006 as a batch of twelve carriages identical to the ones used by German Railways (DB). They are fully air-conditioned and can be configured for up to 36 passengers, distributed into twelve compartments. A galley is installed for the train crew. One end of the carriage is specially equipped with a bathroom unit and a shared shower, which is accessible by a plastic key card, same as passenger compartments. Beds can be set up in several ways and the compartment can even be converted for comfortable daytime seating for up to three persons.

Each compartment contains a console with a sink with temperature controls. There’s also a vanity mirror, a towel rack and a built-in trash bin. The headboard is equipped with individual reading lights and an alarm deactivation button. The alarm is controlled remotely by the cabin staff and will sound at the prearranged time. All compartments offer a large removable tabletop. Power ports are available, though wi-fi is not, unfortunately.

Two adjoining compartments can be combined into a single large space for up to six persons.

Standard seating cars on this train are the same make and model as many Austrian daytime trains and are air-conditioned. They were built in the 1970s and 1980s, though extensively refurbished in the past decade. Compartments offer six comfortable reclining seats that can be turned to a lie-flat surface by completely sacrificing legroom.

How Much?

An overnight trip is naturally much more comfortable in the sleeper car. That being said, it is the more expensive option, even though the cost is somewhat offset by the complimentary breakfast and the availability of snacks for purchase, on top of a full night of decent sleep.

If You Want to Save, You’ll Have to Share

The good news is that fare offers are generally quite attractive for this train service. Fares do change over time, however, so it’s always best to book early, usually at least …

Your most economical option – traveling in a seating compartment – can be had for as little as 29 EUR. Sleeper tickets start at 59 EUR

The least costly sleeper option will require you to share a compartment with up to two other people, i.e. two strangers when traveling solo. For a little more, you can upgrade to a twin, which is especially convenient when traveling as a couple. Finally, there’s the option of having an entire compartment to yourself, though this will cost you.

If you’re riding on a rover pass, such as InterRail or EURail, you only need to pay up the corresponding sleeper supplement. Your very own bed on the rails will set you back from EUR 45.

Book Now with travelsupport.eu, You’ll Get Much More Than Just Tickets

Planning a trip to the Alps or to discover the beauty of Switzerland? Start planning right now at travelsupport.eu to keep all your plans and train schedules neatly in one place. You can even share your timetables and notes with others. Best of all, you’re confident that you’re always getting the best option without overpaying.

Let us book your trip and rest assured that you’ll get the best seats available. We always decide based on personal experience and insider knowledge of the trains. We then share every important detail with you, so that you can stay on top of your travel plans. You can add local transfers, onward connections or hotels just as easily – everything in a single step and always in control.

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