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If you want to travel from Karlovy Vary to Salzburg Hbf by train, you've come to the right place.
You can expect the journey from Karlovy Vary to Salzburg Hbf by train to take around 7 hours 30 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 6 hours 12 minutes on the fastest services. You'll usually find around 27 trains per day running on this route, which spans 270 km. You'll have to make 2 changes along the way on your journey to Salzburg Hbf. ICE, DB or ÖBB are the main rail operators on this route, all of which offer modern trains with plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating.
Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices and we'll show you how much you can save. Tickets from Karlovy Vary to Salzburg Hbf start from $22.94 when you book in advance.
If you want to know more about the journey, keep reading for train schedules, tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs, including first and last train times. Want to go straight to booking? Start a search with us today!
First train | 4:23 am | |
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Last train | 10:19 pm | |
Departure station | Karlovy Vary | |
Arrival station | Salzburg Hbf | |
Journey time | From 6h 12m | |
Distance | 168 miles (270 km) | |
Frequency | 27 trains per day | |
Changes | 2 changes | |
Price | From $22.94 | |
Train and bus operators | Regiojet, Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB, ČD, Flixbus, Meridian, Westbahn |
The Deutsche Bahn Group is owned by the German State and controls the majority of rail traffic in Germany as well as in many border regions of the country. Every year, Deutsche Bahn transports several million passengers and many stations in Germany are served exclusively by DB trains, including the ICE, IC and EC fleet.
ÖBB is the major railway company for Austria, subdivided into several subsidiaries, responsible for certain areas of transport, such as long distance and local transport, the operation of postal buses and the transport of goods. Railjet is ÖBB's high-speed train, which travels at speeds of up to 143 mph (230 km/h) and connects the main Austrian cities with Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Italy.
WESTbahn is Austria's first private long-distance rail company with trains running from Vienna to Salzburg via St. Pölten, Amstetten, Linz, Wels and Attnang-Puchheim. This route is one of the most important in Austria, covering a distance of around 155 miles (250 km) and a duration of about 2h 30m. The company offers many discounted fares, allows travel with pets and bicycles and has no baggage restrictions.
The high-speed train of Deutsche Bahn, with a maximum speed of 205 mph (330 km/h), the ICE connects major cities and is also used for international travel to neighbouring countries such as Austria, France and Denmark. This train is equipped with air conditioning, a dining car, a children's compartment and power sockets. Passengers enjoy a free WiFi connection throughout the duration of the ICE trip.
If you're traveling in ICE's Second Class, you'll get to enjoy free WiFi and a bistrò carriage where you can buy snacks and drinks.
In addition to all the perks available in Second Class, you'll get more legroom, an in-seat meal service, Fast Track in some stations and free access to DB lounges.
Enjoy comfortable seats with power outlets, fold-down tables and free WiFi in Second Class. Some IC trains are double decker trains (IC2) too.
Upgrade to First Class and you'll get to enjoy Fast Track in some German stations and free access to DB lounges.
Traveling in Second Class? Enjoy air-conditioning, power outlets and a bar car where you can buy snacks and drinks.
Want to treat yourself? Upgrade to First Class and enjoy more legroom, a quiet area and an in-seat meal service.
Westbahn's Standard Class offers comfort at a great price. Enjoy free WiFi and a dining car with plenty of snacks and drinks.
Enjoy comfortable leather seats and plenty of baggage storage in Comfort Class. Hungry? Take advantage of the catering trolley with a large offering of snacks and drinks.
Why not upgrade to Westbahn's First Class? Take advantage of more legroom and delicious food served at your seat.
You can take as much baggage as you like for free without making a reservation.
Baggage items include briefcases, laptops, rucksacks, trolley bags or suitcases. You can also take pushchairs, folding bikes, scooters, skis and surfboards.
Baggage should be stored under the seat or in the overhead baggage rack. The standard dimensions of baggage racks are 70 x 50 x 30 cm (27.5 x 19.6 x 11.8 inches). Larger items of baggage such as suitcases can be stored in the large baggage racks by the doors.
When traveling with ICE, you can enjoy an extensive menu in the on-board restaurant, or you can grab a snack from the bistro carriage. If you choose the latter, you can enjoy your food and drink in the bistro or take it back to your seat.
Upgrade to First Class and you will be served complimentary food and drink at your seat.
DB change their menu every three months, but you will always find a wide variety of locally sourced food and drink, including a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
If you’re traveling on an ICE train, you can connect to the free WiFi and catch up on some work or your favorite TV show.
You can also connect to the ICE portal, where you’ll find a wide range of entertainment, such as films, television, audiobooks, games, newspapers and magazines.
On DB’s ICE trains, kids under 5 years old travel for free and don’t need a ticket. Children up to 14 years old travel for free if they are accompanied by a person who is at least 15 years old.
You can also book family areas and children compartments on all ICE trains.
With ICE, you need a bicycle ticket and reservation to take a bicycle onboard. The reservation for your bike is included in the price.
Generally, bike storage spaces are located in second class carriages. Please note that your seat and bike storage space might be located in different carriages.
You can travel with your pet on all ICE trains. You do not need an extra ticket If you have a small dog and they can travel in a transport box. If your dog or pet is bigger than the size of a house cat, you will need an additional ticket, which costs 50% less than a standard ticket. Dogs not traveling in a transport box must be on a lead and wear a muzzle.
Assistance dogs travel free of charge and do not have to wear a muzzle on the train.
DB’s Mobility Service can assist you with boarding, disembarking or changing trains. Also, staff are happy to answer any questions or assist with any queries to make your journey easier.
You can take as much baggage as you like for free without making a reservation.
Baggage items include briefcases, laptops, rucksacks, trolley bags or suitcases. You can also take pushchairs, folding bikes, scooters, skis and surfboards.
Baggage should be stored under the seat or in the overhead baggage rack. The standard dimensions of baggage racks are 70 x 50 x 30 cm (27.5 x 19.6 x 11.8 inches). Larger items of baggage such as suitcases can be stored in the large baggage racks by the doors.
You will find an extensive menu in the on-board restaurant, or you can grab a snack from the bistro carriage. If you opt for the latter, you can enjoy your food and drink in the bistro or take it back to your seat.
If you upgrade to First Class, you will be served complimentary food and drink at your seat.
Although the menu changes every three months, you will always find a wide variety of locally sourced food and drink, including a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Currently, free WiFi is available on certain IC trains. Deutsche Bahn are gradually installing free WiFi on all their IC trains.
On IC trains, children under 5 years old travel free of charge and don’t need a ticket. Kids up to 14 years old travel for free if they are accompanied by a person who is at least 15 years old.
On board, you will find family and children areas which are bookable.
You need a bicycle ticket and reservation to take a bicycle on a IC train. The reservation for your bike is included in the price.
Bike storage spaces are usually located in second class carriages. Please note that your seat and bike storage space might be located in different carriages.
With IC, you can travel with your pet. If you have a small dog or pet, you do not need an extra ticket and they can travel for free in a transport box. If your dog or pet is bigger than the size of a house cat, you will need an additional ticket, which costs 50% less than a standard ticket. Dogs not traveling in a transport box must be on a lead and wear a muzzle.
Assistance dogs travel free of charge and do not have to wear a muzzle on the train.
Deutsche Bahn offer the Mobility Service, where staff will help you board, disembark or change trains. Staff will also answer any questions or assist with any queries to make your journey easier.
You can take as much baggage as you like for free without making a reservation.
Baggage items include briefcases, laptops, rucksacks, trolley bags or suitcases. You can also take pushchairs, folding bikes, scooters, skis and surfboards.
Baggage should be stored under the seat or in the overhead baggage rack. The standard dimensions of baggage racks are 70 x 50 x 30 cm (27.5 x 19.6 x 11.8 inches). Larger items of baggage such as suitcases can be stored in the large baggage racks by the doors.
With EC, you can enjoy food and drink in the onboard restaurant, or you can grab a snack from the bistro carriage. If you opt for the latter, you can enjoy your food and drink in the bistro or take it back to your seat.
In First Class, you will be served complimentary food and drink at your seat.
DB trains offer a wide variety of locally sourced food and drink, including a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Deutsche Bahn are gradually installing free WiFi on all EC trains.
When traveling with EC, children under 5 years old travel free of charge and don’t require a ticket. Also, children up to 14 years old travel for free if they are accompanied by a person who is at least 15 years old.
On board most EC trains, you will find a family compartment or area suitable for families with babies and children up to the age of 3 years old.
When traveling with EC, you need a bicycle ticket and a reservation to take a bicycle with you. The reservation for your bike is included in the price.
Usually, bike storage spaces are located in second-class carriages. Please note that your seat and bike storage space might be located in different carriages.
If you’re traveling on an EC train, you can take your pet with you. If you have a small dog or pet, you do not need an additional ticket and they can travel for free in a transport box. If your dog or pet is bigger than the size of a house cat, you will need an extra ticket, which costs 50% less than a standard ticket. Dogs not traveling in a transport box must be on a lead and wear a muzzle.
Assistance dogs travel free of charge and do not have to wear a muzzle on the train.
The Mobility Service can help you with boarding, disembarking and changing trains. In addition, staff are happy to answer any questions or assist with any queries to make your journey easier.
In general, there is no limit to your baggage on WESTbahn trains. However, a member of staff is authorized to charge a €5 supplement for bulky baggage or starting from a third piece of luggage.
On WESTbahn trains, you'll find a luggage rack in the lower deck of each car, so that you can secure your suitcase or bag with a metal band. You can unlock the corresponding lock by using a €1 coin which will be returned to you at the end of your journey.
All WESTbahn trains have a bar car (WESTcafé) where you can buy hot and cold drinks, snacks, salads, and sandwiches. You can then eat or drink in the bar car or take your drink or snack back to your seat. Alternatively, you can buy snacks or drinks from the self-service vending machines available on board.
If you’re traveling in WESTbahn’s First Class, an in-seat meal service is available, meaning that your meal of choice will be served straight to your seat.
WESTbahn do not offer an entertainment portal on board. However, they do have free WiFi - simply log into WESTlan and use the internet throughout your journey.
Kids under the age of 6 travel for free and don’t need a ticket. Children between the age of 6 and 15 pay €2 if they're with a full-paying adult or get a half-price ticket if they're traveling alone.
If your bike can’t be folded, you’ll need to pay a supplement of €4.90, €6.90 or €9.90 to take your bike on your WESTbahn train, depending on your chosen route. If you don’t book your bike space online prior to departure, you’ll need to pay an additional fee of €5.10.
Please note that trains with high passenger demand don’t always allow space for bikes and bike reservations are excluded from specific train services. Folding bikes and e-scooters can be stored free of charge.
Small pets can travel on all WESTBahn trains free of charge, provided they’re in a carrier or cage. You’ll need to pay €2 for pets that are kept on a leash or are equipped with a muzzle.
WESTbahn staff can refuse entry to any dangerous pets without a leash and muzzle. Pets and pet carriers must not occupy seats, otherwise a full-priced ticket will be charged. Registered guide and assistance dogs are excluded from this regulation.
WESTbahn trains have step-free access. If you travel with a wheelchair or a stroller, we recommend using car 400 in the middle of the train. This car is designed for the needs of people with reduced mobility – it offers a wider aisle than the other cars, two bookable wheelchair spaces, and access to a PRM toilet with baby-changing facilities.
Please note that WESTbahn’s wheelchair spaces cannot be reserved for strollers.
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Karlovy Vary to Salzburg Hbf by booking early.§
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.