Today was moving day from Vienna to Innsbruck. We had a plan. Plans go wrong. Wrong plans make for an adventure. And an adventure we had.
Here’s the story. We left our hotel as 8 AM for the main train station in Vienna. Our train was scheduled to leave at 9:30. We knew we should be able to make it to the station within 30 minutes via two different metro rides. So far, all was working and indeed arrived at the main station at 8:30 – an hour to spare. Usually the first order of business is to use the WC and check the train departure board to find our track. We didn’t see our exact train, which seemed a bit odd. And finally it dawned on me that perhaps (oh, please no) we were in the wrong station. I glanced at the reservation form and saw that we were to leave from the “West” station but we were in the “main” station. I took off for the ticket office at full speed. (Okay, that’s full speed for me, which would be a walk compared to these kids.) Indeed we were in the wrong station. My fault. I just assumed that we would be leaving out of the same station as we arrived a couple of days earlier.
The ticket agent could see the look of anxiety in my eyes, or perhaps he could smell two-day old socks; but in any case he knew I/we needed help. His English was good but there were a couple of misunderstandings causing his explanation to need some explaining. He said we could still make our train because it would actually come through this station before reaching the West station. It left at 8:48. Well, I thought he said 8:58 and that we could easily make this train. Wrong. We got the group together as fast as we could but that was not fast enough. We just missed it.
So, it was back to the ticket off for yet another suggestion since we missed our opportunity to take our reserved train. Now we had to get to the other station but the agent assured us we had time. Gave us directions and we took off. At this point we had to take a tram to the other station. We still had a bit of time left and we could catch our train. We found tram #18 and asked if this were going in the right direction. Nope. So we had to go up and around to get back to the other set of tracks and wait another three minutes for the tram to arrive that was heading toward the west train station. It arrived, we made it, we ran into the station, found the track, and got to the train with about one minute to spare. BUT, the doors were closed and even though an agent was standing right there they were not letting us on our train!
This adventure was getting interesting.
So now it was to the ticket office at the new station to see what they could do to help. The issue wasn’t finding a train heading to Innsbruck, but one with 21 vacant seats. It all worked. We left two hours later than planned. We even were invited to use the 1st Class Club Room for QBB (Austrian National Train Line) during our 90 minute or so wait which came with comfortable seating, free food and drink (unlimited), and a free WC.
And that was our little adventure for today. It’s also one of those things the boys will probably long remember from this trip.
Our ride to Innsbruck was on as RailJet train, but was not moving as fast as the name suggests. I think its top speed was around 137 mph. It did have a restaurant car and some boys took advantage of that.
Arrived in Innsbruck and found our way to our hotel. It’s across the Inn River and we have gorgeous views of the Alps from every angle. We had dinner in the old part of Innsbruck and walked around some to explore. Returned to the hotel for our usual organizational gathering and went to bed.
Another good day with plenty of adventures ahead.
Here’s the story. We left our hotel as 8 AM for the main train station in Vienna. Our train was scheduled to leave at 9:30. We knew we should be able to make it to the station within 30 minutes via two different metro rides. So far, all was working and indeed arrived at the main station at 8:30 – an hour to spare. Usually the first order of business is to use the WC and check the train departure board to find our track. We didn’t see our exact train, which seemed a bit odd. And finally it dawned on me that perhaps (oh, please no) we were in the wrong station. I glanced at the reservation form and saw that we were to leave from the “West” station but we were in the “main” station. I took off for the ticket office at full speed. (Okay, that’s full speed for me, which would be a walk compared to these kids.) Indeed we were in the wrong station. My fault. I just assumed that we would be leaving out of the same station as we arrived a couple of days earlier.
The ticket agent could see the look of anxiety in my eyes, or perhaps he could smell two-day old socks; but in any case he knew I/we needed help. His English was good but there were a couple of misunderstandings causing his explanation to need some explaining. He said we could still make our train because it would actually come through this station before reaching the West station. It left at 8:48. Well, I thought he said 8:58 and that we could easily make this train. Wrong. We got the group together as fast as we could but that was not fast enough. We just missed it.
So, it was back to the ticket off for yet another suggestion since we missed our opportunity to take our reserved train. Now we had to get to the other station but the agent assured us we had time. Gave us directions and we took off. At this point we had to take a tram to the other station. We still had a bit of time left and we could catch our train. We found tram #18 and asked if this were going in the right direction. Nope. So we had to go up and around to get back to the other set of tracks and wait another three minutes for the tram to arrive that was heading toward the west train station. It arrived, we made it, we ran into the station, found the track, and got to the train with about one minute to spare. BUT, the doors were closed and even though an agent was standing right there they were not letting us on our train!
This adventure was getting interesting.
So now it was to the ticket office at the new station to see what they could do to help. The issue wasn’t finding a train heading to Innsbruck, but one with 21 vacant seats. It all worked. We left two hours later than planned. We even were invited to use the 1st Class Club Room for QBB (Austrian National Train Line) during our 90 minute or so wait which came with comfortable seating, free food and drink (unlimited), and a free WC.
And that was our little adventure for today. It’s also one of those things the boys will probably long remember from this trip.
Our ride to Innsbruck was on as RailJet train, but was not moving as fast as the name suggests. I think its top speed was around 137 mph. It did have a restaurant car and some boys took advantage of that.
Arrived in Innsbruck and found our way to our hotel. It’s across the Inn River and we have gorgeous views of the Alps from every angle. We had dinner in the old part of Innsbruck and walked around some to explore. Returned to the hotel for our usual organizational gathering and went to bed.
Another good day with plenty of adventures ahead.
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