Introduction

In recent years, the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) have positioned themselves as one of Europe’s leading rail operators. On the one hand, there is their far reaching Nightjet network of night train, for which the company recently rolled out a gorgeous new sleeper car. On the other hand, there are the Railjet trains that are deployed on mainline services. There are three classes of service on the Railjets – Economy, First Class, and Business.

At Zürich Hauptbahnhof

Today, I’m travelling on the 18h40 departure from Zürich main station to Innsbruck main station, which continues all the way to Salzburg. I still have some time to kill, so I busy myself with a bit of trainspotting.

This here is the SBB’a Bombardier Dosto. I have no idea where or how they went wrong, but this train has a propensity to shake violently, even on a straight stretch of track, to the point that it can be difficult to work on a computer on this train.

Next is the original Swiss high speed train with tilting capabilities that was designed to navigate Switzerland’s circuitous mountain routes. I like this train, though when it first launched, there were many complaints of passengers experiencing sea sickness like symptoms.

These are the newest double decker trains used for short- and mid-haul services in Switzerland. They are designed and built by Stadler Rail, a Swiss company that has managed to successfully export its technology, evento the US, to become one of the leading manufacturers.

Also by Stadler is this here, the Giruno, which I think is currently the most elegant train in the SBB fleet. It is used on long-haul services from Basel and Zürich to Milan, and will shortly also start operating to Munich and Frankfurt.

This copper coloured train is called the Treno Gottardo and belongs to a Swiss railway company known as the Sũdostbahn. It operates on the old route to the Ticino that still goes through the old Gotthard railway tunnel. It’s a much longer but certainly more scenic route.

And then, of course, my favourite – the stupendously fabulous TGV, jointly operated by SNCF and the SBB as the TGV Lyria on services between Switzerland and France.

At 18h15, the Railjet to Salzburg pulls into Zürich Hauptbahnhof on track five. It’s rather a short train, with three Economy coaches, one dining car and two coaches for First Class, with the forward section of the first First Class coach being taken up by the Business Class cabin.

The Cabin & Seat

In Business Class there are only ten seats divided into three main compartments.

There are two compartments with four seats each, with two seats facing. The seats are displaced to maximize leg space.

And then there are two individual compartments with one seat each. I am seated in car 27, seat 55 which is, I think, the best seat if you’re travelling on your own.

The seat pitch is fabulous, with plenty of space to stretch out the legs.

There’s also plenty of storage space above the seat and next to it, with a small tray table on one side. There’s also a foldable tray table in the armrest.

The recline is good, and there’s also a leg support that can be raised. However, to be honest, I don’t find the seat very comfortable. Mainly, because it’s rather narrow and there isn’t any space to spread out sideways.

We depart Zürich with a delay of five minutes. I’m the only passenger in the Business Class cabin until St. Anton, which we reach just after 21h.

The weather en route is positively dreadful, with torrential rain pouring down more or less all the way. Which is a shame, because the route would be very scenic, if it weren’t for the low-hanging clouds.

Dining on Board

If you’re travelling in Business Class, meals and drinks are served directly at your seat. There’s a complimentary welcome drink of your choice.

I have a green salad to start, which is followed by a spicy cauliflower curry served with rice for the main course. It’s quite a nice dish, and I like that it has a bit of oompf.

And for dessert, I can’t resist and order the Apfelstrudel with custard, which is so, so good.

Arrival in Innsbruck

The train pulls into Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof with a delay of five minutes. My hotel is 15 minutes away on foot, so I quickly take advantage of the brief interruption in the deluge and speedwalk to my hotel. It’s only 1.5 km from the station, which means it’s likely too close for a taxi. There is a tram, but the line I need doesn’t pass the station, so there’s no point in that either. Luckily, I manage without getting drenched.

Conclusion

I like travelling by train because it gives you a sense of making a journey, which you don’t get with a plane, mainly because air travel is so fast.

The Railjet is an attractive product, and the ÖBB have obviously put a lot of effort and thought into developing a product that can compete with the airlines in terms of service and comfort. Having said that, I didn’t find the seat that comfortable for the duration of this journey. I can’t imagine sitting in it all the way to Vienna, which is eight hours from Zürich.