Paris to Vienna by train

So far as I can see the most direct route takes around 12 hours with one change in Frankfurt (Main). It leaves just after 9 am and arrives in Vienna at a little past 9 pm.

DBahn (the German railways website which has details for most journeys in Europe) does not show any routings via Zurich.

Hi,
there is (maybe was) a direct night train from Paris at 17:17 arr. Vienna at 08:30 . What about Austrian Airlines 99 Euro per pax.

TMPACA - the OP mentions wanting to see the countryside, they'll not be able to do much of that with those timings - especially if they're travelling in winter. Of course they'll only see pretty anonymous clouds if they fly!

Just noticed the OP will be travelling in June so it'll be dark from around 10 pm till about 5 am.

Direct trains Paris - Zurich:
Paris Est dp 6.24, 8.24, 10.24, 14.24, 18.24, Zurich ar 4 1/2 hours later

Direct trains Zurich - Vienna:
Zurich dp 8.40 and 14.40, Vienna ar 8 hours later,
night train with sleepers: Zch dp 22.40 - Vienna ar 7.36

The TGV ride Paris - Zurich isn't very scenic (except Strasbourg - Mulhouse). If you can start the evening before, the itinerary via Dijon - Bern would be much better: Paris gare de Lyon dp 16.58 - Bern ar 21.40.
Bern is a very charming medieval town (Unesco world heritage site), trains from Bern to Zurich (1 hour) every 30 minutes.

In 48 hours, you could also travel across the Swiss Alps:
Paris gare de Lyon dp 17.58 - Lausanne ar 21.37
Lausanne dp 9.20 - Visp 10.52/11.07 - Glacier Express - Samedan 17.31/18.14 - Scuol-Tarasp 19.23
Scuol dp every 2 hours between 8.30 and 14.30 via Nauders - Landeck, Vienna ar 8 hours later

Thank you for your replies, especially the detailed responses from Neckervd and Swissbee. Unfortunately we cannot commence the trip on the evening before so will use Swissbee's suggestions for going through Zurich. Thanks also for the tip about accommodation. I have now made a booking - but some of the places were already fully booked in the area we wanted.

I looked into this because I'm traveling the same route in June and have friends in Zurich. It was basically two night trains, for quite a lot of money.

Trips through Germany are much cheaper. But I ended up flying on Niki (flyniki.de). It's as little as 31 euros plus a bunch of fees.

Windy is right, you might find a good deal on a flight. I have done it on a train before and indeed it was expensive.
Close to the train station the famouse Wombat hostel - www.wombats-hostels.com.
If you are not into hostels and prefer a real hotel you can find very good deals on www.travelxalps.com. I have booked a nice hotel there last year, which cost me 27,- Euros a night, a real bargain for Vienna.

How difficult is it to read what this poster is looking for, #8 and 9?

From the OP: would like to travel by train with a view to seeing some of the countryside