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Background Real-time ultrasound (US) in central venous catheterization is superior to pre-procedure US. However, moving real-time US into routine practice is impeded by its perceived expense and difficulty. Currently, pre-procedure US and landmark (LM) methods are most widely used. We investigated these techniques in internal jugular vein (IJV) catheterization in respect of operator experience, complications, and risk factors. Methods In an observational non-randomized study, we investigated 606 of ∼1300 procedures, that is, 200 patients were treated under pre-procedure US and 406 under LM [pathfinder (PF) n =202, direct cannulation (DC) n =204]. We recorded first needle pass success rate, success rate after the third attempt, and the cannulation time. Procedures were performed by inexperienced ( 100 catheterizations) operators. Results Pre-procedure US was associated with more successful attempts and shorter cannulation times. Under pre-procedure US, 88% of first attempts were successful and 100% of third attempts. The median (range) cannulation time was 39 (10–330) s. Under PF, only 56% of first, and 87% of third, attempts were successful with a median (range) cannulation time of 100 (25–3600) s. Under DC, 61% of first and 89% of third attempts were successful; the median (range) cannulation time was 70 (10–3600) s. Remarkably, inexperienced operators using pre-procedure US ( n =38) were significantly faster than experienced operators using PF or DC ( n =343) (cannulation time: median 60 s, range 12–330, for inexperienced; 60 s, range 10–3600, for experienced). First puncture success rates were higher (pre-procedure US, inexperienced 84%, PF or DC, experienced 57%). Conclusions Pre-procedure US for IJV catheterization is safe, quick, and superior to LM.