The railways in Austria works very well. Railway network is well-developed and well-maintained. Trains in Austria connect all major cities and mountain resorts. Train travel in Austria is a pleasure – very comfortable carriages, scenic routes, and plenty of places to visit. The only disadvantage of Austrian railways is the high ticket prices, but if you buy tickets even a few days in advance, you can find cheap promotional tickets. The railway network consists more of 6,000 kilometers.
Last updated: 12.06.2024
Train travel in Austria – domestic trains
Personally, I really enjoyed traveling by train in Austria. Trains easily take you to many popular destinations. The most comfortable trains in Austria were composed of seating carriages with soft seats in compartments or without compartments in second class. Most of these carriages were sold to the Czech Republic, and the Austrian Railways replaced them with much less comfortable Railjet trains, often operating on long-distance and international routes.
The most important railway line crosses Austria from east to west – trains from Vienna to Bregenz or to Feldkirch and further to Switzerland pass through the largest Austrian cities: Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. Many long-distance trains run on the routes from Vienna to Graz or Klagenfurt or Villach.
Trains in Austria are primarily operated by state-owned ÖBB (Österreichische Bundesbahnen) but there are many passenger railway carriers operating in Austria.
In addition to regular services, Austria has many narrow-gauge railways, rack railways, funiculars and heritage trains.
Useful websites:
fahrplan.oebb.at – search engine and ticket prices
ÖBB Tickets – Österreichische Bundesbahnen’s online shop
Österreichische Bundesbahnen – official website (additional information)
Nightjet – domestic and international overnight trains
Westbahn – an independent passenger operator
City Airport Train – passenger service from Vienna to the Vienna International Airport
Map of the Railjet routes (Wikipedia)
Austrian railway stations in the largest cities resemble bustling shopping malls. There is no problem with buying food, eating a meal or using the toilet (toilets are paid). In the evening and at night I didn’t face any problems or harassment, but reportedly the situation has worsened in recent years.
Train travel in Austria – network tickets
There are three main network tickets for those who want to travel by train in Austria.
KlimaTicket Ö (mainly for residents) – a network ticket available since 1 October 2021. KlimaTicket include all public transport in Austria with a single ticket in each of the nine federal states participating in the integrated public transport network. Klimaticket is valid on trains of Austrian railways and private carriers (except nostalgic and special trains). The ticket is gradually replacing the ÖBB Österreichcard. The KlimaTicket Ö is valid for a whole year from a date of he purchaser’s choice and can be purchased a maximum of one month in advance.
The ticket allows you to travel very cheaply if someone lives in Austria, but it is not useful for tourists, because the cost of a ticket for a year is over 1,000 euros, so it is not profitable for people who come to Austria for a short time.
KlimaTicket – official website
Sommerticket (summer ticket for youth – it may be discontinued) – for many years, Austrian Railways has been offering a very attractive monthly network ticket for people under 26 years of age.
With this ticket, you can travel on all ÖBB trains within Austria except for cogwheel railways and special trains, as well as Euronight and Nightjet trains. However, the ticket has certain limitations: from Monday to Friday, it is valid from 8 a.m. until 3 a.m. the following day. The restriction does not apply on Saturday, Sunday and holidays, when the ticket is valid 24 hours a day.
In 2023, ticket prices were as follows:
for people up to 20 years of age – 54 EUR
for people up to 26 years of age – 89 EUR
Tickets is available for Vorteilscard Jugend holders only. If you want to buy this ticket, you need to purchase this card earlier for 19 EUR.
You must also remember that the ticket price is not everything. You need to eat something, wash yourself and sleep somewhere. You can sleep on trains – it’s generally safe, or at stations – I slept for a while in Salzburg and at the border station in Summerau in a heated waiting room. However, food prices are higher than in neighboring countries (except Switzerland).
I don’t know if this offer is still available.
Einfach-Raus Ticket (for groups 2 to 5 people) – one-day network pass valid throughout Austria for ÖBB’s local and regional transport trains, including Raaberbahn, S-Bahn, R and REX trains). Ticket is valid on Saturday, Sunday and holidays all day long until 3:00 a.m. of the following day, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 a.m. of the following day. There is a Einfach-Raus-Radticket for those who want to travel by train in Austria with bike. The ticket is not intended for solo travelers.
Ticket is not valid within the transport network of Vorarlberg.
Train travel in Austria – regional passes
There are many interesting offers for travelling by train in Austrian regions. Many of them are intended also for single travellers, but sometimes the ticket price for one adult is the same as for a family with children. Most important offers:
VOR Wochenendticket – regional network ticket valid for the selected weekend exclusively from Friday 12 noon to Monday 03 a.m. Validity limited to 1 passenger with up to two children under 15 years of age, and one dog. With a departure time before midnight (24:00), you can continue to your destination if you do not interrupt your journey. VOR Wochenendticket is valid in Lower Austria and Burgenland for any number of trips on buses, on the ÖBB trains R, REX, CJX, on S-Bahn trains, the Raaberbahn railway, the Mariazellerbahn, the Citybahn Waidhofen shuttle train, and on trains of the Wiener Lokalbahnen Local Trams.
Freizeit-Ticket (Leisure Ticket) – one-day regional network tickets in some regions. Leisure tickets are valid all day long until 3:00 a.m. of the following day. Validity limited to 2 adults with up to 4 children under 15 years of age. Tickets are not accepted on Railjet, Railjet express, Eurocity, Intercity, InterCityExpress, WESTbahn, D, Nightjet/Euronight trains, and on Pöstlingbergbahn train.
Leisure tickets are available in the following regions:
– Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland
– Upper Austria
– Salzburg province
– Styria
– Carinthia (Aktiv Ticket for travelling with a bike)
VVV Wochenkarte Maximo – weekend pass for adults. Valid from from Friday 12 noon to Monday 03 a.m for any number of trips in the area covered by the regional transport operator Vorarlberg. Ticket is not available as a PDF Ticket. You can collect this ticket as a Mobile Ticket, print it at an ÖBB Self-Service Machine or have it printed at an ÖBB Ticket Office in Austria using your pick-up code.
Regional tickets – online shop
Railways in Austria – regional carriers
There are many regional and long-distance railway operators in Austria. Below is a list of most important passenger railway carriers in the country:
City Airport Train – an express train connecting downtown of the Vienna and the international airport in Vienna. City Airport Train provide fast and comfortable transportation from the center of the Vienna to the airport. Trains operate daily from 06:00 to 23:30, with. The journey from the city center to the airport takes 15 minutes. The trains are composed of three double-decker carriages with total 243 seats. The line has been in operation since December 14, 2003. Platforms for check-in were built in the underground of The Mall shopping center, allowing passengers to check in before boarding the train. Passengers have access to free newspapers, free Wi-Fi, and power sockets. The airport is also served by the Vienna S-Bahn and long-distance Railjet trains of the Austrian Railways.
City Airport Train – official website
Graz-Köflacher Bahn und Busbetrieb (GKB) – a regional carrier operating passenger rail and bus services in the Graz area. GKB’s trains operated on the routes Graz Hbf – Köflach (40 km) and Graz Hbf – Wies Eibiswald (50 km). Trains operate as part of the S-Bahn Steiermark, the rapid suburban railway of the Styria federal state, as lines S6, S61, and S7. The fleet consists of GTW2/8 and double-decker trains. The carrier also operates freight trains.
Graz-Köflacher Bahn und Busbetrieb (GKB) – official website
GySEV – an Austro-Hungarian railway carrier operator passenger and freight trains on the Győr – Sopron railway line since 1872. Currently, in addition to this line, it operates some trains on the Sopron – Wiener Neustadt, Sopron – Vienna, Sopron – Szombathely routes, and runs IC trains Sopron – Budapest.
The carrier’s rolling stock fleet is not the most modern (excerpt for air-conditioned Flirt trains). Most passenger carriages are ex-Deutsche Bahn, quite comfortable but without air conditioning. However, in 2012, GySEV introduced free Wi-Fi on board its trains.
The carrier is known by two different names:
GySEV (Győr–Sopron–Ebenfurt Vasút) – in Hungarian
ROeEE (Raab-Ödenburg-Ebenfurter Eisenbahn) – in German
GySEV – official website
Meridian – a Bavarian railway operator serving international regional connections Munich – Kufstein and Munich – Salzburg.
Meridian – official website
Montafonerbahn (MBS) – a railway and bus operator in the Vorarlberg federal state. MBS run trains on the Bludenz – Schruns line. The 12-kilometer route takes 21 minutes to complete. The trains stop at seven stops along the way. In addition to rail transport, Montafonerbahn operates local bus connections. Bludenz is accessible by regional and long-distance trains from the Lindau (Germany), Bregenz, and major Austrian cities, including Vienna. Trains at this station are connected to Montafonerbahn trains.
Montafonerbahn – official website
Salzburg AG – the successor to Salzburg Lokalbahn. As far as I understood from the official website information, this is a huge company based in Salzburg, dealing with the supply of electricity, water, IT services, as well as organizing bus and train transport in the Salzburg area. The information provided is very unclear, so it probably operates railway lines: Salzburg – Lamprechtshausen, (Salzburg) Bürmoos – Ostermiething (Lokalbahn Express). The lines operate as part of the Salzburg S-Bahn.
Salzburg AG – official website
Steiermärkische Landesbahnen (StB) – a regional carrier operating several connections in the Styria area. Currently, Steiermärkische Landesbahnen run trains on three lines as part of the S-Bahn Steiermark (-Graz) Gleisdorf – Weiz (S3/S31), Peggau – Übelbach (S11), Graz – Peggau – Übelbach (S11/S1), and two other regional routes: Unzmarkt – Tamsweg; Feldbach – Bad Gleichenberg. In addition to passenger trains, the carrier operates freight trains. The company is also responsible for several bus lines in the Graz area.
Steiermärkische Landesbahnen (StB) – official website
Stern & Hafferl – a railway, ferry, and bus carrier run trains operating on four short regional railway lines. The first line is the Linzer Lokalbahnen between Linz and Neumarkt im Hausruckkreis, the second is Traunsee from Gmunden to Vorchdorf (OBB trains stopping in Gmunden). Trains (actually something similar like trams) can also be found on the Vorchdorfer Bahn from Vorchdorf to Lambach and the Attersee Bahn from Vöcklamarkt to Attersee.
Stern & Hafferl – official website
Westbahn – an Austrian private railway carrier operating on the Vienna – Salzburg route (this line has the same name as the carrier). Westbahn trains compete with state carriers and are operated by modern, comfortable double-decker trains with first and second-class carriages. Passengers also have access to newspapers and can use the bar area. In December 2018, Westbahn launched the Vienna – Munich connection.
Westbahn – official website
Narrow-gauge railways in Austria
There are several narrow-gauge railways in Austria. Most interesting is Mariazellbahn from Sankt Pölten to Mariazell (91 km) – trains run all year round. Very popular are also Waldviertelbahn – a network of narrow-gauge railways near the picturesque town of Gmund and Bregenzerwaldbahn in Voralberg, close to the city of Bregenz.
Unfortunately, scenic narrow-gauge railways along the border between Austria and Switzerland have been closed recently.
Narrow-gauge railways in Austria – a list of operational railways
Rack railways in Austria
Currently, there are three operational rack railways in Austria:
– Achenseebahn around Lake Achensee in Tyrol.
– Schafbergbahn world-famous scenic railway located 50 km from Salzburg.
– Schneebergbahn from the town of Puchberg am Schneeberg to the Schneeberg peak.
Rack railways in Austria – additional information
Scenic railways in Austria
There are many scenic railways in Austria. Some are famous among railway enthusiasts and tourists from all over the world, others are ordinary local lines with nice views along the route. Many local lines lead through picturesque forests, along rivers and through mountainous areas.
Most famous scenic railway line in Austria is Semmering the section Gloggnitz – Mürzzuschlag. Well-known is also Brennerbahn – a mountain railway line which connects Innsbruck with the Italian city of Bolzano.
Scenic railways in Austria – a list of scenic railways
Most important railway stations in Austria
Train stations in Austria are generally well-maintained, clean and accessible for people with limited mobility. In recent years, most of the major railway stations in Austria have been modernized. Many railway stations in Austria were severely damaged or destroyed during air raids and bombings in 1944 and 1945. Some of the buildings were demolished and rebuilt after the war.
Wien Hbf – main railway station in Vienna, called also “Vienna Central Station”. All long-distance trains from Vienna start or end here. Modern train station opened in 2015. All facilities for passengers, many shops, bistros and cafes, S-Bahn, subway, trams and buses. It was voted five years in a row as a Austria’s most beautiful railway station.
Wien Hbf – passenger’s guide
Graz Hbf – the main railway station in Graz, the capital of the Austrian federal state Styria. It serves S-Bahn, regional, long-distance and international trains. Most famous is the Transalpine train from Graz to Zurich, Switzerland. The station is owned by Austrian Federal Railways and operated by ÖBB Infra. The current building station was opened in 1950s. In 2001 the station was renovated.
Graz Hbf – passenger’s guide
Salzburg Hbf – a very nice and clean main railway station in Salzburg. A major transportation hub in western Austria. It serves local trains (S-Bahn), regional, long-distance and international passenger services to many countries.
Salzburg Hbf – passenger’s guide
Linz Hbf – a modern train station inaugurated in 2004. One of the most prettiest and most important railway stations in Austria. The station serves international, long-distance and regional trains, it is also a terminus of the Pyhrn Railway, the Summerauer Railway, and the Linzer Lokalbahn (LILO). It is the busiest station in Austria outside of Vienna.
Linz Hbf – passenger’s guide
Innsbruck Hbf – the main railway station in Innsbruck, the capital city of the Austrian federal state of Tyrol. It is the most important railway station in western and central Austria. It serves local, regional, long-distance and international trains. The station was reconstructed in 2001-2004. In the concourse you can admire striking frescoes by Max Weile from 1950s.
Innsbruck Hbf – passenger’s guide
Villach Hbf – an important international railway junction. The medium-sized station serves many regional, long-distance and international trains. Villach Hbf train station is located close to the city centre, within walking distance from the main tourist attractions. Walk from the station to Old Town takes about 5 minutes.
Villach Hbf – passenger’s guide
Klagenfurt Hbf – the main railway station in Klagenfurt, capital of the Austrian state of Carinthia. It is an important railway junction and serves many local, regional, long-distance and international trains. Klagenfurt is well connected with Vienna and Salzburg there are also international trains to Venice and Munich. Carinthian S-Bahn network provides easy access to many beautiful places in the region. Modern and clean station.
Klagenfurt Hbf – passenger’s guide
Train travel in Austria – international trains
Austria has a very good network of international train connections. From Vienna, without changing trains, you can reach Switzerland, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, and Romania. Austrian Railways run brand-named Nightjet trains to many European countries.
Due to the large number of trains from Austria to other countries, I only provide basic information. You can buy tickets for most connections in the online ship of Austrian Railways or in online shop of railways in the destination countries.
Belgium
The Nightjet train runs twice a week from Vienna to Brussels. An overnight train is comprised of seating carriages, couchettes and sleeping cars. If you will have a luck, you can buy tickets at promotional rates, but based-rate tickets are very expensive.
nightjet.com – additional information and online shop
Czech Republic
There are long-distance international trains between the capitals of the Czech Republic and Austria and from Prague to Linz. Trains from Poland to Austria pass through the Czech Republic and there is a direct connection between Ostrava and Vienna. Czech Railways offer a promotional tickets “Včasná jízdenka”, but the tickets must be purchased in advance.
Regional trains running on the following routes:
Znojmo – Vienna
Breclav – Vienna
Ceske Budejovice – Linz
Czech Railways – online shop
Austrian Railways – online shop
Regiojet’s trains from Prague to Budapest pass through Vienna.
Regiojet – private operator, online shop
Trains between Austria and the Czech Republic – a complete list of the passenger services
France
There is a night train from Vienna to Paris two or three times a week, depends on a period of timetable. Train has two seating carriages, two sleeping carriages and couchettes. The connection is relatively expensive; tickets can be purchased on shop.oebbtickets.at website.
Italy
There are popular international trains from Vienna to Venice (a daytime and overnight train), Vienna – Trieste (via Slovenia), Vienna – Roma (an overnight train), Vienna – La Spezia (an overnight train) and Vienna Bolzano.
Tickets can be purchased on shop.oebbtickets.at website
Trains between Austria and Italy – a list of passenger trains
Germany
There are many regional and long-distance trains between Germany and Austria. Most popular are trains from Vienna to Munich and from Vienna to Frankfurt am Main.
Cross-border trains include operating on routes: Bregenz – Lindau, Kufstein – Innsbruck, Passau – Wels and others.
reiseauskunft – Deutsche Bahn’s search engine and timetable
shop.oebbtickets.at – Österreichische Bundesbahnen’s online shop
Trains between Austria and Germany – a complete list
Hungary
There are numerous trains between Vienna and Budapest and one train daily between Budapest and Graz. Regional cross-border trains run from Vienna and Wiener Neustadt to Sopron (operated by GySEV) and from Szombathely to Szentgotthard.
shop.oebbtickets.at – Österreichische Bundesbahnen’s online shop
Hungarian Railways – online shop
Netherlands
There is a night train from Vienna to Amsterdam. Train has seating carriages, sleeping carriages and couchettes. The connection is relatively expensive; tickets can be purchased on shop.oebbtickets.at
Poland
There are daytime Eurocity trains from Gdynia, Warsaw and Przemysl to Wien, Graz and an overnight train from Warsaw to Monachium via Wien, Linz and Salzburg. Trains from Poland to Austria pass through the Czech Republic.
PKP Intercity – online shop
Austrian Railways – online shop
Romania
There is an overnight train from Vienna to Bucharest via Budapest. Train stops at Sighisoara, Brasov and Ploiesti stations. You can travel from Austria to Romania by train with changing in Budapest.
shop.oebbtickets.at – Österreichische Bundesbahnen’s online shop
Slovakia
Trains from Bratislava to Vienna run every hour. Trains currently from Bratislava Petržalka Station, which is located in a different part of the city.
There is a special tariff for Bratislava – Vienna trains – return tickets are relatively cheap. However, this does not apply to Railjet, Intercity and the Bratislava – Split night train.
Train from Bratislava to Zurich run once a day. The train provides direct access to Salzburg, Innsbruck and Feldkirch.
Trains between Vienna and Bratislava – more information
Slovenia and Croatia
There are many trains from Slovenia to Austria. One direct train daily connects Ljubljana and Vienna, but there is a possibility to travel from Maribor or Ljubljana to Graz and change the train at Graz station.
Second option is a travel to Vienna with change in Villach. There are 3 trains daily from Ljubljana to Villach.
Trains from Vienna to Croatia pass through Slovenia. There are direct trains Vienna – Zagreb and Villach – Zagreb. In summer an overnight train from Bratislava and Vienna to Split is launched.
Austrian Railways – timetable and online shop
Austrian Railways – trip planner
Austrian Railways offers promotional non-refundable OBB Sparschiene tickets to Maribor and Ljubljana.
Ticket prices start from:
Vienna – Ljubljana – od 23,90 EUR
Vienna – Maribor – od 19,90 EUR
Graz – Maribor – od 9,90 EUR
In fact, tickets usually are much more expensive, especially if you don’t buy tickets in advance.
Trains between Austria and Slovenia – a full list
Switzerland
There are Railjet trains from Vienna to Zurich and an overnight train between the capitals of Austria and Switzerland.
Tickets can be purchased on shop.oebbtickets.at website.
Trains between Austria and Switzerland – a full list.
Related articles:
Railways in Europe by country
Narrow-gauge railways in Austria
Rack railways in Austria
Scenic railways in Austria
