Austria Railway Ultimate Guide

It is getting faster and easier to travel through Austria by train. The best way to explore Austria is through the magnificent mountain scenery, lush alpine meadows, historic towns and picturesque villages. Located in the middle of continental Europe, Austria is bordered by Germany and Italy. It is also bordered by the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Its train network is well connected to the surrounding countries. ÖBB has a punctuality rate of 96% and is one of the most reliable railway operators in Europe in 2018.

Railway Operators: Mostly state-owned

The main train service operator in Austria is the state-owned company ÖBB, which serves almost the entire country. There are some private railway companies that are not part of ÖBB. Between Vienna and Salzburg, the most densely populated area in the country, ÖBB’s main competitor is a relatively new company Westbahn.

Austrian Federal Railways(Österreichische Bundesbahne, ÖBB)

Austrian Federal Railways（German：Österreichische Bundesbahnen/ÖBB，formerly known as Bundesbahn Österreich/BBÖ）It is the national railway system of Austria and the governer of the Liechtenstein railway.

The Austrian Federal Railway was originally founded in 1460 and is the oldest railway company in Europe. It was later re-established in 1923, using the name Bundesbahn Österreich as the successor of the Imperial Royal Austrian National Railway Company (kkStB), but was incorporated into Deutsche during the period. Reichsbahn, 1938-1945 Anschluss. It was reformed in 1947 and used a slightly different name of Österreichische Bundesbahnen and existed in this form.

The most popular route in Austria is Vienna-Salzburg

ÖBB Main Train Model: Railjet high-speed train

Westbahn

WESTbahn Management GmbH has been operating high speed train services on the Western Austrian Railway (also known as Westbahn) since December 11, 2011. The French railway company SNCF holds a 26% stake in WESTbahn. The joint venture with WESTbahn is WESTbus, which operates bus lines in Austria and neighbouring countries.

The WESTbahn operates between Vienna and Salzburg and competes with the government-owned ÖBB. The train runs every hour. Stations include: Wien Westbahnhof, Wien-Hütteldorf, St. Pölten Hbf, Amstetten, Linz Hbf, Wels Hbf, Attnang-Puchheim and Salzburg Hbf.

Westbahn Train Model

Westbahn Route Map

Because Austria is located in the middle of Europe, it actually has the largest railway network coverage in Europe, linking Western and Eastern Europe and Southern Europe. There are also many train models of ÖBB. The main model is the Railjet high-speed train Railjet.

Railjet high-speed train

Railjet Xpress (RJX) for the highest speed routes and the Railjet (RJ) for connecting additional stops are the high-speed rail service operated by the Austrian Federal Railway (ÖBB) and the Czech Railway (ČB). It runs at speeds up to 230 km/h (143 mph). It is ÖBB’s premier service, operating in Austria and providing international passenger services in neighbouring major cities such as Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Italy and Slovakia.

Route Map

Railjet Route Map

Coach Class

Search result from www.G2Rail.com shows prices and coach classes of railjet from Vienna to Salzburg. You can search live result from below box.

2nd Class

Economy Class (2nd Class) has 2 + 2 seat arrangement, most of which are unidirectional but have 4 tables. All seats have power outlets and fixed or pull-down tables. Large luggage racks are located in different locations in the lounge area.

Railjet 2nd Class

1st Class

1st class with reclining leather seats, seat arrangement 2 + 1, with a table for 2 people, table for 4 people and some unidirectional seats. All seats have power outlets and tables. Meal orders are taken from the restaurant menu and served in your seat, but meals are not included in the ticket, you have to pay for the food.

Railjet 1st Class

Premium 1st Class (Business Class)

You can pay an extra 15 Euros for Premium 1st Class(Business Class) seat on any First Class fare, which automatically includes the reserved seat. Most Railjet trains have only 14 Premium 1st Class seats (half compartment). The carpeted hallway extends down one side of the car and has several spacious 3 or 4 seat half compartments, as there are no doors in the compartment. The partition is not completely sealed. Each half compartment has a very comfortable sloping leather armchair with adjustable footrests and folding armrest tables. On some of the latest Railjet (including the Vienna-Venice route), there are only six Premium 1st Class seats, and an open layout 1 + 1 seat is arranged. All seats are equipped with power outlets and reading lights. Includes a complimentary welcome drink, e.g wine or juice. Meal orders come from the restaurant menu and are served in your seat, but meals are not included in the ticket. If you have a 1st Class ticket, you can find any empty seats in Premium 1st Class and ask to pay for a supplement of 15 euros for the seat.

Railjet Premium 1st Class (Business Class)

Bistro-restaurant compartment

Passengers in any class can purchase food and drinks at the counter and bring back to their seats. You can also find a place to sit and enjoy in the small restaurant area with waiter service. First Class and Business Class passengers do not need to go to the restaurant car, the staff will receive your order and deliver to your seat. The food is placed in fine porcelain and metal cutlery is also available – there is no aviation plastic here!

Railjet Travel Tips

Seat Reservation

Seating reservation is optional and can be booked for a small additional fee if you need to, otherwise, you only need to find any vacant unreserved seats. You can always buy a full fare ticket and take the train, the ticket will never be sold out usually. However, booking a seat is a good idea for long-distance travel, and if you are willing to have a limited refund, you can find a cheaper fare for a specific train that can change ticket once prior to departure.

Tickets can be booked within 180 days prior to departure.

Boarding

As with most European trains, there is no check-in procedure. Just walk into the train station, look at the signs, find your train, and get on the train at any time before it departs.

Luggage

Carry your baggage with you and place it on any suitable rack that is close to your seat. If you can carry it, you are allowed to take it on the train because there is no baggage restriction within reasonable limits. Anything that is the size of a backpack can be placed on an overhead shelf directly above the seat, and larger items can be placed luggage racks nearby the door and seating area.

Europe InterCity Express (Eurocity, EC)

The European intercity express train (Eurocity,EC) connects Austria with its neighbours. Passengers can find air-conditioned convertibles and compartments. The on-board restaurant offers food and drinks. For women travelling alone, Eurocity offers separate ladies compartments. In addition, there is a breastfeeding compartment and a compartment that is separate for young children. EuroCity includes the DB ÖBB Eurocity train, ÖBB and Eastern European trains and the Austrian Czech International Train. Eurocity has a speed of 200 km/h.

Germany Austria Italy International Express (DB ÖBB Eurocity)

The DB ÖBB Eurocity train is an international express train operated by the German (DB) and Austrian (ÖBB) railways. The train travels from Munich via Innsbruck and Bolzano to Verona, Italy. Some trains continue from Verona to Bologna, Rimini or Venice. Between Innsbruck and Bolzano, the train passes through the beautiful Brenner route.

ÖBB Intercity Express Train from Vienna to Munich

The train comprised of modern ÖBB intercity express trains. All trains offer seats in 1st class or 2nd class.

ÖBB Germany Austria Italy International Express: Premium 1st Class (Business Class)

ÖBB Germany Austria Italy International Express: 1st Class

ÖBB Germany Austria Italy International Express: 2nd Class

Facilities include：

• Seats in the Partition and open layout
• Air conditioning
• Electric plug
• Dining compartment
• Suitable for people with reduced mobility
• Bicycle storage

Main Stations and Routes

ÖBB Germany Austria Italy International Express: Route Map

• Munich – Kufstein – Vogel – Innsbruck – Brenner – Bolzano – Trento – Verona – Padova – Venice
• Munich – Kufstein – Vogel – Innsbruck – Brenner – Bolzano – Trento – Verona – Bologna

Seat Reservation

Seat reservation is not required, but reservation is also convenient, especially in 1st class and peak time. The 1st and 2nd class booking fee are EUR 3.50/seat.

Austrian East European International Express (Eurocity, EC)

ÖBB European Intercity Express Train from Vienna to Belgrade

ÖBB European Intercity Express Train from Vienna to Budapest

Depending on the destination, trains can be made up of compartments from various national railway companies, all with different interior design and comfort. Usually, you will find open layout seats.

Facilities generally include:

• 2nd class and 1st class seats
• Air conditioning
• Power outlet
• Restaurant or bistro compartments
• Most trains have bicycle storage
• Most trains are equipped with facilities for passengers with a disability

Seat Reservation

For cross-border trains to/from Poland, a reservation is required. You do not need to book for travel in all other countries and Austria. It is recommended to reserve a seat only on peak travel days.

Booking fee is 3.5 EUR

Main Stations and Routes

ÖBB Main International Train Route Map

• Vienna – Graz – Ljubljana / Zagreb
• Graz / Klagenfurt – Salzburg – Munich – Frankfurt am Main / Saarbrücken / Cologne / Dortmund
• Vienna – Katowice – Warsaw – Gdansk
• Vienna – Krakow

Austria Czech International Express (Eurocity, EC)

Regiojet operates international long-distance trains from Prague to Vienna, Bratislava and Kosice, as well as trains from Prague to Ostrava/Havirov in the Czech Republic. This train model is mainly refurbished classic intercity trains purchased from ÖBB (Austrian Railway).

ÖBB European Intercity Express stopping at Prague Central Station

Czech Railway(České dráhy): Blue Railjet

ÖBB European Intercity Express from Vienna to Prague: Dining Compartment

There are several levels of comfort：

• Low cost：Four seats per row in an open layout, wireless internet, free bottled water
• Standard：There are six seats in the cabin, power plug, Wifi, free bottled water, coffee, juice
• Astra: Four seats per row, open layout with built-in entertainment system, power plug, wireless internet, complimentary bottled water, juice
• Relax：Three seats per row in an open layout, power plug, Wifi, free bottled water, coffee
• Business：The compartment has four seats, power plug, Wifi, complimentary bottled water, coffee, juice or champagne

All compartments are air conditioned. Except to low cost compartment, snacks and drinks are available in all seats. There are bicycle storage facilities in low cost compartment.

European Intercity Night Train(Euronight, Nightjet, EN)

European Intercit y Night Train Couchette Compartments Exterior

Unlike EuroCity and InterCity trains that operate during day time, EuroNight train runs at night and is equipped with various facilities for accommodation. In addition to the basic cost of tickets to the destination, almost all EuroNight trains require reservations and additional fare fares. The fare largely depends on whether the traveller wants to sit in a regular seat or a couchette (hard sleeper) with a blanket and a small pillow, or a soft sleeper with a full set of bed linen (sheets, quilts, pillows).

Almost all EuroNight routes are international (although a few major countries, including France and Germany, operate EN services nationwide) and are operated jointly by several railway companies, many of which share trains on the routes. EN trains developed and provide the standard night train service for all Western and most Central European countries.

After the termination of the CityNightLine service by the German Federal Railways(DB) in 2016, the Austrian Federal Railways(ÖBB) launched the new night car brand Nightjet as an alternative. Nightjet operates in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Other train companies provide services to Croatia, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia, which are operated as a  partnership with Nightjet.

The Nightjet train offers sleeper compartment (Nightjet’s most comfortable class), hard sleeper compartment (couchette and a regular compartment (seat).

Austrian Railway Night Train Main Route

Main stations and Routes

Train number	Operator	Via
EN 60463/480	HŽ (Nightjet Partner)	Munich – Opatija – Rijeka
EN 60406/60444	ZSSK (Nightjet Partner)	Vienna – Poprad – Kosice
EN 50467/50466	CD (Nightjet Partner)	Zurich – Feldkirch – Linz – Ceske Budejovice – Prague
EN 50463/498	HŽ (Nightjet Partner)	Munich – Ljubljana – Zagreb
EN 50406/50402	PKP (Nightjet Partner)	Vienna – Ostrava – Krakow
EN 40490/40421	ÖBB	Vienna – Linz – Nuremberg – Frankfurt – Cologne – Düsseldorf
EN 40463/40236	ÖBB	Munich – Salzburg – Villach – Udine – Venice
EN 40420/40491	ÖBB	Innsbruck – Munich – Nuremberg – Hanover – Hamburg
EN 40406/40477	MÁV (Nightjet Partner)	Vienna – Dresden – Berlin
EN 40295/40235	ÖBB	Munich – Salzburg – Villach – Verona – Milan
EN 40233/40294	ÖBB	Vienna – Villach – Bologna – Florence – Rome
EN 1237/1234	ÖBB	Vienna – Villach – Bologna – Florence – Pisa – Livorno
EN 490/491	ÖBB	Vienna – Linz – Nuremberg – Hanover – Hamburg
EN 471/470	ÖBB	Hamburg – Berlin – Frankfurt – Freiburg – Basel – Zurich
EN 466/467	ÖBB	Vienna – Linz – Salzburg – Innsbruck – Zurich
EN 464/465	ÖBB	Graz – Leoben – Innsbruck – Feldkirch – Zurich
EN 462/463	MÁV (Nightjet Partner)	Budapest – Vienna – Linz – Salzburg – Munich
EN 420/421	ÖBB	Innsbruck – Munich – Frankfurt – Cologne – Düsseldorf
EN 414/40465	ÖBB	Villach – Bad Gastein – Innsbruck – Feldkirch
EN 414/40465	HŽ (Nightjet Partner)	Zagreb – Ljubljana – Villach – Feldkirch – Zurich
EN 406/407	PKP (Nightjet Partner)	Vienna – Ostrava – Katowice – Warsaw
EN 295/294	ÖBB	Munich – Salzburg – Villach – Bologna – Florence – Rome
EN 246/247	ÖBB	Vienna – Linz – Innsbruck – Feldkirch – Bregenz
EN 237/236	ÖBB	Vienna – Linz – Salzburg – Villach – Udine – Venice
EN 233/235	ÖBB	Vienna – Villach – Verona – Milan

Class

The sleeper mainly consists of couchette and sleeper. The couchette (Hard sleeper) includes a shared 6-person private room and 4 people share a private compartment. The sleeper (Soft sleeper) consists of 3 persons, 2 persons or 1 person private cabin, and snacks/drinks are sold in the car. All couchette compartments and sleeper compartments are equipped with power outlets. EuroNight service does not offer Wifi.

6/4 persons couchette (2nd Class）

Euronight 6 Beds Couchette Cabin

• There are two benches in each Partition that can be converted into small 6, 5 or 4 beds at night
• Reservation fee required
• Bed linen and pillows are provided
• Toilet and toilet in the hallway
• Mostly breakfast is included in the fare
• Snacks and drinks are sold in the train
• Ladies and wheelchair compartments available

3/2/1 person(s) Sleeper（Economy, 2nd Class）

European Intercity Night Train from Budapest to Berlin 3-person Couchette

• A Cabin with 3, 2 or 1 person(s) that can be turned into a seat or bench during day time
• Reservation fee required
• Washbasin in all cabins
• Toilet and shower in the hallway
• Breakfast included
• Includes bed linen and pillows
• Snacks and drinks are sold in the train
• Can be booked as a private cabin or shared with people of the same gender

3/2/1 person(s) Sleeper（1st Class） 

Zurich to Munich Premium 1 person Sleeper

European Intercity Night Train (EN 446) Separate Bathroom(Warsaw to Cologne)

• A Cabin with 3, 2 or 1 person(s) that can be turned into a seat or bench during day time
• Reservation fee required
• Private bathroom and shower
• Welcome drink included
• Breakfast included
• Includes bed linen and pillows
• Snacks and drinks are sold in the train
• Can be booked as a private cabin or shared with people of the same gender

Children

Children under the age of 3 are free of charge if they do not need their own bed. Children between 4 and 14 years old usually have to pay for the bed only (depending on the fare booked).

Luggage

The EuroNight does not have any baggage restrictions, but the luggage room in the compartments may have limited space. You can also store your luggage above the hallway door and under the bed.

Boarding

There is no check-in at the station, you can get on the train anytime before departure. After boarding, the staff will check your ticket and explain the facilities of the train. In some international routes, your passport is required and would be handed over to the staff so you don’t need to have a border check at midnight.

Pass

Passengers with a valid Interrail or Eurail pass can use the special pass for the EuroNight service. The pass holder pays a Couchette surcharge of 20 to 35 euros and a 3, 2 or 1 person(s) Sleeper surcharge of 45 to 105 euros (depending on the number of people in the shared compartment).

If you are on the Eurail/Interrail Flexi Pass, you only need to write down the day of departure on the pass. The entire journey must be within the validity period of the pass. So, in fact, it only takes one day of the total number of valid days of your pass.

Intercity Express(Intercity, IC)

Intercity Express worked as a complement to Eurocity and Railjet for long-distance travel across the country and includes first-class compartments. Passengers can find air-conditioned compartments. For women travelling alone, Intercity offers a separate ladies compartment. In addition, there is a breastfeeding compartment and a compartment that is separate for young children.

Intercity Bus (IC Bus)

ÖBB Intercity Bus Exterior

ÖBB Intercity Bus（ICB）It is a complement to our top long-distance trains in southern Austria and the routes across the Italian border. The service and quality of rail tour can also be enjoyed during bus trips.

On ÖBB Intercity bus, you can travel safely and comfortably. Each bus offers first-class and second-class seats with toilets and air conditioning. In First Class, you can enjoy elegant leather seats, work areas and power outlets, as well as complimentary newspapers and drinks.

ÖBB Intercity Bus Seat

ÖBB Intercity Bus Toilet

Rail Pass

The cheapest Austrian National Railway Pass priced from 147 euros (Any three days in a month). So if you are not sure about the date of the trip, or you missed early bird ticket, and many cities you are going to, please consider buying an Austrian train pass. It’s more flexible than the one-way ticket.

Point-to-Point Ticket

ÖBB offers different channels for you to purchase tickets.

The quickest way to purchase a point-to-point ticket is to search and purchase online. After the booking is successful, you will receive the email of confirmation. The attachment of the email is the pdf file of the ticket, which needs to be printed on A4 paper. In addition, you can also use the ÖBB App to log in to your account. There is an option to get ticket from the phone. The e-ticket can be displayed on the mobile phone. There is also a QR code. When your ticket was checked, you can show the QR code to the staff for scanning.

                            Ticket of 2nd Class Seat From Vienna to St. Poelten

The system will open for reservations three months before the departure date.  Reservations for seats are subject to 3 Euro/bit.

The confirmation letter was sent after the reservation was made. Clicking on it will connect you to the OBB website to see your journey detail.

Below is a DOWNLOAD / PRINT PDF-TICKETS, download PDF, you will see where it is assigned to you.

For example, below is the booking of Seat 31,32,33, 38 in the No. 25 compartment

                                                    Ticket of 2nd Class Seat 

Another option is the ÖBB ticket vending machine. Here you can also enjoy a self-booking discount for Vorteilstickets (discounted tickets).

Special Ticket

ÖBB VORTEILScard (Youth Card)

Austrian train OEBB youth card VORTEILScard<26, this card can only be used by young people up to 26 years old, the price is 19.90 euros, can be used for one year. Note: The concept of less than 26 years old is depending on the birth date.

All trains in Austria are half price, some Sbahn can be discounted, and OEBB international trains can also be discounted. Convenient and very cost effective.

Notes for applying youth cards:

Requires: Passport (or valid ID), 2 inch photo, and a filled application form, 19.90 Euro.

Forms are available at all OEBB ticket offices or online

Fill in carefully (especially the address) as per the above requirements. The effective date can be selected by yourself. If you fill in the date of hand-in day, you will get a temporary card. The official card will be sent within 2-4 weeks after the application.

Group Point-to-Point Ticket

Group Ticket for more than 6 people

Price: 30% off within 100km journey, 40% off more than 100km journey, and free reservation of seats for more than 10 people
Description: All people need to travel together

Minimax-Ticket (2 to 5 people)

Price: 10% off for the first person, 20% off the second person, 30% off the third person, and so on.
In addition, if two or more people in the group have Vorteilscard, it is cheaper (such as discounts in the second column, 50% off one person, 40% off two people, 35% off three people, and so on).

Einfach-Raus-Ticket

Price: 28 EUR per person (2 to 5 people)
Instructions for use:
1. One ticket can be used by groups of 2 to 5 people (with the same entrance!)
2. Monday to Friday from 9 am to next day 3 am
3. Available on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (12 am to next day 3 am)
4. You can take these trains: Regionalzug (R), Regional Express (REX), S-Bahn, Regio S-Bahn (RSB), EURegio (ER), Erlebniszug (EZ). But for Express train e.g ICE, IC, EC, OEC or You cannot take these trains!
5. For travellers who have short-distance journeys,  and do not need to take the express train, or willing to spend more time to save money, this ticket is recommended.

Station and Boarding

Vienna Central Station(Wien Hbf)

Vienna’s largest railway station: Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof). The routes are mainly connected to Eastern Europe, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria and other places as well as Stuttgart, Paris, Venice, Athens and other cities in Western Europe.

Central Station (Hbf) has a wide variety of restaurants, supermarkets, and shops. It is also convenient and suitable for buying souvenirs.

Vienna Central Station Interior

Vienna Central Station Map

Public Transportation options to Vienna Central Station:

Light Rail S1,S2,S3,S5,S6,S8,S9,S15,S60,S70 and S80, Metro U1line，Tram D,O,18 line，Bus 13A、 69A to Südbahnhof station.

Facilities：

Ticket Office located at 1/F

Locker located at B1/F

Boarding

Pay attention to the electronic display in the train station hall and find the departure information.

                                       Departure Display at Vienna Central Station

Go to the corresponding platform and confirm the platform information.

                                                             Platform Display

The platform 1-2 is mainly used for regional trains and light rails. The platform 3-4 is mainly used for the light rail S80 and the trains to Bratislava. The platform 5/6/7/8 mainly used for the trains directed to the southwest(connected to Western Europe), and the platform 9-10 mainly used for the trains directed to the northwest(Eastern Europe) and the airport.

Check-in

Tickets purchased by Austrian Railway do not need to be picked up, and there is no need to check in the ticket during boarding. There is a button at the door, and the door would be opened by pressing the button. No staff will stand in front of the doors of the train.

After getting on the train, the staff will take a random inspection. The checking is to scan the QR code. The PDF ticket needs to be printed by yourself. For the ticket purchased on the app, you can show to the staff for scanning the QR code.

On the Train

If the light above the seat in the train is not lighted, it means that no one booked the seat, you can just sit.

There is a display on the train showing what the next station is, and passengers need to pay attention to the station where they will get off.

Sightseeing Train

Arlbergline

The magnificent railway route starts from a small town of Tyrol in Landeck, via the Langen am Arlberg train station (1,217 m / 3,993 ft above sea level), the final destination is Vorarlberg, Bludenz. The ArlbergLine is one of the steepest railway lines in the world with a slope of 3.1% (3.1 m / 100 m).

The most spectacular views along the way include the Trisanna-Bridge in Tyrol near Wiesberg, which is 211 meters (692 feet) long and 87 meters (286 feet) high. The Paznaun Valley and the Arlbergtunnel, which is 10,250 meters (6.4 miles) long.

The train runs daily throughout the year and has 1st, 2nd class and dining compartment.

Semmering Railway

Built in the mid-19th century, the Semelin Railway, with a total length of 41 km, travels between the Alps and is one of the earliest alpine railways in the world. It solves the problem that industrial technology is subject to the natural environment. For the early railway construction project, this project can be said to be a great civil engineering construction, its high standard tunnels, viaducts and other engineering constructions made this masterpiece. The railway has been in use ever since. Its beautiful scenery along the route and art-like buildings have become a leisure resort after the completion of the railway.

Searching for ticket of Semmering Railway

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