Travel Alert: Austria's Trains Running Status Update

Trains are running in Austria, with the country's railway network spanning 6,123 km (3,805 mi), including 3,523 km (2,189 mi) of electrified track. The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) operates most of the country's rail services, with the private operator Westbahn also running express trains on the Western Railway line. Austria's rail network is well-developed, offering both regional and international routes, and the country is among the leaders in the EU for distance travelled by rail per inhabitant and year.

Train types in Austria

Austria's train network is mostly operated by ÖBB (Österreichische Bundesbahnen), the Austrian Federal Railways. The ÖBB owns a 5,000 km (3,100 mi) long network and operates domestic and international long-distance passenger trains, most urban commuter trains, and regional trains.

International Trains

The ÖBB operates international express trains to neighbouring countries, such as the EuroCity trains that run on many routes from Austria.

Regional and Intercity Trains

Commuter trains connect Vienna with cities around it. There is also a suburban metro train network that runs within major cities in Austria. Trains also connect larger cities in Austria, including Vienna, Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Graz.

Domestic High-Speed Trains

These trains link Vienna to larger Austrian cities like Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Graz.

International High-Speed Trains

International high-speed trains link Austria to several European cities. All long-distance trains to/from Germany are subject to mandatory reservations from June 1st until September 1st.

Night Trains

Night trains run from Austria to France, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Poland, Germany, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland.

Rail transport in Austria

Austria has a highly developed rail network, despite its mountainous geography. The country's central location in Europe means it has numerous international routes, as well as comprehensive domestic coverage. The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) is the national rail company and is state-owned. It manages rail transport in Liechtenstein, too. The country's railway network has a length of 6,123km, of which 3,523km is electrified.

History

The history of rail transport in Austria dates back to the 15th century, with the Reisszug, a private, horse-drawn funicular serving Hohensalzburg Fortress, documented in 1515. The first major railway, the Nordbahn line Vienna-Břeclav, opened in 1837. The Imperial Royal Austrian State Railways (kkStB) was created in 1884, serving the Austrian side of Austria-Hungary. In 1923, following the dissolution of the empire, the national company BBÖ (Bundesbahnen Österreich) was founded. In 1938, the BBÖ was incorporated into the Deutsche Reichsbahn during the Anschluss, but the Austrian Federal Railways were re-installed in 1945, under the name Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB).

Operators

The ÖBB and WESTbahn are the main operators on Austria's railway network. The German Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the Czech České dráhy (ČD) also operate passenger train services to destinations in Austria.

Routes

The Austrian rail network services numerous routes, covering both local and international destinations. There are commuter trains connecting Vienna with surrounding cities, and intercity trains connecting larger cities, including Vienna, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Graz. International routes include connections to Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Stations

Austria's main hub stations are Wien Hbf (Vienna), Innsbruck Hbf, and Salzburg Hbf. Stations in Austria usually have excellent facilities, including foreign exchange desks, restaurants and cafes, tourist information offices, elevators, and escalators.

Passenger Numbers

Austria is among the leaders in the EU when it comes to the distance traveled by rail per inhabitant and year. In 2022, the annual transport volume of passenger trains in Austria increased by 4.5 billion million passenger-kilometers compared to the previous year.

Railjet and Nightjet trains

Railjet Trains

The Railjet (RJ) is a high-speed train that connects Austria to several European countries, including Germany, Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Switzerland. It offers a maximum speed of up to 230 km/h, providing an efficient and comfortable travel experience. The Railjet trains are operated by Austrian Federal Railways, also known as Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB), in collaboration with Czech Railways.

The Railjet trains provide various onboard amenities to ensure a pleasant journey. They offer three classes of travel: Economy Class, First Class, and Business Class. Each class features comfortable seating, modern design, and additional storage space for luggage and bicycles. Free WiFi, an onboard entertainment portal, and a restaurant are available to enhance the onboard experience. The Railjet trains also cater to passengers with limited mobility, offering special facilities and services to ensure a pleasant and hassle-free journey.

The Railjet routes cover both domestic and international destinations. Within Austria, the Railjet connects major cities like Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Graz, while also providing access to remote Alpine regions. Internationally, the Railjet offers connections to Munich, Innsbruck, Bozen, and Verona in Italy, as well as other European cities.

Nightjet Trains

The Nightjet is the brand name for Austrian Railways (ÖBB) sleeper trains, offering comfortable overnight travel to various destinations. Launched in 2016, the Nightjet links Austria with Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Paris. It provides different accommodation options, including seating carriages, couchette carriages, and sleeper carriages.

The seating carriages offer basic seats for budget-conscious travellers, but it is recommended to opt for a couchette or sleeper for a more comfortable journey. Couchette carriages provide flat padded bunks in shared compartments, either in 4-berth or 6-berth configurations. They are ideal for families, groups of friends, or solo travellers on a budget. Sleeper carriages, on the other hand, offer more privacy and comfort, with 1-berth, 2-berth, or 3-berth compartments. These compartments can be standard with a washbasin or deluxe with an en suite shower and toilet.

The Nightjet trains also provide various onboard services, including room service for drinks, snacks, and hot dishes. Breakfast is included in the fare for sleeper and couchette passengers, served in their compartments. Additionally, passengers can enjoy a complimentary welcome drink upon boarding. The Nightjet trains are designed to cover long distances overnight, allowing passengers to save on hotel accommodation costs.

The Nightjet routes cover several destinations, including Paris-Munich-Salzburg-Vienna, Brussels-Munich-Salzburg-Vienna, Amsterdam-Düsseldorf-Cologne-Linz-Vienna, and many more. The Nightjet trains have become a popular choice for travellers, providing a unique and convenient way to explore Europe.

Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB)

The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) is the national railway company of Austria and the administrator of Liechtenstein's railways. The ÖBB group is entirely owned by the Republic of Austria and is divided into several businesses that manage infrastructure and operate passenger and freight services.

The ÖBB owns a 5,000 km (3,100 mi) long network and operates domestic and international long-distance passenger trains, most urban commuter trains (known as S-Bahn), as well as Regional-Express (REX) and regional trains (R). The ÖBB also runs Intercity-Express (ICE) trains to Germany and its own brand of night trains to other European countries, branded Nightjet (NJ).

The ÖBB is one of Austria's greenest companies, with 100% of the power used for the railway network produced from renewable resources. It is also one of the most punctual railway operators in Europe, with a punctuality rate of around 96%. Every day, 41,641 employees ensure that 1.3 million passengers safely reach their destinations.

The ÖBB has six types of trains:

• Cityjet
• Talent
• Desiro
• Bi-level push-pull train
• Cityshuttle push-pull train
• Electric railcar 4020

These trains cater to the various needs of passengers, with amenities varying from train to train. Regional Trains are slower than high-speed trains and stop more frequently. They travel at speeds between 120 km/h (75 mph) and 160 km/h (99 mph) and are equipped with air conditioning, adjustable seats, and comfortable low-level entrances.

The ÖBB also offers international connections to several European cities, including:

• Vienna – Linz – Munich – Stuttgart – Frankfurt
• Vienna – Gyor – Budapest
• Graz – Vienna – Brno – Prague
• Bratislava – Vienna – Salzburg – Innsbruck – Zurich
• Vienna – Graz – Villach – Venice
• Munich – Innsbruck – Verona/Bologna/Venice

International trains

Austria's national rail company, the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), operates most of the country's trains. ÖBB trains are modern, with comfortable seating and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The Railjet, for example, offers free Wifi and faster connections, while the Nightjet offers sleeper cars, couchette coaches, and day coaches for comfortable overnight travel.

• Vienna – Linz – Munich – Stuttgart – Frankfurt
• Vienna – Gyor – Budapest
• Graz – Vienna – Brno – Prague
• Bratislava – Vienna – Salzburg – Innsbruck – Zurich
• Vienna – Graz – Villach – Venice
• Munich – Innsbruck – Verona/Bologna/Venice

The yellow RegioJet trains, operated by a private company, also connect Vienna with Brno and Prague in the Czech Republic.

International high-speed trains in Austria include:

• Vienna – Linz – Salzburg – Munich/Innsbruck/Bregenz
• Vienna – Nürnberg – Frankfurt – Cologne – Dortmund
• Vienna – Nürnberg – Erfurt – Berlin – Hamburg
• Innsbruck – Munich – Stuttgart – Berlin
• Innsbruck – Bregenz – Stuttgart – Berlin
• Vienna – Ljubljana – Trieste
• Graz – Vienna – Ostrava – Wroclaw/Krakow – Rzeszów – Przemysl
• Klagenfurt – Salzburg – Munich – Cologne – Dortmund
• Zagreb – Ljubljana – Salzburg – Munich – Frankfurt
• Munich – Innsbruck – Verona – Venice/Bologna/Rimini

Reservations are not required for most Austrian trains, except for overnight trains and some international routes. However, reservations are recommended during the peak season (May to September) and for public holidays.

Frequently asked questions