Purchasing Tickets: Onboard Austrian Trains

Yes, you can buy tickets on the train in Austria, but it is recommended that you book your tickets in advance online or via the ÖBB app, as this is the quickest option and can save you money. Tickets can also be purchased at the station, either at ÖBB ticket machines or from assistants in travel centres. If you are travelling on a long-distance train, you can buy your ticket from the train attendant, but you must inform them immediately that you need a ticket, otherwise, you will be considered to be travelling without a valid ticket.

Buying tickets online or via the ÖBB app

The ÖBB app is the quickest way to buy your train ticket in Austria. Tickets are also available for purchase online. Discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets can only be booked online or on the ÖBB app.

Tickets for journeys wholly within each länder/state are available on the ÖBB website. However, tickets for journeys wholly within the states of Salzburg and Vorarlberg are only released about a month in advance.

Tickets are available on ÖBB up to six months ahead of the travel date. However, the price of a ticket is closely tied to demand and how popular a train is likely to be. So, tickets for trains departing one or two days later can sometimes be more than 50% cheaper.

The cheapest Sparschiene tickets are usually available for slower services. They can also be more widely available if you're willing to make connections between trains during a journey. The prices of Sparschiene tickets can vary by more than €30 across a day's departures, so it can be a good idea to sort the results on ÖBB by 'fare' if you can be flexible regarding departure and arrival times.

If you book a Sparschiene ticket, it will be specific to the departure you selected and it can't be refunded or exchanged for an alternative, later departure. However, ÖBB now links to an insurance policy costing only €3, which protects against circumstances such as having to cancel a booking due to illness.

When looking up journeys on ÖBB, it initially shows one price for each journey – the cheapest second-class price available for that trip. If you want to book a first-class ticket, you still need to click this price, which will take you to the booking page where you can upgrade to first class.

Rail passes

Rail passes are generally good value for Austria, and since hardly any daytime trains require reservations, a pass is also more convenient than buying tickets as you go.

Buying tickets from train attendants

On long-distance trains, you can also buy your tickets directly from your train attendant. As part of the initial ticket check, please inform the employee immediately and without being asked that you need a ticket, otherwise, you are considered to be travelling without a valid ticket. ÖBB standard tickets have their own price for onboard sales. Please note that when you buy any other ticket on the train, you pay the onboard price fee of €3.

Buying tickets at the station

If you are unable to purchase your ticket online or through the ÖBB app, you can buy your ticket at the train station. Tickets can be purchased from self-serve vending machines or from assistants in any of the 50+ travel centres located within stations across Austria.

Tickets can also be purchased on the train from the conductor, though this comes with an additional €3 fee. If you are boarding at a station without a ticket vending machine or ticket counter, you must buy your ticket immediately after boarding the train from the ticket vending machine (located at one end of the train) or from the train attendants as soon as possible.

It is important to note that Sparschiene tickets, which are discounted tickets for long-distance journeys, cannot be purchased at the station. These tickets are only available online or on the ÖBB app.

If you are travelling with a bicycle, you will need to purchase a separate ticket for your bike. This can be done at the station, and your bike can be stowed in a bicycle mount. However, spots for bicycles are limited, so it is recommended to book the bike ticket early.

For those travelling with pets, small animals can travel for free as long as they are in a transport container. Larger dogs will need an extra ticket, which can be purchased at the station.

ÖBB Lounges

Tickets for first class and business class are also available at the exclusive ÖBB Lounges. With a first-class ticket, passengers can wait for their train in these lounges and enjoy free snacks and drinks, magazines, and Wi-Fi.

Buying tickets on the train

If you're in a hurry, you can buy tickets on the train from the conductor for an additional fee of €3. However, it is recommended that you buy your ticket before boarding the train, as tickets bought on the train are more expensive.

ÖBB Regional Trains

On ÖBB trains for local transport (REX, R, CJX, S-Bahn), you need to buy a valid ticket for your trip before boarding the train. If you board without a ticket, you can buy one immediately after from the ticket vending machine (located at one end of the train) or by contacting the team of train attendants as soon as possible.

Long-Distance Trains

On long-distance trains, you can buy your ticket directly from the train attendant. However, you must inform the employee that you need a ticket immediately and without being asked, otherwise, you will be considered to be travelling without a valid ticket.

Ticket Machines

Another option is to buy your ticket from an ÖBB ticket machine, which can be found at stations.

Ticket Counters

You can also buy tickets from ÖBB ticket counters, travel agencies, and sales partners.

Online

The quickest way to buy a ticket is online or via the ÖBB app. Tickets can be purchased on the ÖBB website, the Trainline website, or via their respective apps. Tickets can be booked up to six months in advance.

Ticket types and pricing

The Austrian Federal Railways, or ÖBB, offers a range of ticket types and prices for its trains. Tickets can be purchased online, via the ÖBB app, at the station, or on the train.

Standard Tickets

Standard Tickets are highly flexible. They allow passengers to take any train type on their chosen route, except for night trains. The ticket is valid for two days from the date of validity, and passengers are entitled to free reimbursement prior to the first day of validity. Standard Tickets can be booked up to six months in advance, although tickets for journeys wholly within a state may have a shorter booking period.

Comfort Tickets

Comfort Tickets cover all night trains. Passengers must travel on the chosen day and at the chosen departure time. Reimbursement is free up to 15 days before the travel date. After that, passengers are entitled to 50% of the fare back, provided it cost at least €15.

Sparschiene-Tickets

Sparschiene-Tickets are the cheapest option, but passengers must travel on the chosen day and at the chosen departure time. This ticket cannot be reimbursed, and it is only available for purchase online or on the ÖBB app. Sparschiene-Tickets are typically much cheaper than tickets bought at the station, but they are also less flexible.

Einfach-Raus Ticket

Einfach-Raus Tickets are group tickets for parties of two to five people. They cover local and regional routes and must be used on the chosen travel day. They are valid at slightly different times on weekdays compared to weekends. On weekdays, they are valid from 9 am to 3 am the next day, and on weekends and holidays, they are valid all day until 3 am the next day. The ticket can be reimbursed for free prior to the day of validity.

Österreichcard

The Österreichcard is an annual travel card perfect for those planning to spend an extended period in Austria. It allows for unlimited rail travel throughout the country, with various ticket options available. The card can be reimbursed for free prior to the day of validity.

Railjet Tickets

Railjet is ÖBB's high-speed train service, operating at speeds of up to 230 km/h. Tickets for Railjet are available in three classes: Economy, First, and Business. Economy Class offers free Wi-Fi and a plug socket. First Class offers more legroom and a newspaper service, as well as the option to have food and drinks from the onboard restaurant served at your seat. Business Class offers extra luxuries like leather seats and reading lights. Seats are divided into compartments for added privacy. Passengers can upgrade from First Class to Business Class for an additional €15.

Nightjet Tickets

Nightjet is ÖBB's night train service, travelling overnight through Austria and into neighbouring countries. Nightjet offers three ticket options:

• Seated carriage: The cheapest option, where passengers share six-seater carriages with upright seats, a couple of plug sockets, and a small table.
• Couchette: Available as 4-berth or 6-berth cabins. Upright seats convert into single beds with a blanket, sheet, and pillow. Ideal for families or groups. Couchette tickets include a "Viennese Breakfast" and bottled water. Women's compartments and wheelchair-accessible compartments are available upon request.
• Sleeper cabin: The most luxurious option, offering standard or deluxe cabins in single, double, or triple sizes. Standard cabins come with a washbasin, while deluxe cabins have a full basin and bathroom. Sleeper cabins include a freshly made bed, a welcome bag and drink, and an a-la-carte breakfast.

ÖBB Vorteilscard

The ÖBB Vorteilscard is a railcard that grants discounts on ÖBB tickets within Austria and neighbouring countries for one year. Cardholders can save up to 50% on standard single tickets within Austria, 15% on cross-border travel, and up to 50% on most private railways. Vorteilscards are best suited for travellers intending to stay in Austria for an extended period.

Tickets for Children and Pets

Children travel on ÖBB trains for free until one day before their 6th birthday. However, children travelling for free on night trains will not have their own bed. If a separate bed is required, a Child ticket must be booked. Children up to 14 years of age pay half the standard price, and from 15, they pay the full ticket price.

Small animals can travel for free on all services, provided they are in a transport container. For larger dogs, an extra ticket must be booked. Tickets cost €2 for distances up to 98 km, and for longer trips, it's 10% of the standard ticket price for that route.

Discounts and savings

There are various ways to save money when buying train tickets in Austria. Firstly, it is worth noting that tickets are typically cheaper when booked online compared to buying them at the station. Tickets can be booked up to six months in advance on the ÖBB website, or via the ÖBB app. Tickets can also be purchased at the station from self-serve vending machines or travel centres. Tickets can even be bought on the train from the conductor, although this incurs an additional €3 fee.

The cheapest tickets are the Sparschiene-Tickets, which are only available online or on the ÖBB app. These tickets are for specific departures and cannot be refunded.

The Einfach-Raus Ticket is a cheap unlimited-travel day ticket for groups of up to five passengers travelling together on local and regional trains. This costs €36 for two travellers, with an additional €4 for each extra person up to five.

The ÖBB Vorteilscard is a railcard that grants discounts on ÖBB tickets within Austria and neighbouring countries for one year. This can save travellers up to 50% on standard single tickets within Austria, 15% on cross-border travel, and up to 50% on most private railways. The card costs €66 and is available to all travellers aged 26-63.

Youths (under 26), seniors (62+), and families with children under 15 can save up to 50% on point-to-point train tickets with a Vorteilscard. The Vorteilscard costs €19-29 and is valid for one year.

Group-ticket discounts are available for parties of two or more, with savings increasing as the group gets bigger.

High-speed connections between Vienna and Salzburg are usually cheaper on WestBahn trains than ÖBB's Railjet trains.

Finally, those staying in Austria for a longer period can get discounts for a full year by purchasing a full-fare ("Classic") Vorteilscard or an Österreichcard. The Österreichcard is an annual travel card that allows for unlimited rail travel throughout Austria, with various ticket options available.

Frequently asked questions