Trains in Austria

There are a number of train types in Austria ready to transport you both day and night. Most of the Austrian network is operated by ÖBB (Österreichische Bundesbahnen). Use the Eurail train timetable to check times for trains in Austria.

Regional and intercity trains in Austria

Austrian regional train

 

The main rail network in Austria is made up of the following regional trains and intercity trains:

• REX200 commuter trains connect the capital city Vienna with surrounding cities.
• S-Bahn (suburban trains) is a network of trains that operate within most big cities, including Vienna. Please note that your Eurail pass is not valid on the S-Bahn network in Graz and Salzburg.
• InterCity trains link larger Austrian cities like Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna.
• The InterCity bus operates between Graz and Klagenfurt.

On the Eurail timetable InterCity trains appear as "IC". InterCity buses do appear in the timetable, but without an abbreviation. Reservations are required for InterCity buses. For InterCity trains an advanced reservation is not necessary but we recommend you make them during peak season (May-September) and public holidays. REX200 trains are not listed in the Eurail timetable. You can find a train schedule on the ÖBB website.

High-speed trains in Austria

International high-speed trains in Austria
These high-speed trains operate to and from Austria:

• Railjet links larger Austrian cities with Budapest (Hungary), Stuttgart, Mannheim, Frankfurt (Germany) and Zurich (Switzerland).
• ICE connects Austria with various German cities.
• InterCity buses link Klagenfurt and Villach with Udine and Venice (Italy).
• EuroCity operates between Innsbruck, Munich (Germany) and various Italian cities like Milan and Venice.

Domestic high-speed trains in Austria
Austrian domestic high-speed trains are run by EuroCity and Railjet. These high-speed trains transport passengers quickly and comfortably to cities across Austria.

• EuroCity trains connect Kufstein and Innsbruck.
• Railjet trains link Vienna with larger Austrian cities like Salzburg, Innsbruck and Graz.

On the Eurail timetable Railjet trains are shown as "RJ", ICE trains appears as "ICE",and EuroCity as "EC". InterCity buses do appear in the timetable, but without an abbreviation. Reservations for these trains are optional but we recommend you make them during peak season (May-September) and public holidays.

Night trains in Austria

International night train routes in Austria

International night trains in Austria
The following night trains connect Austria with Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland, Serbia and Hungary:

• City Night Line (CNL):
  Innsbruck – Paris(France)/Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
• D-train:
  Villach – Ljubljana (Slovenia) – Zagreb (Croatia) – Belgrade (Serbia)
  Vienna –  Katowice (Poland) – Warsaw (Poland)
  Vienna – Krakow (Poland)
• Euronight 420/421:
  Vienna – Cologne (Germany)
• Euronight Allegro:
  Vienna – Rome/Venice/Milan (Italy)
• EuroNight Hans Albers
  Vienna – Hamburg (Germany)
• EuroNight Kálmán Imre
  Vienna – Budapest (Hungary)
• EuroNight Metropol
  Vienna – Prague (Czech Republic) – Berlin (Germany)
• Euronight Toscana Mare
  Vienna – Livorno (Italy)
• EuroNight Wiener Walzer
  Vienna – Zurich (Switzerland)
• EuroNight Zurichsee
  Villach/Graz – Zurich

City NIght Line trains appear on the Eurail timetable as "CNL" all EuroNight trains are listed as "EN". For D-trains, only a trains number is listed. You're required to book sleeping accommodation in advance.

Private railway companies in Austria

Your Eurail pass is not only valid on all ÖBB trains. You can also travel on trains of the following private railway companies:

• Micotra trains operate on the route Villach – Tarvisio (Italy)
• RoeEE/Raaberbahn trains connect Vienna and Graz with the western part of Hungary and capital city Budapest.
• WESTbahn trains connect Vienna with Salzburg.
  WESTbahn offers 1^st class pass holders an upgrade to WESTbahn PLUS. For an extra €7.50 you can get and upgrade and travel on the WESTbahn PLUS car and get a second seat for free. You can get this upgrade on the train. 

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Reservations for ÖBB trains are not required. For InterCity and EuroCity trains are optional if you want to be sure of a good seat. We recommend you make a seat reservation during the busy summer period (May-September) and public holidays. Reservations are required for night trains and international high-speed trains. Prices for night trains depend on the type of sleeping accommodation you choose.

How to make reservations for trains in Austria

You can make reservations for domestic and international high-speed trains and night trains:

• Online through the ÖBB website.
  Please note that you can only make reservations for domestic trains.
• At a ticket desk or self-service machine at local train stations.
• By phone through the ÖBB call center.
  Phone number: +43 5 1717
  Opening hours: 24/7

  When calling, you'll hear a menu in German. Select extension "1" for train information and bookings. Austria's ÖBB booking center has English speaking staff. The booking center can deliver your reservations to any country you prefer, without charging you a booking fee. The delivery cost is €5.

  You can also pick up your reservations at large Austrian train stations. Just take your order number to a ticket office in the station.

For more information about reservations:

• How to make reservations
• View reservation fees in Austria

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Popular domestic connections in Austria

View approximate train travel times between Austria’s most popular cities using high-speed trains that don’t require a reservation:

Popular train connections in Austria

International train connections to and from Austria

We suggest the following routes to travel between France and other European countries:

• France – Austria
  Travel by City Night Line night train from Innsbruck to Paris (12hr).
• Germany – Austria
  Travel by day from Innsbruck to Munich (1hr 50min) on EuroCity trains. Or take a Railjet train from Vienna to Munich (4hr 15min).
• Italy – Austria
  Take a EuroNight train from Vienna to Milan or Venice or travel by EuroCity train.
• Hungary – Austria
  Take a Railjet train from Vienna or Salzburg to Budapest or travel by EuroNight train.

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Eurail Austria passes let you see all of Austria's top cities like Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Graz. We offer Austria rail passes and passes that combine Austria with other European countries.

Rail pass options for Austria

• Eurail Global Pass starting from US$501 – have the freedom to visit Austria and up to 23 other Eurail countries.
• Eurail Select Pass starting from US$318 – choose from a 3, 4 or 5 country pass that combines Austria with bordering countries.
• Regional Pass – focus on visiting Austria plus 1 other country. Here are your options:
  Eurail Austria – Croatia – Slovenia Pass starting from US$209 – get to know attractive Eastern European cities like Zagreb and Ljubljana.
  Eurail Austria – Czech Republic Pass starting from US$178 – travel around famed cities like Prague and Plzeň.
  Eurail Austria – Germany Pass starting from US$322 – visit popular German cities like Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt.
  Eurail Austria – Hungary Pass starting from US$178– explore Hungarian capital city Budapest and the stunning Balaton lake.
  Eurail Austria – Switzerland Pass starting from US$295 – travel to Switzerland’s beautiful sites in Geneva, Zurich and Bern.
• Eurail Austria Pass starting from US$112 – spend your whole vacation to discover Austria by rail.

Example train route in Austria

Example train route in Austria

Visit Austria's most popular cities on a single trip with Eurail. You can follow the suggested route below using a Eurail Austria Pass – 3 days within 1 month, starting from US$112.

Vienna

Vienna, voted one of the most liveable cities in the world, breathes culture and history. 

Graz

Graz combines the best of modern architecture with a historical old town.

Salzburg

Salzburg’s fortress (Hohensalzburg) offers the best views of this enchanting city.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is Austria’s Winter Olympic city with the Alps as its stunning backdrop.

For more route ideas for your Eurail trip, check out our European highlights itinerary.

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