Traveling by rail is the best way to discover Austria. Incredible natural beauty, elegant cities like Vienna and Salzburg, and centuries of history are just waiting to be discovered. Travel through the Alps with your Eurail Pass, and find out all of the treasures awaiting you in this exciting country.

Train types in Austria

Route map
Domestic trains
High-speed trains
Night trains
Private companies

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

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

REX	Commuter trains which connect the capital Vienna with surrounding cities.
S-Bahn (suburban) trains	A network of trains that operates within most big cities in Austria. Your Eurail Pass is valid on S-Bahn connections in Vienna, Salzburg (except for lines S1 and S11) and Innsbruck.
InterCity trains	Trains which link larger Austrian cities like Innsbruck, Salzburg, Graz, and Vienna.
InterCity bus	A bus which operates between Graz and Klagenfurt.

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), Prague (Czech Republic), Munich (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. There are also EuroCity connections from Austria to Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia and Poland.
RegioJet mainly operates in the Czech Republic, but offers routes into Austria as well, connecting Vienna with Brno and Prague. You need a Eurail Global Pass or a Czech Republic Pass to travel with this railway company.

Domestic high-speed trains in Austria

EuroCity and Railjet are Austrian trains run by the railway company ÖBB. These high-speed trains transport passengers quickly and comfortably to cities across Austria. WESTBahn private trains also operate domestic routes.

EuroCity trains connect Kufstein, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Graz.

Railjet trains link Vienna with larger Austrian cities like Salzburg, Innsbruck and Graz.
WESTBahn trains connect the Vienna area to Salzburg.

Night trains in Austria

International night trains in Austria

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

ÖBB Nightjet (EN):
Vienna - Florence - Rome
Vienna - Venice - Milan
Vienna - Florence - Pisa - Livorno
Vienna - Linz - Zürich
Vienna - Munich - Berlin - Hamburg
Vienna - Munich - Cologne - Düsseldorf
D-train:
Villach – Ljubljana (Slovenia) – Zagreb (Croatia) – Belgrade (Serbia)
Vienna – Katowice (Poland) – Warsaw (Poland)
Vienna – Krakow (Poland)
EuroNight Kálmán Imre
Vienna – Budapest (Hungary)
EuroNight Metropol
Vienna – Prague (Czech Republic) – Berlin (Germany)

Private railway companies in Austria

The following private railway companies accept Eurail Passes on their trains:

Micotra trains operate on the route Villach – Tarvisio (Italy)

WESTbahn trains connect Vienna with Salzburg.
WESTbahn offers 1st class pass holders an upgrade to WESTbahn PLUS for only €9.90. With this you can enjoy superior seating, a free welcome gift and newspaper as well as refreshment services to your seat. You can get this upgrade on the train.
Raaberbahn, ONLY from Ebenfurt to Sopron and from Neusiedl/See to Pamhagen (Gr)
RegioJet, yellow trains that travel to the Czech Republic. You need a Eurail Global Pass to travel on this train.

The following private railway companies do not accept Eurail Passes on their trains:

Pinzgauer Lokalbahn, travelling between Krimml and Zell am See.
NÖVOG ( including Mariazellerbahn, Wachaubahn, Waldviertelbahn, Reblaus Express, Citybahn Waidhofen, and Schneebergbahn)

ÖBB Postbus
Stubaitalbahn

Wiener Lokalbahnen
Pinzgauer Lokalbahn
Graz-Köflacher Eisenbahn
Montafonerbahn
Salzburger Lokalbahn
Steiermärkische Landesbahnen
Stern & Hafferl

Zillertalbahn
Salzkammergutbahn
Achenseebahn

Travel to Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a tiny country situated between Switzerland and Austria. When your Eurail pass is valid in Austria, you can also travel to Liechtenstein. There is a ÖBB rail connection through Liechtenstein from Feldkirch in Austria to Buchs in Switzerland. Liechtenstein only has four small train stations: Forst Hilti, Schaan-Vaduz, Nendeln and Schaanwald. From Schaan-Vaduz it is a short bus ride to Liechtenstein's capital Vaduz (bus not included in your Eurail pass).

Popular connections

Domestic connections
International connections

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

Innsbruck to Salzburg	1hr 50min
Innsbruck to Vienna	4hr 15min
Graz to Salzburg	2hr 30min
Salzburg to Vienna	2hr 30min
Salzburg to Villach	2hr 30min
Vienna to Villach	4hr 15min

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

France – Austria
Travel by TGV train from Paris to Zürich (Switzerland) and take the Railjet train to Vienna, Innsbruck or Salzburg.
Germany – Austria
Travel by day from Innsbruck to Munich (1hr 50min) on EuroCity trains. Or take a Railjet train from Vienna to Munich (4hrs).
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.
Czech Republic - Austria
Take a Railjet or RegioJet train from Prague to Vienna or Graz.

Reservations

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. 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:

Through our Reservation Service.
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.

Get your Pass for Austria

Austria Pass

Use your whole vacation to discover Austria by rail.

Standard prices from $ 131

Book now

Global Pass

Have the freedom to visit Austria and up to 32 other Eurail countries.

Standard prices from $ 191

Book now

Tips and tricks

Quick facts

Capital: Vienna (local spelling: Wien)
Population: 8.4 million
Language: German
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Dialing code: +43

Austrian hub stations

Austria’s main hub stations are Wien Westbahnhof (Vienna), Innsbruck Hbf and Salzburg Hbf. At these train stations, it's possible to connect to trains to Austria’s main cities and many international destinations.

Station facilities

Stations in Austria usually have excellent facilities, often including:

Luggage lockers
Foreign exchange desks
Restaurants and cafés
Tourist information offices
ATM cash machines
Elevators and escalators
Access for disabled passengers

Bus travel in Austria

With a Eurail pass valid in Austria, you get free travel (pay only the reservation) on the following bus routes as an extra benefit:

Klagenfurt – Graz
Klagenfurt – Villach – Venice (Italy) (Venezia Mestre & Venezia Tronchetto)
Your Eurail Pass needs to be valid in both Austria and Italy on this route.

Boat trips in Austria

Eurail pass holders also get discounted boat travel on several Austrian lakes and rivers.

See all benefits for Austria

Get inspired

Austria Our Eurail community members and local Austrian Spotters share their secret spots and favorite finds from past travels around the land of lakes and mountains.
Austria itinerary Discover high mountains and lush valleys and everything else Austria has to offer with this Eurail itinerary.
Honeymoon Trip Visit the world's most romantic cities with our honeymoon itinerary! Feel the love in Rome, Florence, Venice, Vienna and Prague.

Austria By Train