ÖBB Train Guide

Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Travelling on ÖBB Trains

ÖBB is the biggest train network in Austria. You can travel almost anywhere by train.  Places that are not connected by train will have connecting buses

The ÖBB trains are recognizable by their red/white design.

Booking Tickets

Train tickets can be bought online or at the station.

Tickets are cheaper if you book online, 1-2 weeks before your travel date.

Online bookings tend to open ~6 months in advance. The exception is when the winter schedule changes —bookings tend to open in mid-October.

Book

Types of Tickets

ÖBB Standard-Ticket: has the most flexibility.

  • Tickets are good for any train and are available for unlimited use.
  • Standard single tickets are valid for up to 2 days. Standard tickets are reimbursed free of charge before the first day of validity. 
  • This is the type of ticket you can purchase to travel on the same day.

Sparschiene-Komfort:  these are the Advance discount fares for purchase up to 15 days before travel.

  • Sparschiene Komfort tickets are refunded free of charge up to 15 days before. After that, 50% of the fare (at least € 15.-) will be charged until the 1st day of validity. 

Children Tickets: 

  • On ÖBB trains children 5 years and younger travel free
  • Children 6-14 years travel at half price when accompanied by an adult.
  • You can buy Seat reservations for children, even if they do not have their own ticket.

Seat Reservations

Make a seat reservation. Seat reservation is optional for long-distance and intercity trains in Austria. You can travel without a seat reservation, but the risk is that you may have to stand at busy times.

Seat reservations are from 3€ and can be made when you book your ticket or can be purchased later. Select ‘Seat only (no ticket)’ if you purchase your seat reservation later.

 

  • Railjet (RJX and RJ) and Intercity (IC and EC) trains can reserve seats.
  • Regional trains such as REX and R or S trains do not have seat reservations

Discounts

1. ÖBB Vorteilscard

gives you a 50% discount on every ÖBB standard ticket throughout Austria. The Vorteilscard is personalised and is not transferable to other persons. It can be purchased up to one month before the desired validity date and is valid for 12 months. You need to have a photo ID for every train journey.

For more information about the Vorteilscard Click HERE

Vorteilscard Card 66 cost 66€/year

Vorteilscard Family, you can travel with children at particularly low prices. Up to four children under the age of 15 can travel free of charge for only € 19.- per year. The card is only valid for journeys together with children, and each accompanying adult requires their own Vorteilscard Family. The children travelling with you must be named when purchasing the ticket. You do not have to be related to them.

Vorteilscard Jugend is available for anyone under 26 (until 1 day before their 26th birthday). The card costs 19€/year.

Vorteilscard Senior card is available for everyone over 65 years of age. The card costs 29€/year.

NOTE: Travellers with disabilities do not need a Vorteilscard, but travel at a 50% discount with their disabled pass.

2. Einfach Raus Tickets

provide unlimited travel day ticket rail passes for groups of two to five passengers travelling together on local and regional trains. 

unlimited travel day ticket rail passes for groups of two to five people travelling together on local and regional trains
The tickets are valid on the selected day:
  • Saturday, Sunday and holidays all day long until 3:00 a.m. of the following day,
  • Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 a.m. of the following day
BUT the Einfach-Raus Tickets
  • Are not valid on the fast long-distance trains IC, EC, RX, and RJX trains,
  • and you cannot make a seat reservation.
The prices are:
36€ for 2 people, 40€ for 3 people, 44€ for 4 people and 48€ for 5 people
Note: all passengers on the Einfach-Raus ticket must be travelling together.
For an extra 9€, each person can take a bicycle.

** When you are searching for tickets or booking tickets – there is a button that will only show connections valid with the Einfach-Raus tickets
For more information about Einfach Raus Tickets Click HERE 

Eurail Austria Pass

The pass is available to non-Europeans can travel on any ÖBB train and the two private railways: the Raab-Oedenburg-Ebenfurther Eisenbahn (from Ebenfurth to Sopron) as well as the Westbahn.

The pass is valid on 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 freely selectable days within a period of one month. 

Please note: for seat reservations, as well as for trips in a couchette or sleeper cabin, additional costs apply.

Seat Classes

Depending on the type of train, you will have a choice of up to three different classes

ÖBB 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 (second class) is not basic and is acceptable for most travellers. The seats are comfortable, the trains are air-conditioned and feature power outlets and tables.

A 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 upgrade gets you adjustable seats, more legroom, extra-wide tables, power outlets at each seat and food and drinks delivered to your seat.

𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 is more luxurious and more expensive than First Class. The price is € 15.- more than the First Class ticket,

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