Train Information

Austria has an extensive public transport network, international travel by train is easy, and Austria’s regional trains make reaching almost all the country’s towns and cities possible.

There are two train companies in Austria

  1.  Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB)  Click HERE for more infor on ÖBB
  2.    Westbahn  Click HERE for more infor on Westbahn

Approximate Travelling Times

Vienna to Salzburg : ~2.5 hours

Vienna – Graz: 2 hours 38 min

Vienna to Innsbruck: ~4 hours 30 min

Vienna to Hallstatt: ~3 hours 45 min

Salzburg to Innsbruck: ~ 2 hours 

Salzburg to Munich: ~1 hr 45 min

Salzburg to Hallstatt: ~2 hours

Salzburg to Zell am See: ~90 min

Innsbruck to Bregenz:  ~ 2,5 hours

Graz to Linz:  ~3 hours

Note: Times are approximate- and will depend on route, time day and season.

Top 12 Tips for Train Travel in Austria 

1. The main central train stations are known as Hauptbahnhof or Hbf. Vienna’s Main train station is called Wien Hbf.

2. Train tickets can be bought online or at the station. Tickets are typically cheaper if you book online before your travel date.

3. Children travel cheaper on Trains. 

ÖBB

Österreichische Bundesbahnen (the Austrian Federal Railways) is the national train company.

Book directly on the ÖBB website.

ÖBB Train Network

Type of Trains

Railjet (RJ, RJX)

Railjet (RJ, RJX)  trains have a maximum speed of up to 230 km/h, the Railjet (RJ) takes you through all of Austria to Germany, Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia or Switzerland. 

  • Free WIFI
  • On-board restaurant
  • Economy, First and Business Class
  • Quite and family zones
The Eurocity (EC) und Intercity (IC)

The Eurocity (EC) und Intercity (IC) trains are also on the long-distance routes. The trains travel up to a maximum speed of 200 km/h.

  • Free WIFI
  • On-board restaurant (in Eurocity only)
  • Economy (2nd)  and First Class
Regional Trains
  • Regional trains tend to be slower journies as they stop at more stations.  
  • Economy (2nd class) only
  • No seat reservations are possible

A regional express (REX) is a fast train that stops at selected stations, usually in larger towns and cities with multiple interchanges.

A regional train (R) generally stops at all stations along a route, including small towns.

An S-Bahn (S) provides inner-city transportation and connects the city center with the surrounding area of Vienna. It runs at shorter intervals than regional trains and stops at all stations along a route.

Nightjet

The overnight passenger train service connects Austria to Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland.

Book directly on the Nightjet website

Westbahn

Westbahn is a private train company, connecting Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Bregenz, Rosenheim and Munich

Book directly on the WESTbahn Website

Westbahn trains are electric trains of double deck coaches. They run at up to 200 km/h (125 mph).

Westbahn offer Economy (2nd class) , comfort class (Same seats as 2nd class, but more legroom & all seats are at large table) and 1st class.  There are both upper & lower deck seats in all three classes.  There’s free WiFi & all seats have power sockets. 

The trains have a Food Vending Area (machines) where you can buy snacks, drinks, tea & coffee with contactless bank cards. 

Westbahn Train Network

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