Austria’s rail network, run mainly by ÖBB, is one of the most practical ways to see the country. Main lines radiate from Vienna to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, Linz and beyond. Fares, timetables and pass conditions change, so check the official sources before buying.
Main routes from Vienna
- Vienna to Salzburg and Innsbruck: the main western corridor, with fast Railjet trains.
- Vienna to Graz and Klagenfurt: the southern route through the Semmering area.
- Vienna to Linz: on the western line, with lots of connections.
- International: services run to Budapest, Prague, Munich and other European cities, plus overnight Nightjet trains.
Tickets
Advance-purchase fares can be far cheaper than flexible same-day fares. Tickets are sold online, in the ÖBB app and at stations. Seat reservations are optional on many trains, but worth adding for busy weekends and holidays.
Passes
Residents can use national and regional passes, while visitors may consider Interrail or Eurail passes if they are covering several countries. Compare the pass cost against individual advance fares for your route before buying.
Tips
- Mountain and lake destinations may require a bus or boat from the station.
- Check engineering works on the timetable, especially on weekends.
- Pack light for narrow regional trains.
Related reading: Salzburg day trip, driving and transport in Austria and Austria’s federal states.
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I’m Andrea, a travel writer based between Vienna and the Croatian coast, and I’ve been exploring both countries in depth for the past 10 years.
I’ve taken 50+ solo trips across Austria, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy and the wider Balkans, and I speak German, Croatian and English fluently, which means I get to have conversations most tourists never do. I know which Viennese coffee house the locals actually go to (hint: not the famous ones), and I know the Dalmatian islands well enough to tell you which ferry to take and which to avoid.
My writing is grounded in lived experience: I’ve navigated Austrian bureaucracy as a resident, hiked the Julian Alps in September when the crowds have gone, and eaten my way through Dubrovnik’s back streets at midnight. I cover Central Europe and the Adriatic for solo travellers who want something more than a highlight reel.
I also write in depth about Vienna and Austria at allaboutvienna.com, where you’ll find everything from neighbourhood guides to seasonal event coverage and expat tips.
When I’m not writing I’m usually hiking, swimming in the Adriatic, or arguing about which city makes better coffee. (It’s Vienna. It’s always Vienna.)