ÖBB / OEBB, Austrian Railways

ÖBB stands for “Austrian Federal Railways” - OEBB in English.

ÖBB runs a huge range of train types - from overnight sleeper trains to high-speed cross-border services and regional trains. ÖBB operates several different passenger services, including the high-speed Railjet and Intercity-Express, the Nightjet sleeper service and suburban commuter services.

ÖBB train

Railjet

Railjet is ÖBB’s high-speed train. It operates at speeds of up to 230 km/h on routes such as Vienna - Munich, Vienna - Innsbruck and Prague - Graz.

As well as linking Austrian cities, Railjet runs into neighbouring countries like Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland and Italy.

Tickets for Railjet are available in three classes:

Economy Class - offers comforts such as free Wi-Fi and a plug socket.

First Class - offers more leg room and newspaper service. You can also have food and drink from the onboard restaurant served at-seat.

Business Class – offers extra luxuries like leather seats and reading lights. Seats are divided into compartments which afford extra privacy while travelling. Upgrade from First Class tickets to Business Class for an additional €15.

Nightjet

Nightjet is ÖBB’s night train. It travels overnight through Austria and into neighbouring Italy, Switzerland and Germany. Nightjet also runs to Eastern European destinations such as Poland and Croatia.

Nightjet offers three different ticket options:

Seated carriage – the cheapest way to take the Nightjet. You’ll share six-seater carriages with other travellers - seats are upright. The carriages contain a couple of plug sockets and a small table.

Couchette – available as 4-berth or 6-berth cabins. Upright seats convert into single beds with a blanket, sheet and pillow included. Ideal for families or groups. Couchette tickets also include a “Viennese Breakfast” and bottled water free of charge. ÖBB offers women’s compartments and wheelchair accessible compartments on request.

Sleeper cabin – the most luxurious way to travel in the Nightjet. Choose between a standard or deluxe cabin in single, double or triple sizes. Standard cabins come with a washbasin, while deluxe cabins come with a full basin and bathroom. You’ll be welcomed into a sleeper cabin with a freshly made bed, a welcome bag and drink as well as an a-la-carte breakfast.

Regional services

ÖBB runs six different services for trains within Austria:

Cityjet – a highly comfortable regional service. Cityjet trains boast seats designed according to insights gained from a survey of Austrian passengers. Seats have ergonomic headrests, reading lamps, plug sockets and fold-out laptop tables. Standard Class tickets only.

Talent – modern service running within Austria and into Hungary. Includes 20 bike spaces. Standard Class tickets only.

Desiro – operates on regional services in four of Austria’s nine states – Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Styria and Carinthia. Includes 10 bike spaces. Standard Class tickets only.

Bi-level push-pull train (DOSTO) - primarily serves eastern areas around Vienna, Vorarlberg and Carinthia. Standard Class tickets only.

Electric railcar 4020 – runs on the S-Bahn suburban rail network in greater Vienna. It also runs on the historic Semmeringbahn mountain railway. Standard Class tickets only.

Cross-border services

InterCity

InterCity trains are part of ÖBB’s cross-border, high-speed fleet. Travellers can opt for Standard Class or First-Class tickets. There is no onboard restaurant on the InterCity service. ÖBB caters for several special requirements with dedicated female-only compartments for women travelling alone, a breastfeeding compartment and a compartment for toddlers.

Intercity-Express (ICE)

The Intercity-Express connects Austria and Germany via a network of routes running through Passau, a German border city. It rivals the Nightjet for speed, hitting top speeds of 230km/h. Travellers can choose between first class and Standard Class tickets. Plug sockets are available for all seats while reading lamps are only available in first class. Special compartments are reserved for parents with children of up to three years of age.

EuroCity (EC)

The EuroCity is similar to the InterCity service, connecting Austria with neighbouring European countries. Trains run between major European cities in Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Poland. You can opt for Standard Class or First-Class tickets. Like the InterCity, special compartments are available for women travelling alone, women breastfeeding and toddlers. An onboard restaurant is also available.

ÖBB tickets

Fare types in Austria are broadly comparable to fare types in the UK, with the cheapest tickets (such as Sparschiene tickets) being the least flexible, and the more expensive tickets offering greater flexibility with regard to catching a different train or getting a refund on your ticket should you not travel.

Standard Tickets give you the choice of taking any type of train mentioned below, except for the Nightjet. For most routes, tickets can be booked up to six months ahead of the travel date.