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OEBB Austrian Railways
Westbahn Expands: New high-speed Connection on the Southern Line From 2026
Westbahn is taking the next big step: From March 1, 2026, the private railroad company will offer five daily train connections between Vienna and Villach via the newly constructed Koralm Railway. With modern high-speed trains and a fast direct connection, Westbahn represents a serious alternative to ÖBB - especially for commuters and business travelers.
March 13, 2025
ÖBB and Federation of Austrian Industries Demand 500 billion Euros from Brussels for European Rail Expansion
In a joint initiative, the CEO of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), Andreas Matthä, and the Chief Economist of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Christian Helmenstein, have called on the European Union to invest around 500 billion euros in the modernization and expansion of rail infrastructure by 2030. This appeal was presented to MEPs in Brussels.
February 18, 2025
Ex-ÖBB Boss Christian Kern Criticizes German Railways: “It Will Never Work Out Like This”
The ongoing problems at Deutsche Bahn (DB) are again causing sharp criticism. This time, the former head of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and former Chancellor of Austria, Christian Kern, is unusually outspoken about the situation of the German state-owned company.
January 29, 2025
Greens Launch Petition for the Preservation of the Climate Ticket
The Greens have today launched a petition to preserve the climate ticket in its current form. The background to this is speculation that a possible FPÖ-ÖVP coalition is planning to cancel or restrict the annual ticket for Austria's public transport system.
January 15, 2025
ÖBB Increases Ticket Prices by 4.9 Percent
ÖBB announced that prices for standard tickets will increase by an average of 4.9 percent from December 15, 2024, in parallel with the winter timetable. This is the first price increase in 18 months. However, numerous tickets, including the popular Sparschiene tickets and seat reservations, will remain unaffected by the price adjustment.
October 17, 2024
Taylor Swift Concerts in Vienna Canceled Due to Suspected Terrorism - What Fans Need to Know Now
The cancellation of the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna has left many fans disappointed and perplexed. After two suspected terrorists were arrested who had possibly planned an attack on the upcoming concerts, the organizer Barracuda Music decided to cancel the events. Fans are now wondering what costs will be reimbursed and how to proceed.
August 8, 2024
Westbahn Maintains Service Between Vienna and Munich During GDL Strike
Despite the announced three-day strike by the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL), which will take place from Wednesday, January 10 to Friday, January 12, 2024, WESTbahn confirms that its train services to and from Rosenheim and Munich will continue to run as planned.
January 9, 2024
Green Peak Festival 2023: Austria's Pioneer for Climate Protection and Entrepreneurship
The renowned Green Peak Festival, which has established itself in the heart of Vienna as Austria's flagship event for sustainability and entrepreneurship, impressed once again. For the second year in a row, over 800 participants gathered to network, exchange ideas and discuss the latest developments in sustainability. The project was supported this year by the Embassy of Israel.
September 11, 2023
Timetable Chaos for Rail Travel in Europe: A Step Backwards
The idea of cross-border rail travel across Europe sounds tempting, but the reality is often different. Despite the expansion of night trains, the situation for rail travelers in 2023 has not improved as hoped.
August 22, 2023
Salzburg Summit: International Conference Brings Together Top Politicians, Scientists and Business Leaders
July 26, 2023, marks the start of the 4th Salzburg Summit, a high-profile international business and future conference that will take place on the fringes of the renowned Salzburg Festival. The event will be formally opened by EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn and the President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Georg Knill. In light of recent global challenges, including a war on European soil and the global COVID-19 pandemic, the summit is dedicated to the goal of a sustainable future for Europe amid uncertainty.
July 23, 2023
Austria Shows Interest in Developing the Railroad Infrastructure to the Slovenian Port of Koper
Despite expansion projects, rail capacity remains limited compared to road. The seaport in Koper, Slovenia, which is important for Austria, is an example of current efforts in rail expansion, but at the same time shows the limits of rail-bound freight transport. With regard to Koper, Austrian experts emphasized the importance of an efficient rail connection for freight traffic.
May 24, 2023
Mask Mandate Ends in Viennese Public Transport
What was announced at the beginning of this month now is a reality. Starting in March, Vienna will end its mask mandates. The city has been particularly strict with Covid covid regulations as it is the last state to end the mandates in public transport.
February 28, 2023
Austria Supports Women From Ukraine With Their Integration Into Austrian Working Life
The 100 Women - 100 Opportunities program supports Ukrainian women with their integration into the Austrian labor market. This New COMPASS Support Program was initiated by Austrian Federal Minister for Women, Family, Youth and Integration Susanne Raab, the Austrian Integration Fund, LEA and private businesses.
June 7, 2022
School Trips to Brussels: Awakening Interest in the Work of the European Union
In the future, the Austrian federal government wants to promote trips to Brussels in order to arouse interest in the European Union among schoolchildren. The trips, which will be subsidized with up to 500 euros. These trips are intended to give students easier access to the 'heart' of the European Union and show them the importance of the organization.
June 2, 2022
Nightjet: Connecting the City of Music with the City of Love
Austrian Railways (ÖBB) is offering a new Nightjet connection from Vienna to Paris from December 13, 2021. Learn more about this new offer.
November 16, 2021
ÖBB Austrian Railways to Improve and Expand Local and Long-Distance Travel Services in 2022
Starting on December 12, 2021, ÖBB - Austrian Federal Railways will change its annual timetable, which will bring a number of improvements and expansions to local and long-distance services for the rail year 2022. In total, ÖBB Austrian Railways is investing over 4.1 billion euros in modern trains by 2027. Find out about international and domestic connection extensions.
October 26, 2021
Opening of the Memorial Exhibition "80 Years of Deportations Vienna-Riga"
Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig recently opened a new memorial exhibition entitled "80 Years of Deportations Vienna-Riga" at Vienna's central train station. The exhibition is intended to remind the public about the horrors of the Shoah and to commemorate the victims. Learn more about the new exhibition.
October 19, 2021
Vienna's Praterstern to Be Transformed into a Greened and Cooled Lounge Oasis
Vienna's Praterstern is beginning its transformation into a greened and cooled lounge oasis and should be finished by the summer of 2022. Read about the specifics of the revitalization of Praterstern and view some projections of what the area will look like once it is complete.
October 14, 2021
UPDATE: Current Situation for Arriving and Departing Passengers at Vienna International Airport
Flight operations at VIA Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien) are still restricted. The most important changes and information for arriving and departing passengers at Flughafen Wien are available below.
October 14, 2021
Vienna's "Traincademy" Uses Modern Simulators and VR for Driver and Rail Jobs Training
The new Traincademy in Vienna offers training courses for train drivers and other rail jobs using modern simulators and VR technology. With some estimating that thousands of rail employees will be needed in the coming years in Austria alone, the Traincademy wants to offer high-quality training to those looking for careers in the industry. Read more about the new Traincademy and the future of the rail industry.
October 13, 2021
Klimaticket: Austrian Low-Priced Public Transport Ticket Launches on 26 October
After long and intensive negotiations, a "milestone" has now been reached for public transport and climate-friendly mobility throughout Austria, Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler was pleased to announce the launch of the "Klimaticket" (climate ticket) from October 26, 2021. With the ticket, public transport users will in future be able to travel throughout Austria for one year for 1,095 euros. A joint ticket for the entire eastern region (Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland) is also available at 915 euros per year.
October 1, 2021
Free PCR Gurgle Tests on Nightjet Trains to Vienna
On all Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) Nightjet trains to Vienna, passengers can now get free PCR gurgle test kits from the staff on board to get tested for Coronavirus.
September 1, 2021
Austrian Airlines Tests AIRail Baggage Drop On Trains
Austrian Airlines and Austrian Railways (ÖBB) will test baggage drop-off directly to the Railjet to make the “train-to-flight” journey even more comfortable. Customers will be able to check-in their baggage on the train for their entire trip during the upcoming test phase from August 23 to October 21, 2021.
August 23, 2021
Public Transport in Austria: When and How Will the Low-Cost Flat-Rate "1-2-3-Ticket" Be Introduced?
Before the end of 2021, it is to become possible to use all means of public transport throughout Austria for three Euros a day, as part of an annual ticket for 1,095 Euros. While six federal states have signed an "implementation agreement," the states of Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland are still missing. What is the next step and when can the ticket be expected?
July 14, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Belarus Faces Harsh Criticism
After the forced landing of a passenger plan and the arrest of an anti-government blogger, the international community, among them a number of Austrian politicians, demand strong sanctions for the authoritarian regime. Find out more about this week's developments.
June 4, 2021
International Nightjet Connections to Vienna Back in Service: Now Also Amsterdam
Effective immediately, the Nightjets of Austrian Railways (ÖBB - Österreichische Bundesbahnen) are once again in operation. In addition to the 18 known night train connections, for the first time there is also a daily night train from Amsterdam via Linz to Vienna or via Munich to Innsbruck. Paris and Strasbourg are being planned.
May 31, 2021
2025: Rail Connection Vienna - Bratislava in 45 Minutes
Cutting the travel time between Vienna and Bratislava short by 15 minutes is the goal of the planned double-track expansion between the EU capitals. Read more about the implementation and the benefits of the construction works.
May 28, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Vaccination for Everyone in Austria
Austria has ended its drastic measures to contain Covid-19 and re-opened borders as well as restaurants, cultural establishments and alike. Vaccines will soon be available to everyone, even to teenagers. Find out more about this week's developments.
May 20, 2021
Berlin - Prague - Vienna: Plan of 4 Hour Rail Connection
Berlin to Prague to Vienna in four hours? A travel time that is now only possible via plane will become reality via a rail connection. A memorandum to this effect was signed by Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria.
May 19, 2021
Austrian Railways Relaunch International Connections
It is now once again possible to travel to European metropolises with the Austrian Railways (ÖBB). With the opening steps in the various areas of public life in Austria on May 19, the ÖBB has also revealed some changes to its schedules.
May 17, 2021
Rail Connection Vienna - Salzburg Maintains Regular Intervals
The Austrian Climate Protection Ministry has once again ensured regular intervals for the rail connection between Vienna and Salzburg. The important connection, which is offered by the Austrian Railways (ÖBB) and Westbahn, is one of the most important rail connection in Austria and will thus be offered in regular intervals until July 4 due to an emergency award.
April 9, 2021
New Train Connection Between Prague and Vienna
The former, so-called "Vindobona" train connection between Vienna and Prague could be soon reinstated again. Talks between Austrian and Czech politicians have been positive for a connection between the two countries' capital cities, which would especially benefit Austrians from the Waldviertel, a region in the northwest of Lower Austria.
April 7, 2021
ÖBB Is Internationally Recognized for Sustainability
The international rating agency ISS has awarded ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG the first place out of 55 international transport companies for its commitment to sustainability, climate protection and eco-efficiency. Austria's Climate Protection Minister Gewessler is delighted about the international recognition for ÖBB and emphasizes that climate protection is the right path for the future.
February 19, 2021
Vienna - Salzburg: Frequent Intervals Will Be Maintained
The important rail connection between Vienna and Salzburg will keep having regular intervals due to an emergency award by the Austrian Ministry of Climate Protection. The ministry will continue to order trains from the Austrian Railways (ÖBB) and Westbahn in order to assure a frequent rail connection until April 7.
February 15, 2021
European Year of Rail: Inauguration of EU Locomotive in Vienna
The European Year of Rail wants to highlight the advantages of rail as as safe and sustainable means of transportation. For this occasion, a specially branded EU locomotive was inaugurated at the Vienna Central Station by Austria's Climate Protection Minister Gewessler, representative of the European Commission in Austria Selmayr, and Austrian Railways CEO Matthä.
February 11, 2021
Austria's Top Managers Launch Economy4Future Initiative
Some of Austria's top managers have launched the economy4future initiative, which focuses on the fight against climate change. The campaign wants to promote dialogue between big companies and young people in order to better shape the economic future in harmony with the resources of the planet.
November 26, 2020
European Commission Approves Austrian Aid for Railroad Companies
The European Commission has granted Austria its planned subsidies for railroad companies to promote the shift from road transportation to rail road usage. Austria will increase its public aid to, on the one hand, relieve railroad companies of some financial burdens of the last months and to, on the other hand, continue the promotion of railroad rather than road transportation.
November 26, 2020
Prize for Pre-Scientific Papers: "We Are Europe"
For the first time, the European Commission in Austria together with the Liaison Office of the European Parliament and the Ministry of Education has awarded the "We are Europe" prize to several young Austrians, who have shown a particular good understanding of European topics in their pre-scientific papers.
November 17, 2020
Rail Traffic Between Vienna and Salzburg Can Be Maintained
Similar to measures taken in the spring of this year, the Ministry for Climate Protection has set up an emergency contract with the ÖBB and WESTbahn to safeguard rail transport between Vienna and Salzburg. The mutual acceptance of tickets from WESTbahn and ÖBB will also be established again.
November 13, 2020
Austrian Railways To Suspend Night Trains Between Germany and Austria
After a rise in Covid-19 cases in Germany, the Austrian Railways (ÖBB) have announced the suspension of nightly train traffic between Germany and Austria for one month starting November 8, 2020. As of today, other daytime services will not be affected and will operate as usual.
October 28, 2020
Austrian Railways: EUR 17.5 Billion of Investment Until 2026
The railway system in Austria will see impactful investments in the near future. Due to a package of around EUR 17.5 billion until 2026, the Federal Government together with Austrian Railways (ÖBB) will try to make travelling and transporting by rail even more attractive to customers.
October 20, 2020
Vienna: 44 Hectares of Train Station Will Turn Into Housing for 16,000 People
By 2033, the City of Vienna together with Austrian Railways (ÖBB) will turn the train station at Nordwestbahnhof (20th district, Brigittenau) into living spaces that will comfort 16,000 people.
August 21, 2020
Coronavirus: Austria Declares Entry Ban for Persons from Italy
Austria's federal government has today passed a travel ban for people from Italy. The primary objective is to prevent the exchange of persons and thus the spread of the COVID-19 disease into our society, said Federal Chancellor Kurz at a press conference with regard to the situation in Italy.
March 10, 2020
Travel between Austria and Italy: Security Levels 3 to 5
Due to the current situation of the increasing number of confirmed cases of infection with the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Foreign Ministry advises against unnecessary travel to Lombardy. However, air and rail traffic are also affected as follows.
March 3, 2020 · Updated: March 4, 2020; 17:12
Austrian Airlines Cancels Further Flights to Italy, China and Iran Still Suspended
Due to falling demand for flights to Italy as a result of the corona crisis, Austrian Airlines is cancelling 40 percent of its flights to Italy in March and April. Flights to Tehran (Iran) will continue to be suspended until 30 April 2020 and flights to Beijing and Shanghai (China) until 24 April 2020.
March 3, 2020
Austria is Arming itself against the Coronavirus
The Austrian Federal Government today presented a package of measures against "all" upcoming scenarios, with the aim of ensuring transparency, information and protection for the population. The next 2 to 3 weeks will be decisive in determining how the coronavirus situation develops.
February 24, 2020
Italy-Austria: Coronavirus Emergency Measure Caused Chaos and Panic
A false coronavirus alarm paralysed train traffic between Italy, Austria and Germany. Meanwhile the far right Freedom Party demands that the National Security Council should discuss the situation and that travel to Austria from the affected regions should be restricted.
February 24, 2020 · Updated: February 24, 2020; 11:57
Hub to the Far East - ÖBB Rail Cargo and Port of Trieste Strengthen Cooperation
At a critical time when the question of Italian economic independence from China is being discussed throughout Europe, ÖBB's Rail Cargo Group is intensifying its cooperation with the port of Trieste in order, among other things, to be able to use the transport connection of the Adriatic port to the Far East.
March 22, 2019
Business Mission and "Future Trip" to Tel Aviv as Part of the State Visit of Van der Bellen
On the occasion of the official state visit of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WKO) is organising an economic mission entitled "Infrastructure" as well as the "Open Innovation for Corporates" future trip to Tel Aviv.
February 4, 2019
Bratislava - Vienna Railway Line Extended
The two EU capitals Vienna and Bratislava are approaching each other. After a construction period of about two years, representatives of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), the EU, the City of Vienna and the Province of Lower Austria opened the first part, the so-called "Vienna section" of the Vienna - Bratislava line extension. The completion of the second part, the so-called "Lower Austrian Section", will last until 2023. The journey time from the main railway station in Vienna (Hauptbahnhof-Wien) to the main railway station in Bratislava (Bratislava hlavná stanica) will be reduced from 66 minutes to 40 minutes.
December 5, 2018
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