Everything you need to know about traveling in Austria

Nestled in the heart of Europe, Austria offers a wealth of attractions within its compact borders.

Whether you begin in the cultural hub of Vienna or the alpine charm of Innsbruck, here’s how to seamlessly navigate Austria’s breathtaking landscapes of mountain-fringed lakes and historically rich cities using public transportation.

Travel by train on Austria’s high-speed rail network

While nonstop domestic flights can whisk you from Vienna to Innsbruck in just one hour, consider choosing eco-friendly rail travel instead – it’s economical, accessible, and dependable in Austria.

The national operator ÖBB offers an extensive network of over 5,000 km (3,107 miles) linking Austria's nine federal states. The Railjet (RJ) trains are high-speed, ideal for traversing the country, while the even faster Xpress (RJX) services stop only at major city stations (Hauptbahnhof). Onboard amenities include free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, luggage storage, power outlets, a dining car, and designated Quiet and Family Zones.

Two Railjet trains operate each hour between Vienna and Linz (1 hour, 15 minutes) and Salzburg (2.5 hours), with an hourly service to Graz (2 hours, 35 minutes) and Klagenfurt (3 hours, 55 minutes). Intercity-Express (ICE) trains are the next fastest option, while ÖBB Nightjets (NJ) offer overnight travel from Vienna to Innsbruck, saving on accommodation costs.

Regional (R) and regional express (REX), Intercity (IC), and Cityjet (CJ) trains travel slower, making stops at smaller towns between major cities. S-Bahn (S) trains connect regional capitals to their surrounding areas.

Private operator WESTbahn runs an independent intercity service from Vienna Westbahnhof to Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Bregenz. These high-speed, double-decker trains provide similar comforts, often at lower prices with supersaver and flexible tickets compared to ÖBB fares from Hauptbahnhof.

How and where to purchase intercity train tickets

Reserve ÖBB trains online or at railway stations. Standard fare tickets provide flexibility in departure times, but advance-purchase Sparschiene tickets with a set time can often be half or a third of the regular price. Seat reservations add €3.00 each way and are advisable for popular intercity routes or during peak travel times. Bicycles can be taken for free on regional trains; however, for long-distance trains, a special ticket is required to reserve a spot in the designated bike area (2nd class carriage).

Save money with unlimited travel tickets

City Tickets are valid for one to seven days and permit unlimited travel on public transportation, including regional R, REX, CJX, and S-Bahn trains, as well as trams and buses within the city core zone. Single-day Leisure Tickets offer similar benefits within specific states or regions. However, these tickets are not valid for Railjet, Eurocity, Intercity, D, and Nightjet trains.

Metro systems in Austria

Vienna is the sole city in Austria featuring a metro system, making it an excellent way to discover the neighborhoods surrounding the historic core. Five metro lines (U-Bahn) operate from 5am to midnight on weekdays, with 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays. A sixth line is currently being constructed. Maps are straightforward, and station announcements are provided in English. All stations are accessible for wheelchairs.

Austria’s most picturesque rail journeys

The UNESCO-listed Semmeringbahn, stretching 41km (25 miles) through the scenic Semmering Pass between Gloggnitz in Lower Austria and Mürzzuschlag in Styria, features a stunning 19th-century viaduct and is arguably the most famous train ride in Austria. Other remarkable routes include the Mariazellerbahn, Austria's longest narrow-gauge railway from St. Pölten to Mariazell, which traverses the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park, the Zillertalbahn steam train, and the steep Schafbergbahn rack and cog railway in St Wolfgang within the Salzkammergut region.

Cross the mountains using funiculars and cable cars

While hiking offers a way to navigate rolling valleys and reach breathtaking peaks, Austria boasts an impressive fleet of funiculars, lifts, and gondola cable cars that whisk you from base to summit in just minutes. During the off-ski season, mountain areas may feature between six and twenty summer operations. Noteworthy experiences include the Hintertuxer Gletscher cable car in Tirol and Styria's Dachstein-Gletscherbahn full-glass panorama gondola. Payments can be made at the cable car stations, or you can benefit from discounts or free travel with city, regional, and resort cards.

Explore more of Austria by bus

The Postbus, a subsidiary of ÖBB, offers Austria’s most extensive bus service, frequently paired with rail transfers to connect more remote destinations along alpine passes, scenic lakeside routes, and trailheads for hiking and biking.

Regional operators like VOR in Lower Austria, Vienna, and Burgenland, ÖOVV in Upper Austria, Salzburg Verkehr in Salzburgerland, Verbund Linien in Styria, and Kärntner Linien in Carinthia link the regions surrounding the federal cities.

Tickets can be bought from the driver when you board, but it’s advisable to reserve a seat ahead of time for busy routes and during the ski season.

Accessible travel in Austria

Railjet, Intercity, and EuroCity services feature wheelchair spaces, accessible restrooms, boarding ramps, and announcements in both German and English. You can request mobility services at stations and on trains by filling out ÖBB’s online form. Approximately 400 train stations throughout Austria are equipped with lifts, ramps, and mobility aids, and public transport in major cities is designed to be barrier-free.

Discover Austria on two wheels

Public bike rental programs are available in Vienna and Salzburg. You’ll find mountain bikes, road bikes, and e-bikes available for hire throughout Austria, with Intersport being a prominent provider. Be sure to verify which gondola routes permit bikes. For the Danube Cycle Path, some rental stations in Passau (just across the German border) allow you to return your bike approximately 300km (185 miles) later in Vienna.

Explore lakes and rivers by ferry

Ferry routes and boat tours traverse the Danube, connecting Passau – Linz – Wachau – Vienna. Daily boat services also operate on several large lakes in Austria’s Salzkammergut region, including Wolfgangsee, Hallstätter See, and Achensee in Tirol. You can also enjoy the waters of Wörthersee in Carinthia and Austria’s largest lake, Neusiedler See in Burgenland.

Design your own itinerary on a road trip

Austria's most stunning road trips await when you venture off the highways. The Romantic Road, which connects Vienna to the vineyards of Wachau Valley and the scenic Salzkammergut lake district, along with the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, winding through the Hohe Tauern National Park, are two of the country's finest options. Select your favorite from our curated list of the best road trips in Austria.

When driving on Austria's motorways, ensure you display a physical Vignette toll sticker or obtain a digital sticker online (10 days/€4.60, two months/€11.50, one year/€38.50). Pay-and-display short-term parking zones are marked by street signs across all provinces.

Drive on the right and pass on the left; speed limits are set at 130km/h (80 mph) on motorways (Autobahn), 100km/h (62 mph) on expressways and open roads (Bundesstraße), and 50km/h (31 mph) in residential areas. Legal requirements include having your driving license and insurance documents at all times, keeping a high-visibility jacket, a warning triangle, and a first aid kit in your vehicle in case of emergencies, mandatory seatbelts, and ensuring passengers under 14 are secured in appropriate child seats.

Planning a visit to Austria? Here’s more of our expert tips:

• Make sure to include these must-see activities in your travel plans

• Discover the stunning outdoors with these amazing hiking trails in Austria

• Choose the ideal time for your trip using our seasonal guide