The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) presented the timetable valid from December 14 in light of the commissioning of the Koralm Railway between Graz and Klagenfurt. This essentially creates a new Southern Railway, with the fastest trains covering the Graz–Klagenfurt route in 41 minutes. There will be 26 daily connections from Vienna to Carinthia and 33 to the Styrian capital. Starting in 2026, trains operated by the Westbahn company will also join. Ticket price increases will amount to at least four percent.
Despite immense budgetary pressures, disputes about certain stops for the fastest RJX trains, and the postponement of other projects, ÖBB announced positive news—historic for southern Austria. With the commissioning of the Koralm Railway, a completely new railway line will go into operation in Austria for the first time in decades. The only element missing for the entirely new Southern Railway is the Semmering Tunnel, which is still under construction.
Expanded Connections To Salzburg And Munich
The new timetable will also provide significantly more hourly services from Graz, Klagenfurt, and Villach via the Tauern Railway to Spittal/Millstättersee, Mallnitz, and Bad Gastein to Salzburg. Graz and Salzburg will have seven direct connections, and Villach and Salzburg 20. Five daily connections will also link Graz to Munich, Germany, via this route.
Since the new Koralm Railway bypasses the existing Alpine network, new connections will run via Leoben and Bruck an der Mur to Linz, Graz, Maribor in Slovenia, Klagenfurt, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. This will be handled by “Interregio” trains, operating partly hourly and partly every two hours. On most of the new lines, 27 new barrier-free Interregio trainsets will be deployed, featuring a first-class section and a snack zone with trolley service.
ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä told journalists that long-distance service will increase by about 30 percent overall. “Between Vienna and Graz, we’re offering practically half-hourly service. We have the largest and best regular-interval schedule,” he said. “Now, on the southern line, rail clearly has the advantage over cars.” He also stressed the value of climate-friendly mobility and the increase in the number of connections—Vienna to Klagenfurt will more than double, from ten to 26 daily.
However, Matthä left open one major point for passengers: the exact amount of the fare increase. At the press conference, he mentioned only that the increase would “definitely start with a four,” but ÖBB spokespersons declined to confirm even this statement when asked by APA. They said prices would be set “around the level of inflation.” Which inflation benchmark would be used was not disclosed. Current reference rates range from 2.8 percent to 4.1 percent. Matthä instead promoted discounted Sparschiene tickets for Vienna, Graz, and Klagenfurt.
Graz–Klagenfurt In 41 Minutes, New International Links
There will be 29 connections per day between Graz and Klagenfurt—up from the current eight by bus. The Vienna–Klagenfurt travel time will be reduced by 45 minutes (3:10 instead of 3:55 hours). Faster direct services to Italy—such as RJX trains to Trieste and Venice—will improve the international offer. Vienna to Venice will take 7:10 instead of 7:40 hours, while Vienna to Trieste will take 6:38 instead of 9:18 hours. New connections to the Czech Republic and Poland are also planned.
Longer travel times, cancellations, and detours will in the coming years result from complete closures on Germany’s rail network near Austria, which urgently needs renovation. These disruptions will affect routes via the “German Corner” and the line through Passau to Nuremberg. “It is painful but almost unavoidable, given how badly we are suffering from infrastructure restrictions in the German network,” Matthä said. ÖBB’s long-distance punctuality will be negatively impacted.
