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Austria Travel Pass (rail, s-bahn, u-bahn, trams, buses)

Is there an Austria Travel Pass like the Swiss Travel Pass? One pass that covers all rail travel as well as inner city trams & buses?
My wife and I are planning an Austria/Switzerland Trip in September, 2020. Arriving in Vienna Airport the morning of September 9, staying 2 nights, then on to Salzburg for 2 nights, and 2 nights in Innsbruck. On the morning of the 15th (the 7th day), we will make our way from Salzburg to the Swiss border (Buchs SG - where our 15-day Swiss Travel Pass will begin).
I've been to the OBB website and I'm aware of the 6-day rail pass, but still confused if it will work in the city of Vienna and if it will get us from the Airport to our hotel in Vienna. Any knowledge would be helpful. Thanks.

Posted by
20089 posts

If you are referring to the Eurail Austria Pass, it will cover the train from Vienna airport to Vienna Hbf on the Railjet train, but I don't believe it covers S-Bahn, U-Bahn, or trams.

I think you could save more buying advance nonrefundable Sparschiene tickets for the Vienna-Salzburg, Salzburg-Innsbruck and Innsbruck-Buchs trips, and local transit cards for each city.

Posted by
865 posts

ÖBB does not run the local transit, so their pass does not cover that. Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck all offer local "city cards" that cover a number of things, among them is local transit. There are typically spots in the main train stations that sell them. Be careful because there are other passes that do not cover public transport but offer museum discounts, etc. The official city passes are available for 1-, 2- or 3-day access. Just Google "Vienna City Card", then do the same for the others as well. If I recall correctly, the Innsbruck card allows for free wi-fi in the city proper and a free half-day bike rental.

Posted by
5384 posts

Even if there was such a thing as an Austria Travel Pass, it would make no sense for the travel you are proposing.

For Vienna, you want to buy a public transportation pass for 48 hours, which costs 14.10 Euro and allows you unlimited use on Vienna's subway (UBahn), regional train (SBahn), buses and trams. You can pay a 1.80 supplement for this pass to get yourself from the airport into town.

Vienna to Salzburg on OEBB costs 19 Euro per person, or slightly more on Westbahn. Read this link - https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/vienna-to-salzburg-by-train.htm

Salzburg to Innsbruck on OEBB costs 9 Euro - here are the details - https://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Salzburg.htm#Salzburg-Austria

I assume that on the morning of the 15th, you will go from Innsbruck to the Swiss border (not Salzburg as you have written). That journey will cost a similarly small amount of Euro.

I went to the OEBB website and saw that for the 6 day pass the OEBB website links you to Eurail.com. That website offers a 6 day Austria pass for $329, which you can see is a ridiculous price for the travel that you are planning. The travel you propose can be purchased for 62.90 Euro per person. OR you can pay $329 for a pass. This is the exact reason why no one who understands rail travel in Europe recommends a Rail Pass or Eurail or RailEurope.

Posted by
8 posts

Thank you ALL for the information. And special thanks to Emily for your specific information, which will save us time, money, and headaches. As Emily suggested, we will "pass" on the passes and book our independent tickets on Westbahn for Vienna to Salsburg, Salsburg to Innsbruck, and Innsbruck to Buchs SG. We will also purchase the 48 hr Vienna public transit passes with an airport (VIE to Vienna) supplement. Thanks again Emily.

Posted by
20089 posts

Westbahn only runs from Vienna to Salzburg. Salzburg to Innsbruck to Buchs you will need to take OEBB.

Posted by
1906 posts

You can also go with OeBB from Vienna to Salzburg.

Note that Westbahn and OeBB depart from different train stations.