How to take a train journey from Wien/Vienna to Graz

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Wien / Vienna to Graz by train

When the epic Semmering Base Tunnel opens in 2027 the journey by train from Wien/Vienna to Graz will be transformed, but until then trains will be taking one of the most scenic rail routes between two European cities

Routes you can take to go from Wien / Vienna to Graz

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections?

Journey guides for travel to Wien / Vienna

Route Information

Station Guides

Wien Hbf/Hauptbahnhof Rail Station Guide

When Graz Hbf was modernised the platforms were given dramatic new canopies

Graz Hbf Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

2hr 35min (approx)

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

1 x train per hour

Is the journey from Wien / Vienna to Graz direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.

Is this journey scenic?
Yes, there are wonderful mountain views for most of the second half of the route - See the Journey Information for images and videos

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Graz Hbf from Wien Hbf on this journey option?
Before 08:35 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to travel on from the station in Graz?
Graz Hbf is some distance from the city centre, but there are very frequent tram services - See the Station Guide.

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Wien Hbf to Graz Hbf on this journey option
Before 23:30 daily - on Monday to Thurday and on Sat / Sun this is a 2nd class only service with no on board catering.
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to get to the station in Vienna?
The heart of the city, the area around St Stephens cathedral is linked to Wien Hbf by line 1 of the U-bahn.
The eastern areas of the city centre are linked to Wien Hbf by Lines S1, S2 and S3 of the city’s commuter train (S-Bahn network).
See the Station Guide for more information, plus easy access to booking accommodation in its neighbourhood..

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Vienna to Graz trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access guides to how rail tickets are managed in Austria and Germany, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.

How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Vienna to SGraz trains?
It can be up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December; and when looking up summer travel in March to May.

What are the child ticket terms for these Vienna to Graz trains?
Adults (aged 15 and over) purchasing discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets for travel in either First or Second class, can take up to four children (aged 14 and under) at no additional cost.

Does the ticket for these Vienna to Graz trains include assigned seats?
No - They are available, but optional.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.

Do rail pass users need to book reservations for these Vienna to Graz trains?
They are available, but optional.

Is catering available on the Vienna to Graz trains on this journey option?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro service and a restaurant service.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.

What else is good to know about Austrian rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Austria.

Travel Information

Final Destination: Graz (or Ljubljana or Zagreb)

All but two of the direct trains between Wien/Vienna and Graz are Railjets; these are the trains which are terminating at Graz.
Some of the Railjets on this route are the Czech version and not the Austrian (they will have travelled from Prague), but they're more or less the same train internally.

The EC trains continue on beyond Graz to Ljubljana or Zagreb.

Departing from Wien/Vienna:

If your journey in Vienna is commencing in the south west corner of the city, or the area on the ring road around the Opera House - then it's likely that you'll have a faster and more convenient journey if you join the train at Wien-Meidling station.

Wien Meidling is connected to line U6 of the Vienna Metro, which serves the western side of the city centre.

Every two hours (in the odd hours) these trains commence their journeys at Wien Flufghagen/Vienna Airport station.

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

A side view of a Railjet train - the top tier OBB trains

ÖBB Railjet (RJ/RJX) (Austria/International) Train Guide

EC (Austria <> Croatia and Slovenia) Train Guide

A front view of a Czech Railways (CZ) Railjet (RJ) train

CD Railjet (Czechia/international) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLandscape (Hills / Mountains)Not High Speed

Journey description:

This journey includes the passage over the fabulous Semmering Pass, so wonderful that it's a U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage Site, though that's partially due to the construction methods and not just because of the scenery.
Though aside from when the train is travelling over the numerous viaducts, the trees tend to obscure the views, particularly in the summer.

The best views can be seen from the left of the train (when facing the direction of travel) between Wiener Neustadt and Murzzuschlag.

This video gives a sense of the journey experience, on a grey day, it was filmed travelling in the opposite direction, towards Wien/Vienna.

The part of the journey south of Wiener Neustadt has been included on Go Go Places' list of Europe's Most Scenic Train Rides AND on Far And Wide's list of the Most Remarkable Train Journeys in Europe.

The scenery begins to get more dramatic after departing Wiener-Neustadt

The ascent up to Semmering begins when the train crosses the River Schwarz

Looking down towards the railway line from Vienna

Crossing a viaduct between the tunnels on the Semmering Pass

The view from one of these viaducts on a grey day

Passing one of the castles which can be seen from the train

Beginning to descend after Semmering station

The view later on near Bruck an der Mur

The general guide to Austrian rail travel Discover what's good to know about riding the trains, using the major stations, booking tickets and travelling with Eurail and InterRail passes

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: 6 months ahead of the travel date

The discounted tickets are the 'Sparscheine' tickets and they can be booked online up until the day of departure, but they CAN'T be booked at stations, so booking last minute at the station is always more expensive.
Though you'll usually need to book the 'Sparscheine' tickets at least a couple of days ahead to obtain them at the cheapest possible price.

Trains departing at different times can also be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares

It can pay off to take a look at the guide to Austrian train tickets - it should help you save time and money and confusion.

Exchanges

No tickets sold for journeys by Railjet trains within Austria can be exchanged in the typical sense, instead the policy is that the more expensive type of tickets can be refunded - and then having done so, you can re-book for an alternative departure.

Refunds

Standard-Ticket Gruppe; the most expensive type of ticket = You can also cancel and obtain a full refund at any time pre-travel date.
Sparscheine Komfort tickets; mid-priced tickets (typically offered as an upgrade to Sparscheine tickets) = can be cancelled free of charge up to 15 days ahead of the journey, but if you cancel it with 15 days left to go, you'll receive up to* 50% of what you paid for it
Sparscheine tickets; lowest priced, heavily discounted tickets = cannot be refunded at all.

Seat reservations

Reservations are optional, so need to be proactively added as an upgrade when booking tickets..

Child tickets

When booking 'Sparschiene' tickets each adult (aged 15 and over) can take up to four children aged 14 and under for free!
These children will still require tickets, but there will be no charge for them.

When not booking 'Sparschiene' tickets;

Children aged 5 and under travel for free
Children aged 6 – 14 travel at half-fare

Bike tickets

You will need purchase both a bike ticket AND a reservation for your bike prior to boarding; more info on how to do this is available on the [bikes on trains guide](/travel-info-and-tips/taking-a-bike-on-a-european-train/).

Dog tickets

If your dog is too large to be taken in a pet carrier you will need to add a dog ticket when making your booking;

Rail pass users

Rail pass users don’t have to make reservations.
However, in SMTJ's experience, it's a good idea to reserve when:

departing from Wien between 08:00-10:00 and 16:00 -18:00 Monday to Thursday
on Fridays
Saturday mornings
Sunday afternoons/evenings.

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