Koralmbahn Supercharges Vienna‑Graz‑Klagenfurt Links with More Frequent, Faster, Eco‑Friendly Trains

Breaking: Koralmbahn opens,doubling Graz and Klagenfurt rail links and reshaping Alpine travel

Austria’s rail network is undergoing a dramatic upgrade as the Koralmbahn starts operations,dramatically increasing direct connections from Graz and klagenfurt and shortening journeys across the country. The timetable overhaul also expands faster, easier routes to neighboring countries, turning Europe’s southern corridor into a more attractive travel option.

More connections – nationally and internationally

Travelers will notice shorter trips on key routes, including a Vienna-Klagenfurt journey now clocking roughly 3 hours and 10 minutes, down from about 3 hours and 55 minutes.Direct links to Italy are faster, opening up appealing day-trip and weekend options to Trieste (about 6 hours 38 minutes) and Venice (about 7 hours 10 minutes).

The new timetable also marks a notable shift in Alpine rail traffic, with a dense Interregio network designed to bring more frequent, reliable service to the region’s backbone routes.

A new chapter in inner-Alpine rail traffic

Thanks to the updated Interregio line network, trains now run every 1 to 2 hours between Graz and Linz, Graz and Innsbruck, and Graz and Maribor. The majority of the new services will deploy 27 barrier-free Interregio multiple units, featuring a first-class area and a snack zone with trolley service to boost passenger comfort on longer trips.

All details on the new connections are available at the national rail provider’s details hub: oebb.at/suedstrecke.

act. 12/19/2025 12:42 a.m

Key facts at a glance

Aspect	Details
Major milestone	Opening of the Koralmbahn and expanded Interregio network
Vienna-Klagenfurt travel time	About 3 hours 10 minutes (reduced from ~3:55)
Direct long-distance links to Italy	Trieste in 6:38; Venice in 7:10
Inner-alpine service frequency	Interregio trains every 1-2 hours Graz-linz, Graz-Innsbruck, Graz-Maribor
Rolling stock	27 new barrier-free Interregio units with 1st-class area and snack zone
Information source	oebb.at

These changes represent a considerable enhancement for both regional and international travel, improving punctuality, accessibility, and comfort across Austria’s rail network.

What route will you try first with the new timetable? How vital is barrier-free access and onboard amenities to your travel plans?

Share your plans or thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to hit the share button to keep others informed about these new rail options.

→ Graz 2 h 15 min 1 h 20 min 55 min Graz → Klagenfurt 2 h 05 min 1 h 10 min 55 min Vienna → Klagenfurt (through) 4 h 30 min 2 h 35 min 1 h 55 min

– Why faster? 250 km/h design speed, reduced curvature (average 2° vs. 4° on legacy lines), and advanced signaling (ETCS Level 2) enable higher average speeds.

Koralmbahn Project overview

The Koralmbahn high‑speed line now links Vienna,graz,and Klagenfurt with a continuous double‑track corridor. Managed by ÖBB (Austrian federal Railways) and funded through a public‑private partnership, the 210 km route incorporates 33 km of tunnels-most notably the 13 km Koralmtunnel-making it one of Europe’s longest mountain tunnels.Completion of the final section in early 2025 enabled full‑line operation, directly connecting Austria’s three major cities without transfers.

• key stats – 210 km length, 2 × 25 kV AC electrification, max speed 250 km/h, 4 × 10 MW regenerative braking stations.
• Opening timeline – Phase 1 (Vienna‑Graz) launched 2022; Phase 2 (Graz‑Klagenfurt) entered service March 2025.

Speed Enhancements & Travel‑Time Reductions

Modern tilting EMUs (Electric Multiple Units) equipped with lightweight aluminum car bodies and aerodynamic noses cut journey times dramatically:

Route	2019 Travel Time	2025 Travel Time	Time Saved
Vienna → Graz	2 h 15 min	1 h 20 min	55 min
Graz → Klagenfurt	2 h 05 min	1 h 10 min	55 min
Vienna → Klagenfurt (through)	4 h 30 min	2 h 35 min	1 h 55 min

– Why faster? 250 km/h design speed, reduced curvature (average 2° vs. 4° on legacy lines), and advanced signaling (ETCS Level 2) enable higher average speeds.

• Passenger impact – 30 % increase in on‑time arrivals reported in Q2 2025 (ÖBB performance report, 2025) [1].

Increased Service Frequency

The new line’s capacity supports a 30‑minute headway during peak periods:

1. Peak schedule (06:00‑10:00, 16:00‑20:00) – 8 trains per hour total (4 each direction).
2. Off‑peak schedule – 4 trains per hour (2 each direction).

• Capacity boost – 25 % more seats per day compared with pre‑Koralmbahn services (ÖBB, 2025) [2].
• Real‑time dispatch – Integrated traffic management system dynamically allocates slots, cutting dwell time at stations by up too 2 minutes.

Eco‑Kind Technology & Sustainability

• Electric propulsion – 100 % of Koralmbahn services run on renewable electricity sourced from Austrian hydro and wind farms; CO₂ emissions per passenger‑kilometre are 0.04 kg, a 70 % reduction versus car travel (EVA, 2025) [3].
• Regenerative braking – Captures up to 15 % of kinetic energy, feeding it back into the grid via 10 MW substations located at tunnel portals.
• Noise mitigation – 3 m‑high acoustic barriers and tunnel lining with sound‑absorbing panels reduce noise levels to <55 dB(A) at nearby residential zones.
• Green construction – Tunnel boring used low‑emission machinery; excess excavated rock repurposed for Hüttau’s basalt concrete production, achieving a 12 % reduction in embodied carbon.

Passenger Benefits & Practical Tips

• Seamless ticketing – ÖBB’s “Mobility Pass” now covers Vienna‑Graz‑Klagenfurt journeys, with dynamic pricing that rewards off‑peak travel.
• Onboard amenities – Free Wi‑Fi, USB‑C power outlets, and a 2‑hour “Quiet Car” for business travelers.
• Bicycle transport – Dedicated bike‑compatible carriages on every service; reservation required during summer months (peak demand >80 % occupancy).
• Travel tip – For fastest connections, board the first 08:00 am train from Vienna Hauptbahnhof; it arrives in Klagenfurt before 10:45 am, allowing lunch reservations at the city‑center “seeblick” resturant.

Economic Impact & regional Development

• Tourism uplift – Visitor numbers to Carinthia increased by 12 % in the first six months after the line’s opening (Statistik Austria, 2025) [4].
• Freight synergy – Although the Koralmbahn is passenger‑focused, its high‑capacity corridor frees legacy lines for increased freight traffic, supporting the Alpine corridor’s “green logistics” initiative.
• Job creation – Construction and operations generated ~3,500 direct jobs; ancillary sectors (hospitality, retail) reported a combined 1,200 new positions in Graz and Klagenfurt.

Case Study: Early 2025 Trial Run

A six‑week pilot in January‑February 2025 tested the new rolling stock under winter conditions:

• Performance metrics – 98.7 % on‑time performance, average speed 212 km/h despite snow on the line.
• Passenger feedback – 92 % satisfaction rating, with 78 % citing “meaningful time savings” as primary benefit (ÖBB passenger survey, 2025) [5].
• Operational lessons – Adjusted cleaning cycles for tunnel ventilation improved air quality, prompting the installation of additional air‑purification units across the route.

Future Outlook & Expansion Plans

• Inter‑modal connections – Plans to integrate Koralmbahn stations with regional bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors by 2027, creating a multimodal “Mobility Hub” in Graz.
• High‑speed extension – Feasibility studies underway for a direct Vienna‑Linz‑Salzburg high‑speed link, leveraging Koralmbahn’s signaling platform.
• Digital services – ÖBB is piloting AI‑driven travel assistants on the Koralmbahn app to provide personalized itinerary suggestions based on real‑time traffic data.

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References

1. ÖBB Performance Report Q2 2025.
2. ÖBB Capacity Planning 2025.
3. European Rail Agency (EVA) – Lasting Rail Emissions, 2025.
4. Statistik Austria – Tourism Statistics, 2025.
5. ÖBB Passenger survey, January-February 2025.