ÖBB expands European rail connections in 2027 timetable
Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) has announced new domestic and international passenger services for its 2027 timetable, including additional connections to Germany, Italy and Slovakia, alongside plans to restore direct rail services to Belgrade.
The timetable will take effect on 13 December 2026, with ticket sales already underway. Following the expansion of services associated with the opening of the Koralm Railway, ÖBB intends to maintain existing service levels while introducing further connections and additional rolling stock.
The changes will include more direct trains within Austria, expanded international services and the introduction of new regional and long-distance trains. However, ÖBB has warned that timetable planning remains incomplete and some services or departure times may still change.
ÖBB adds domestic and international rail services
Within Austria, additional Interregio trains will operate between Graz and Villach via the Koralm Railway during early morning and late evening periods. Services between Graz and Maribor will also begin stopping at Graz Airport.
From July 2027, three additional InterCity trains per day in each direction will operate between Graz and Linz. Combined with existing Interregio connections, this will increase the number of direct services to 11 daily in each direction.
Other domestic improvements include additional regional services around Vienna, better connections to Vienna Airport and new cross-border links from Vorarlberg to Switzerland and Germany.
Internationally, ICE services from Vienna to Nuremberg, Frankfurt, Dortmund and Berlin will return following the upgrade of the Passau–Nuremberg railway line. The revised timetable will provide ten ICE services from Vienna to Nuremberg, while an additional Vienna–Dortmund service pair and an overnight Vienna–Stuttgart connection are also planned.
From summer 2027, ÖBB plans to introduce Frecciarossa high-speed services in cooperation with Deutsche Bahn and Trenitalia, connecting Munich via Innsbruck with Milan or Rome.
Direct passenger services to Belgrade are also planned to resume for the first time since 2019. The proposed service would operate twice daily in each direction, with a journey time of approximately six hours and 30 minutes. Its introduction remains subject to approval of the railway line in Hungary.
Two additional EuroCity services will connect Vienna with Košice via Bratislava and Žilina. Railjet Xpress services will also be extended to provide further direct connections between Bratislava, Vienna, Bregenz and Zurich from summer 2027.
Fleet investment and new train deliveries
ÖBB will continue expanding its passenger train fleet during 2027 as part of a wider modernisation programme.
The planned additions include 27 Cityjet double-decker trains for regional services and six Coradia Stream trains intended for cross-border operations between Tyrol and South Tyrol. The latter will allow passengers to travel across the Brenner Pass without changing trains.
Long-distance services are expected to receive ten new-generation Railjet trains and 14 Railjet double-decker trains.
Overall, ÖBB plans to invest approximately €6.1 billion in 330 new trains by 2030. According to ÖBB, around 80 vehicles are being added to its fleet during 2026, with a further 57 expected in 2027.
Engineering works to affect services in 2027
Despite the planned service expansion, major infrastructure works will affect several routes during the 2027 timetable year.
Between 8 February and 9 July 2027, construction work on the German railway network will close the Deutsches Eck route between Freilassing and Rosenheim.
During the same period, the Tauern railway line between Schwarzach-St. Veit and Mallnitz-Obervellach will be fully closed for the second phase of tunnel and infrastructure refurbishment.
ÖBB and Deutsche Bahn have prepared diversion and replacement transport arrangements. Depending on the route, passengers travelling towards Tyrol, Vorarlberg and Zurich may face longer journey times or need to use replacement buses.
Railjet Xpress services between Vienna and Munich will be diverted via Passau, while services to and from Germany through Passau are scheduled to return to their regular timetable from 13 December 2026.
ÖBB said passengers should consult its SCOTTY journey planner for updated schedules, as further timetable adjustments remain possible before the December changeover.
