KlimaTicket and Public Transport Discounts in Austria 2026

If you regularly travel by train, bus or tram in Austria, the KlimaTicket is worth knowing about. With one annual ticket, you can travel throughout Austria or within a particular region. This guide explains who can receive a discount, where to buy the ticket and what other public transport benefits are available.

At a glance

• The KlimaTicket Ö is valid for one year and covers almost all scheduled public transport in Austria.
• Discounts are available for people up to and including 25 years old, people aged 65 and over and people with reduced mobility. Special offers are available for families.
• When buying online, the ticket can start no earlier than 15 days after purchase.
• Military service members, civilian service members and people completing voluntary service can travel free of charge.
• An employer can provide or reimburse the ticket tax-free.

What is the KlimaTicket Ö and where is it valid?

The KlimaTicket Ö is an annual nationwide pass. It can be used for one year on scheduled public transport (Linienverkehr) throughout Austria.

It is valid, among other services:

• on state-owned and private railways,
• on urban transport,
• on services operated by transport associations (Verkehrsverbünde) at regional, cross-regional and nationwide level.

Exceptions: the ticket is not valid for tourist services. For example, it cannot be used on the Schneebergbahn.

Who is entitled to a discount or free travel?

Certain groups receive a discounted KlimaTicket Ö, while others can use public transport free of charge.

• Young people up to and including 25 years old: discounted ticket
• People aged 65 and over: discounted ticket
• People with reduced mobility: discounted ticket
• Families: special offers
• Military service members (Grundwehrdiener) and civilian service members (Zivildiener): free travel throughout Austria
• Participants in the Voluntary Social Year (Freiwilliges Sozialjahr) and Voluntary Environmental Year (Freiwilliges Umweltschutzjahr): free travel throughout Austria

Where and when can you buy it?

The KlimaTicket Ö can be purchased online through the KlimaTicket website and at the customer service points (Servicestelle) of all participating transport associations and companies.

The earliest possible start date depends on where you buy it:

• Online: validity can begin 15 days after purchase at the earliest; it can be purchased no more than 1 month before the desired start date.
• At a customer service point: validity can begin on the day of purchase; it can be purchased no more than 1 month before the desired start date.

If you need the ticket starting tomorrow, online purchase is therefore not an option; you must arrange it in person.

Digital ticket: a digital KlimaTicket Ö can also be stored and shown in the apps of some transport companies, including the ÖBB, WESTbahn and Wiener Linien apps.

Regional KlimaTickets by federal state

Alongside the nationwide ticket, regional KlimaTickets are available in one or more federal states. These tickets are introduced by the individual federal states, so their prices vary by state.

• KlimaTicket OÖ (Upper Austria, OÖVV)
• KlimaTicket VOR (Vienna, Lower Austria, Burgenland)
• KlimaTicket VMOBIL (Vorarlberg)
• KlimaTicket Steiermark (Styria)
• KlimaTicket Salzburg
• Klimaticket Kärnten (Carinthia)
• KlimaTicket Tirol (VVT)

There are also urban annual passes (städtische Jahreskarten) in addition to the regional tickets.

Employer support and compensation for delays

Tax-free ticket from an employer

An employer can provide employees with the KlimaTicket as a discounted public transport ticket tax-free, or reimburse its cost tax-free. For the KlimaTicket, the condition is that the place of residence or place of work must be in Austria. This can also be important for commuters.

Compensation in the event of delays

If repeated delays or cancelled services occur on the railway companies used during the ticket’s validity period, the holder of a KlimaTicket Ö may assert a claim for compensation (Entschädigungsanspruch). This does not apply to urban transport or branch lines that are not connected to the network.

Other public transport discounts

ÖBB discount for people with disabilities

People with an Austrian disability pass (Behindertenpass) or a severe war disability certificate (Schwerkriegsbeschädigtenausweis) receive a 50 per cent discount on ÖBB standard single tickets (Standard-Einzeltickets).

The document must state one of the following:

• a degree of disability of at least 70 per cent, or
• that the holder is entitled to the fare reduction under the Federal Disability Act (Bundesbehindertengesetz).

Where the appropriate entry is present, one accompanying person or one assistance dog can travel free of charge.

Students

Public transport prices vary between university cities, and transport companies offer many types of fares, including single, weekly, monthly and annual tickets, as well as 24-hour and 72-hour tickets. Students generally also have access to their own semester pass (Semesterticket).

If you prefer to travel by bicycle or scooter, read our article on the new rules for electric scooters. If you drive, our overview of Austrian motorway vignette prices may also be useful.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the KlimaTicket Ö valid?

It is valid for one year. During this period, it can be used on almost all scheduled public transport in Austria, except tourist services.

Can I buy it so that it is valid today?

Yes, if you buy it at a customer service point, where validity can begin on the day of purchase. For online purchases, validity starts no earlier than 15 days later.

What should I do if my name changes because of marriage or divorce?

If you have an annual pass (Jahreskarte), you should notify the transport company of your new name. Most companies request a copy of the marriage certificate (Heiratsurkunde) or a copy of the order or judgment confirming the divorce.

Do regional KlimaTickets cost the same in every federal state?

No. The prices of the regional KlimaTickets and annual network tickets vary by federal state.

Practical steps

1. Check whether the nationwide KlimaTicket Ö or a regional KlimaTicket better matches your regular journeys.
2. Check whether you qualify for a discount or free travel based on your age, disability status, family situation or service placement.
3. If you need the ticket immediately, visit a customer service point rather than buying online.
4. Ask your employer whether the ticket can be provided or reimbursed tax-free.
5. If you use a digital ticket, check whether your transport company’s app supports storing and displaying the KlimaTicket Ö.
6. If your name changes, notify the transport company and prepare the relevant certificate or court document.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at