Passenger rights in Austria 2026: compensation for delayed trains, buses and flights

Delays, cancellations, overbooking and lost baggage can disrupt any journey. EU minimum passenger rights (Fahrgastrechte) apply to train, bus, air and ship transport, while package holidays have separate protection rules. This guide explains what you may receive in 2026 and where to turn if a company does not resolve your complaint.

What to do if the transport company does not pay

Always contact the company directly first. If you cannot reach an agreement, you can contact the Agentur für Passagier- und Fahrgastrechte (apf). As a conciliation and enforcement body, the apf attempts to resolve disputes without court proceedings, and its service is free.

The apf will only begin a procedure after you have unsuccessfully tried to resolve the matter with the company. If the dispute cannot be settled out of court, you can also pursue your claim before a court.

For package holidays and disputes with companies based abroad, the Europäisches Verbraucherzentrum provides advice and assistance. Keep the description of what happened, your correspondence with the company and all related documents.

Trains: delays, missed connections and cancelled services

EU rail passenger rights generally apply to train journeys within the EU. From a delay of 60 minutes, the railway company must offer you a choice:

• cancel the journey and receive a proportional refund, including free travel back;
• continue with the next available connection under similar conditions, without an additional charge; or
• travel later under similar conditions, also without an additional charge.

On request, the company must issue confirmation of a delay, a missed connection or a cancelled train.

If you do not cancel the journey, a single ticket in long-distance transport qualifies for delay compensation (Verspätungsentschädigung) from a delay of 60 minutes. For season tickets, such as an annual ticket or KlimaTicket, compensation is available only after specified punctuality levels are reached, meaning repeated delays rather than one individual journey. Compensation is not payable, for example, in cases of extreme weather or a natural disaster.

For delays of more than 60 minutes, food and refreshments should be provided where possible. In certain circumstances, a hotel night or taxi may also be available. On a night train, if you receive a seat instead of a sleeping berth, the difference must be refunded.

If you travel without a ticket or do not have the required photo ID with you, you may receive a penalty. You can object to this within one month.

Buses: when do EU passenger rights apply?

EU rules apply to a bus service only when it is:

• a scheduled service (Linienverkehr);
• departing from or arriving in the EU or EEA; and
• operating on a route of at least 250 km.

What you can receive

• If a journey planned to take 3 hours is cancelled or departs more than 90 minutes late, food, refreshments and possibly accommodation may be provided under certain conditions.
• In the event of cancellation, overbooking or a delay of more than 120 minutes, you can choose between a free return journey with a proportional refund or continuing the journey without an additional charge.
• If the company does not offer this choice, you are entitled to monetary compensation equal to 50 percent of the ticket price.

As a general rule, there is no delay compensation for buses. The company must inform passengers about a delay or cancellation no later than 30 minutes after the scheduled departure.

Flights: compensation of up to 600 euros

EU passenger rights apply to all flights departing from the EU. They also apply to flights arriving in the EU from a third country when the airline is based in the EU.

Care during a departure delay

Free care, such as snacks, refreshments and a free email or telephone call, is available from the following departure delays:

• up to 1500 km: 2 hours;
• more than 1500 km within the EU: 3 hours;
• between 1500 and 3500 km outside the EU: 3 hours;
• more than 3500 km outside the EU: 4 hours.

If you arrive 3 hours or more late, compensation of up to 600 euros may be payable, depending on the distance. For flights of more than 3500 km, the amount may be reduced by half if you arrive no more than 4 hours late. The airline is exempt from paying compensation in extraordinary circumstances, such as weather or a strike.

Cancellations and overbooking

After a flight cancellation, you can choose between a ticket-price refund, the earliest flight back to the departure point, or transport to your destination either immediately or later. If you cancel the ticket yourself, this does not count as a flight cancellation.

In cases of overbooking, provided that you arrived on time for check-in and at the gate, you are entitled to alternative transport and care, or compensation of up to 600 euros depending on the distance, as well as a ticket-price refund. If you are placed in a lower class, part of the ticket price must be refunded within seven days.

For damaged, lost or delayed baggage, report the problem immediately at the Lost & Found desk and keep your receipts.

Passengers with reduced mobility: notification deadlines

• Train: generally 24 hours in advance;
• Bus: generally 36 hours in advance;
• Flight: generally 48 hours in advance;
• Ship: no later than 48 hours before departure.

Even without advance notification, the best possible assistance must be provided.

Package holidays (Pauschalreise)

A package holiday combines at least two different travel services, such as a flight and accommodation, for one trip. The trip must last at least 24 hours or include an overnight stay. The tour operator is responsible for all services included in the package, and payments are protected against insolvency.

• Price increases: an increase is permitted no later than 20 days before departure and only if the contract allows it. If the increase is more than 8 percent, you can cancel free of charge.
• Silence: if you do not respond within the stated deadline, this counts as acceptance.
• Transfer: you can transfer the trip to another person. Notification 7 days before departure is always on time.
• Online bookings: the contract binds you only when the button clearly indicates an obligation to pay, such as “Kostenpflichtig buchen”. “Reservieren” is not sufficient.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim compensation if my train is delayed when I use a KlimaTicket?

Not for one individual journey. With a season ticket, compensation is available only after repeated delays and specified punctuality levels have been reached.

What is the maximum flight compensation?

Depending on the distance, it is up to 600 euros. It is not payable in extraordinary circumstances.

Does the apf procedure cost money?

No. The apf conciliation procedure is free, but you must first try to resolve the issue with the company.

What if I booked linked services rather than a package holiday?

The rights that apply to package holidays do not apply in the same way. Each provider is responsible only for its own service, although protection against insolvency remains in place.

Practical steps after a travel problem

1. Record the delay, cancellation, missed connection or baggage problem.
2. Ask the company for written confirmation where available.
3. Keep your ticket, booking details, receipts and all correspondence.
4. Submit your complaint to the transport company or tour operator first.
5. If the complaint is unsuccessful, contact the Agentur für Passagier- und Fahrgastrechte (apf) for its free procedure.
6. For package holidays or foreign companies, contact the Europäisches Verbraucherzentrum for advice and assistance.

Note: This overview is based on information from oesterreich.gv.at and is not legal advice. If you need professional advice, consult a lawyer or other relevant specialist.