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Every 18 year-old in Austria to get free KlimaTicket

The national 2024 budget plans to encourage public transport use among young people by giving each 18 year-old one of Austria’s nationwide public transport tickets – free of charge – for a year.

Published: 18 October 2023 16:06 CEST

File photo shows a train in Austria.

Austria's KlimaTicket allows travel throughout Austria for a flat yearly rate, including on ÖBB trains. Photo: 12019 from Pixabay

Under the planned scheme, coming in at a price tag of €120 million, young people in Austria will have three years to claim their free KlimaTicket from the government – with the clock starting on their 18th birthday.

Those are already have one could thus theoretically wait to activate their free offer until the current one expires.

Normally, a KlimaTicket costs €1,095 per year – or about €3 per day – and covers all public transport in Austria, including inter-city ÖBB trains. It’s even possible to travel to some international border towns on the ticket.

People under the age of 25 or who have disabilities normally pay a reduced rate of €821 per year. Regional tickets are also available for a reduced price.

READ ALSO: What international border towns can you travel to on Austria’s KlimaTicket?

“With the free KlimaTicket, we are giving young people some freedom,” says Austrian Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler, of the Greens.

“This also happens at a time in life when all sorts of decisions are made which shape mobility behaviour for years.

“Travelling by public transport should be comfortable and affordable for everyone.”

Around 245,000 people in Austria currently have a KlimaTicket.

EXPLAINED: How does Austria’s KlimaTicket work?

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Can you buy a ticket after boarding the train in Austria?

In Austria, it is normally possible to buy a ticket after boarding a train, but to ensure you are not doing anything illegal and to avoid receiving a fine, it is important to keep some details in mind.

The rules around ticket purchases depend on the train and route you are taking.

In the country, there are two main train operators. One is ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways), and the other is the privately-owned Westbahn.

ÖBB and Westbahn provide the majority of train services in the country, including both regional and long-distance routes.

READ ALSO: Austria’s ÖBB announces new train timetable for summer

Traveling with ÖBB

On local ÖBB trains (labeled REX, R, CJX, S-Bahn), you need a valid ticket to start your travel, except at stations where buying a ticket is not possible.

If you cannot buy a ticket at your boarding station because there is no counter or machine, you need to buy one immediately after entering the train, either from a train ticket machine or a conductor.

If there is neither a ticket machine nor a conductor when you enter the train, you need to tell the conductor during ticket inspection that you need a ticket and have not been able to buy one.

If you instead travel with an ÖBB intercity train (such as Railjet, ICE, EC, IC, EN), you can buy a ticket on board for an extra €3 charge. If you want to do so, you need to inform the conductor as soon as possible after entering the train.

Traveling without a ticket is not allowed, and the fine for doing so is €105.

You can read more about the rules and buy your tickets here.

A train from ÖBB travelling through the Austrian landscape. Photo by Laszlo Biro on Unsplash

Traveling with Westbahn

Westbahn operates services mainly between Vienna and Salzburg.

If you travel with Westbahn, you can buy your tickets after boarding the train without an extra charge – you just need to do so immediately after boarding. However, buying tickets in advance is often cheaper.

You can get your tickets online here.

READ NEXT: Train travel in Austria: The best day trips from Vienna

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