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Are you looking for information on the Klimaticket Austria? Wondering whether it makes sense to get it? Then you’re in the right place.

Since I’ve moved to Austria, I’ve been using my Klimaticket Ö (Ö stands for Austria (Österreich) – Klimaticket for climate ticket) religiously. 

In this post, I want to explain the costs, the procedure to get it, and whether it’s worth it for you.

The Reason for the Klimaticket Austria

Just like other countries, Austria wants to fight climate change, and one of the best avenues to do that is by promoting climate-friendly public transport.

Public transport has already been long established in this beautiful country with very good train services and many busses connecting the cities here.

However, it has not always been cheap. So, to make public transport more affordable, the Klimaticket was introduced in October 2021.

The federal states also introduced individual Klimatickets for their area, which cost less than the Austrian-wide ticket.

The Costs for the Klimaticket Austria

Since the introduction of the Klimaticket Ö, the price has steadily increased and stands now at 1300 Euros for 12 months. From 1.1.2026, the price will increase to 1400 Euro for 12 months.

There is also a reduced ticket for people under the age of 25, from 65, and people with disabilities. The reduced ticket costs 975 Euro until 31.12.2025, then the price increases to 1050 Euro. 

This is a lot of money for a short-term trip, so I wouldn’t recommend buying the ticket if you’re not going to be in Austria long-term. 

How to get the Klimaticket Austria

You can get the annual ticket at any service point of the ÖBB or other train companies that are part of the transport association that provides the Klimaticket, or online. 

You need to bring a photo of yourself as the Klimaticket card will have a photo of you on it. I thought it would be like an e-card or passport where they keep the photo, and it has to be biometric, but that is not the case.

I believe you can even just bring your phone and have a clear picture on that, rather than bringing a printout.

The process went really quick. I went to an ÖBB service point and the employee asked me whether I had an ÖBB account, so she could immediately link it to that.

That meant that I had the digital Klimaticket Ö directly on my phone in the ÖBB app. I can only recommend that you do that too.

When you buy the annual ticket, you have to pay two months up front. After two months, the monthly fee will be automatically deducted from your bank account.

When you buy the ticket at a service station, you can choose that day as the start of validity. Or any day within the next two months.

If you buy the ticket online, you have to wait for fifteen days before you can set the start of validity. I believe that is due to the right to withdraw from online contracts within two weeks. Which means you could ride the train for free if you withdraw within this time.

I chose the next day as my start date, as I didn’t have any trip planned that da,y and that worked just fine.

Where Can You Use the Klimaticket Austria

You can use it in almost every public transport in the whole of Austria. There are very few instances where you can’t use it. These instances are usually public transport services that cater specifically to tourists. 

You can find a list of excluded services here.

Otherwise, you can use the ticket throughout Austria. It is a wonderful feeling to just get on a train and not have to worry about the costs.

The major train lines that offer transport free of charge with the Klimaticket are:

ÖBB
Westbahn
Wiener Linien
VOR

And many more offer free rides with the Klimaticket.

How to use the Klimaticket

You should add the Klimaticket to the mobile apps of the ÖBB, Wiener Linien and Westbahn if you want to use those transport companies. 

When you add it to your account, you can check a train journey and see that there are no costs to you. This is even the case for long-distance journeys.

I like to use Westbahn to get from St. Poelten to Vienna for work. The great thing about this is that they offer free reservations, not just in Standard class but even in Comfort. This is only applicable for the Austria ticket, not the federal state tickets.

Just open the app, select the journey you want to take, plus the category of travel. You can then select the desired seat and reserve the seat at no further cost.

When you’re on the train and someone from the train company comes to check your ticket, you just have to open one of the apps where the ticket is saved and show it to them.

Even if you choose a different app than the train company, that makes no difference.

You’ll also get sent a physical copy of the Klimaticket, which you can show the person, but I prefer the apps.

Is it worth getting the Klimaticket Austria (Ö)?

Only if you travel regularly and stay in the country for a few months. Or if you’re really going to travel a lot for a few months.

For example, the journey from Vienna to Salzburg costs from 65 euros one-way (via Westbahn or ÖBB). If you get a return ticket, that is already worth one month of the Klimaticket. And the Comfort (Westbahn) starts from 75 Euro.

Or if you want to go from Innsbruck to Vienna, that ticket starts from 88 euros. 

If you’re planning on using long-distance rail transport, then you’ll quickly get your money’s worth with the Klimaticket.

However, if you only plan to stay in the Vienna area, which a lot of people do, then I don’t really recommend getting the ticket. You can get the Vienna Klimaticket for 365 euros for the whole year.

When I look at my circumstances, the ticket has already paid itself off. I travel every day from St. Poelten to Vienna. A monthly ticket would cost 200 euros and a daily ticket 32 euros. Additionally, I like to explore the surrounding places. 

Every weekend, I step onto a train and just take it to a new destination, and I don’t have to pay for anything on the day. It’s truly a great feeling.

It really depends on your circumstances and whether you need access to public transport throughout Austria or not. 

But if you look at a few ticket prices, then you’ll quickly see that the Klimaticket is a great offer for people who want to explore this beautiful country.

FAQ – Klimaticket Austria

What is the Klimaticket Austria?

The Klimaticket Austria is a climate-friendly annual ticket that offers unlimited access to public transport services throughout Austria, including both regional and long-distance transport.

What transport companies are included?

The ticket covers various participating transport companies such as ÖBB, Westbahn, and bus lines, ensuring a comprehensive travel experience across Austria.

What is the price of the Klimaticket?

The purchase price of the Klimaticket varies based on the federal state and the specific variant of the ticket. Prices generally start at around €1300, with options for reduced prices available for certain groups.

When does the Klimaticket become valid?

The validity start date depends on you and when you need it. You can purchase it up to two months in advance. If you buy it online, then the earliest validity date is 15 days from the purchase day.

How can I purchase the Klimaticket?

Klimatickets can be purchased online through the ticket shop or at service points across Austria, including major train stations in cities like Vienna, Salzburg, and Wels.

What is the digital Klimaticket ö?

The digital Klimaticket ö can be displayed on your smartphone, making it easy to carry and access while using public transport throughout Austria.

What are the variants of the Klimaticket?

There are several variants of the Klimaticket, including options tailored for specific federal states like Upper Austria and Lower Austria, each offering unique benefits.

What should I know about the general terms and conditions?

It’s important to review the general terms and conditions related to the Klimaticket, including the conditions of carriage and any potential price increases during the validity period.

If you’re looking for inspiration on where to go when you get your Klimaticket, then check out Melk, Austria: The small town along the Danube worth a visit.