Questions and answers

Buying tickets at new ticket machines

• Can I collect a ticket I bought at shop.oebbtickets.at from a ticket machine?

  Yes, tickets have a collection code that can be used to print out tickets purchased online at a ticket machine. There is a "Collect and print tickets" menu option on the start screen of the ticket machine.

• What is the maximum number of tickets that can be placed in the shopping basket at a ticket machine?

  Two tickets can be purchased and added to the shopping basket at the ticket machine at the same time.

  Why is that?
  Ticket machines are primarily used for buying simple tickets quickly at the station itself and immediately before departure (analyses show that around 90% of customers buy this type of ticket from a machine).
  It is worth noting that this is where ticket machines differ from the ÖBB app. The ÖBB app allows you to make a large number of purchases at the same time.

• How long are purchased tickets valid for?

  The validity of a ticket depends on the type of ticket or fare selected and is displayed in the offer before you make your purchase. As a general rule, ÖBB tickets are valid for two days over the course of one journey within Austria and two days on international routes, while transport association tickets are valid for as long as the estimated journey time. Here are the details:

  • ÖBB standard tickets for a journey within Austria are valid on all ÖBB trains (except night trains) for the selected route for two days from the start of validity.
  • Tickets for international rail routes are valid for two days.
  • Tickets for cross-border local transport (known as GÜNTAR tickets) are valid for two days.
  • Einfach-Raus tickets on all local and regional trains are valid between 9 am and 3 am the following day (or all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays).

  Please note that transport association tickets are subject to fare exclusivity: the validity of the association tickets is based on the fare of the respective association (there are seven associations in Austria: VVV, VVT, VOR, Verbund Linie, Salzburg Verkehr, OÖVV, Kärntner Linien).

• Why is it not necessary to enter the passenger’s name when buying a ticket at a ticket machine?

  Tickets purchased from ticket machines are printed on special security paper. This means that the name of the traveller is not required for verification.

  The passenger’s name must be stated on a PDF ticket and also on a mobile phone ticket so that the ticket can be clearly assigned to a person and fraud can be prevented.

• Is my ticket only valid in conjunction with photo ID?

  No photo ID is required for tickets purchased at a ticket machine. All tickets purchased in the ÖBB app and on tickets.oebb.at are in the name of the passenger and are therefore only valid with a photo ID with proof of age, even if they are/were collected from a ticket machine.

• Does a ticket lose its validity if I miss a connecting train/bus?

  If you miss a connection and can prove that you are not at fault, you can continue your journey. However, if you miss the connection because of your own actions, the ticket expires (however, this only applies to tickets with a train connection or those with a transport association fare).

• What happens if an ÖBB train is delayed and I miss a transport association connection and an inspector checks my ticket?

  Your ticket will still be accepted. If the ticket is inspected, the ticket inspector can check the delay online at oebb.at to see whether the ÖBB train was actually delayed.

• Will it now take longer to buy tickets?

  Buying tickets from one of the new ticket machines takes about the same amount of time as buying tickets from the old machine.

  For your information: printing the ticket may take a little longer, e.g. when buying combined tickets (train + bus + tram), or when buying tickets for several passengers or if you are taking your bike with you. This is because multiple tickets are printed out.

• What does my ticket look like?

  The size of the tickets has been altered due to an EU regulation: this regulation comes into force next year and stipulates that tickets must be validated digitally from then on. This requires what is known as an Aztec code (security code). ÖBB complies with these international regulations and has already prepared the ticket format for 2018. Until this Aztec code is available, a QR code will be printed on all tickets in the meantime to guarantee that the tickets are genuine.

  Additional features that require the Aztec code will also be offered at ticket machines in 2018, e.g. "Print ticket again", and train attendants will also use it to validate the ticket.

  The tickets will continue to be printed on thermal paper. Domestic tickets are approx. 13.5 x 8.5 cm in size (international tickets are slightly larger).
  The printed QR code will show the following text when scanned:

  Congratulations: your journey is helping to reduce our carbon footprint. You are conserving natural resources and helping to save around 3 million tonnes of CO2 every year!
  Wishing you a safe and pleasant journey, 
  Your ÖBB team

  Please note: the ticket machine is programmed to print out the two tickets separately if you buy a return journey at the same time.

• Can I buy group tickets at a ticket machine?

  Yes, you can buy tickets for groups of up to 6 people at a ticket machine.
  If the group is larger than this, please buy your ticket at an ÖBB ticket desk or through the ÖBB Customer Service team.

  Note for passengers travelling in the Vorarlberg region:
  In Vorarlberg, the discounted group rate is automatically calculated for groups of three or more. If you are travelling with a group of more than 6 people, please complete the booking process twice. Example for eight passengers: e.g. one ticket for five passengers and another for three passengers.

• If I am a student in the Eastern Region, how can I buy a monthly season ticket from a ticket machine?

  If you are a student and wish to purchase a monthly ticket for the Eastern Region at a ticket machine, you must complete a total of three steps at the machine:

  • Select your connection within the Eastern Region Transport Association (VOR).
  • Select the Vorteilscard Jugend and Student Card (Studentenausweis) discounts. If you already have a ticket for the Vienna core zone, e.g. a semester ticket, you also select the Ticket Stadtverkehr Wien (core zone) discount.
  • Select the monthly season ticket option (not the single or day ticket).

  More information about the fare conditions is provided in the Guide for travelling with ÖBB in Austria.