Railjet Train Guide

Railjet, the flagship train of Austrian national railway company ÖBB, is among the best-quality trains in Europe.

If you travel by train across Central Europe, you are likely to encounter this premium service. Railjet trains primarily operate long-distance routes within Austria, but they are also used on international services.

In this guide, you can find everything you need to know about the Railjet train, including the travel classes on board, the main routes you can find them on, and other useful details.

railjet train budapest keleti station — *A Railjet train at Budapest Keleti station stands ready for departure to Vienna. ©DiscoverByRail*

About the Railjet train

ÖBB is the primary operator of Railjet trains, although Czech Railways (České dráhy, ČD) also operate them on the route linking Prague with Vienna.

Railjet trains have a top speed of 230 kilometres per hour (143 mph), which is fast but still lower than that of high-speed trains in other European countries, such as the French TGV or Germany’s ICE.

Railjet trains appear in online timetables and on station departure boards as RJ or RJX services. RJ denotes a standard Railjet service, while RJX stands for Railjet Express. The only difference is that Railjet Express services generally make fewer stops along the route.

Booking your Railjet train

You can buy your Railjet tickets online via the popular and well-regarded booking platform Omio, which allows you to book train tickets across much of Europe.

Use the search tool below to find the best train connection for your chosen route.

Railjet train routes

Railjet trains are the backbone of the Austrian railway network, and operate most of the long-distance InterCity train services in the country. However, you will also find them on a few major international routes that are popular with tourists, such as:

Vienna – Budapest
Munich – Salzburg – Linz – Vienna – Budapest
Munich – Innsbruck – Verona – Venice/Bologna
Zurich – Innsbruck – Salzburg – Linz – Vienna – Budapest
Vienna – Graz – Villach – Udine – Venice/Trieste
Prague – Brno – Vienna – Graz
Berlin – Dresden – Prague – Brno – Vienna

railjet train austria — *Railjet train at the station of Villach in Austria. ©DiscoverByRail*

Railjet travel classes

On Railjet trains, you can find the following travel classes:

Economy (2nd class) – open-plan seating in a 2+2 configuration, with most seats two-abreast, and others arranged in bays of four around a table.
First class – open-plan seating in a 1+2 configuration, including solo seats, pairs of seats opposite each other around a table, and bays of four around a table.
Business class (premium first class) – larger seats than first class, arranged either in semi-compartments of three or four seats, or as solo seats in an open-plan carriage.

On Railjet trains, power sockets are available at every seat, and the trains are also equipped with Wi-Fi. Luggage can be stored in racks located at various points in each coach or on the overhead racks above the seats.

railjet economy second class — *Economy (second class). ©DiscoverByRail*

first class — *First class. ©DiscoverByRail*

business class — *Business class. ©DiscoverByRail*

Dining car

Railjet trains all have a dining car, roughly half the length of a coach. It is comparatively small by European standards, with only five tables for seating. Places in the dining car are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If the dining car is full, you can still buy snacks or drinks and take them back to your seat.

When travelling in first or business class, you can order food or drinks from the dining car through the train attendant, who will deliver them directly to your seat. Only Railjet Business class includes a complimentary welcome drink; all other food and drinks on board must be purchased.

Although food in the dining car is not freshly cooked but rather microwaved or prepared in the oven, it is generally good quality. The menu includes a good selection of breakfast items, snacks, and hot meals for lunch and dinner. The assortment of drinks is good too, with a large selection of coffees, tea, soft drinks, beer, wine, and other alcoholic drinks.

On ÖBB Railjet trains, there is an Austrian dining car serving staples such as Wiener Schnitzel and Apfelstrudel. Railjet trains linking Prague with Austria feature a Czech dining car, offering traditional Czech dishes instead.

railjet dining car — *Railjet dining car. ©DiscoverByRail*

Seat reservations

On Railjet trains within Austria, seat reservations are optional. The same applies to international Railjet services to and from Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, although a seat reservation is compulsory for domestic Railjet routes within Hungary. On international routes to and from Germany, a seat reservation may be compulsory during the high summer season but is otherwise optional. If you are travelling on a Railjet train across the border into Italy, or on a domestic route within Italy, a seat reservation is mandatory.

However, it is still advisable to reserve a seat, as trains on popular routes can be busy, particularly during the high summer season and around national holidays.

Business class always requires a seat reservation.

Using your Interrail or Eurail pass on Renfe AVE trains

If you are travelling around Europe with a Global Interrail or Eurail pass you are free to use Railjet trains.

However, note that a special passholder supplement and seat reservation are required when travelling on a Railjet train to or from Italy, or on domestic routes within Italy.