Flood damage disrupts rail travel between Budapest and Munich, Salzburg, and Zurich – Transfer required
Due to extensive flood damage, the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) has announced that international rail travel is changing crucially due to the rail line between Vienna and Salzburg requiring months of repairs, significantly altering international train schedules starting from 10 October, according to Mávinform.
Rail travel beyond Vienna impossible
Trains that typically run beyond Vienna to destinations such as Salzburg, Munich, and Zurich will now terminate in Vienna. As a result, direct rail travel beyond the Austrian capital is no longer possible, and passengers will need to transfer to other trains to reach their final destinations., Mávinform reports. Due to flood-related damage in the area between Vienna and Sankt Pölten, restrictions have been imposed, and the timetable has undergone substantial modifications.
Travellers from Budapest should expect changes
From Budapest, all Railjet trains will operate only as far as Vienna, and Railjets from destinations beyond Vienna will depart from there when heading towards Budapest. Despite this, hourly Railjet services will continue between Vienna and Salzburg, but travellers can expect an additional travel time of 30–60 minutes due to transfers and schedule changes.
The Kálmán Imre EuroNight train will continue to operate its full route without requiring transfers (except on 12th and 19th October). The train departs Keleti station at 19:40, one hour earlier than usual, en route to Salzburg. Meanwhile, the Railjet service, which normally departs Keleti at 19:40 for Vienna, will depart one hour later, at 20:40. For the return journey, the Kálmán Imre EuroNight will depart Salzburg at 7:40 instead of the usual 6:40, arriving at Keleti station at 10:19 (except on 13th and 20th October). The morning Railjet from Vienna will leave one hour earlier, at 6:40, and arrive at Keleti station at 9:19.
Temporary timetable to remain for quite a while
The temporary ÖBB schedule, which includes these restrictions, will remain in place from 10th October until 14th December. On certain days, international train services may operate with additional schedule or route changes. Detailed timetable changes for Hungarian-Austrian long-distance trains can be accessed via this PDF file, and ÖBB provides further information about the modified service on its website.
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Commencement from 9th September travel by train in Hungary, Germany and Austria and Italy just an ABSOLUTE Mess.
Been away from Budapest to the country’s identified in that time and comment from “hands on” experience.
Disappointing, but when such things as “Acts of God” – happen, mankind often is POWERLESS to to STOP it.
We departed Budapest on the 9th September by train and nothing in my weather research gave indication of what now we KNOW – the damage, destruction or CHAOS that did occur and STILL time on rectifying, returning rail travel back to a resemblance of normality.
Fingers CROSSED.