Passengers travelling between eastern and western Austria face significant detours this week after Germany’s Deutsche Bahn closed the Deutsches Eck corridor for large-scale track works. The closure, which began on 15 November and runs through 19 November, severs the fastest rail link between Salzburg and Tyrol, forcing ÖBB and private operator Westbahn to reroute or cancel dozens of services.
ÖBB long-distance trains from Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna to Zürich are being diverted via Bischofshofen and Zell am See, extending journey times by up to two hours and eliminating the usual stop in Kufstein. Railjet Xpress services to Munich are running via Passau, while regional links between Salzburg and Wörgl are partly replaced by buses. Westbahn’s services to Munich and Stuttgart are also detouring through Passau, with several Austrian intermediate stops dropped.
![Major Rail Disruptions as Deutsches Eck Route Closes for Works]()
Night trains are affected as well: the Vienna–Zürich and Bregenz–Vienna Nightjet routes are using alternative lines, and the Budapest–Munich sleeper now bypasses Salzburg entirely. Both carriers advise travellers to consult ÖBB’s SCOTTY app or Westbahn’s live update page and to allow additional time, especially where bus replacements connect with onward trains.
For business travellers the disruption is more than an inconvenience. The Deutsches Eck link is the most time-efficient rail option between the corporate hubs of Vienna and Innsbruck, and between Austria and southern Germany. Airlines report a modest uptick in last-minute domestic bookings, but capacity remains limited.
Practical tip: Companies should authorise flexible tickets and, where possible, shift meetings to virtual formats until full service resumes on 20 November. Travellers transiting Salzburg Airport should check rail-air connections, as some trains now arrive outside peak flight banks.
ÖBB long-distance trains from Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna to Zürich are being diverted via Bischofshofen and Zell am See, extending journey times by up to two hours and eliminating the usual stop in Kufstein. Railjet Xpress services to Munich are running via Passau, while regional links between Salzburg and Wörgl are partly replaced by buses. Westbahn’s services to Munich and Stuttgart are also detouring through Passau, with several Austrian intermediate stops dropped.
Night trains are affected as well: the Vienna–Zürich and Bregenz–Vienna Nightjet routes are using alternative lines, and the Budapest–Munich sleeper now bypasses Salzburg entirely. Both carriers advise travellers to consult ÖBB’s SCOTTY app or Westbahn’s live update page and to allow additional time, especially where bus replacements connect with onward trains.
For business travellers the disruption is more than an inconvenience. The Deutsches Eck link is the most time-efficient rail option between the corporate hubs of Vienna and Innsbruck, and between Austria and southern Germany. Airlines report a modest uptick in last-minute domestic bookings, but capacity remains limited.
Practical tip: Companies should authorise flexible tickets and, where possible, shift meetings to virtual formats until full service resumes on 20 November. Travellers transiting Salzburg Airport should check rail-air connections, as some trains now arrive outside peak flight banks.
