Austrian challenger Westbahn will enter the southern corridor on 1 March 2026 with three daily high-speed services linking Vienna, Graz, Klagenfurt and Villach via the newly opened Koralmbahn. The news broke on 24 February 2026, after Die Presse revealed that the company has secured track-paths and will deploy eight-car Stadler ‘Smile’ (Giruno) trainsets authorised for 230 km/h.(newsminimalist.com)
The launch poses the first direct competition to state-owned ÖBB on the route. Westbahn promises a 3 h 55 min Vienna–Villach runtime—30 minutes faster than current Railjet services—thanks to lower dwell times and the Koralmbahn’s 33-km Koralm Base Tunnel. A premium business carriage, free 5G Wi-Fi and through-ticketing with FlixBus are aimed squarely at corporate travellers and cross-border commuters heading to Carinthia’s electronics cluster.
![Private Operator Westbahn to Launch High-Speed Service on Koralmbahn, Slashing Vienna–Villach Journey to Under Four Hours]()
Fares will start at €59 in standard class, €89 in Comfort+ and €139 in Business, with dynamic pricing capped at 0.22 €/km. Westbahn CEO Erich Forster said capacity will rise to five daily return trips by late May once additional drivers complete ETCS Level 2 certification. Employers with Austrian field teams should review travel policies: ÖBB’s corporate contract discounts do not apply on Westbahn, but the newcomer will offer 10-ride carnet bundles and an “Enterprise Flex” subscription.
For international passengers eager to sample the new route—whether relocating staff, hosting clients or arranging a site visit—VisaHQ can simplify the necessary travel documentation. Its platform (https://www.visahq.com/austria/) provides clear visa requirements, digital application tools and expedited processing for Austria and neighbouring Schengen countries, ensuring that mobility plans keep pace with Westbahn’s faster rail schedules.
From a global-mobility standpoint, faster southern-axis rail cuts reliance on short-haul feeder flights via Vienna, helping firms meet ESG travel-emission targets. It also improves weekend home-leave options for expatriates posted to Graz or Klagenfurt, potentially widening talent-pool acceptance for hard-to-fill assignments.
The launch poses the first direct competition to state-owned ÖBB on the route. Westbahn promises a 3 h 55 min Vienna–Villach runtime—30 minutes faster than current Railjet services—thanks to lower dwell times and the Koralmbahn’s 33-km Koralm Base Tunnel. A premium business carriage, free 5G Wi-Fi and through-ticketing with FlixBus are aimed squarely at corporate travellers and cross-border commuters heading to Carinthia’s electronics cluster.
Fares will start at €59 in standard class, €89 in Comfort+ and €139 in Business, with dynamic pricing capped at 0.22 €/km. Westbahn CEO Erich Forster said capacity will rise to five daily return trips by late May once additional drivers complete ETCS Level 2 certification. Employers with Austrian field teams should review travel policies: ÖBB’s corporate contract discounts do not apply on Westbahn, but the newcomer will offer 10-ride carnet bundles and an “Enterprise Flex” subscription.
For international passengers eager to sample the new route—whether relocating staff, hosting clients or arranging a site visit—VisaHQ can simplify the necessary travel documentation. Its platform (https://www.visahq.com/austria/) provides clear visa requirements, digital application tools and expedited processing for Austria and neighbouring Schengen countries, ensuring that mobility plans keep pace with Westbahn’s faster rail schedules.
From a global-mobility standpoint, faster southern-axis rail cuts reliance on short-haul feeder flights via Vienna, helping firms meet ESG travel-emission targets. It also improves weekend home-leave options for expatriates posted to Graz or Klagenfurt, potentially widening talent-pool acceptance for hard-to-fill assignments.
