On December 14, 2025, Austria celebrated a transformative leap in its rail infrastructure with the official opening of the Koralm Railway—a 130-kilometre high-speed line connecting Graz and Klagenfurt. But the excitement hardly stopped there. That same day, a new daily high-speed service linking Vienna and Trieste began operation, slashing travel times between the Austrian capital and Italy’s Adriatic coast by a whopping three hours. The developments mark a bold new era for rail travel in Central Europe, blending speed, sustainability, and regional connectivity in ways that were, until recently, the stuff of planners’ dreams.
For travelers, the numbers speak volumes. The new Vienna-Trieste Railjet service, operated by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), now covers the distance in just six hours and 38 minutes—down from the previous nine-hour, 18-minute slog. Trains depart Vienna Central Station at 6:53 a.m. and glide into Trieste at 1:31 p.m., with stops in Graz, Klagenfurt, Villach, Udine, and Grado. As for Venice? Passengers can now reach the iconic city in around seven hours, shaving half an hour off the old timetable. According to ÖBB, these changes don’t just mean faster journeys—they symbolize a tightening embrace between Austria and Italy, making cross-border travel more accessible than ever.
"With the new timetable starting December 14, the opening of the Koralm Railway marks the beginning of a new era in rail travel. We are not only increasing the number of services on the rail network, but also significantly reducing travel times: Trieste can be reached from Vienna in just 6 hours and 38 minutes, bringing Italy and Austria even closer together. I am very pleased that we have taken an important step towards strengthening climate-friendly mobility and connecting important regions even faster," said Kurt Bauer, head of ÖBB long-distance passenger services, as reported by Euronews.
Behind these improved services lies the Koralm Railway itself—a €6.1 billion undertaking, decades in the making, that now stands as one of Europe’s most ambitious rail projects. Construction began in 2002, and the scope is impressive: more than 100 bridges, 50 kilometers of tunnels, and the crown jewel, the 33-kilometer Koralm Tunnel (construction of which started in 2008), slicing through Austria’s Koralpe mountains. The railway is designed for speeds up to 250 km/h and is fully electrified at the Austrian standard of 15kV AC, ensuring both rapid transit and energy efficiency. The line features 23 stations and stops, enhancing accessibility for communities along its path.
When the Koralm Railway opened to all traffic on December 14, enthusiasm was palpable. According to Railway Gazette, within the first few hours, 10,000 people had already taken a ride on the new line—a testament to pent-up demand for quicker, more convenient connections. And it’s not just passengers who benefit: the line has been fully operational for freight since November 2025, promising to improve the efficiency of goods movement across the region and reduce congestion on the roads.
Andreas Matthä, CEO of ÖBB, summed up the moment’s significance: "The full opening of the Koralm Railway is a historic milestone. We are experiencing enormous interest in the new line, which will help shape the future of rail travel in Austria." His words echo the sentiment of many in Austria and beyond who see the railway as more than just a transportation upgrade—it’s a symbol of progress, sustainability, and European integration.
The Koralm Railway forms a vital segment of the European Union’s Baltic-Adriatic corridor, a network linking ports in Poland to those in Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. This corridor is a crucial artery for both passenger and freight traffic, and the new railway strengthens Austria’s role as a central hub for trans-European transport. By reducing travel times between Graz and Klagenfurt to just 41 minutes—a journey that once took far longer—the line is revolutionizing regional mobility. According to Railway Gazette, this improvement is expected to foster business growth, boost tourism, and enhance the competitiveness of Austria’s southern regions.
ÖBB’s new timetable doesn’t just benefit international travelers. The company has introduced a half-hourly service between Vienna and Graz, increasing daily connections from 18 to 33. Graz to Klagenfurt now sees 29 daily journeys, up from just eight (which were previously handled by bus), and Vienna to Klagenfurt boasts 26 links, up from 10. These changes mean greater flexibility and convenience for commuters and tourists alike, making rail the go-to choice for many journeys that might have once required a car or a plane.
Environmental considerations are front and center in Austria’s rail renaissance. The Koralm Railway’s electrification and high-speed design provide a sustainable alternative to road transport, directly supporting Austria’s goals to reduce carbon emissions. As Railway Gazette notes, the line is expected to deliver significant environmental benefits, aligning with broader European Union initiatives to promote green transportation and combat climate change. With more people and goods moving by train, the region takes a meaningful step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The economic impact of the Koralm Railway is expected to be substantial. By slashing travel times and improving efficiency, the railway will help local businesses connect with new markets, attract investment, and encourage tourism. For cities like Graz and Klagenfurt, now just 41 minutes apart, the line could be a game-changer, making it easier for workers to commute, families to visit, and companies to collaborate. The improved freight capacity will also help Austrian exporters reach customers across Europe more quickly and reliably.
But perhaps the most striking aspect of this story is the sheer scale and ambition of the project. Spanning more than two decades from conception to completion, the Koralm Railway is a testament to Austria’s commitment to modernizing its transport system for the 21st century. It stands as a model for how long-term investment, careful planning, and a focus on sustainability can yield transformative results—not just for a single country, but for an entire continent.
As trains speed through the new Koralm Tunnel and passengers zip from Vienna to Trieste in record time, Austria’s railways are making history. The Koralm Railway and its associated services aren’t just changing the way people travel—they’re helping to redefine what’s possible for sustainable, efficient, and connected transportation in Europe.
